Political Science Alumni Survey - Draft Dec 1 2011schools.aucegypt.edu/huss/pols/Documents/Political Science Alumni... · The$Office$of$Institutional$Research/AUC!Page1!!! !!! Fall2011$

The Office of Institutional Research/AUC Page 1

Fall 2011

The Political Science Alumni Survey Report


Table of Contents Page

Executive Summary: Introduction and Overview 3 Section I:

Q.1: What is the type of your organization? 4 Q.2: What is your organization name? (Optional) 4 Q.3: Please state your Profession/Job title. 5 Section II: Q.4: What is your political science degree/s earned at AUC 7 and graduation year? 7 Q.5: Did you earn other degree? Q.6: Are you currently enrolled in any other degrees outside AUC? 7 Q.7: Was political science your first choice of major? 7 Q.8: If your answer in the previous question is “No”, what was your first choice as an undergraduate student? 7 Q.9: Please answer the following questions 7 Q.10: How long after (or before) graduation did you obtain employment? 7 Section III: Q.11: For each of the following areas of study please indicate how important it is your current job. 15 Q.12: Below is a list of abilities, skills and expertise that students could gain from studying Political Science. Based on your own experience at AUC indicate how political science delivered the following skills. 15 Section IV: Cross Tabulation questions 19 Section V: Q.14: What are your suggestions for how future political science graduate be better trained/educated? 27


Executive summary

Introduction and Overview The Political Science-‐Alumni survey was designed to assess the programs and policies of the department of political science at the American University in Cairo. Through the Office of Institutional Research, a link of the survey was sent to “One thousand fifty eight” Alumni (1058) on October 27th, 2011 and 2 email reminders were followed until November 20, 2011. One hundred and six (106) surveys were completed and returned (10%).

Methodology and Organization of the Report This report is divided into 5 sections. In the first section, the respondents’ organizations information is given in frequency tables and figures. In the second section, the respondents’ earning degrees at AUC and outside AUC are given in frequencies and figures. In the third section, different areas of study in Political Science and their effects on the respondents’ present jobs are stated. Additionally, we presented how significantly AUC delivered certain abilities, skills and expertise to the Political science students. Cross tabulation questions are presented in the fourth section. Please note that in the cross tabulation sections II and III, on average we got 65 responses, these responses were users’ selection and in the users’ selection around 30% were missing data. Finally, in the fifth section, the open-‐ended question is presented.


In this section when respondents were asked: “What is the type of your organization? 17.9% reported ‘Non government organization (NGO)’, 11.3% reported ‘Ministry’, 6.6% reported ‘Media’, 29.2% reported ‘Company’ and 34.9% did not report this question. Respondents’ organization name and their profession or job title are followed in the same section.

Table 1

Type of organization Frequency Percent

Non Government Organization (NGO) 19 17.9%

Ministry 12 11.3%

Media 7 6.6%

Company 31 29.2% Total 69 65.1%

Missing 37 34.9%

Total 106 100%

Figure 1

What is your organization name?

§ Abayology § Africa and Middle East Refugee Assistance § Al-‐Ahram Center for Political and Strategic

Studies § Almat'haf-‐ Museum of Archeology in Gaza,

Palestine § American University in Cairo § American University in Cairo/ CARE Egypt § Arab Administrative Development

Organization § Bank Audi § Bank of Palestine § British University in Egypt (BUE) § Cairo financial holding § CBC § Coca-‐Cola § Dorchester International Group § Dubai School of Government § EFG Hermes § Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

§ Emirates Shipping Line § Exxonmobil Egypt § GIZ § Harvard University § Hayah International Academy § HC § Heliopolis Modern Language School § Houghton Mifflin Harcourt § HP § Human Rights Watch § IDRC, Canada (International Research

Centre, Canada) § Information Technology Industry

Development Agency § Integrates Solutions for Ports § International Federation for Human Rights

(FIDH) § International Organization for Migration § Ipsos § McDowell Group, Juneau, Alaska

Section I Q.1, Q.2 and Q.3


§ Middle East Communication Network-‐an IPG company

§ Ministry of Foreign Affairs § Ministry of International Cooperation § Ministry of Trade and Industry § Misr Advanced Systems § Mobinil § National Democratic Institute § NDI § Reuters § Royal Ceramica § Shell Egypt § Social Contract Center § The Canadian Embassy in Riyadh § The Egyptian Company for Mobile Services

(Mobinil)

§ The League of Arab States § Thebes Consultancy § Thomson Reuters § UNHCR § UNICEF § United Nations § United Nations Development Programme § US Embassy § USAID -‐ Office of Middle East Programs § Vodafone Egypt (as a fulltime employee)

ADAA' for Learning and Development (Partner and Co-‐founder)

§ volcan diamond for distribution LLC § Women and memory forum § World Vision International, South Sudan

Please state your Profession/Job title:

§ Accounts Manager § Adjunct Faculty -‐ Assistant Professor § Adjunct Faculty of Journalism and Mass

Communications § Administrative assistant § Arabic Editor § Assistant Lecturer § Assistant Lecturer in the Political Science

department § Associate Director Human Resources § Associate Legal Officer § Brand and Quality Senior Specialist § Brand Manager § Business Development Manager § Business Development Specialist § Business Initiatives Unit Manager § Business Internet Senior Specialist

(Vodafone) Learning Consultant (ADAA') § Caseworker § Commercial Attaché § Communication for development

programme assistant § Communication Officer § Community Outreach Team Leader § Coordinator § Coordinator, South-‐South Co-‐operation Unit § Core Operations Manager § Corporate Governance Officer § Correspondent § Credit card operations employee § Dealer, treasury department § Development

§ Digital & Direct Communication Expert § Diplomat, Policy Planning & Crisis

Management Department § Director § Dr./ Adjunct Professor/ Education &

Governance Program Officer § Economic and Political Researcher § Economist § Egypt Researcher § Executive § Facility Manager § Field Marketing Manager § Filmmaker § General Manager § Head of the multi-‐lateral Affairs section -‐

Cabinet of the Secretary General § Head, Quality and Business Development

Group § Immigration Program Officer § International Caseworker § International Cooperation Officer § Law Student § Lawyer § Legal Consultant § Levant economist § Manager / CO-‐ owner § Managing director § Marketing Research Officer -‐ Section Head § Monitoring and Evaluation § Oriental dress and abaya manufacturer and

designer § Owner and general manager


§ PhD Candidate § PhD student § Policy and Advocacy Advisor § PR Manager § PR Officer § Private equity analyst § Procurement Specialist § Professional researcher and coordinator § Professor § Program Assistant § Program Assistant MUN/ MAL § Program Officer for the Middle East and

