TITLE:
Students’ Perceptions and Expectations of Higher Education in Burundi: The Case of the University of Burundi
AUTHORS:
Barthélemy Cimpaye, Judith Ndayizeye, Isaac Nizigama, Ildephonse Sindayigaya, Bienvenu Solo, Innocent Ntwari, Rénovate Irambona, Simon Ngendakumana
KEYWORDS:
Skills, Achievement, Cooperation, Performance, Internationalization, Research, Professionalization
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.13 No.1,
January
22,
2026
ABSTRACT: Performance in higher education is one of the key expectations of the beneficiaries of training at the University of Burundi. With this in mind, the present study was conducted among 384 students, selected using Cochran’s formula (1977), with the aim of shedding light on students’ perceptions of the training provided by this public institution. The study focused primarily on the organization of academic programs, students’ living and working conditions, the use of ICTs for research and innovation, as well as on the professionalization and internationalization of higher education. The questionnaire, designed in KoboCollect format, was administered to students currently enrolled at the University of Burundi. The overall findings of this research indicate that the University of Burundi has not yet succeeded in effectively meeting students’ expectations regarding training—particularly with respect to living and working conditions, the use of ICTs for research and innovation, and the professionalization and internationalization of higher education.