Effect of institutional management practices on postgraduate students’ academic outcomes: A comparative study of a public and a private University in Pakistan

Abstract

The present study investigated impact of institutional management on the academic achievements of postgraduate students in the University of the Punjab (UOP) (a public university) and Superior University Lahore (SU) (a private university) in Lahore, Pakistan. The practices of management play a significant role in the overall teaching and learning environment but not enough quantitative evidence has yet been produced to verify its impact on postgraduate students’ academic performance in Pakistan. A descriptive-correlational research design was utilized to collect data from 253 postgraduate students by applying a structured questionnaire that quantified eight managerial dimensions and composite academic outcome; statistical analysis was performed using correlation, t-test and multiple regression analysis. The findings demonstrated that the overall management and academic performance levels were higher at SU than those at UOP. There was a positive relationship of all eight managerial aspects with academic performance both at UOP (r= .63) and at SU (r= .71) respectively. Management practices at SU and UOP was significantly different (p< .001). The results of regression analysis highlighted curriculum quality, academic interaction quality and physical academic facilities as the best predictors, accounting for 58% of variance. Thus, curriculum review and updating and enhancement of physical resources is a crucial step for both Universities and the HEC.