North Africa Desk. § Program Specialist § Programme Assistant § Regional Civil Society and Governance

Specialist § Regional Export Manager § Regional Strategic Director

§ Research Analyst § Researcher § Resettlement Consultant § Second Secretary, London Palestinian

Diplomatic Mission § Senior Pricing Manager § Senior Publisher Representative &

Educational Consultant § Senior research executive § Shop, Food & Services Manager § Social Studies Teacher (Elementary and

Middle School) § Team Leader in Risk management § Technical Officer § Third Secretary § United nations volunteer at the

Communication for Development section at UNICEF

§ Vice President


Ø When respondents were asked:

1. “What is your political science degree/s earned at AUC and graduation year?”, 79.2% of the Alumni reported ‘Bachelor degree’, 19.8% reported ‘Master degree’ and 0.9% did not answer this question. Respondents’ graduation year is presented in table 2.1, page 8.

2. “Did you earn other degree?”, 44.3% of the respondents reported “Yes”, 53.8% reported “No” and 1.9% did not report this question.

3. “Are you currently enrolled in any other degrees outside AUC?”, 17.9% of the respondents reported “Yes”, 80.2% reported “No” and 1.9% did not report this question.

4. “Was political science your first choice of Major? , 64.2% of the respondents reported “Yes”, 34.9% reported “No” and 0.9% did not answer this question. The reason for choosing Political Science is presented in page 12.

5. If “No’ “What was your first choice as an undergraduate student?”, Table 5 in page 11 presented the Undergraduate first choice.

Ø When we asked respondents:

§ “Did you participate in CIMUN? And “Was the experience beneficial?”, 54.7% of the respondents reported “Yes” and 50% stated that “the experience was beneficial”.

§ “Did you participate in CIMAL? And “Was the experience beneficial?, 50.9% of the respondents reported “Yes” and 50% stated that “the experience was beneficial”.

v For the question: “How long after (or before) graduation did you obtain employment?”, 20.8% of the respondents reported ‘Before graduation’, 45.3% reported ‘Within 3 months of graduation’, 17% reported ‘Within 6 month’, 10.4% reported ‘1 year’, 4.7% reported ‘More than 1 year’ and 1.9% did not report this question.

Section II Q. 4 to Q.10


Descriptive Analysis for Section II

Table 2

Political Science degree at AUC Frequency Percent

Bachelor Degree 84 79.2%

Master Degree 21 19.8%

Missing 1 0.9%

Total 106 100%

Figure 2

Table 2.1

Graduation Year Frequency Percent

Fall 1999 2 1.9% Spring 2000 3 2.8% Fall 2000 3 2.8% Spring 2001 3 2.8% Fall 2001 1 .9% Spring 2002 8 7.5% Fall 2002 4 3.8% Spring 2003 5 4.7% Fall 2003 3 2.8% Spring 2004 8 7.5% Fall 2004 6 5.7% Spring 2005 8 7.5% Fall 2005 3 2.8% Spring 2006 4 3.8% Fall 2006 4 3.8% Spring 2007 6 5.7% Fall 2007 4 3.8% Spring 2008 5 4.7% Fall 2008 1 .9% Spring 2009 9 8.5% Fall 2009 3 2.8% Spring 2010 10 9.4% Fall 2010 1 .9% Total 104 98.1% Missing 2 1.9%

Total 106 100%


Table 3

Degree earned at AUC Frequency Percent

Yes 47 44.3%

No 57 53.8% Missing 2 1.9%

Total 106 100%

Table 3.1

Degree earned outside AUC Frequency Percent

Yes 19 17.9% No 85 80.2%

Missing 2 1.9%

Total 106 100%

Figure 3

Other degree earned at AUC and outside AUC:

§ "Diploma of Diplomatic Studies" from the Institute for Diplomatic Studies (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)

§ BA from the AUC § BA in Journalism and Mass

Communications § BA in Political Science § BA in Political Science, AUC, Spring

1999 § BA in spring 1992 § BA, Journalism, Fall 1998 § Certificate in Marketing – London

Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI)

§ Currently enrolled in AUC's Political Science Masters Program

§ Diploma -‐ Professional Development

§ Graduate diploma in Forced Migration Refugee Studies

§ HR Management Diploma at AUC § LL.B. from Cairo University, LL.M. from

The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy

§ LL.M (not from AUC) § LLM Public International Law, London

School of Economics § M.A. in International Human Rights

Law, AUC § M.A. in Professional Development § MA 2004 § MA from AUC in 2006 § MA in Gender and Development -‐

University of Sussex § MA in Political science-‐ 2009 from AUC


§ MA in Political Science from AUC § MA in Refugee Studies § MA international human rights law § MA Mass Comm. (AUC) § MA Professional Development Spring

2004 AUC § Master degree in POLS AUC'07 § Master of Arts in the Economics in

International Development § Master of Science, Governance and

Development Management (International)

§ Masters at New York University § Masters degree (IR) -‐ University of

Essex UK § Masters in Business Administration

§ Masters in Public Policy and Administration and Law degree JD

§ Masters in Spring 2009 § Masters of Arts in International Human

Rights Law § MBA § MBA GUC § Minor in Philosophy § MPA § MSc Global Politics, LSE § MSc London school of economics 2004,

graduate diploma AUC 2011 § PhD § Professional Marketing Diploma § Sales Management Diploma at AUC

Other degrees enrolled outside AUC:

§ American J.D. § Bachelor of Law-‐ Ain Shams University § CFA § CQU § Edinburgh Business School MBA § Euro-‐Med PhD Program at Cairo University § Language course § Masters in Public Administration at the University of Alaska Southeast § MBA -‐ University of Wales § MBA GUC § MBA with Edinburgh Business School § PhD § Phd at Harvard § PhD at SOAS, London University § PhD in Development Studies § PPAD


Table 4

Was political science your first choice of major?

