TRAITS AND FACTORS AFFECTING ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT OF THE FOREIGN UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN SUDANESE UNIVERSITIES (A CASE STUDY OF STUDENTS FROM SELECTED COUNTRIES OF EASTERN AFRICA)

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the traits and factors affecting academic achievement of the foreign undergraduate students in Sudanese universities. The study targeted specifically the foreign students and the population was the undergraduate students of the academic year 2018-2019 from the selected countries of eastern Africa namely; Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia. The study selected total of 336 foreign students from these three countries in two universities which are Africa International University and Ahfad University of Women to examine traits and factors impacting academic achievement. The instrument used to collect the data was a questionnaire that was tested its reliability and result revealed overall Cronbach’s alpha of .81. Furthermore, the study employed descriptive and inferential statistical analyses to arrive at conclusions for the research questions raised by the researcher. Findings of the study revealed that some of demographic variables such as; gender, residence, field of study, previous language of instruction are not statistically significant in relation to academic achievement of students. However, analysis indicated statistical significance of two demographic variables these are; age and year of study. Moreover, the study concluded insignificance of parental involvement, institutional factors and instructional factors in relation to academic achievement of the students. Conversely, the study ascertained to the significance of study habit which indicates the decisive effect of the student’s effort on academic achievement. The findings of this study have important implications for higher education institutions in Sudan in general and for the lecturers and instructors whom they are entrusted to enhance the academic performance of the students. Thus, the researcher has recommended at the end of the study some measures that can be taken into consideration in order to enhance the academic achievement of the undergraduate students and foreign students in particular.