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© Proceedings of the Ruhuna Quality Assurance Sessions 2021 (RUQAS 2021)
st
21 September 2021

RP10
Participation of Students in the Faculty of Science, University of Ruhuna in Extra-curricular

Activities: A Preliminary Study

1
2
P.D. Thilina Chathuranga and W.T.S. Dammini Premachandra *
1 Department of Computer Science, University of Ruhuna, Matara,

2
Department of Zoology, University of Ruhuna, Matara,

*Corresponding author: dammini@zoo.ruh.ac.lk

Abstract

This study explored the student involvement in extracurricular activities (ECA), students’ impression

on the importance of ECA, difficulties associated in attending ECA and suggestions to improve

participation in ECA in the Faculty of Science. An online survey was conducted using a questionnaire
prepared as a Google form. Altogether, 292 student samples were obtained from four academic levels,

I, II, III and IV representing 18.0%, 30.8% 21.3% and 46.8% of the total number of registered
students, respectively, using systematic random sampling method, over a period of seven days. Non-

parametric test (Wilcoxon rank test) was performed to determine the significant differences of student
participation in ECA using the SAS statistical package.

The findings showed that the participation of Level I students in ECA was significantly lower
(P<0.0001) compared to other levels, which was mainly due to converting academic activities to

online mode with the Covid-9 pandemic. The involvement of Level II, III and IV students in ECA
ranged from 70-72% and showed a significantly higher (P<0.0001) participation in multiple ECA,

compared to single event participation. In contrast, Level I students showed lower participation rate in

multiple events. Altogether, respondents involved in 50 competitive and 42 non-competitive ECA and
a higher proportion, i.e., 70%, participated in non-competitive ECA such as cultural and religious

events, workshops, exhibitions, symposiums and seminars. Competitive ECA were associated with
sports, arts, Hackathons and quizzes. Both competitive and non-competitive ECA were conducted in

faculty, university, inter-university and global level; however, faculty level participation appeared to
be higher than the other levels. In total, there were 24 student societies in the faculty through which

various ECA have been conducted even at the community level. Students have taken key roles while

attending various ECA.

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