Frequency Percent

Yes 68 64.2%

No 37 34.9%

Missing 1 .9%

Total 106 100%

Figure 4

Table 5

First choice as undergraduate beside Political Science

Frequency Percent

Architectural Engineering 1 0.9%

Business Administration 10 9.4%

Communication and Media Arts 2 1.9%

Computer Science 5 4.7% Economics 8 7.5% Engineering 2 1.9% Journalism &Mass Communication 7 6.6%

Psychology 1 0.9% Theater 2 1.9% Total 38 35.8% Missing 68 64.2%

Total 106 100%


Why did you eventually choose political science?

§ As an Undergrad I studied Economics and finished a minor in Pol Sci. As a Grad Student I earned an MA in Comparative Politics from AUC

§ Because I find its study more thought provoking than any other major § Because I wanted to work in the development field and social sciences § Because I was always interested in politics § Because it came second after Economics and my GPA was not sufficient upon declaration year § Because of undergraduate course with Dr. Monika Thakur § Best of the liberal arts § I always wanted to be involved in issues of global governance and human rights § I believed that no matter what job I ended up doing, political science would develop my analytical

thinking and my views on life. § I have always been frustrated with people who talk and not listen, assume and not make sure, POLS

gave me the chance to learn how politics in the real world works and I waned to broaden my horizon and critical thinking skills

§ I have always been interested in studying the theory § I love politics and wanted to learn more about it. § I really love the field of politics § I simply love it! § It became yes when Political Economy was introduced as a concentration § I wanted a career as a politician/diplomat § I wanted to do psych but I thought as a non-‐Egyptian, it would be difficult to get licensed in Egypt § I wanted to master politics § I wanted to study political science and work in that field § I was always interested in politics and I wanted to study something I was interested in § I was interested to get to know how the countries are linked and to what extent history affects our

current and future life. Also, was interested to know how the leaders think and how can one person (a leader) affect his nation in a positive or negative way

§ I was interested to specialize in Political Economy § I was looking forward to build my career and academic experience upon § Interest in history and politics § Interest in the field § It complemented my study of law, I knew I wanted to work in international law eventually § It offers a wide range of specializations and incorporates all the other humanities in one way or

another § It's my area of interest and competence § My interest in politics § My interests. § Politics interests me the most § Simply I love politics and research § Working in development field and interested in the study of this field


Table 6

Did you participate in CIMUN ?

Frequency Percent

Yes 58 54.7%

No 43 40.6%

Missing 5 4.7% Total 106 100%

Table 6.1

Was the experience beneficial?

Frequency Percent

Yes 53 50.0%

No 19 17.9%

Missing 34 32.1%

Total 106 100%

Table 7

Did you participate in CIMAL ?

Frequency Percent

Yes 54 50.9%

No 50 47.2%

Missing 2 1.9% Total 106 100%

Table 7.1

Was the experience beneficial?

Frequency Percent

Yes 53 50.0%

No 21 19.8%

Missing 32 30.2%

Total 106 100%


Table 8

How long after graduation did you obtain employment?

Frequency Percent

Before Graduation 22 20.8%

Within 3 months of graduation 48 45.3%

Within 6 month 18 17.0% 1Year 11 10.4% More than 1 year 5 4.7% Missing 2 1.9%

Total 106 100%

Figure 8


Ø In this section, when respondents were asked: “To indicate how important certain areas of study in their current jobs?”:

They reported the following:

§ For “Political economy/development”, 35.8% of the respondents reported ‘very important’, 22.6% reported ‘important’, 21.7% reported ‘limited importance’, 16% reported ‘not important at all’ and 3.8% did not report this question.

§ For “Comparative politics/Middle East studies”, 22.6% of the respondents reported ‘very important’, 27.4% reported ‘important’, 22.6% reported ‘limited importance’, 21.7% reported ‘not important at all’ and 5.7% did not answer this question.

§ For “International relations”, 30.2% of the respondents reported ‘very important’, 25.5% reported ‘important’, 15.1% reported ‘limited importance’, 23.6% reported ‘not important at all’ and 5.7% did not report this question.

§ For “International law”, 23.6% of the respondents reported ‘very important’, 20.8% reported ‘important’, 19.8% reported ‘limited importance’, 31.1% reported ‘not important at all’ and 4.7% did not answer this question.

§ For “Political theory”, 9.4% of the respondents reported ‘very important’, 22.6% reported ‘important’, 28.3% reported ‘limited importance’, 34.9% reported ‘not important at all’ and 4.7% did not report this question.

§ For “General humanities and social sciences”, 34.9% of the respondents reported ‘very important’, 27.4% reported ‘important’, 19.8% ‘limited importance’, 14.2% reported ‘not important at all’ and 3.8% did not answer this question.

Ø When respondents were asked: ” Based on your own experience at AUC indicate how political science delivered the following skills?”:

They reported the following:

§ For “Ability to think analytically/creatively”, 51.9% of the respondents reported ‘Excellent’, 33% reported ‘Good’, 9.4% reported ‘Average’, 2.8% reported Fair’, 1.9% reported ‘Poor’ and 0.9% did not report this question.

§ For “Good oral and written communication skills”, 52.8% of the respondents reported ‘Excellent’, 28.3% reported ‘Good’, 13.2% reported ‘Average’, 3.8% reported ‘Fair’, no one reported ‘Poor’ and 1.9% did not answer tis question.

Section III Q.11 and Q.12


§ For ”Ability to think critically”, 55.7% of the respondents reported ‘Excellent’, 31.1% reported ‘Good’, 8.5% reported ‘Average’, 2.8% reported ‘Fair’, 0.9% reported ‘Poor’ and 0.9% did not report this question.

§ For “Ability to work independently”, 51.9% of the respondents reported ‘Excellent’, 34.9% reported ‘Good’, 8.5% reported ‘Average’, 1.9% reported ‘Fair’, no one reported ‘Poor’ and 2.8% did not report this question.

§ For “Ability to work in teams”, 22.6% of the respondents reported ‘Excellent’, 27.4% report ‘Good’, 33% reported ‘Average’, 8.5% reported ‘Fair’, 7.5% reported ‘Poor’ and 0.9% did not answer this question.

§ For “Good leadership skills”, 30.2% of the respondents reported ‘Excellent’, 29.2% reported ‘Good’, 24.5% reported ‘Average’, 10.4% reported ‘Fair’, 4.7% reported ‘Poor’ and 0.9% did not report this question.

