Confirmation of Candidature - Candidate : Sanjeev Sharma

The higher education sector in Australia plays a significant role in accommodating international students. Both the Federal Government, state governments, and educational institutions invest considerable effort and resources into providing high-quality education to these students. While online programs were not initially authorized for full-time international students in Australia, institutions were allowed to enrol them in online courses following the Covid-19 outbreak. Even as lockdowns eased and borders reopened, enrolment and course delivery in the online mode continued. While previous studies have shed light on various challenges faced by international students, such as economic issues, mental well-being, racism, and social inclusion difficulties, there is a lack of research on their engagement in online education.

This research aims to investigate how international students engage with their courses, the challenges they encounter in the online education context, and how existing learner engagement frameworks accommodate their study experiences. A qualitative case-study method will be employed, incorporating a quantitative online survey and qualitative in-depth interviews with selected students. The participants will be international students who have completed at least one year of their degree, including at least one online course. Purposeful sampling will be used to select participants. Thematic analysis, guided by Braun and Clarke's (2006) six-step framework, will be applied to analyse the interview data, complemented by survey data and data triangulation.

The study will explore international students' perceptions of online education in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. It will investigate their understanding of online engagement, the challenges they perceive in online learning, and their expectations for engaging with their online courses. Given the importance of learner engagement in education and the growing acceptance of online learning, the research findings will be valuable for educators, curriculum developers, and online education researchers.

For more information, please email the Graduate Research School or phone 0746 311088.