scholarly journals Correlation between Lecturers’ Professional Development Activities and their Competencies in Maldives Higher Education Institutes

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (9) ◽  
pp. 18-37
Author(s):  
Zuha Aishath ◽  
Intan Marfarrina Omar ◽  
Waheeda Aishath
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Professional Development ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Empirical Literature ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Higher Education System

The quality of higher education (HE) is one of the key areas the higher education system of the Maldives focuses on to develop and expand the sector. Two of the factors that contribute to and influence the quality of HE are professional development (PD) and lecturers’ competency. However, in the context of Maldives, although efforts are made in the area of PD, little to no research has been conducted in this area. Hence, the purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between lecturer PD activities and their competencies in Maldives’ higher education institutes. A quantitative research design was adopted, which conducted a cross-sectional survey by administering a structured online questionnaire. A total of 171 lecturers participated, which included both full-time and part-time lecturers from two public and two private institutions. Data analysis revealed that there is a weak positive correlation between PD activities and lecturers’ competency; rs(129)=0.232, p=0.008. It is also possible that PD activities conducted do not cater for the needs of lecturers, and a culture where structured and individual PD activities are supported and encouraged is not efficiently established. In light of these findings, it is important to strengthen and expand the existing PD policies and focus on providing effective PD sessions on topics and areas that are most needed for lecturers, rather than on generic topics. This study contributes to the empirical literature on PD in the context of Maldives and to the overall development of the HE sector.

scholarly journals Psychological Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Licensed Full-Time Practicing Nurses Undertaking Part-Time Studies in Higher Education: A Cross-Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (16) ◽  
pp. 8569
Author(s):  
Siu-Ling Chan ◽  
Naomi Takemura ◽  
Pui-Hing Chau ◽  
Chia-Chin Lin ◽  
Man-Ping Wang
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Psychological Impact ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Brief Cope ◽  
Resilience Scale ◽  
Patient Health ◽  
Part Time

Frontline nurses face an unpreceded situation with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, and many report suffering from physical and psychological stress. This online, cross-sectional survey used questionnaires, such as the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) questionnaire, the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2), the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale, stress-related questions, and Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (Brief-COPE), to determine the psychological impact of COVID-19 on licensed full-time practicing nurses undertaking part-time studies in higher education. Recruitment commenced from August to September 2020; 385 students were approached, and 124 completed the survey (response rate: 32%). Most of the respondents were frontline nurses working in public sectors (89.5%), 29% of whom reported symptoms of depression, and 61.3% reported mild to severe levels of anxiety. The GAD-7 was significantly associated with the resilience score (β = −0.188; p = 0.008) and exhaustion (β = 0.612; p < 0.001). The PHQ-2 was significantly associated with ‘anxiety about infection’ (β = 0.071; p = 0.048). A lower anxiety level was significantly associated with a higher resilience level and a lower level of exhaustion, and a lower depression level was significantly associated with a lower anxiety about infection. Nursing programs incorporating resilience building may mitigate psychological distress of the study population.

A confirmatory factor analysis for SERVPERF instrument based on a sample of students from Syrian universities

2015 ◽  
Vol 57 (3) ◽  
pp. 343-359 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Bassam Mahmoud ◽  
Bayan Khalifa
Keyword(s):  
Service Quality ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Support Staff ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Higher Education System

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to confirm the factorial structure of SERVPERF based on an exploration of its dimensionality among Syrian universities’ students. It also aimed at assessing the perceived service quality offered at these universities. Design/methodology/approach – A cross-sectional survey was conducted targeting students at Syrian universities. Using a pilot sample of 40 students, the authors developed their hypotheses. Thereafter, based on a sample of 259 students, the hypotheses were tested using structural equation modeling and one-sample t-test. Findings – The findings revealed that SERVPERF in the Syrian universities’ context was a three-factor instrument consisting of the three dimensions: faculty-individualized attention, support staff helpfulness, and support staff empathy. Moreover, the findings showed that students at Syrian universities hold negative perceptions toward all of the three service quality dimensions provided by their universities. Practical implications – Given the imperative need for universities to monitor and improve the quality of their services, this study can help Syrian universities’ administrations understand the perceptions of their students toward services offered, which can help them formulate effective marketing strategies. Originality/value – This paper came to be one of the first studies that attempted to assess the perceived quality of services offered through the Syrian higher education system. Additionally, this study pioneered through drawing a factorial picture for SERVPERF at the Syrian Arab context.

