iz

This study was conducted to explore educational, vocational, social, personal, and health related guidance & counseling needs of students and their perception about establishment of guidance and counseling service centers at higher education institutions of Islamabad. This study also explored gender and sector wise differences regarding guidance & counseling needs as well as establishment of guidance and counseling service centers. Study was based on quantitative survey and data were collected from 1743 students of BS program from four public and seven private universities. It was perceived that all the students significantly highlighted the need of guidance and counseling centers. Furthermore, the results established that irrespective of gender wise difference all students showed positive perception regarding the establishment of guidance and counseling service centers. Therefore, it is recommended that higher education authorities are required to take prompt initiative for ensuring ample guidance and counseling facilities for students to overcome their educational, vocational, social, personal, and health related problems.

Keywords: Guidance and Counseling, Higher Education Institutions, Educational, Social, Personal, Health, Vocational, Needs.