Focus group evaluation of a subject on leadership and intrapersonal development in Hong Kong

Abstract

In this study, five focus groups involving 30 students were conducted to evaluate a subject entitled "Tomorrow's Leaders" which was designed to promote the leadership and intrapersonal competence of university students under the new four-year undergraduate curriculum at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Four major themes could be highlighted from the narratives of the participants. First, the students generally had positive perceptions of the subject and the learning process, and positive features of the subject and related experiences were also identified. Second, students pointed out that they had personal gains and positive changes after taking this subject. Third, the students generally felt that there was a need for this subject. Finally, the students mentioned some negative aspects of the subject and they proposed some suggestions for refinement of the subject. Overall speaking, the qualitative findings suggest that the students had positive views about the subject and they experienced the benefits of taking this subject.