Extracurricular Activities in Higher Education: Diversity and Inclusion

This study has been designed to examine extracurricular activities among students in higher education and diversity and inclusivity. It has been observed that extracurricular activities promote diversity among students having different backgrounds. This study has been based on a quantitative study design and conducted at public sector university. The students of sociology and economics consist of the population of the study. A total unit of analysis has been reported as 644 on the day of sampling frame collection. A sample of 213 students has been selected through proportionate random sampling techniques. A cross-sectional study has been conducted using a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of different sections socioeconomics characteristics, extracurricular activities, and diversity and inclusion. An attitudinal scale of (dis)agreement has been used to measure the responses of the students. Pilot testing has been done to check the reliability of the tool i.e. Alpha values .700 and above. Data analysis included frequency distribution, normality, Kendall’s tau_b, Chi-Square, and regression analysis has been used to draw results and conclusions. The study findings assert that the intersectionality of class, residential background, cultural differences, and extracurricular activities have favorable effects on the diversity and inclusion of students in higher education. The study findings asserted that extracurricular activities have familiar effects on creating diversity and inclusion among students in higher education. Extracurricular activities include sports festivals, quiz competitions, volunteer activities, student get-togethers, seminar activities, and outdoor non-academic activities in the university. The study concludes that extracurricular activities have favorable effects on diversity and inclusion of students in higher education.