The effects of student involvement and college environment onstudents' learning and living experience at world-class university: a comparative case study of the Universityof Hong Kong (HKU) and Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU)

Abstract

This comparative research examined the effects of student involvement and college environment on students’ learning and living experience delivered by two aspiring world-class universities in Hong Kong and Shanghai. Few studies have shown how the levels of student involvement and college environment can benefit students at world-class institution. Earlier research done by Pascarella (1985) suggested that college environment impact students’ learning and living experience. Research in the field has also shown that through adequate campus facilities and campus resources, college student interaction and involvement can be promoted. Adapting a quantitative research approach, this comparative case-study utilizes the “Student Involvement Survey” from Ohio State University(OSU) and the “Student Satisfaction Study” from Birmingham City University(BCU) to examine students’ learning and living experience at aspiring world-class institutions. The study was conducted at two major research institutions from the Universitas 21 network: The University of Hong Kong (HKU) and Shanghai Jiao Tong University(SJTU). The finding indicated that: a) student involvement (academic and social) affect students’ learning and living experience, b) college environment (academic, campus, and interpersonal) affect students’ learning and living experience, and c) students’ learning and living experience impact the making of world-class universities in China. The study extends from earlier research on student involvement and college environment from the U.S. and the U.K. into China’s modern higher education. The results of this research suggest that student involvement and college environment plays a salient effect on Chinese students’ learning and living experience and its overall developmental plan for world-class universities in China. In the end, the researcher provides senior administrators, policy makers and student affairs practitioners a few recommendations to further create an educationally powerful environment and experience for all students at aspiring world-class institution in China.