What is the South African Survey of Student Engagement?

The South African Survey of Student Engagement (SASSE) was piloted in South Africa on a national level in 2009 by the division of Student Development and Success at the University of the Free State in collaboration with the Council on Higher Education. 


The pilot study formed part of the investigation into the development of a 4-year undergraduate curriculum and undergraduate education in general. Within the context of this investigation, research on student engagement helps to identify the conditions and drivers of success that would lead to the identification of high impact activities that contribute to the improvement of throughput and success rates in the South African context. 


The study will further contribute to systemic and institutional capacity development by providing generic, comparative and institution specific perspectives on student engagement. 

The student engagement research project will be continuing during 2010, and all higher education institutions are invited to participate in this exciting initiative to promote student success.  The 2010 project includes a colloquium on student success and a 2-day workshop.  For additional queries on the 2010 project contact Dr Francois Strydom.

What is student engagement?

Student engagement can be defined by two key components, first, what students do (the time and energy they devote to educationally purposive activities) and second, what institutions do (the extent to which they employ effective educational practices to induce students to do the right things). The South African Survey of Student Engagement (SASSE) is based on the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) developed in the USA.

The survey instrument measures five benchmarks for effective education practices namely, level of academic challenge, active-collaborative learning, student-staff interaction, enriching education experiences and supportive campus environment. Data on these benchmarks can support an increased focus on improving teaching and learning practices in South African higher education.