| Challenges Confronting Female Undergraduate Students in the Study of Engineering in Nigerian University |
This study examined the challenges confronting female students in engineering programmes in Nigerian
university (A case study of Rivers State University (RSU), Port Harcourt in south-south zone of Nigeria).
Descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. Forty (40) female undergraduate Engineering
students of 2015/2016 Session from seven engineering departments in the university were purposively sampled.
Two research questions guided this study and questionnaire was used to collect data. The questionnaire was
validated by three experts in the university and using Cronbach Alpha method, a reliability coefficient of 0.85
was obtained. Mean and standard deviation were used to analyse data for the research questions. The study
revealed amongst others that, the challenges confronting female students in engineering programmes in RSU
include: school factors such as inadequate learning facilities; personal factors such as time management and
financial issues. Despite challenges, parental support, career-driven goals, self-motivation, faith, job prospect
and future financial independence, amongst others, were used as key motivational factors by female engineering
students to help them continue in the engineering programmes. It was recommended that government; school
administrators and parents should encourage female enrolment and participation in engineering programmes
through positive interactions and creating engineering awareness from early age. |
Okwelle, P. Chijioke, Ph.D |
Alalibo, T. Joyce (Engr) |
2017 |
|
| PRIVATE-PUBLIC PARTNERSHIP AND TECHNICAL VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING (TVET) IN A DEVELOPING ECONOMY |
Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system is widely recognised as education system expected to produce a competent workforce who can compete and excel in a rapidly changing environment and improves a country's economy. That TVET system in Nigeria and many other countries are in crisis or in immediate need for intervention, are often heard. Private Public Partnership (PPP) is viewed as an alternative strategy put forward to address the challenges confronting this all-important education system. Therefore, this paper attempts to add to the available literature on PPP in TVET by examining; conceptualizing PPP and its relative importance in economic growth, revamping TVET for technological advancement and economic growth in Nigeria through PPP collaboration. Constraints on TVET as a measure for economic development in Nigeria were also highlighted. The paper concludes by recommending for a proper PPP involvement in TVET system in Nigeria to enhance its economic potentiality. |
Okwelle, P. C. |
Nill |
2013 |
|
| DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF INSTRUMENT FOR ASSESSING PRACTICAL SKILSS IN FAULT DIAGNOSES AND REPAIRS OF RADIO AND TELEVISION SYSTEMS IN NIGERIAN TECHNICAL COLLEGES |
This study developed and validated a radio and television skill assessment scale (RTSAS) that will improve the assessment of students' performance in diagnoses and repairs of faults in radio and television systems. The study answered one research question and tested two hypotheses. The RTSAS comprising of practical skills based on National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) curriculum and related literature were developed and validated by seven experts. Radio and television teachers from technical colleges in the South-South zone of Nigeria were the sample used for item validation of the RTSAS which was further tried out on radio and television students. Data collected were analyzed using statistical mean, Cronbach's Alpha and One Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The result of the study showed that six clusters and 76 practical skills were found appropriate for the RTSAS. Also, the instrument was found to possess a high reliability of 0.95. Based on this result, it was recommended amongst others that radio and television teachers in technical colleges and other similar institutions in Nigeria should be made to be aware and learn to use the RTSAS for assessing performance in radio and television fault diagnoses and repairs |
Okwelle, P. C. |
Nill |
2012 |
|
| Motivational Factors and Future Expectations that Influence the Choice of Engineering Programmes by Female Undergraduate Students in Nigeria |
This study investigated the motivational factors and future expectations that influence the choice of engineering programme by Nigerian female undergraduate students. The study adopted the descriptive survey research design using a sample of forty female engineering students in Rivers State University, Port Harcourt. Purposive sampling method was employed to select the study participants. The study was guided by two research questions. The instrument for data collection was structured questionnaire which was face-validated by three experts in the university and had a reliability coefficient of 0.85 using Cronbach Alpha method. The data collected were analysed using mean and standard deviation. It was found among other things that genuine interest, self-confidence and the drive to succeed were key motivational factors why female undergraduates choose engineering programmes. On the issue of expectations, the findings revealed among others that higher societal status, pursuit of higher education, job security and financial stability were the future expectations of female engineering students. Based on the results of the study, it was recommended that teaching and training styles should be flexible to accommodate the female students. Early awareness, career counselling and training programmes in engineering should be functional in all levels of education. Introduction It is an acceptable truth that no society can reach heights of greatness unless there is an ample supply of dedicated men and women in all fields critical to its growth and development, and that is when such society can be recognized. For decades, engineering have contributed to the economic and technological growth of nations, however in this profession, women constitute a very small number compared to men around the world, both in academia and workplaces [1-5]. At the Rivers State University (RSU), records collected from its Faculty of Engineering, revealed that between the years2013 and 2015, female enrolment was about 10%-12%; with only 10% female enrolment in civic engineering, 8% in electrical engineering, 3% in marine engineering and 2% in mechanical engineering. Though the Nigerian government have made efforts to improve women education in technical and engineering fields, however low rate of female enrolment and participation in engineering and other technical courses still persist [3]. These "failed" efforts may be linked to, among other things, unawareness, no career counselling, discouragement, cultural beliefs, stereotyping and gender segregation which persist in parts of the country [6-8]. Such negative situations produce unsupportive environment, low self confidence, and lack of interest in engineering programmes for females in Nigeria. Based on the foregoing, there is need therefore to attract women to participate and succeed in engineering programmes with appropriate incentives to motivate these women. |
Paulinus Okwelle |
Tamuno-Omie Joyce Alalibo Rivers State University |
2017 |
|