A Study of the Majors Selection Process at KFUPM

SUMMARY The King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) requires that all the incoming high school graduates undergo a 1-year orientation programme prior to their enrolment in the various university degree programmes. Towards the end of this orientation year, all students must select a major of their choice. This selection process is influenced by several interactive factors among which are personal preferences, market influence on the supply and demand of young graduates, etc. It has been noted, for the past few years, that significant changes were taking place in the pattern of the majors selection process. It is the objective of this study to recognise the current pattern of the students' majors selection process, along with the relevant factors affecting this process. The study is based on a carefully formulated questionnaire that has been widely distributed among the orientation students. The generated data from this questionnaire forms the basis for the conclusions and recommendation of t...