Impact of disasters on student enrollment in higher education programs: A systematic review

This study aims to evaluate how disasters affect student enrollment in higher education programs, considering both immediate and long-term consequences. The PRISMA guidelines were adhered to in conducting this review. A total of 22 studies focusing on how disasters affect students' enrollment in higher education programs were deemed eligible for inclusion and detailed analysis. 

The findings suggest that disasters have a negative influence on higher education enrollment, with the most severe effects being felt by disadvantaged populations. This study reveals that disasters impact various aspects of the enrollment process, such as application, acceptance, registration, attendance, retention, and graduation, in higher education due to infrastructural and psychological impacts. Key variables linking disasters to enrollment changes include damage to institutional infrastructure, economic and psychological strain, resource limitations, loss of social support networks, and disruptions to academic programs. Enhancing resilience involves adopting online learning, providing financial support, flexible enrollment policies, mental health services, disaster preparedness training, resilient infrastructure development, and collaborative institutional programs.