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[1Z112] University Choice in Cambodia: Perspectives of Students and Their Families
Keywords:University Choice, Family Involvement, Higher Education, Cambodia
The family is a crucial factor in a student’s choice of university. Previous studies consistently show that families, particularly parents, have a strong influence on this decision. However, most recent studies conducted globally, including in developing countries, have treated this perception uniformly in their findings. Additionally, they have focused their sampling methods on participants from one of the following groups: grade 12 high school students, first-year university students, and their parents.
The objective of this research is to understand how students and their families perceive university choice, as well as to explore their differences and commonalities. To achieve this goal, the study aims to answer the following specific research question: What are the differences between students’ and parents’ perceptions of university choice?
This study utilized a semi-structured interview method for data collection, with participants consisting of grade 12 high school students, first-year university students, and their families, including siblings and grandparents. The study employed a qualitative approach grounded in social capital theory.
The evidence presented confirms that the differences in perceptions between students and their families are significant, especially in large families with low economic status. In particular, parents from low-income families were more likely to consider the educational and financial needs of their other children. Siblings and grandparents expressed a desire to support the student’s university choice, although siblings were less likely to take financial considerations into account.
Thus, even within the same family, students and their relatives have different views on university choice. Future research should gather empirical data from other countries to explore how students and their families perceive university choices. Additionally, based on its findings, this study recommends that the higher education sector in Cambodia reexamine its scholarship programs to consider family structure and economic status.
The objective of this research is to understand how students and their families perceive university choice, as well as to explore their differences and commonalities. To achieve this goal, the study aims to answer the following specific research question: What are the differences between students’ and parents’ perceptions of university choice?
This study utilized a semi-structured interview method for data collection, with participants consisting of grade 12 high school students, first-year university students, and their families, including siblings and grandparents. The study employed a qualitative approach grounded in social capital theory.
The evidence presented confirms that the differences in perceptions between students and their families are significant, especially in large families with low economic status. In particular, parents from low-income families were more likely to consider the educational and financial needs of their other children. Siblings and grandparents expressed a desire to support the student’s university choice, although siblings were less likely to take financial considerations into account.
Thus, even within the same family, students and their relatives have different views on university choice. Future research should gather empirical data from other countries to explore how students and their families perceive university choices. Additionally, based on its findings, this study recommends that the higher education sector in Cambodia reexamine its scholarship programs to consider family structure and economic status.
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