§ For “Lifelong learning skills”, 30.2% of the respondents reported ‘Excellent’, 39.6% reported ‘Good’, 22.6% reported ‘Average’, 3.8% reported ‘Fair’, 2.8% reported ‘Poor’ and 0.9% did not answer this question.

§ For “The ability to collaborate in a multi-‐cultural context”, 55.7% of the respondents reported ‘Excellent’, 23.6% reported ‘Good’, 14.2% reported ‘Average’, 3.8% reported ‘Fair’, 1.9% reported ‘Poor’ and 0.9% did not answer this question.

§ For “Public relations skills”, 34% of the respondents reported ‘Excellent’, 26.4% reported ‘Good’, 30.2% reported ‘Average’, 4.7% reported ‘Fair’, 3.8% reported ‘Poor’ and 0.9% did not report this question.


Descriptive Analysis for Section III

Table

Very Important Important Limited

Importance

Not important

at all Missing Total

Political Economy/Development

38 24 23 17 4 106

35.8% 22.6% 21.7% 16.0% 3.8% 100% Comparative Politics/Middle East studies

24 29 24 23 6 106

22.6% 27.4% 22.6% 21.7% 5.7% 100%

International Relations 32 27 16 25 6 106 30.2% 25.5% 15.1% 23.6% 5.7% 100%

International Law 25 22 21 33 5 106

23.6% 20.8% 19.8% 31.1% 4.7% 100%

Political Theory 10 24 30 37 5 106 9.4% 22.6% 28.3% 34.9% 4.7% 100%

General Humanities and Social Sciences

37 29 21 15 4 106

34.9% 27.4% 19.8% 14.2% 3.8% 100%

Figure

.0

5.0

10.0

15.0

20.0

25.0

30.0

35.0

40.0

Very Important

Important

Limited Importance Not important at all


Table

Excellent Good Average Fair Poor Missing Total

Ability to think analytically/creatively

55 35 10 3 2 1 106

51.9% 33.0% 9.4% 2.8% 1.9% 0.9% 100%

Good oral and written communication skills

56 30 14 4 0

2 106

52.8% 28.3% 13.2% 3.8% 1.9% 100%

Ability to think critically 59 33 9 3 1 1 106

55.7% 31.1% 8.5% 2.8% 0.9% 0.9% 100% Ability to work independently

55 37 9 2 0

3 106 51.9% 34.9% 8.5% 1.9% 2.8% 100%

Ability to work in teams 24 29 35 9 8 1 106

22.6% 27.4% 33.0% 8.5% 7.5% 0.9% 100%

Good leadership skills 32 31 26 11 5 1 106

30.2% 29.2% 24.5% 10.4% 4.7% 0.9% 100%

Lifelong learning skills 32 42 24 4 3 1 106

30.2% 39.6% 22.6% 3.8% 2.8% 0.9% 100% The ability to collaborate in a multi-‐cultural context

59 25 15 4 2 1 106 55.7% 23.6% 14.2% 3.8% 1.9% 0.9% 100%

Public relations skills 36 28 32 5 4 1 106

34.0% 26.4% 30.2% 4.7% 3.8% 0.9% 100%

Figure

.0

10.0

20.0

30.0

40.0

50.0

60.0

Excellent

Good

Average

Fair

Poor


I: Political Science degree by Q.10 (How long after (or before) graduation did you obtain employment?)

Political Science degree at AUC

How long after graduation did you obtain employment?

Total Before

Graduation

Within 3 months of graduation

Within 6 month 1Year More than

1 year

Bachelor Degree 16 37 17 9 4 83

19.3% 44.6% 20.5% 10.8% 4.8% 100%

Master Degree 6 11 1 2 1 21

28.6% 52.4% 4.8% 9.5% 4.8% 100%

Total 22 48 18 11 5 104

21.2% 46.2% 17.3% 10.6% 4.8% 100%

II: Type of organization by Q. 11 (Different areas of study and how important they are for the Alumni current jobs)

Type of organization

Political Economy/Development

Total Very Important Important Limited

Importance

Not important

at all Non Government Organization (NGO)

10 2 3 2 17

58.8% 11.8% 17.6% 11.8% 100%

Ministry 6 6

0 0 12

50.0% 50.0% 100%

Media 0 4 2 1 7

57.1% 28.6% 14.3% 100%

Company 11 5 8 7 31

35.5% 16.1% 25.8% 22.6% 100%

Total 27 17 13 10 67

40.3% 25.4% 19.4% 14.9% 100%

Section IV Cross Tabulation Questions



Comparative Politics/Middle East studies


Importance

Not important

at all Non Government Organization

(NGO)

5 5 4 3 17

29.4% 29.4% 23.5% 17.6% 100%

Ministry 5 3 2 1 11

45.5% 27.3% 18.2% 9.1% 100%

Media 4 2 1

0 7

57.1% 28.6% 14.3% 100%

Company 3 6 8 14 31

9.7% 19.4% 25.8% 45.2% 100%

Total 17 16 15 18 66

25.8% 24.2% 22.7% 27.3% 100%


International Relations

Total Very

Important Important Limited Importance

Not important

at all

Non Government Organization

(NGO)

3 9 3 2 17

17.6% 52.9% 17.6% 11.8% 100%

Ministry 7 3 1

0 11

63.6% 27.3% 9.1% 100%

Media 4 1

0 2 7

57.1% 14.3% 28.6% 100%

Company 5 3 6 16 30

16.7% 10.0% 20.0% 53.3% 100%

Total 19 16 10 20 65

29.2% 24.6% 15.4% 30.8% 100%



International Law


Importance

Not important


(NGO)

4 8 3 2 17

23.5% 47.1% 17.6% 11.8% 100%

Ministry 5 1 4 1 11

45.5% 9.1% 36.4% 9.1% 100%

Media 3 1

0 3 7

42.9% 14.3% 42.9% 100%

Company 3 6 4 18 31

9.7% 19.4% 12.9% 58.1% 100%

Total 15 16 11 24 66

22.7% 24.2% 16.7% 36.4% 100%


Political Theory


Importance

Not important


(NGO)

1 8 4 4 17

5.9% 47.1% 23.5% 23.5% 100%

Ministry 1 1 4 5 11

9.1% 9.1% 36.4% 45.5% 100%

Media 1 3 2 1 7

14.3% 42.9% 28.6% 14.3% 100%

Company 2 6 4 19 31

6.5% 19.4% 12.9% 61.3% 100%

Total 5 18 14 29 66

7.6% 27.3% 21.2% 43.9% 100%



General Humanities and Social Sciences


Importance

Not important


(NGO)

9 5 3 1 18

50.0% 27.8% 16.7% 5.6% 100%

Ministry 3 5 1 2 11

27.3% 45.5% 9.1% 18.2% 100%

Media 3 1 1 2 7

42.9% 14.3% 14.3% 28.6% 100%

Company 8 6 10 7 31

25.8% 19.4% 32.3% 22.6% 100%

Total 23 17 15 12 67

34.3% 25.4% 22.4% 17.9% 100%


III: Type of organization by Q. 12 (List of abilities, skills and expertise that students could gain from studying political science and how political science delivered these skills).


