Evaluation of workshops, training courses, and discussion panels in applied colleges at Saudi universities: A student perspective

Abstract

This study evaluates the effectiveness of workshops, training courses, and discussion panels organized by colleges at Imam Abdul Rahman bin Faisal University from the perspective of students. The study population consisted of 1,511 male and female students from three main faculties: Administrative Sciences, Finance Sciences, and Computer Sciences. A sample of 950 students, representing 70 percent of the population, was surveyed. A questionnaire based on a five-point Likert scale was developed, covering two key areas. The first examined the qualities of a successful and engaging discussion panel through nine statements, while the second assessed speaker characteristics through 12 statements. The findings indicate that students from the Applied College highly valued the effectiveness of seminars and discussion panels, particularly in addressing issues relevant to university life. At a significance level of 0.05, statistically significant differences were found in student attitudes based on gender, with female students demonstrating higher levels of approval. The study recommends incorporating entertainment elements into discussion sessions and training courses to enhance engagement. Additionally, it suggests directing students toward training sessions aligned with their academic and personal development needs to maximize the benefits of these initiatives.

Keywords: Applied colleges; discussion panels; evaluation; training courses; workshops