Abstract
This paper reports on the findings from 15 pastoral care interviews as part of a broader research project aimed at investigating the relatively low completion rate of first-year Bachelor of Engineering (BE) students. A Foucauldian Discourse Analysis (FDA) was chosen to examine the text for issues beyond the student's academic ability or performance. In particular, we examine the interview text in relation to Foucauldian concepts of governmentality and biopower in an attempt to reflect on the power-relations within the first year teaching and learning environment.