Academic advising, a case study of A'Sharqiyah University-Oman

Umar, Tariq

Abstract

By definition, the academic advising is the process between the student and an academic advisor of exploring the value of a general education, reviewing the services and policies of the institution, discussing educational and career plans, and making appropriate course selections. The most effective advisors assist advisees in effective decision making, thereby contributing to the development of mature and self-directed students. This can be accomplished by: i. Providing accurate information about institutional policies, procedures, resources, and programs. ii. Assisting students in understanding the nature and purpose of higher education and the value of a general education. iii. Assisting students in their consideration of life goals by relating interests, skills, abilities, and values to careers and the world of work. iv. Assisting students in developing ad educational plan consistent with life goals and objectives (alternative courses of action, alternative career considerations, and selection of course). v. Assisting students in evaluation or re-evaluation of progress toward established goals and educational plans. vi. Assisting students in self-understanding and self-acceptance. vii. Making referrals to other institutional or community support services. At A'Sharqiyah University different steps has been taken to make the academic advising more effective, which includes academic advising training and workshop, pre-registration process, compulsory meetings between advisor advisee during semester and office hours for advising each week. The results of a semi-structured interview conducted with academic advisors and advisees at College of Engineering (A'Sharqiyah University) indicate that academic advising is still not effective. 50% of the academic advisors and advisees are in the view that the process of academic advising needs further improvement. The reason ineffectiveness of academic advising at A'Sharqiyah University is that the institution is a young private higher education institution in Oman where the academic advising is not older than a few years. The continuous changes in rules, policies, procedures, program structures and sometimes changes from Ministry of Higher Education results into confusion and lack of clarity which affect the academic advising.

• Presentation Conference Type: Keynote
• Conference Name: Academic Advising: Is It Worth it?
• Start Date: Nov 21, 2017
• End Date: Nov 22, 2017
• Deposit Date: Feb 27, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 1, 2022
• Book Title: Academic Advising Practice
• Keywords: Academic Advising; Semi-Structured Interview; Rules and Procedures.
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/8661969