Ability to think analytically/creatively Total

Excellent Good Average Fair Poor Non Government Organization

(NGO)

12 6 1 0 0

19

63.2% 31.6% 5.3% 100%

Ministry 8 4 0 0 0

12 66.7% 33.3% 100%

Media 4 2 0 1 0 7 57.1% 28.6% 14.3% 100%

Company 11 11 6 2 1 31

35.5% 35.5% 19.4% 6.5% 3.2% 100%

Total 35 23 7 3 1 69

50.7% 33.3% 10.1% 4.3% 1.4% 100%

Type of organization Good oral and written communication skills

Total Excellent Good Average Fair

Non Government Organization (NGO)

9 7 1 1 18 50.0% 38.9% 5.6% 5.6% 100%

Ministry 9 3 0 0

12 75.0% 25.0% 100%

Media 4 2 0

1 7 57.1% 28.6% 14.3% 100%

Company 13 9 9 0

31 41.9% 29.0% 29.0% 100%

Total 35 21 10 2 68 51.5% 30.9% 14.7% 2.9% 100%


Good oral and written communication skills Total

Excellent Good Average Fair


9 7 1 1 18

50.0% 38.9% 5.6% 5.6% 100%

Ministry 9 3 0 0

12 75.0% 25.0% 100%

Media 4 2 0 1 7 57.1% 28.6% 14.3% 100%

Company 13 9 9 0 31 41.9% 29.0% 29.0% 100%

Total 35 21 10 2 68 51.5% 30.9% 14.7% 2.9% 100%


Type of

organization Ability to think critically Total

Excellent Good Average Fair Non Government Organization

(NGO)

13 6 0 0

19

68.4% 31.6% 100%

Ministry 7 5 0 0 12 58.3% 41.7% 100%

Media 3 3 0

1 7 42.9% 42.9% 14.3% 100%

Company 14 8 7 2 31 45.2% 25.8% 22.6% 6.5% 100%

Total 37 22 7 3 69 53.6% 31.9% 10.1% 4.3% 100%


Ability to work independently Total Excellent Good Average Fair


(NGO)

8 10 1 0

19

42.1% 52.6% 5.3% 100%

Ministry 7 4 1 0

12 58.3% 33.3% 8.3% 100%

Media 5 2 0 0

7 71.4% 28.6% 100%

Company 13 10 5 2 30 43.3% 33.3% 16.7% 6.7% 100%

Total 33 26 7 2 68 48.5% 38.2% 10.3% 2.9% 100%


Ability to work in teams Total Excellent Good Average Fair Poor


(NGO)

6 4 7 0

2 19

31.6% 21.1% 36.8% 10.5% 100%

Ministry 3 3 5

0 1 12

25.0% 25.0% 41.7% 8.3% 100%

Media 0 3 3

0 1 7

42.9% 42.9% 14.3% 100%

Company 4 6 12 6 3 31 12.9% 19.4% 38.7% 19.4% 9.7% 100%

Total 13 16 27 6 7 69

18.8% 23.2% 39.1% 8.7% 10.1% 100%


Type of

organization Good leadership skills Total

Excellent Good Average Fair Poor Non Government Organization

(NGO)

10 3 4 1 1 19

52.6% 15.8% 21.1% 5.3% 5.3% 100%

Ministry 2 6 2 1 1 12 16.7% 50.0% 16.7% 8.3% 8.3% 100%

Media 2 2 2 0

1 7 28.6% 28.6% 28.6% 14.3% 100%

Company 6 9 10 5 1 31 19.4% 29.0% 32.3% 16.1% 3.2% 100%

Total 20 20 18 7 4 69 29.0% 29.0% 26.1% 10.1% 5.8% 100%


Lifelong learning skills Total Excellent Good Average Fair Poor


(NGO)

8 7 3 0

1 19

42.1% 36.8% 15.8% 5.3% 100%

Ministry 2 8 2 0 0

12 16.7% 66.7% 16.7% 100%

Media 0 5 2

0 0 7

71.4% 28.6% 100%

Company 6 14 9 1 1 31 19.4% 45.2% 29.0% 3.2% 3.2% 100%

Total 16 34 16 1 2 69 23.2% 49.3% 23.2% 1.4% 2.9% 100%


The ability to collaborate in a multi-‐cultural context Total Excellent Good Average Fair Poor


13 4 1 1 0

19 68.4% 21.1% 5.3% 5.3% 100%

Ministry 7 4 0 1 0 12 58.3% 33.3% 8.3% 100%

Media 4 2 0 1 0 7 57.1% 28.6% 14.3% 100%

Company 12 8 10 0 1 31 38.7% 25.8% 32.3% 3.2% 100%

Total 36 18 11 3 1 69 52.2% 26.1% 15.9% 4.3% 1.4% 100%



Public relations skills Total

Excellent Good Average Fair Poor


(NGO)

8 7 3 0

1 19

42.1% 36.8% 15.8% 5.3% 100%

Ministry 4 5 3 0 0

12 33.3% 41.7% 25.0% 100%

Media 4 1 1 0 1 7 57.1% 14.3% 14.3% 14.3% 100%

Company 10 5 12 3 1 31 32.3% 16.1% 38.7% 9.7% 3.2% 100%

Total 26 18 19 3 3 69 37.7% 26.1% 27.5% 4.3% 4.3% 100%


What are your suggestions for how future political science graduate be better trained/educated?

1. Have more advisers so that there isn't a bottleneck come registration. -‐Create and promote channels for students to do for-‐credit internships. -‐Encourage teachers to require two drafts of papers. And to give extensive and critical feed back on the first draft (too often, I simple submitted a paper in the last week of class and never saw it again).

