JKKNIUJSS

Career Awareness and Institutional Challenges Faced by Students with Physical Disabilities in Tertiary Education: A Micro-Level Study of First-Year Students at Rajshahi University

Authors

  • Md. Fahim Shahriar

    Rajshahi University

    Author

  • Muhammad Mahmudur Rahman

    Author

Keywords:
Career Awareness, Students with Disabilities, Tertiary Education, Career Guidance
Abstract

Students with disabilities repeatedly face significant challenges throughout their life in all possible aspects. While some have been able to gain admission into the university system, many are still unaware of career options as well as the supportive policies extended to them by the government, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and universities. This knowledge gap weakens their chances to potential career growth. This study concerns itself with the level of career awareness among first-year students with disabilities at Rajshahi University. The study covers their career awareness level, career information sources, challenges, and expectations, followed by recommendations on policies. Data were collected from 10 varied participants (in terms of gender, discipline, and type of disability) through a detailed structured questionnaire. The analysis was done using Microsoft Excel and SPSS. The findings revealed that the average level of career awareness was 58 percent on five core indicators. Half of the respondents depended on teachers mainly for career guidance. Notably, 70 percent did not know about the role of NGOs in supporting career development, implying an absence of institutional linkage. Moreover, 90 percent showed interest in attending training on entrepreneurship and freelancing. The research, therefore, recommends enhancing career awareness programs in order to expedite career growth of physically-challenged students at tertiary level and strengthening partnerships between universities and NGOs to assist students with disabilities for career guidance.

Author Biography
  1. Muhammad Mahmudur Rahman

    Muhammad Mahmudur Rahman currently holds the chairmanship of the Department of Political Science, University of Rajshahi and serving as a faculty member of this discipline for about 20 years. He completed his BSS and MSS from the Department of Political Science, University of Dhaka. His areas of specialization include Bangladesh Politics, Gender and Development, South and Southeast Asian Politics, Governance and Development, Computer and Society, Political Development in British India and Pakistan, Political Theory and Organization.

References

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Published
05/04/2026
Data Availability Statement

Data were collected by the coordination of the authors themselves, conducting a field survey using semi-structure questionnaire.

Issue
Vol. 5 No. 1 (2026): JKKNIU Journal of Social Sciences
Section
Articles

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