Title: How COVID-19 affected academic performance and job readiness in higher education

Authors: Meryana Zuhair Haddad; Yee Mei Heong; Habeeb Ur Rahiman

Addresses: Faculty of Technical and Vocational Education, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM), Parit Raja, 86400 Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia ' Faculty of Technical and Vocational Education, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM), Parit Raja, 86400 Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia ' College of Business Administration, Kingdom University, Bahrain

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic has created a serious impact on human life in different ways and modes. Higher education is one such area where many students struggle to meet their intentions and be efficient in their studies. The current study aimed to investigate the impact of the pandemic on higher education academic performance and job readiness in the gulf region. A mixed-method research strategy was administered in performing the research. The quantitative data were collected employing online survey instruments from 1,750 respondents from various parts of the gulf region. The data were analysed by applying statistical tools like SPSS and AMOS and finding revels that the COVID-19 pandemic adversely impacted higher education in the Gulf. The study also identified that assessment and evaluations, students' engagement and overall academic performance, and job readiness were the most adversely affected areas due to pandemics. The conclusion of the research will support government and higher education facilitators to examine and implement guidelines for teaching and learning in disaster situations.

Keywords: COVID-19; anxiety; job readiness; assessment; academic performance.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEBR.2024.141487

International Journal of Economics and Business Research, 2024 Vol.28 No.3/4, pp.363 - 378

Received: 05 Apr 2022
Accepted: 03 May 2022
Published online: 18 Sep 2024 *

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