2. More group-‐projects. -‐More practical linkages between history and current events -‐More in-‐depth discussions and presentations that would enable a deeper understanding instead of piles of reading that go unread and discussed -‐POLS should encourage students to participate in simulations (CIMUN/CIMAL) and maybe give incentives (e.g. grades/credit hours) to outstanding participants

3. •Higher GPA should be mandatory for declaring the major • Apart of the classes’ students should be highly participating in conferences and seminars. This should be mandatory too. •Being a theoretical major, some practical activities or issues should be included within the studied materials in order to provide some real experiences to students. • Students should go through all specializations of political science in order to have his/her degree. For example, a political economy’s student should be studying IR , Political theories,.. etc.. Instead of having only one or couple of courses that is not a core to his/ her specialization. Something that will provide a broader coherent idea on the whole major."

4. Egyptian history and domestic problems courses should be added 5. Increase the courses and the subjects they cover and add new ones (international security for

example). 2-‐ Allow students to have more publishing opportunities and help them publish their papers. 3-‐ A new PhD program should be established to make use of AUC centrality in the Middle East and its premium learning skills.

6. Organizing "field-‐trips/visits" to at least two foreign countries (USA -‐ China -‐ Russia -‐ Palestine -‐ UK -‐ France -‐ Germany -‐ India -‐ South Africa -‐ Japan -‐ Brazil ...etc.) and international & regional organizations (UN -‐ AL -‐ EU -‐ AU ...etc.). 2-‐ Offering new specialization in "International Security" (Strategic Studies -‐ WMDs Proliferation -‐ Disarmament -‐ Hotspots -‐ Protracted Conflicts. etc.).

7. Courses that teach practical application of skills instead of reliance on non-‐academic activities for this.

8. Encouraging professors to employ different teaching methodologies in lectures. 9. Offering more cross-‐major courses (such as POLS 460) at the sophomore and junior level with

professors who are capable of teaching these courses. 10. Allocating 3 elective credits or more to English courses that are focused on Academic paper-‐writing

and, if possible, focused on political science. 11. Curricula should include analysis and assignments on the latest events taking place in the world. 2.

Summer/ training in real-‐life governmental and non-‐governmental entities is important. 3. Choice of subjects should include a wider variety from other fields of study so that a student may get a wider perspective on surroundings.

12. 90% -‐ if not more -‐ of the people who declared Political SC as a major during my time have done so because they were not successful in declaring the majors that they wanted (ex. BAdm, CS, Marketing, etc.) including myself. So Political SC should also be like other majors, with high GPA requirement otherwise every Tom, Dick & Harry will declare Political SC if he fails to declare other majors; and everyone will end up wasting 4 years of his/her life and will find difficulty finding a job afterwards because they need to do a career shift. I like many others haven't worked in anything related to what we've studied for even a single day!

Section V Question 13


13. A final "capstone" formatted class, utilizing both individual an team work, to conduct a research project that pulls on multiple areas of study in political science coursework (i.e. international relations, political economy, etc. ..).

14. If you are planning to use responses for planning (rather than PR) then this is a poorly designed survey. b) The department's faculty should make a real effort to engage with the current literature and methods that dominate the discipline. The training is often outdated and insular.

15. Add a Public Policy undergraduates major, or at least courses on public policy Have Political Economy, International Relations, International Law as separate majors Include a professional internship as a graduation requirement. My studies lacked any practical experience, which was very challenging for job-‐hunting Encourage the CAPS office to identify more jobs for Pol Sci. graduates. I am working in a corporate job because I couldn't find one that matches my interest and skills Include courses that use field research as its main teaching methodology. Most AUCians live in a big bubble and they are completely disconnected from society; this major has to connect the students to their society Encourage more student activities that focus on domestic and regional politics (African and Islamic in addition to Arabic)

16. At my days political science was perceived to be a major for low GPA students, so i believe seminars and educational material of the benefits of the major will help.

17. AUC is urgently requested to develop a PhD program in Political Science. It also needs to diversify the specializations within the department, so as to include up-‐to-‐date and future needed studies.

18. AUC political science department should focus on professionalism, which I think is a comparative advantage for AUC and its potential graduates.

19. Bombard them with lots of research requests, and lots of studies of historical events, while linking between the past and the current political situations. Ask them to link and compare leaders of different ages. Teach them psychology as a core source/s, because in order to understand how leaders think the students need to analyze the character first. i believe that in order to select a leader/ a president, the government has to test his psychological behavior first. You can make historical trips to the countries of the WWI and WWII to let the students see history while in their contemporary lives. Sorry if my English is not so good as i am in a hurry. 0122 222 76 25 here is my number and i would be interested to join your committee to discuss how to enhance the political science graduates and get them better trained and educated

20. Classes that teach topic in a more creative manner, more reliance on literature and song (pop culture in general) as a means of communicating the political atmosphere, more group work. More effort needs to be made towards making students recognize the role that theory plays in how we understand and talk abbot politics -‐ it's the reason why we're in the mess we're in today post revolution.

21. Conduct more exchange programs with other universities in the region / internationally -‐ conduct career trips to regional and international organizations in Cairo and outside of Egypt

22. Continue in graduate school and it is better to work on improving one's Research skills in both areas qualitative & quantitative research

23. Currently, the number of students in class has increased which affects the time dedicated by the Professor to each student. I'd suggest increasing sections for classes. Also, the caliber of professors at the department has also dropped to a certain extent than the time of my undergraduate years; something that needs to be considered. Finally, I'd also suggest students' evaluations of professors/courses be given higher importance. As an undergraduate student, in our evaluation of a professor at the department, some characteristics that had major negative impact on the flow of the course and the professor-‐students relationship were criticized. Yet, as a graduate student, I took another course with that same professor and had the same problems. The problem also was reflected in the very low number of students registering in that professor's courses, yet, I don't believe any action were taken. And I'm a High Honors/Honors student, so no my academic capabilities were not of issue. Just want to thank you for arranging this!

24. Encourage field visits, during class hours. Although theory is extremely important, emphasis should also be placed on practicality and exercises, as takes place with case studies in Business School. Emphasis was always placed on critical thinking, analysis and speaking as political science graduates


rather than people on a "popular cafe", but more still needs to be done. Critical thinking in niche fields especially. Innovative thinking and problem solving needs to be not only encouraged, but be an integral part of courses. There has to be far stronger emphasis on communication skills. This is such a rare skill, yet so incredibly important through out one's professional career. Negotiation skills like wise. Public speaking and report writing alike: how to be concise and powerful.

