Student Perspectives about Their PhD Journey: The Case of Addis Ababa University

Abstract

This study was conducted to explore students’ views on their PhD journey by gauging the experiences of 164 students pursuing their studies at the four colleges of Addis Ababa University- Ethiopia’s flagship institution. The findings indicate that while the student-student and student-faculty relationships, climate of programs and thesis advisory services are positively rated, support systems like availability of financial assistance and resources, workshop and conference presentation, special trainings provided, opportunities for publication of research papers are found to be very weak. It is posited that the success of PhD programs currently run at Addis Ababa University will continue to be challenged unless a significant improvement is made on the support mechanisms put in place.