Transformations  in
Business & Economics

THE IMPACT OF FINANCIAL CRISIS ON THE QUALITY OF HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM. AN EXPLORATORY STUDY FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE VULNERABILITY PERCEIVED BY THE STUDENTS
Daniela-Tatiana Agheorghiesei, Sorin Gabriel Anton, Dinu Airinei

ABSTRACT. The financial crisis has generated vulnerability in several categories of population. Our article presents the results of a study conducted on a sample of 329 students in order to learn their opinion and perception on the impact of financial crisis on social vulnerability, the quality of student life and quality of higher education system. The research, of quantitative nature, used survey-based questionnaires and was conducted during 2013-2016. The main results show that students consider that in front of the financial crisis they are a vulnerable social category. The crisis has made them feel more vulnerable as students (a feeling that is difficult to complete their studies because it will follow a tough economic situation, that they have an uncertain future after they will complete their studies); the crisis has affected the quality of student life, family income, and personal life. However, in general, they appreciate that the financial crisis has not affected the quality of education system, neither in terms of teaching nor of material and infrastructure. .

KEYWORDS:  educational system, quality of higher education system, financial crisis, vulnerabilities, specific risks, quality of student life.

JEL classification:  I20, I30.