Abstract:
A random sample of different batches , of students in the College of Engineering, departments of Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, and Medical Engineering at the Sudan University, was retro-prospectively studied. The batches were tracked from the first year of admission up to the final year in order to determine the role of governmental universities toward academic affiliation for the students of public admission with those admitted privately, and in order to identify the optimum percentage for the private admission so that they could adapt and affiliate. The variables measured were as follows: the quality of performance (the number of those who sat for supplementaries; the number of those who passed immediately after the end of each semester), and the cumulative grade point average of achievement (the cumulative percentage at the end of each semester). The data has been collected from all students and throughout the semesters. The students were then divided, in accordance with the admission percentage, into three categories: those admitted beyond the declared competitive percentage of admission (the difference between the percentage of admission and the declared percentage exceeds more than 12%); those admitted in accordance with the regulation (the category that does not exceed the admission percentage of 12% from the declared competitive percentage of admission); and the third category admitted in accordance with the announced competitive percentage.
In the colleges under study and within various batches, the study found an excess in the number of students admitted privately, as their ratios ranging from 41.8% to 80% of the total number of students admitted in the same academic year and in the department concerned. As for the percentages eligible for admission, the study demonstrated that there was an obvious transcendence, where the percentage of private admission ranges down from the declared competitive percentage from 23.3% to 29.1%, in the same academic year.
The study demonstrated that the university had not played any role toward the adaptation and affiliation for the students of public admission with those admitted privately, neither in view of quality of performance nor in terms of the cumulative standard in all departments and various batches throughout their study. The study also reflected the impracticability for the students of private admission to obtain first class degrees at graduation or to get 2nd class division one either.
The study showed the negative role played by the students admitted beyond the rule in comparison with the students of public admission and those of private admission. It indicated that the failure of this category (i.e. those admitted beyond the rule) to continue study exceeded 67% in some cases. However, a small number was able to continue their study up to senior classes despite their weak performance. The study disclosed that the percentage of less than 12% from the declared competitive percentage might help in the adaptation and affiliation among students. It recommended strict adherence to the announced regulations regarding numbers and the stated percentage of private admission. It further recommended that the universities should introduce a preparatory course for the students of private admission in the core subjects at least three months before the start of the academic year and before engaging in study with their colleagues of public admission.
