ASSESSMENT OF HOUSING CHOICE CRITERIA FOR THE UNIVERSITIES’ STUDENTS IN NORTH CYPRUS USING AHP METHOD

The aim of this study is to consider individual opinions in order to attain the final ranking of determining factors in student housing choice in Northern Cyprus’ universities. This region is becoming a renowned force of international education, and there is a distinct need to know and enhance those factors having the greatest influence on student housing decisions. This investigation proposes applying the multiple-criteria decision-making (MCDM) method of analytical hierarchy process (AHP), using the pairwise comparison between criteria to create an evaluation structure with criteria and related weights for improving service quality in student housing. A four-level model was constructed and tested, with sixteen sub-factors on fourth levels were compared, and the findings revealed that the preferred housing attributes were ventilation and peace, which were preferred equally, followed by flexible room arrangements, rules and regulations, empathy, Internet access, communication, privacy, a reading section, a bathroom/shower, a refrigerator, a kitchen, hot water, maintenance, proximity to school, and cost