Dichotomy and Violent Student Protests

Abstract

“How dare you!” was the opening line 16-year-old Greta Thunberg used in her address to world leaders at the United Nation Global Summit on Climate Change. This young woman demanded global political and business leaders to listen to her plea, as she firmly believes global systems are in crisis and politicians and business persons alike are not playing their part to resolve our people, planet, and profit crisis. Student protests in response to leadership in higher education institutions have become a generic form of expressing discontent. In a quantitative investigation, this study assessed student perceptions regarding higher education leadership in relation to three core leadership capabilities: a strategic approach, communication and collaboration, and institutional drivers and results. Data collection from students in their final year was done using a combination of simple and stratified sampling. SPSS version 25 was used for data analysis. Findings reiterated a current dichotomy and urge the need for social cohesion between student and university leadership.