| dc.description.abstract | This study aimed to provide the first quantitative evidence on how cultural diversity
influences communication, creativity, and learning outcomes of university students of
Bangladesh. The study also aimed to offer strategies for fostering inclusive environments in
Bangladeshi universities. Following a survey-based cross-sectional research design, this
quantitative study combined descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analysis, annotation
analysis, and methodological triangulation with qualitative thematic analysis.
Firstly, the correlation analysis indicated that all three student outcomes, communication,
creativity, and learning outcomes, are negatively correlated with both the perceived and
measured diversity index. Particularly, a highly statistically significant negative correlation was
identified between perceived diversity and communication skills among the students. This
indicates that students who viewed their campus as more culturally diverse reported slightly
lower communication scores. Secondly, the annotation analysis revealed that most of the students
recognize the value of cultural diversity in enhancing their communication, creativity, and
learning outcomes. Methodological triangulation with qualitative responses aligned with the
quantitative findings by highlighting “communication and language barriers” as the most
frequently reported barrier. Together these findings suggested that students across all three
universities reported challenges while interacting with diverse peers on campus, especially
communication challenges, despite recognizing the importance of diversity on campus.
Thus, the findings of this study call for three comprehensive policies to integrate
systematic inclusion programs in Bangladeshi universities that will help students translate
diverse experiences on campus into academic and social growth. | en_US |
