Erisher Woyo

In academia, examiners are like guides on a student’s educational journey, offering insights that can inspire, motivate and shape the future of scholars and leaders in business education. However, let us talk about something that does not often make the headlines but deserves our attention: the way feedback is given to post-graduate research students.

Recently, as I was going through the feedback of one MBA student from one of the Business Schools in Africa, I reflected on it deeply and asked myself, shouldn’t feedback also be delivered with a compassionate touch? Why are examiners this rude? Imagine a scenario where a dedicated MBA student, let us call her Chenayi (not a real name), poured her heart and soul into her thesis, aiming to make a meaningful contribution to her field of study. However, when Chenayi received her feedback, it was not the constructive guidance she had hoped for. Instead, it felt like a harsh critique, branding her work as mediocre and poorly presented. 

The feedback also pointed out that Chenayi seemed to be showing off her extensive knowledge of sampling techniques, delving into unnecessary details that exceeded the scope of her work.

This kind of feedback is not just unhelpful, but it can also be very demoralising. It is a reminder that feedback should not just be honest, but also compassionate.  It should be a tool for nurturing potential, not the platform to showcase an examiner’s expertise, and sometimes wrongly.

So, how can we make feedback more humane? Here are a few suggestions. Create a supportive learning environment. Examiners, as guardians of academic rigour, have a unique opportunity to create a learning environment that is not only intellectually stimulating, but also emotionally supportive. Their role extends beyond evaluating the quality of students’ work; they are instrumental in shaping the student’s confidence, enthusiasm and overall academic experience. Recognising the dedication students put into their work is crucial. The case of Chenayi underscores the pressing need for examiners to strike a delicate balance between academic rigour and compassion. Constructive feedback is undoubtedly indispensable, but it should be delivered with kindness. Acknowledging students’ efforts and focusing on areas where they can improve is a better approach than harsh criticism. 

It is worth mentioning that effective feedback should not be confined to identifying areas for improvement; it should also offer clear guidance and actionable solutions. This is a practice that I also follow with the assessments that I grade every academic year. This approach helps students see a path forward rather than feeling lost. MBA students, like Chenayi, are on a transformative journey of learning and self-discovery. Feedback should not just assess their work; it should motivate them to strive for excellence. In the world of business education, finding the right balance between academic rigour and compassionate feedback is crucial. Feedback that recognises the learning process and inspires improvement is critical for nurturing future business leaders and professionals. It is a responsibility that examiners must embrace, knowing that their guidance plays a significant role in shaping students’ educational experience.

* Erisher Woyo is a trained Ph.D., master’s supervisor and an academic in the Department of Marketing, International Business and Tourism at Manchester Metropolitan University. He writes in his personal capacity.