25. Encourage more engagement in local civil society initiatives, AUC is even more isolated now and the primary learning experience for us was being based next to Tahrir in the heart of downtown political activism.

26. Exchange Programs and retention of your "good" teachers. You've lost a few of the best in the past years and that's a shame.

27. Extra-‐curricular activities like CIMUN and CIMAL were absolutely fundamental to my development as a student and as a leader. I think the faculty at the Political Science department needs to be more active in encouraging young students to join these activities. Alumni who were involved in the most successful CIMUN and CIMAL years should be invited to oversee and advice the academic standards of these conferences so they don't drop, becoming mere entertainment activities. A better understanding of what careers students hope to get into would also help the university mentor them better. For those interested in government and the non-‐profit sectors, classwork should involve visits to these offices, interviews, etc., so that they may be exposed to the job market. For those interested in future research and academia (like I was) there should be more research opportunities with think-‐tanks and other organizations. Faculty and staff in the Political Science department could help guide students to the right resources, so that they get enough research experience, thereby increasing their chances of being accepted to excellent graduate programs abroad.

28. First of all, I would like you not to take my comment personally, as I am only giving my feedback as PS majored graduate. The department administrative staff, as well as the advisor and the student services was very poor. Besides, I still recall the bad treatment that most of my classmates and friends were receiving from the advisor. I believe that at that department was run by "connections", and there was no control from the department head over the faculty members. It was not a good experience, at least for me.

29. Greater emphasis on internships and building bridges with the institutions they might eventually work with. Inclusion of more related experience from practitioners

30. have courses in public policy and project management as most NGOs and UN agencies directly deal with that

31. I am not sure whether this is a political science issue or an English issue but the University needs to focus more on teaching students analytical thinking and structuring ideas/arguments. Professors always required us to write well structured papers but no professor (whether in the PS department or English department) ever sat with me (or any of my colleagues as far as I know) to criticize pieces I wrote or went with me through it. I only received grades with few comments that were not sufficient for me to enhance my writing. I discovered that I had no idea how to write a paper when I started working and was required to write well structured, clear legal memorandums. My supervisor at work was the first to teach me how to write such thing. So I learned what it means to teach someone how to write and it certainly requires lots of attention from the Professors. In other words, professors need to have one-‐on-‐one meetings with the students to teach them how to write. I was surprised AUC had not taught me how to write clear structured arguments! It was really very frustrating for me. AUC should spend more time on each individual student.

32. I believe arranging visits to the UN, EU, Hague, Arab League etc. headquarters would provide students with hands-‐on experience, arranging for internships with MPs during or after graduation.

33. I believe that there must be a class taken every term discussing the current political situations in the world. It is very essential in order to make students get into the habit of discussing politics and knowing the depth of each situation. This too will strengthen their critical analysis skills. It will be great if you can create a Political Sociology specialization. An introductory geography course will a very helpful idea. Thank you very much for trying to make my dear POLS. Department a better academic experience.


34. I believe there should be one obligatory internship and a course to teach writing political analytical and critical reports (research paper writing for political science)

35. I guess more collaboration needs to be introduced with the sociology department to start a specialization in political sociology, i also think that the economic content we studied in the undergrad as well as the theoretical component needs to expanded a bit.

36. I love the idea of brining some guest speakers who present their point of view and their ideas. Second to have interviews with different politicians as well. This helped me a lot during my undergraduate studies. Some professors encourage you to do this while others do not. Organizing some field trips to important places or brings some interesting guest speakers. it helps a lot.

37. I love the idea of brining some guest speakers who present their point of view and their ideas. Second to have interviews with different politicians as well. This helped me a lot during my undergraduate studies. Some professors encourage you to do this while others do not. Organizing some field trips to important places or brings some interesting guest speakers. it helps a lot.

38. I think more use of group work in Political Science classes will be useful in getting graduates to be trained on how to work better in teams.

39. I think participating in CIMUN and CIMAL should be somehow mandatory because the experience is very essential to political science students. It provides a practical edge to the theoretical studies.

40. I think political science students have to be teached negotiation skills as an obligatory course. 41. I would highly suggest initiating a PhD program for Political Science Graduates, as it makes things

more complete for us, Master holders, and easier by having the chance of benefiting from high quality education without having to leave the country.

42. I would highly suggest initiating a PhD program for Political Science Graduates, as it makes things more complete for us, Master holders, and easier by having the chance of benefiting from high quality education without having to leave the country.

43. I would suggest considering offering a PhD Program for Political Science in the future. 44. I would suggest organizing weekly lectures by prominent political figures. In addition, the topics

discussed in such events can be discusses and critically analyzed further among students in focus us groups. There also should be a political magazine printed by AUC, by it's political science students.

45. If you promise jobs in the UN after graduation, please organize internships in the UN. 46. in fact, sorry for my -‐ve remarks but in fact I don’t know was the mistake from me or from the

curriculum i wrote what i feel really so as to improve. i declared in this major because i was sophomore and must declare. i believe it was all about individual papers research and presentations no group work i remember which i realized latter how important it is when i started the MBA @ auc and when i worked in the market place and realized how important it is to work as a team. i believe that the curriculum was about theories, history and no sort of connection with the present or practical experience which is opposite to the business school and the mass communications. The major must have a practical and applicable side and minor by the book side. Sorry again. but i feel like i wasted my time and money in something not applicable in the market place but just had auc graduate stamp sorry but i am honest. Also as we do our best to come up with something innovative in the business school the political must encourage enter pioneer and brand new approaches.

47. Introducing debate classes with increasing levels, as is the case in international universities. Increasing presentations in classes and their weight in grading since their skills related to the real world are endless.

48. More focus on humanitarian development in terms of working with NGOs and the United Nations. Focus on project writing and how to design projects in depth.

49. More practical courses and less theoretical. Should have capstone projects and not exams. 50. More presentations are needed, more teamwork is needed. I learned that a lot of students never

read the material; they only attend the classes and search information online. A friend of mine asked her professor about something she read in the material and the professor had no idea what she was talking about. She decided not to read the material and to only search online.

