Factors Influencing the Choice of Higher Education Institution and Diploma Programme among Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Students

Abstract

Education based on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) plays a pivotal role in providing technically skilled human resources for the development of the nation. However, in Malaysia, the number of students taking STEM-related programmes in higher education institutions (HEI) is still low. The actual factors behind such scenario are still unclear and need to be further investigated. With better understanding on the influential factors, the relevant authority can come up with appropriate strategies to increase students' enrolment in STEM-related
programmes. Thus, this study is embarked to determine the factors that influence the students’ choice of HEI and diploma programme at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM). A quantitative approach was employed by disseminating a questionnaire to 779 diploma students from Semester 1 and Semester 2 of April – August 2022 session. The quantitative data analysis methods used in this study includes descriptive statistics. The findings showed that people who influence the choice of HEI among the students the most are themselves (mean: 5.16, SD: 1.108), while in terms of the choice of HEI, the availability of the academic programme (mean: 5.17, SD:0.894) is the leading factor. The study also found that the choice of diploma programme among students is dominantly influenced by employment opportunities (mean: 5.01, SD:1.001). The overall research findings showed that the students themselves and the people who are close to them are
significant factors in determining which HEI the students chose to pursue their studies. Future career prospect is one important factor that influences the choice of their academic programmes. It is also important to note that about 45.9% of students who took the STEM package in school, changed to a Non-STEM programme when pursuing their studies in HEI. This finding revealed that there is a high percentage of STEM students who changed their fields in higher education. The outcomes of this study could be beneficial to the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Higher Education, education departments, schools, and higher education institutions to take proper actions and devise strategies to increase the number of students taking STEM-related programmes in school and higher education.