An Investigation into the Relevance and Applicability of University-wide Risk Awareness: Effect of Risk Policies and Procedures.

In global educational context, adequate application of institutional-wide risk awareness (IRA) is recognised as crucial in efforts to achieve targets set in both mission and vision of respective Universities. But the situation in many African is that fewer Universities are pursuing the IRA. This study identifies one African University where, contrary to global trends in institutional-wide risk awareness is under-elevated in IRA. Using qualitative and quantitative methods, and guided by the Harvey & Green, Stoney, Higher Education Funding Council for England-HECFE and King report, the study investigated the risk awareness and the variables that impact on University-wide risk awareness. The data collection methods included interviews, questionnaire and document analysis. Significant conclusions based on the relationships between University-wide risk awareness and the risk variables emerged. The main conclusions of the study are (1) risk awareness does correlate with institutional preparedness. The two main forms of preparedness associated with risk awareness are, firstly, understanding and documentation of risk policies and practices (2) risk treatment (action) plan was found to be an important factor to consider in creating risk awareness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]