Usage of Facebook by Student Leaders in Creating Awareness Regarding Covid-19 in Guwahati

Pandemic like COVID-19 has triggered disruptions in personal and collective lives globally. It is not only a pandemic, but also an Infodemic of misinformation about the virus which raises demand for reliable and trustworthy information. With the advent of social media creation and consumption of news have been changing among the young generation. Student leaders have taken on additional work and assumed new responsibilities by volunteering in their communities and creating awareness among the public about the accuracy of information and measures to be taken against the deadly virus. This study explores the use of Facebook handles by the student leaders of two universities in Guwahati in creating awareness about the health-related messages regarding Covid-19 and its vaccination. The researcher will use critical discourse analysis to evaluate the use of social networking sites by the students’ leaders. To understand the usage by the leaders, Facebook pages of the leaders would be followed and studied backed with unstructured interviews with the leaders to understand the purpose of and pattern of using the social media handles.

student-run free clinic project: lessons in compassion, community, and courage

For 25 years, UC San Diego Student-Run Free Clinic Project has provided free high-quality care to underserved communities, while inspiring the next generation of health professionals. Free thorough ongoing care is provided in community settings to people who have nowhere to turn and do not qualify for access to care. The clinic philosophy has four tenets: empowerment - creating environments where patients take charge of their lives and achieve wellbeing, a humanistic approach - embodying Rogerian principles of empathy, respect, and self-awareness, a transdisciplinary model, one where the patient and community are the teacher. This philosophy permeates the life of the clinic. These values are taught, modeled, expected, and observed in curricular components throughout the four years of medical school. 250 medical, 75 pharmacy, and 100 predental students are involved each year as well as students in law, social work, and acupuncture. Students learn to be healers, artists, teachers as they become health professionals. At each clinic session student leaders gather the team in a large circle, and lead a sharing of recent stories and experiences reflecting the core tenets. All work is directly supervised by licensed clinicians, many of whom were once free clinic students. During the era of COVID, care became virtual. Promotors helped patients learn to use Zoom to receive care. Visit attendance increased to 100%. Our Spanish language empowerment group met online. The clinic already provided healthy food bags to patients at medical visits. Students and volunteers organized to deliver food and medication to people’s homes.

Pathways of Electoral Clientelism in University Student Elections in Ghana: An Exploratory Study

Recent studies on student politics and governance have shown that electoral clientelism (EC) in university student elections is often facilitated by clientelist relations between student leaders and political parties. However, there is a dearth of empirical research investigating the various forms of electoral clientelism, as manifested through vote-buying practices in campus electoral politics in African universities. This article, therefore, investigates the multifaceted and changing dynamics of vote-buying in student electoral processes in Ghanaian universities. The study adopted a qualitative approach based on semi-structured interviews with 15 student leaders, 4 university staff working with student leadership, and 4 focus group interviews involving students at the University of Ghana and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. From our finding, we argue that electoral clientelism takes place in five crucial ways in university student elections in Ghana. These include the provision of direct cash payments, exchanging electoral support for student government positions and appointments, provision of food and beverage consumables, award of student-related business contracts, and provision of educational materials and souvenirs.

Insights on student leadership using social dream drawing: Six propositions for the transformation role of South African student leaders

Background: Student leadership is central to the South African transformation agenda in higher education. Even so the understanding of student leadership, especially regarding its purpose and its implementation varies across contexts.Aim: This article aims to present propositions for student leadership practice considering the current diverse and often fragmented understanding of student leadership. Such propositions should aid the formation of a streamlined multi-levelled and systemic co-curriculum for student leadership that equips student leaders for their significant transformation task.Setting: The study was conducted in a South African higher education institution within the associated Student Affairs department. The university where data was collected is referred to as a historically White university.Methods: Social dream drawing was utilised to elicit data that enabled insights into student leadership. The data was analysed by pluralistically fusing discourse analysis with a psychodynamic interpretation.Results: The findings reveal a preoccupation in student leadership with South African historical narratives and the implications thereof for the present, and future, of the country. Additionally, student leaders indicated that there are complex psychological implications that result from their leadership experiences. Six propositions for student leadership are presented.Conclusion: The insights gained from the research study have the potential to contribute positively to higher education legislation and student development practice, particularly regarding the psychological conflicts that student leaders experience, and to the possible ways to resolve these. Because student leaders are key to the transformation agenda in South Africa, these insights can contribute directly towards their suitability in fulfilling this role.

Participation value of undergraduate students leading STEM outreach: Evaluation of academic, personal and professional effects

This study explores the academic, professional and personal career benefits of leading Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) outreach, from the perspective of undergraduate student leaders. We consider traditional and non-traditional STEM university students, gender and type of position (paid or volunteer) in this evaluation. Data were collected through an online survey completed by 30 former student STEM outreach leaders from the University of British Columbia. Survey data indicated that STEM outreach had a moderately strong impact on academic, professional and personal career development. Outcomes did not differ between genders and paid work was found to contribute to greater personal and professional impact. The positive influence of outreach on academic and professional decision making was higher in traditional STEM fields than STEM based health-science studies. Future studies are needed to fully understand how demographics and year of study might differentially inform career decision making within as well as between STEM fields to maximize university student leader involvement and create advances in the university-leaders academic and professional development. The outcomes of this research will further inform the relevant impacts of STEM outreach on university student leaders.

