Evaluation of the existing undergraduate mentorship program

Objectives: This study was done to evaluate the qualtity of mentorship at our institute by recording the perception of mentors and mentees and to then identify the challenges faced by mentors and mentees during mentorship. Material and Methods: In this study, quantitative survey of both mentors and mentees using pre-validated post mentoring questionnaire was done using 5 point Likert’s scale. The analysis was done using quantitative technique for the survey. Results: As per survey, mentors are considered as an asset by 61% mentees and 48% look up to them as role models. Furthermore, 61% mentees believed their mentors encouraged them to improve academically and guided them; however, only 32% agreed that their mentors introduced them to research. Most of the mentors (88%) recognized increase in awareness of students’ challenges while 76% of the mentors agreed that their communication skills have improved. Conclusion: Mentorship program has a positive impact on the mentees academic and personal growth. Some of the hindering factors of the mentorship program included infrequent mentoring sessions as well as limited personal interaction with mentors and limited introduction to research during mentorship.