Components of an academic advising program standard for Malaysian public universities

Abstract

Academic advising at Malaysian public universities has been in existence for more than three decades. However, different universities have different ways of running their programs. As a result, there is no standard academic advising program available for public universities of Malaysia. This study intends to fill the gap by exploring the expectations of students, advisors and administrators toward academic advising. Using qualitative research approach, the study explores the potential standardized components which can be used for developing a program standard. The findings of this study indicated that while each of the three groups favors the establishment of an academic advising standard, students suggest that the responsibility of advisors be clarified and the technological support be maintained and updated, advisors focus on assessment and rewards as well as staff development. At the same time, administrators focus on the components leadership, staff development, finance and assessment. Their opinions about the components of a future standard showed varying ideas and concepts, the dominant trend being the adaptation of international trends to the local values. The results of the study are expected to contribute to the development of academic advising standards for Malaysian public universities.