Challenges and Prospects of the Doctoral Researchers in Ethiopian Higher Education: the Case of Selected University

Abstract

The main objective of this study is to investigate the existing challenges and possible opportunities of doctoral researchers in Ethiopian universities. In this study, a qualitative study design with descriptive cross- sectional approach was employed. Both primary data and secondary data were under use in this study. The primary data were collected from doctoral researchers and their supervisors. Purposive sampling was the main sampling approach identified in this study. From different qualitative data collection tools, interview and focused-group discussion were instruments employed in this research. Thematic approach and narration were methods of data analysis selected by the researchers. Accordingly, based on the analyzed and interpreted data, the following findings were identified. In the first place, the findings of this study confirmed that there has been inadequacy of both facilities and financial resources to smoothly run doctoral program in Ethiopian universities. Moreover, the degree of smooth relationships between doctoral researchers and their counter supervisors has been found poor. The psychological feelings of researchers were full of dissatisfaction and distress. On the other hand, even though there have been different challenges that the doctoral students were facing during their study, still they are optimistic about their future particularly in relation to the advanced knowledge and skills they have gained from the program and strong self-esteem and high social status that they will obtain when graduating from the program. Therefore, based on the aforementioned findings of the study, it is possible to conclude that currently, the basic preconditions for conducting doctoral research were not fulfilled for doctoral researchers particularly those factors related to facilities, fund, supervisory support and encouraging psychological setup. And yet many of the doctoral researchers have strong hope as the program will have irreplaceable contributions in their future lives. To alleviate the above problems of the doctoral researchers, four different bodies: Ethiopian Federal Government, Ministry of Education, Ethiopian Universities and Stakeholders should rethink on the existing status of the doctoral program and devise mechanisms on how to alleviate the existing challenges of doctoral education in Ethiopian Universities.