April 2007

Prof. Ghassan El-Khayat

Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Juergen van Buer
Damascus and Berlin

Student Needs Survey

It is important to understand the needs of the students to prepare a good study

support system. The Faculty of Agriculture at Damascus University prepared this
survey to learn more about the motivation, life and career goals, time occupation and
problems of the students in their study programs.

The results will be used to improve the quality of support services for students. For
that reason your opinion is important. Please fill out the whole questionnaire and
answer truly.

Your answers will be kept anonymous. There are no questions included, that can
identify you personally.

The data will be collected and analyzed in cooperation with Humboldt-University

Berlin in the frame of the Tempus Project UM_JEP-3212-2004 „Quality University
Management and Institutional Autonomy“ (for further information please visit
www.qumia-tempus.edu.sy). It is guaranteed that no one unauthorized will get
access to the data. The overall results of the survey will presented to the staff and
the students of the Faculty of Agriculture in October 2007.

Study Status

Please respond to the following questions to your current study status.

1. Year of matriculation at Faculty of Agriculture ______

Study-Year in your current study program in agriculture:
st

1 year
nd
2.
2 year
rd

3 year
th

4 year
th

5 year
When you are now in the 4th or 5th study year, please choose your specialization!
3.
Food Sciences

Animal Production

© Tempus Project: „Quality University Management and Institutional Autonomy“ 1

 Choice of Study Program

How important were the following reasons for your decision to apply for this study program.

absolut
less more absolut
not
4. I am interested in the study program itself.




5. I wanted to study, no matter what.




6. My family wants me to apply for this study program.




7. This study program should be easy.




8. This study program has a high reputation in Syria.




9. After graduation I will find a good job.




10. I could not afford to study something else.




The university is near where I live. I did not want to move to
11.




another place.
12. My parents/relatives graduated from this study program.




13. My parents/relatives own/run a farm.




14. I can work beside this study program.




I applied for this study program to study with my friends and/or
15.




relatives.
To apply for another study program, my average grades in
16.




high school were not good enough.
17. I always wanted to study in this study program.




18. I decided spontaneously to apply for this study program.

Think on your first day in this study program. How well have you been informed about the
following aspects?

absolut
less more absolut
I was well informed about... not

19. … the structure

20. … the contents




21. … professional employment chances

Think on first study year. Did you have problems in the following aspects.

absolut
less more absolut
not

22. basic knowledge in agriculture

23. mathematics




24. English language




25. writing texts of at least 4-5 pages




26. free speaking and presenting




27. work with the computer and with information technology




28. using library

© Tempus Project: „Quality University Management and Institutional Autonomy“ 2

 Time Occupation

How many hours do you spend on the following things in a typical week.

hours per week

<1 1-5 6-10 11-20 21-30 > 30

29. attendance in practical sessions






30. attendance in lectures/classes






31. self study (preparation for lectures and exams etc.)






attendance in study related activities (research
32.






projects, language courses, IT etc.)
33. employment






34. care for family/relatives






35. time for transport between home and class

Study Support

How often did you use the following facilities in this semester?
for special regularly regularly un- no
never
reasons per month per week known access
36. library






computer pool in the Faculty of
37.






Agriculture
computer pool in the Faculty of
38.






Agriculture with internet access
39. laboratory






facilities of the Faculty of Agriculture in
40.






Abi Jarash and Kharabu
41. Study support facilities






- by professors/teachers






- by vice dean of the faculty






- by vice president of the university






- by student union

Study Support Facilities

How did you solve study problems?

absolut
less more absolut
not

42. I always solved every problem by myself.

When I had study problems, I solved them together with other
43.




students.
When I had study problems, I am afraid to ask for help (teachers
44.




and staff etc.).
45. When I ask for help, the study support facilities did not help me.

© Tempus Project: „Quality University Management and Institutional Autonomy“ 3

 Study Engagement and Future Plans

How would you evaluate your self efforts in study activities during this semester?
absolut
less more absolut
not

46. During class I always tried to write everything down.

47. I often missed classes.




48. I engaged myself active with questions and answers.




49. I often was unconcentrated.




50. I took private financed further training.




I carefully prepared myself for the lessons by learning the
51.




materials.
52. After class I always repeat everything we learned.




53. I intensively prepared myself for the exam, to get good results.

How would you evaluate your study success?

absolut
less more absolut
not

54. I am sure to get my graduation from this study program.

55. I am sure to be one of the best in my study year.




When I work harder I would get better results in my study
56.




program.
I need to work or to care for my family. If not, I would get better
57.




results in my study program.
What are your future life and professional goals?
absolut
less more absolut
not

58. After graduation I will apply for a master program.

59. It is important for me to work, no matter what.




60. I want to work in my study field.




61. I want to work in the public sector.




62. I want to work in a private company.




63. I want to start a political career.




64. It is important for me to reach a leading position.




65. It is important for me to earn a lot of money.




66. I want to be an entrepreneur.




67. I do not expect to work after my graduation.




It is important for me to find an employment high reputed by
68.




family/friends.
69. I want to work in research.




70. I want to continue my family tradition.




71. I want to study/work abroad for a while.




72. I want to emigrate.

© Tempus Project: „Quality University Management and Institutional Autonomy“ 4

 Personal Data

73. Gender: 
male
female

74. Age: 
till 19 years
20-24 years
25-29 years
30 and older

Nationality:
Syrian 
75.

other ________________________________________________

76. I am:
single
engaged
married
divorced
widowed

Time occupation by care for family/relatives:

77.

Yes, I spend most of my time on that.

Yes, I spend some time on that.

no

Living area of the family:

78.

Damascus
District of Damascus
other districts of Syria
abroad

Housing:
79.

by family/relatives 
student housing
with partner in own flat
in own flat
Parents` graduation in higher education:
80.

yes, both 
father only 
mother only
no 
I do not know.
Parents` alphabetization
81.

yes, both 
father only 
mother only
no 
I do not know.

82. Do your parents work?
yes, father
yes, mother
no, none of them

Average of exam results in points in the last study year

83.
(1. study year 1. semester only) ______
Study time delay:


no 
yes, for _____ study years

In case you answered „yes“, what are the reasons?

(Multiple answers are possible!)

I did not attend the practical sessions.

I failed in too many subjects.
84.

I did not attend the lectures/classes. 

I repeated my high school exam.

I served in the military.

I worked too much. 

I had to care too much for my family/relatives.

I lost too much time by transportation between home and class.

I want to stay longer at university.

other reasons

Thank you very much for your help!

© Tempus Project: „Quality University Management and Institutional Autonomy“ 5