Factors Influencing Students’ Acceptability of Mechatronics Engineering Course: Evidence from Mbeya University of Science and Technology, Tanzania

Abstract

This study examined factors Influencing Students’ acceptability of Mechatronics Engineering Course. The study utilized the descriptive survey research design and quantitative research approach to address the research problem. A random sample of 138 respondents was drawn from the population of 260 students taking mechatronic engineering at Mbeya University of Science and Technology. Data was collected through a structured questionnaire. The statistical treatment of data was done through descriptive statistics in terms of mean scores. The study established that acceptability is influenced by both learning factors and employability factors. Mechatronic engineering program promotes students learning motivation due to its collaborative and interactive nature. Students’ learning motivation was highly influenced by the way the course focused on hand on skills, thus stimulating the learning environment. Based on the conclusions, it is recommended that to increase acceptability of the course among students, the program should be designed in such a way that it sharpens practical skills among students. This can be achieved by establishing mechatronic workshops which should be furnished with necessary equipment and facilities to allow students to acquire practical skills for self-employment. Finally, technical training colleges and higher learning institutions which offer mechatronic engineering programs should invest in supportive learning and teaching facilities. Availability of facilities is also necessary to cultivate learning motivation among students.