Journals Information
Universal Journal of Educational Research Vol. 13(1), pp. 1 - 11
DOI: 10.13189/ujer.2025.130101
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General Foundation Programs in the Higher Education System of Oman: Effectiveness and Efficiency
Peyman Nouraey 1,*, Ali Al-Badi 2, Leila Akbarpour 3, Jenna Engelhart 4, Behnam Nouraei 5
1 Research Department, Gulf College, Muscat, Oman
2 Deanship, Gulf College, Muscat, Oman
3 Department of English Language, Shiraz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Iran
4 Center for Foundation Studies, Gulf College, Muscat, Oman
5 Department of English Language, Islamic Azad University, Iran
ABSTRACT
The present study aimed at evaluating the effectiveness and efficiency of the General Foundation Program (GFP) in the Sultanate of Oman. This is a prerequisite program for nearly all undergraduate students at both government and private higher education institutions. Kirkpatrick's model of program evaluation was used as the main framework of the study. This model consists of four elements spread over the evaluations of reaction, learning, behavior, and result. These factors determine whether an educational program is effective or not. To that end, this study examines various components of the program via a thorough evaluation. These were evaluations of a) curriculum, b) homework, c) facilities, d) classroom environment, e) program content, f) students' levels, g) use of learned materials, and h) program effectiveness. Data were collected from 177 students and 11 educators through author-designed questionnaires. In addition to fixed responses for both surveys, the educators' questionnaire contained open-ended questions. Data were collected based on a 5-point Likert scale and text analyses were completed through human processing. To find statistically significant differences among the frequencies of participants' responses, the chi-square procedure was applied. Results revealed statistically significant differences among the responses of both participant groups, with the effective option being significantly more (
鈮�0.0001 for both groups). Some suggestions were also given by the educators to improve the program. Finally, a SWOT analysis was carried out to discuss the findings and results of the study. All in all, it was concluded that while the GFP has improved as compared to studies carried out in the past, there are still challenges, weaknesses, and threats that need to be considered by the educational policymakers and other concerned educational authorities in Oman.
KEYWORDS
Curriculum Evaluation, General Foundation Program, Kirkpatrick's Evaluation Model, Oman, Program Evaluation, SWOT Analysis
Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Peyman Nouraey , Ali Al-Badi , Leila Akbarpour , Jenna Engelhart , Behnam Nouraei , "General Foundation Programs in the Higher Education System of Oman: Effectiveness and Efficiency," Universal Journal of Educational Research, Vol. 13, No. 1, pp. 1 - 11, 2025. DOI: 10.13189/ujer.2025.130101.
(b). APA Format:
Peyman Nouraey , Ali Al-Badi , Leila Akbarpour , Jenna Engelhart , Behnam Nouraei (2025). General Foundation Programs in the Higher Education System of Oman: Effectiveness and Efficiency. Universal Journal of Educational Research, 13(1), 1 - 11. DOI: 10.13189/ujer.2025.130101.