International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume II, Issue XII, December 2018 | ISSN 2454–6186

Student Perceptions of Security Services at Public Higher Learning Institutions

O. Syaznida¹, R. Normala², C. Azlini³, Z.M. Lukman⁴, M.Y. Kamal⁵

^1,2,3,4,5Faculty of Applied Social Science, University Sultan Zainal Abidin, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia

Abstract –Students’ perceptions of the security service in their universities are crucial in ensuring that they get the best quality of service that they deserved. The student’s point of view, how they think the service will work efficiently, and what are their special needs can be used as a cornerstone in reforming the security services into a modernize and efficient system. Students are the ‘customers’ of security services, but very little is known about their behaviors, attitudes and their perceptions of their safety and security needs. In response to this, researchers gathered and analyzed the safety perceptions of students in public higher learning institutions. This study aims to evaluate student perceptions on the quality of services provided by security officers in the public higher learning institutions. It will highlight the comparisons of each student whether there are differences existed in their perception on the security officers. This descriptive study was done by using the questionnaire to scrutinize perception of the students. The result of this study indicates that students understand and have a positive response to the services provided by their security officers.

Keywords— Student Perception, Security Services, Public Higher Learning Institutions

I. INTRODUCTION

Security can be broadly defined as protection against threats or dangers. The safety function at institutions of higher learning is to promote a conducive environment for teaching and learning and contribute to a peaceful, harmonious working and living environment[16]. Students are the main benefits of this, but meager is known about their behaviors, attitudes, and perceptions and also their safety and security needs[17]. Hence, this study aims to contribute and fill in the gap of this knowledge, by analyzing the student safety perceptions of public higher learning institutions.