The determining factor in an undergraduate heading for a postgraduate degree as part of continuous learning

• Main Authors: Damin, Zahrul Akmal, Dahaman, Padilah, Ab Rahman, Azura, Yusoff, Mek Eshah, Dali, Mohd Hasani, Shari, Abd Shukor, Omar Fauzee, Mohd Sofian, Rosli, Mohd Hafiz
• Format: Article
• Published: Serials Publications Pvt. Ltd. 2012
• Subjects: LB2300 Higher Education
• Online Access: http://repo.uum.edu.my/21615/; http://serialsjournals.com/articles.php?volumesno_id=638&journals_id=283&volumes_id=266

This study was carried out to find out the determining factor that drives graduates to pursue their post graduate program as part of continuous learning. 10 students pursuing their post-graduate program were chosen as respondents from one of the universities in the northern part of peninsular. In depth interview using semi-structured questions were employed for the purpose of gathering data and information. The data gathered was analysed based on content analysis method to find out the frequency and percentage in order to determine the main themes that determine graduates to further their studies as part of continuous learning. Based on the data analysed, it was gathered that there were six main themes that determine graduates to pursue the post graduates degree, namely (i) self-improvement; is equivalent to 43.87%, (ii)love for knowledge; is equivalent to 16.77%, (iii) encouragement; is equivalent to16.13%, (iv) universities; is equivalent to14.84%, (v) work pressure; is equivalent to 6.45%, and (vi) unemployment; is equivalent to1.94%. Thus, based on the data gathered, it was proven that the factors mentioned above such as self-improvement, love for knowledge, encouragement and choice of universities were found to be the determining factors for the graduates to pursue their studies as part of continuous learning. Suggestion for further research on this issue is also given due attention in this article.