Browsing by Author "Ezati,Betty Akullu"

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    Exploring the Determinants of Entry Grades and Challenges Faced by Students Admitted to Public Universities in Uganda through Direct Entry Schemes?
    (African Higher Education, 2025) Aciro,Rosalba; Oriangi,George; Openjuru, George Ladaah; Onen, David; Rasmussen,Palle; Ezati,Betty Akullu
    Entry into public universities in developing countries is highly competitive, presenting significant opportunities for aspiring students. While existing research primarily focuses on determinants of academic performance during university studies, there is limited exploration of factors influencing entry grades and challenges faced by students while at the university. Using the Input-Transformation-Output model, this research examines determinants of students’ entry grades and challenges encountered by students in Gulu University in Northern Uganda and Makerere University in Central Region. Data on determinants of students’ entry grades and insights into challenges faced by students while at the university were collected using key informant interviews and analysed using content analysis. Findings revealed that the programme of study, entry scheme, selection criteria, entry academic performance, and intake capacity determined students’ entry grades. Students face numerous challenges, including inadequate facilities for those with disabilities, difficulties balancing academics with co-curricular activities, lack of career guidance, financial constraints, insufficient learning materials, limited internet access, high student-teacher ratios, and social obstacles. The study highlights the complex determinants of entry grades and the diverse challenges faced by students in Ugandan public universities and proposes targeted interventions to address these issues, thereby fostering academic success and equitable opportunities for all students.
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    Modelling Transformation of Communities by Public Universities in Post Conflict Northern Uganda Using Economic and Demographic factors
    (EAST AFRICAN NATURE & SCIENCE ORGANIZATION, 2024-07-02) Adebua,Asaf; Oriangi,George; Abola,Benard; Amone,Charles; Ezati,Betty Akullu
    Scarcity of knowledge exists on how economic and demographic factors of surrounding communities influence the capacity of universities to transformthem. This study examines the dimensions that contribute to community transformation in the context of the community surrounding Gulu University in post-conflict northern Uganda and the economic and demographic factors of the surrounding community that influence their transformation by Gulu University. The study employed a cross-sectional research design with a sampleof 390 households. Self-administered questionnaires were used to collect dataon household economic and demographic factors and data on dimensions ofcommunity transformation. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used todetermine the contributions of the dimensions of community transformation, while logistic regression model was employed to determine economic and demographic factors that influence community transformation by Gulu University. The independent variables tested in the economic and demographic categories included age, gender, household size, occupation, alternative income, savings, credit, remittances, and education, while transformation formed the dependent variable. Findings revealed that the economic, physical, political and spiritual dimensions contribute more to the transformation of the community surrounding Gulu University, while the economic and demographic factors that had a significant influence on community transformation included occupation in civil service, business, and commercial farming (P=.004); and thelevel of education (P=0.044). The study concludes that the economic, physical, political and spiritual dimensions with their associated variables contributed more to community transformation. These can be used by other related studies to measure community transformation by universities in the context of developing countries. Furthermore, policies need to focus more on supporting the improvement of the business environment to promote commercial farming and university education since they have a higher multiplier effect on community transformation. Consequently, community members need to focus on business, harness commercial farming and achieve university level of education.