South African private universities: The unique challenges of private university first-generation students – The unique opportunity for private higher education institutions

Linda  Meyer; Birgit  Schreiber

doi:10.24085/jsaa.v12i1.5245

Authors

Linda Meyer
Birgit Schreiber

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24085/jsaa.v12i1.5245

Abstract

This article delves into the formidable obstacles first-generation students (FGS) encounter within the South African private higher education sector which locates the study on which it is based in the literature around the overall experience of first-generation students. Extensive research has underscored the various challenges faced by FGS, posing hindrances to their academic success in higher education. FGS often grapple with a complex journey fraught with challenges around finances, social adjustment, and epistemological access, to name a few. This research adopts a quantitative approach with a cross-sectional research design. The study utilises a 5-point Likert scale questionnaire supplemented by open-ended questions to gather data from a sample of 1 208 students. The study reveals that close to one-third (30.5%) of the sample found the academic requirements challenging, just less than two-thirds (63.6%) found the coursework overwhelming, and more than half (57.7%) received support from faculty and academic advisors. In terms of financial challenges, less than a
quarter (21%) indicated that they face financial challenges most of the time. The results of this study are reflective of similar research on the challenges experienced by South African FGS. The authors suggest that more research is needed to examine the unique challenges the FGS experience at private universities in South Africa. Moreover, the authors argue that an overall systemic and structural transformation is needed to enable institutional changes that would ease the challenges of all students.

Author Biographies

Linda Meyer

Dr Linda Meyer is the Managing Director at IIE Rosebank College. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy (RSA), Doctor of Business Administration (USA), Master of Business Administration (UK), Post Graduate Diploma in Management Studies (UK), BCom (Law), BBA and several other Diplomas, Higher Certificates and professional certifications.

A serving member of the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) Board and Audit and Risk Committee, the QCTO-Occupational Qualifications, Assessment and Certification Committee (OQACC), and the CHE Community of Practice on Leadership and Governance.

Dr Meyer served on various governance structures (past and present), including the South African Magistrates Commission, South African Qualifications Authority, Higher-Health, Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA), Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, Services SET A, SA SMME Foundation, South African Private Higher Education (SAPHE), DHET, ETDP SETA.

Former positions include Head of Operations at Universities South Africa (USAf), Head of Justice College (DoJ&CD), Chief Operating Officer (COO), Executive Dean, Dean, Academic Executive, Acting Deputy Director General, Chief Director, CCMA Commissioner, various other senior executive management and consulting positions. A published author, thought leader, regular media guest, and speaker at industry conferences.
Birgit Schreiber

Birgit Schreiber, Ph.D., is a consulting expert for the international higher education sector, has served in senior leadership positions, with expertise in Sub-Saharan Africa and Europe higher education with focus on student success, leadership, digitalisation, DEI and gender. Birgit has worked with a range of national and trans-national bodies, notably USAf South Africa, DAAD and ERASMUS, teaches, does research and supervision, programme design and policy development. She is appointed as Extraordinary Professor at her Alma Mater, UWC, in Cape Town. Her PhD is in psychology, registered as psychotherapist at the HPCSA. Birgit has over 90 articles, chapters and books, on various themes around social justice, student affairs, student engagement and higher education leadership, gender and SDGs. She was the founding editor and is the editorial executive of the Journal for Student Affairs in Africa (JSAA), she is on the board of the Journal of College Student Development (JCSD) and a Column Editor for the Journal of College and Character (JCC). After being the Africa Chair, she serves as the Vice-President for the International Association of Student Affairs and Services. She has received numerous awards, most recently the Noam Chomsky Award for international research and the NASPA Award for international practice. She is a member of the Africa Centre at the Albert Ludwig University Freiburg, Germany, research associate at Pretoria University, Germany Director for the STAR Scholars Network and sits on the board of the South African National Research Centre at the University of Johannesburg and the CASHEF at University of Pretoria.