The Implicit Role of First-Years’ Higher Education Faculties

Author: Maurice Abi-Raad, Rabdan Academy, United Arab Emirates
Email: mabiraad@ra.ac.ae
Published: February 28, 2018
https://doi.org/10.22492/ije.6.1.01

Citation: Abi-Raad, M. (2018). The Implicit Role of First-Years' Higher Education Faculties. IAFOR Journal of Education, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.22492/ije.6.1.01


Abstract

The higher education experience is a challenge for first-year students. One of the challenges facing a generation of youth is attaining professional skills, academic experience and occupational training. In order to have a clear picture of the challenges involved in first-year experiences it is important to examine elements impacting first-year students' adjustment to university and in particular on the dual faculty role. This opinion paper posits that higher education faculties play an important role in the successful adjustment of first-year students, not only in facilitating their learning, but in impacting students' well-being and their growth as better citizens. The findings from this paper were drawn from various studies looking at the importance of first-year faculties in higher education, which involved extensive literature reviews and reported interviews with university stakeholders. The paper offers higher education leadership insights into the complex factors at play and the dual role faculties hold.

Keywords

first-year student, higher education, quality teaching