scholarly journals FOREIGN EXPERIENCE OF PROFESSIONAL TRAINING OF FUTURE TEACHERS

2020 ◽  
pp. 141-158
Author(s):  
Onyshchenko ◽  
Lykhovyd
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Professional Development ◽  
Education System ◽  
Professional Growth ◽  
Professional Training ◽  
Future Teachers ◽  
Higher Education System ◽  
Foreign Experience ◽  
Pedagogical Training

The article analyzes the peculiarities of training future teachers in higher education institutions of different countries in order to implement the positive ideas of this experience in the higher education system of Ukraine. Peculiarities of training students abroad at the present stage of higher education development are determined: multilevel model of pedagogical education; high quality of pedagogical training, which meets the best world standards; the education system is decentralized; considerable attention is paid to the study of foreign languages; a systematic approach to the organization of professional development of teachers of general secondary education based on the restructuring and optimization of methods, forms and models of teaching through the integration of elements of practical activities into professional development curricula and the formation of continuing pedagogical education as an organically integrated, optimal and dynamic system; strengthening the independence and responsibility of students for their studies, the possibility of individualization of the curriculum, the growth of academic mobility; multiculturalism and polylingualism; multidisciplinary (acquisition of specialization in two subjects simultaneously); systematic and systematic use of innovative technologies; high level of personal-social-state orientation of the system of monitoring the quality of higher education; free access to statistics and mandatory publication of monitoring results by independent media; a small number of subjects taught (not more than 16 disciplines in one academic year); relocation of the center of professional and pedagogical training to school; growth of pedagogical practice and expansion of places of its passing; increasing the requirements for entrants both in the case of admission to pedagogical specialties and during their employment; increasing the role and importance of various professional organizations (associations, unions, centers of pedagogical skills, schools of professional growth) in the process of professional development and certification of teachers. It is noted that taking into account the selected features of foreign experience in the domestic system of training future teachers will contribute to the effective modernization of the higher education system of Ukraine. Key words: higher education, Netherlands, Greece, Slovakia, professional training, future teachers.

scholarly journals An Assessment of the Legal Framework Safeguarding Academic Staff: A Factor in the Declining Quality of Higher Education in Kenya

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 44-55
Author(s):  
Newton Ochieng Mitoko
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Academic Staff ◽  
Legal Framework ◽  
Higher Education System ◽  
Quality Of Higher Education ◽  
Privatization Of Higher Education ◽  
The Right

A paper that seeks to investigate the legal framework safeguarding academic staff; whether or not, it has an impact on the declining quality of higher education in Kenya. Due to globalization and privatization of higher education, the field has been open to forces, which have seen institutions, become the centers of exploitation. Incidents in which university staff have threatened to strike or put down their tools have become the norm. Such situations have denied youth the right to access education. To remedy the foregoing problems, the parliament of Kenya enacted various legislation as part of reform efforts aimed at enhancing the efficiency, integrity and equity of Kenya's higher education system. Thus, purpose of the paper is to clearly analyze the legal framework and safeguards that relate to academic staff with the view to understand it's impact on Higher Education. Hence, quantitative research using a survey questionnaire to collect data from respondents was conducted. The end results of the study revealed that the current structured legal framework and safeguards for academic staff had a positive impact thus not a push factor in declining quality of higher education in Kenya.

scholarly journals FACTORS AFFECTING THE TUITION FEE POLICY OF PUBLIC HIGHER EDUCATION

