University Violence: Causes and Solutions (A field Study from the Students’ Perspective of Palestine Technical University – Kadoorie)

Abstract

The objective of this research was to explore the origins and remedies for violence within Palestine Technical University - Kadoorie, focusing on students' perspectives and considering various factors such as social gender, college affiliation, place of residence, and academic level. The study was conducted during the second semester of the 2021/2022 academic year with a population of 7200 male and female students who encompass the entire student body. Employing a descriptive approach, the researcher utilized a random sample comprising 369 students. The findings revealed that prevalent causes of violence included the influence of student political alignments, societal interference in university matters, and the rise of regional biases. Gender disparities significantly impacted the perception of violence, favoring male students. Likewise, differences were observed across colleges, with Humanities College exhibiting higher levels of violence. Place of residence also played a role, with camps being more prone to violence compared to villages and cities. However, no significant differences were noted based on academic level. Regarding proposed solutions, no significant variations were detected based on gender, college, or academic level. Conversely, solutions addressing violence were favored in camp settings compared to villages or cities. The study concludes with recommendations, emphasizing the integration of citizenship-focused coursework to address behavioral issues among students. Keywords: violence, university violence, Palestine Technical University - Kadoorie, students