51. More training is needed on how to write political analysis because very few professors encourage this. Students depend more on memorizing rather than applying and analyzing. More empirical


approaches to Pol Sci research needs to be developed, such as critical discourse analysis, contextual analysis and so on.

52. Offer internship programs in the semester breaks. More international law courses. More faculties! 53. offer special courses for those who intend to pursue foreign affairs career or UN Career. Something

like how to prepare a student to be a diplomat. Invite more politicians, public officials and experts to address selected political issues

54. One of the major shortcomings in the design for both BA and MA courses in political science is the absence of a proper research methodology course. For those pursuing further graduate studies, as well as those who are satisfied with obtaining a BA such course is an indispensible undertaking for any student of political science; both from a quantitative and qualitative perspective. Additionally, the program remains all too focused on American/Middle Eastern Politics and a more comparative approach towards other areas of the world may be needed. It is also the case for many professors’ choices of readings, which may also need to show more diversity. The Political Economy courses remain one of the program's main strengths.

55. Open-‐Ended Response 56. Please make sure to educate political science graduates on logical qualitative skills, which are

indispensable tools for scientific analysis of issues. It is also paramount to integrate some curriculum on policy-‐making to be able to provide your students with the qualifications that efficient government personnel need.

57. Political science graduates have always been facing a problem in terms of getting exposure and training opportunities in different bodies like the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, United Nations, and other career related bodies. AUC needs to partner up with these institutions in order to be able to provide Political Science graduates with more opportunities in terms of training, which will help them find better opportunities when they graduate. Looking at most graduates at the moment; we will find that hardly any of them worked in a job related to their field of study. I am afraid POLS students will start shifting to other careers after sometime if this issue is not resolved.

58. Political science students need more encouragement from the university administration, it often came across that other majors, such as those of the business school, were given more priority. The CAPS office should work more seriously on helping students find placements and internships while they are on campus. The programme could also use more political theory at its core -‐-‐ it often took sweeping approaches to the discipline. The quality of some of the students is admitted is below par and that negatively impacts the quality of debates and the course work -‐-‐ there should be a proper screening process for applicants.

59. Professors need to be willing to give students more time and class sizes need to be smaller. 60. Professors should be better and more practical skills needed, especially in Professional Development

degree. Moreover, the content of the courses should be updated more often to focus on important issues in development such as Monitoring & Evaluation, research, and human capacity development.

61. Start by allowing the Faculty of Political Science to elect their own Department Chair instead of shipping them in from the USA. Develop ways for more interaction among students outside of classes.

62. Strategic Thinking, Leadership skills and more analytical writing skills. Also introductory courses to POLS should include at least a supplementary class in Arabic, which is very useful for those pursuing foreign service in Arab countries.

63. Students enrolled in the program should be committed to it, instead of it being an easy major to declare. More debate time in class. Decreasing student number per class.

64. Teach more skills, less theories. Our world is full of unpredictable surprises that we never heard about in class.

65. The benefit and interest mainly depends on the faculty, they are the real assets. The more investment in high caliber professors the better the quality of output. Also, the more the linkage between the courses the better. Case studies were very helpful.

66. The CAPS office needs to allocate opportunities for POLI SCI grads, and not only engineering and Business graduates.

67. The Department was lacking professional management and needed more capacity


68. The university needs to make political science students feel more valued, help in generating opportunities for conferences, under graduate seminars and other such events to encourage students of the discipline. It often felt that if it weren't for the efforts of well-‐meaning professors and students, the skills gained from the degree would not have been gained. The university/CAPS office in particular pays much more attention to business students for example than to political science degree holders. CAPs does not look for areas to help political science students while they are on campus, for example, coordinating with organizations to connect them to internships. It further does not link up to enough organizations where they can achieve employment after graduation. Any career fair consists of mostly business firms, some that cater to engineering students and other science majors, but only two or three for political science degree holders and other social sciences.

69. There is not enough structure to the courses being studied. I found that students could have benefited much more from more theory classes to set the foundation for writing proper papers and forming a coherent thesis. I also think that not enough advice is given to students on which courses would benefit them most.

70. There need to be more engagement with current political and economic transformations. Students need more engagement with society. Learning through books is essential, but it can never be sufficient. Students need to engage more in public life, especially that they are political science students. I would also suggest some emphasis in anthropology and sociology given their important linkages to political science. Economic and finance courses are also important. I did not find that applicable to my study at AUC and was only luck to have double majored in Economics as well.

71. They should receive internships and trainings from future employers, whether NGOs or other government offices.

72. They should work in teams. -‐ Should attend actual conferences with coordination with NGOs and the parliament. -‐ Students should do more fieldwork, whether in development through NGOs, or in politics through political parties. -‐ For law students, they could attend court sessions like in the Higher Constitutional Court. -‐ I had a chance to do that when I was in AUC. Hope that future generations will have an even better chance to proceed.

73. To have at least 3 credits acquired mandatory through involvement in project out side the university. 74. To offer internships in while studying in order to be aware of the major limited market place. The

main problems facing a political science major graduate is the not being able to work with the degree ; moreover, organizations such as UN and HRW always require experience and if your graduate you don’t have any of that.

75. TO OFFER MASTER DEGREE IN REFUGEES ASYLUM 76. Train us for career paths that are available here in Egypt or needed here in Egypt. I'm in the job i am

in because i didn't find a job in the field of political science (that didn't require connections to get it) 77. Try to focus on current politics, so classes don't seem to be a never-‐ending history lesson. During the

Mubarak era, we would only stop at Sadat & keep repeating the same story class after class. I think we are now free and can finally finish up that story. Miss u guys...

78. What are your suggestions for how future political science graduates be better trained/ educated? 79. Working in the career of education, I realized that conferences and workshops are an amazing way of

getting beneficial skills, techniques, and becoming more knowledgeable about an issue. I realized that a single session in a workshop or a conference may lead to a great change if delivered correctly and if targeted the correct audience. I would suggest providing conferences and workshops to students to attend (on a vacation day). The conference would not cost a lot since the University has got already its faculty members and places to hold the conferences in. A selection of interesting and up-‐to-‐date topics would be presented by faculty. Invitations would be sent to alumni of political science and recent political science students. I think this will increase the morale of the whole AUC political science community towards the department, will present another type of interactive learning, and will be very helpful to everybody since of course the topics presented in such conference will be selected carefully to add to everybody something special... Glad I could help and please keep it up... Thank you so much :)