Exploring the international postgraduates’ perspective of academic problems in Chinese universities located in Wuhan, China

Abstract

Every year millions of students travel to other countries to pursue their dreams of becoming skilled and knowledgeable professionals with expertise. However, they have to face some challenges and difficulties during studying abroad. The current study aimed to examine and identify the academic problems faced by foreign postgraduates while studying at Chinese universities in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. Further, this study also aimed to identify various levels of academic problems and put forward possible recommendations and solutions that help international postgraduates cope with difficulties in their studies. Data was collected through a questionnaire survey from the 493 international postgraduates studying in six public sector universities located in different parts of Wuhan. Using the SPSS 24 version and Principle Component Factor Analysis method, the study found that foreign postgraduates encounter academic problems and difficulties, 30.25%, 12.04%, 8.21%, perceived scientific research writing, teaching & learning, and perceived student-supervisor interaction. Also, 5.07% and 4.47% of the perceived major courses and academic activities. The study finds that foreign postgraduates studying in Wuhan, China expressing their significant concerns, are scientific research writing issues, the teaching system, lack of student-supervisor interaction, language barrier, and fewer course selection options. Based on the result, the study suggested that focusing on scientific writing skills, increasing interaction with supervisors, offering more English programs, increasing English teaching faculty, and arranging academic seminars and workshops can effectively reduce students’ academic problems in Chinese universities. Possible solutions, limitations and future research directions have been discussed.

Keywords:

• International postgraduates
• academic problems
• scientific research
• academic activities
• solutions
• Wuhan China

Public Interest Statement

The influx of international students in Chinese universities increasing rapidly from around the world. However, they have to face challenges and difficulties during studying in China. This study explored the international postgraduates’ perspective regarding the academic problems in Chinese universities located in Wuhan, China using Principle Component Factor Analysis method. Data has been collected through Questionnaire survey from the 493 international postgraduates studying in six key universities located in various parts of Wuhan. Moreover, the study found that international postgraduates studying in Chinese universities expressing their significant concerns are: research publications issues, lack of student-supervisor interaction, language barrier, and fewer course selection options. This study offers a possible solutions and recommendations .The study will be fruitful for Policy-makers, University management team, researchers and foreign students.

Acknowledgements

We thank the reviewers and all the international postgraduates for their participations. This study would not be possible without their contributions.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Dear Editors and Reviewers

Please find attached the authors’ bio.

Thanks

Additional information

Funding

This research project is funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [Grant Number 71872027 72172024].

Notes on contributors

Wazir Arif Hussain

Wazir Arif Hussain is a PhD student at the School of Management and Economics, University of Electronic Sciences and Technology of China (UESTC). He has awarded the highest distinction award (Gold Medal) in his Bachelor’s Degree for excellent academic performance. His research focuses on Public Policy, Management, and Educational Leadership.

Yunfei Shao

Yunfei Shao, the corresponding author is a professor at the School of Management and Economics, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC). She used to responsible for the management of international students in the School and also taught the course of Innovation Management for international postgraduates. She has published more than 200 papers in academic journals such as “Journal of Business Venturing”, “International Journal of Information Management”, “Journal of Management Science. She has also won more than 10 provincial and ministerial awards, including the Ministry of Education Humanities and Social Sciences Outstanding Achievement Award, the Sichuan Province Science and Technology Progress Outstanding Achievement Award-the first prize, the Sichuan Provincial Social Science Outstanding Achievement Award-the first prize/second prize, etc. and has won more than 30 outstanding achievement awards in academic societies and academic conferences as well.