Perception of students as partners in learning among students and faculty members of the Aga Khan University School of Nursing and Midwifery, Karachi, Pakistan

This study explores perceptions of the students-as-partners approach in nursing education among students and faculty at the Aga Khan University School of Nursing and Midwifery, Karachi, Pakistan. The approach has gained prominence in higher education for fostering active engagement, mutual respect, and collaborative knowledge construction, making it highly relevant in nursing, where theory and practice must align. This study contributes to the limited body of literature on students as partners (SaP) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) by offering an original perspective that incorporates student, faculty, and leadership voices within a hierarchical, resource-constrained context. This study used, with 120 participants (80 students and 40 faculty) completing a structured questionnaire and open-ended questions. We adopted a qualitative descriptive exploratory design to remain close to participants’ accounts while systematically describing patterns salient to the local context. The findings revealed that 85% of students and 90% of faculty expressed a favorable view of the approach, highlighting benefits such as improved critical thinking, enhanced communication, and stronger mutual respect. Both groups acknowledged their potential to create a more supportive and inclusive learning environment. However, hierarchical traditions, time constraints and the absence of institutional policies were identified as significant barriers. The results underscore strong readiness and mutual interest in adopting the students-as-partners approach, suggesting its promise to enrich nursing education and practice.