Science/Education Portraits VIII: Duoethnography of First-Generation Bioscience Undergraduates in a Private Education Institute in Singapore
Andreas W Shin1,2, Laren ZW Yan1,2, Kolistar SH Poh1,2 and Maurice HT Ling1,2,3*
1School of Life Sciences, Management Development Institute of Singapore, Singapore
2School of Applied Sciences, Northumbria University, United Kingdom
3HOHY PTE LTD, Singapore
*Corresponding Author: Maurice HT Ling, School of Life Sciences, Management Development Institute of Singapore, Singapore.
Received:
April 21, 2023; Published: May 05, 2023
Abstract
It has been well-recognized that first-generation undergraduate faces unique challenges. This is made worse by being a first-generation undergraduate in a private education institution (PEI), commonly characterized by lesser resources as compared to public education institution, during COVID-19 associated social restrictions. Currently, there is no study to on first-generation university undergraduates pursuing their undergraduate education via a PEI in Singapore during this COVID-19 pandemic. In this article, we document the journey, challenges, and triumphs of three first-generation bioscience undergraduates in Singapore pursuing their bachelor’s degree in a PEI during the pandemic using duo ethnographical approach. Our analysis suggests that challenges faced by first-generation undergraduate in a PEI in Singapore during COVID-19 associated restrictions can be seen as sum of challenges faced by first-generation undergraduate and challenges faced by in the education sector during COVID-19 associated restrictions; but the resourcefulness, resilience, and adaptability of first-generation undergraduate are also evident.
Keywords: COVID-19; Private Education Institution (PEI)
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