The survey among students of Faculty of Electrical Engineering CTU was carried out between March and May 2024, based on the implementation of a similar survey at the CTU Faculty of Civil Engineering and CTU Faculty of Architecture. The questions of the questionnaire survey were partly adopted to the specifics of FEE CTU in agreement with the author of the survey (ombudsperson of the CTU FA). The design of the survey, the specific modification of the questions and the actual running of the survey was carried out at FEE CTU, respectively by its working group. The data generated by the questionnaire survey was of a dual nature - quantitative and qualitative, resulting from open and closed questions. The assignment to process the outputs of the questionnaire survey by an external researcher was guided by the desire to ensure the greatest possible anonymity for the respondents, but at the same time to use the data obtained for further development of FEE CTU.
In addition to mental health related topics, the questionnaire survey focused on the newly anchored position of ombudsman*ombudswoman at FEE CTU and followed topics related to the agenda. Data from the survey will be used by the new ombudperson, Dr. Zuzana Labudová. The academic community of FEE CTU will be able to meet with the ombudsperson on Wednesday, 27 November at 16.15 in lecture room 209, Technical Street. The meeting will offer an opportunity to learn about the agenda and priorities of the independent advocate for the rights of all people who study and work at FEE. Among other things, it will be an opportunity to stop by the results of the questionnaire survey and discuss them in more detail.
At the outset, it should be noted that the return rate of the questionnaire is low and does not exceed 11.2%. In this regard, we need to be sensitive to interpretations and bear in mind that the responses are highly under-represented by male and female respondents from some undergraduate courses, but especially from higher degrees, including PhD. In total, 77% of male respondents, 20% of female respondents and 3% of respondents identified themselves as other or non-binary, slightly under-represented relative to the overall student population in the survey.
One of the first questions in the questionnaire was a question asking about learners' motivation. It was the focus of questions both at the beginning and at the end of the questionnaire. Among the motivational elements for studying at FEE CTU, male and female respondents perceived mainly employability and their own future in the field, the field itself and its meaningfulness. People around the respondents, including teachers, family and classmates, also play an important role in their motivation. This is also reflected in the answers to the question of what the respondents enjoy about FEE CTU: they refer to the field and its breadth, the quality of teaching and subjects, or to curiosity, developing and expanding horizons, but also to the community itself, i.e. the community of similar people with similar interests.
On the other hand, demotivation related to FEE CTU is indicated by the demandingness (time, administrative, content), not perceiving the meaningfulness or practicality of what is taught and personal limits related to studying at FEE CTU. If the responses to the occasional experience are included, the rate of this experience reaches 76% of responses.
Respondents to the questionnaire are critical of the time-consuming nature of teaching subjects. According to 72% of the responses, the amount of work in one of the teaching courses does not correspond to the number of credits indicated in the curriculum in terms of time. This experience is more often shared by female respondents (answering rather yes or yes in 82% of responses) compared to 70% of the experience of male respondents (answering rather yes or yes).
Regarding mental health, the questionnaire monitored sleep duration during the semester and exam period. During the semester, female students most often sleep 6-7 hours per day (63% of male and female respondents), with the second most common sleep duration being 8 hours or more. This choice does not differ between men and women. Paradoxically, the proportion of respondents sleeping more than 8 hours increases during the exam period (41% of male and female respondents). At the same time, however, the data also show that the number of male and female respondents who sleep less than 5 hours a day doubles (18%).
Less than half of the respondents reported psychological difficulties. Women are more likely to report such difficulties (67% of female respondents say rather yes and definitely yes). The vast majority of female respondents (84%) associate the onset of psychological difficulties with their period of study. Rather yes or definitely yes is reported by 86% of male respondents and 81% of female respondents. Only a small proportion of respondents report that the difficulties did not start during their studies and the open-ended questions suggest that they were already at school. During the course of their studies, 76% of male and female respondents experienced a slight or significant worsening of difficulties.
Although 61% of respondents reported that they knew where to go for help at FEE CTU, only a minority of respondents had sought professional help from those concerned. Typically, female respondents were more likely to have sought help - both at CTU and outside CTU (61% of responses), while male respondents were more likely to have not sought or not yet sought help (61%).
In terms of students' other workloads and backgrounds, it appears that 41% of male and female respondents do not work during the semester (specifically, the gender disparity shows that this applies to 43% of male respondents and 33% of female respondents). Male respondents who do work most often work in the field (30% of responses), while 10% work outside the field and 10% work directly at the faculty. Female respondents who work most often work outside the field (just under 30% of responses), followed by 13% directly in the faculty and a matching 13% outside and in the field.
The most common reason for working between 9-16 hours per week (i.e. 63% of respondents work up to 0.2 hours per week) and according to their answers, the main reason for their work involvement is financial security. 52% of respondents spend more than 7000 CZK per month on living expenses. In the case of female respondents this is even 61% of all responses. The cost of study supplies does not appear to be a threat, with the majority of male and female respondents spending no more than CZK 2,999 on study supplies for the whole semester (82% of male and female respondents).
Reports from the questionnaire survey
This summary report provides a basic overview of the main findings of the survey. The final report, which summarises all the findings from the survey, is available in full for learners and staff at Alfresco.
Photo Credits: FEE CTU
