Through the Eyes of Higher Education Students: Uncovering the Triad of Institutional Culture, Engagement, and Communication Climate

Abstract

This descriptive study aimed to investigate the perceived levels of institutional culture, student engagement, and communication climate among higher education students. The objectives of the study were: 1) To describe the perceived levels of institutional culture among higher education students. 2) To describe the perceived levels of student engagement among higher education students. 3) To describe the perceived levels of communication climate among higher education students. Research was performed using a descriptive research design, and a survey of higher education students was conducted for data collection. The population that was the subject of the study consisted of students of both genders from the public and private sectors who were enrolled in colleges and universities in the Punjab province of Pakistan. On the other hand, undergraduates at the University of Sargodha were the accessible population. In total, a survey was administered to a sample of 360 students (both male and female) from the University of Sargodha, Pakistan, with a five-point Likert scale questionnaire. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistical techniques like frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviations, and rankings. The results showed that the strongest perception of the institutional culture was among students (Mean scores ranging from 4.04 to 4.33), while the highest reported engagement was among students (Mean scores ranging from 4.28 to 4.40). The communication climate was also perceived positively and received the highest ratings (Mean = 4.19). The study, however, concluded that the university environment was perceived as very favorable for academic success and engagement, but there were still some areas that could be improved in terms of communal support and inclusivity. And then the study's recommendations and suggestions for future researchers were presented.