Shared Space in Distance: A Phenomenological Study on Student Leadership in Virtual Platform

Campus student leadership in a virtual space refers to the pursuit of student leaders in pursuing leadership through organizing, implementing, and facilitating programs and activities virtually. This study utilized a Qualitative Transcendental Phenomenological approach with two sets of focused group discussions and two in-depth interviews. Four themes (categories) emerged that characterized the essence (structure) of the phenomenon of student leadership in virtual space. The themes include “transition and gains” that discuss their experience of the shift from face-to-face leadership to the virtual platform. The second theme is “Mindfulness and Actions” which describes how their mental attitudes have changed when it comes to making decisions now that they lead virtually. The third one is “Adaptability and Coping” which discusses their experiences on how they adapt to the changes and cope with the challenges. The fourth theme is on “virtual rapport and connection” which explains the roles exemplified by the student leaders in establishing the connections among them in the virtual space. The understanding of student leadership in a virtual space provides input for the institution in intensifying its support and improving the delivery of virtual programs and activities through more effective and efficient leadership of students.

Implementation Evaluation of A Secondary Level Whole School Programme: A Qualitative Inquiry

Background: Whole-of-school programmes (WSPs) are one of eight best investments to reduce physical inactivity. The 'Secondary Level Active School Flag' (SLASF) programme for students aged 12-19 years is one such WSP for physical activity. This student-led programme is guided by student voice, fun, inclusiveness and partnerships. Due to the complexities of the school system and the multi-component nature of WSPs, there is a risk of poor implementation. The monitoring of facilitators and barriers as unanticipated influences during feasibility studies is important to better understand the key implementation processes prior to scale-up. The aim of this study was to identify perceived facilitators and barriers to implementing the SLASF. Guided by the ERIC taxonomy, it also aimed to select and recommend evidence-based implementation strategies to overcome the barriers and leverage programme facilitators. Methods: Process evaluation focus groups (N=22) and interviews (N=27) were conducted in three schools with programme implementers i.e. school management (n=5), SLASF coordinator (n=4), student-leaders (ASF transition years aged 15-16 years) class (n=37), staff committee (n=23) and were transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis and were guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. Implementation strategies were identified using the ERIC taxonomy and were selected systematically to address contextual needs.Results: Three themes were identified surrounding the facilitators and barriers to implementation: intervention design factors influencing implementation (e.g. capacity building and knowledge of implementers; interest and buy in for the programme and design and quality of the programme), organisational factors influencing implementation (e.g. optimisation of people; planning and execution; and the busy school environment) and interpersonal factors influencing implementation (e.g. relationships; communication; and collaboration).Conclusions: This study has identified drivers of implementation success or failure for future impact and extended roll out of SLASF. The examination of facilitators and barriers assisted with the identification of implementation strategies including (not limited to) a shared leadership programme for student leaders, a more flexible timeline for completion and an introductory year to assess readiness to engage. Through guidance on the identification of implementation strategies and in alignment with the ERIC taxonomy, we have provided recommendations that may assist in effective implementation of the SLASF.

Learning to Lead: What Constitutes Effective Training for Student Leaders in New Zealand Secondary Schools?

<p><b>Student leaders in New Zealand secondary schools may include tutors, head students, sports and cultural captains, mentors and prefects. This study is based on the premise that student leaders can provide inspiration to other students and work skilfully to shape the culture of a school. The possibilities that stem from the role of student leader can be endless, yet there seems to be little evidence of consensus regarding what kind of training should be provided for student leaders.</b></p> <p>This is an investigation of student leadership training programmes. The main purpose is to discover what constitutes effective training for student leaders. This study is designed to provide educators with examples of what effective training could involve. It is a multiple-case study of three different New Zealand secondary schools. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, an observation and a survey. The study uses a distributed leadership framework and thematic analysis of data.</p> <p>This study reveals some aspects of effective student leadership training and, based on findings, includes recommendations for components of future training programmes. The analysis highlights the importance of creating a school environment that supports student leadership. The findings also reveal the value of designing leadership training programmes that adhere to principles of experiential learning.</p>

Learning to Lead: What Constitutes Effective Training for Student Leaders in New Zealand Secondary Schools?

<p><b>Student leaders in New Zealand secondary schools may include tutors, head students, sports and cultural captains, mentors and prefects. This study is based on the premise that student leaders can provide inspiration to other students and work skilfully to shape the culture of a school. The possibilities that stem from the role of student leader can be endless, yet there seems to be little evidence of consensus regarding what kind of training should be provided for student leaders.</b></p> <p>This is an investigation of student leadership training programmes. The main purpose is to discover what constitutes effective training for student leaders. This study is designed to provide educators with examples of what effective training could involve. It is a multiple-case study of three different New Zealand secondary schools. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, an observation and a survey. The study uses a distributed leadership framework and thematic analysis of data.</p> <p>This study reveals some aspects of effective student leadership training and, based on findings, includes recommendations for components of future training programmes. The analysis highlights the importance of creating a school environment that supports student leadership. The findings also reveal the value of designing leadership training programmes that adhere to principles of experiential learning.</p>