Abstract:

This project aims to improve students’ satisfaction by enhancing students’ sense of belonging through an inclusive programme delivery framework for Joint Honours Business students. The programme delivery of Joint Honours Business has encountered many challenges due to the complexity of timetabling, module choices, and expectation management among students and staff from all facilities. This programme currently includes 21 different combinations of subjects for students to study. For example, the subject combinations can be “Business and Advertising”, “Business and Creative Writing”, “Business and Economics”, “Business and Pop Music”, etc. These subjects are from four faculties: Faculty of Art, Science & Technology, Faculty of Business & Law, Faculty of Education & Humanities, and Faculty of Health & Society. Consequently, this programme has a very diverse student groups who are studying together for some Business modules every year.

This inclusive programme framework focuses upon providing students with mentor support, personal tutor support, peer support, and programme leader support through social interventions four times a year. An inclusive programme delivery framework is developed based upon the Network Groups (friends, mentor, personal tutor, module leaders, and programme leader), the Communication Channels (WhatsApp and Nile site (Blog/Collaborate), information content, and delivery formats. Influencing factors of students’ expectations of inclusive programme delivery are explored and assessed for the reliability and validity of this framework.

Keywords:

Inclusion, Programme Design, Social Belonging, Social Media.