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thi Hoai Trinh Nguyen
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Public Universities ◽  
Public Higher Education ◽  
Tuition Fees ◽  
State Budget ◽  
Course Structure ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Higher Education System

The purpose of this study is to clarify the factors affecting the student's expected tuition fees in the context that most public universities in Vietnam are not financially self-sufficient, given the relatively limited state budget. That is why public universities are interested in the expected tuition fees of students so that they can change their policies accordingly in allocating available resources. Enhance its competitive position with universities with similar tuition fees. This competition contributes to improving the quality of the whole higher education system. The study identifies the factors affecting the tuition policies in public higher education through the quantitative research method by analyzing questionnaires collected from 250 students from 6 public universities in Vietnam. The results show that the factors affecting tuition fees of public higher education in Vietnam are: (1) Lecturers (L), (2) Curriculums (Cr), (3) Student skills (Ss), (4) Teaching methods (Tm), (5) Facilities (F), (6) Curriculums content (Cc), (7) Course structure (Cs). Based on research results, the study also proposes solutions to improve tuition policies to support learners at public universities in Vietnam.

scholarly journals Minimizing Potential Issues in Higher Education by Professionally Developing University Teachers

2011 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 59
Author(s):  
Anam Siddiqui ◽  
Hassan Danial Aslam ◽  
Hafiz Muhammad Farhan ◽  
Adeel Luqman ◽  
Muhammad Arfan Lodhi
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Professional Development ◽  
Education System ◽  
Faculty Members ◽  
Quality Of Education ◽  
Comprehensive Model ◽  
Development Programs ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Higher Education System

Abstract   The major purposes of this paper is to firstly explore the relationship among three variables namely professional development of faculty members, teachers’ performance and quality of higher education, and secondly to provide solution to perceived issues and challenges faced by higher education system with the help of comprehensive model. Authors have deeply reviewed previous research studies conducted by researchers and have elaborated their views in connection with the current debate. This paper is purely qualitative in nature and authors have formulated comprehensive model that can be helpful for the policy makers and administrators of the higher education system. This comprehensive model clearly explains that if teachers are equipped with proper and well organized pedagogical as well as administrative training programs then their performance can be greatly improved which can further enhance the quality of education delivered to the students. Both pre-service and in-service professional development programs should be organized for faculty members that will improve their knowledge, skills and abilities, which in turn will further improve their academic, pedagogical and administrative job performance resulting the improvement of overall quality education. Moreover the relation that has been explored can be used to minimize many emerging problems, and perceived issues and challenges faced by higher education system. The model proposed by authors will be useful for policy makers who can then make better policies and can design improved procedures to enhance quality of education. Besides all this, the model is also helpful for management/administrators of higher education system to train and develop their faculty members on specified patterns to inculcate healthy learning among their students. Key words: Professional Development of faculty members, Perceived Issues and Challenges to Higher Education, Quality, Quality of Education, Professional Development Programs, Performance of Faculty Members.

scholarly journals Rapid Transformation of the Higher Education Sector and Graduate Productivity in the Ugandan labor Market

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 157-163
Author(s):  
Edith Mbabazi ◽  
Godfrey Bagonza ◽  
Maria Goretti Kaahwa
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Labor Market ◽  
Education Sector ◽  
University Graduates ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Continuous Growth ◽  
Qualitative Approaches ◽  
Rapid Transformation

This study investigated the relationship between the rapid and continuous growth of the Higher Education Sector and graduate productivity in the Ugandan Labor Market. The study was guided by three objectives, namely; to find out how rapid transformation of the HE sector is related to graduates’ confidence at their places of work; to establish how rapid transformation of the HE sector is related to graduates’ timely accomplishment of tasks and to examine how rapid transformation of the HE sector in Uganda is related to graduates ability to work in a team. The study employed a correlational cross-sectional survey design; both quantitative and qualitative approaches were adopted for data collection and analysis from the targeted sample of 90 university lecturers, 6 deans of faculties and schools, 12 heads of departments as well as 3 HR managers. Results revealed a positive significant correlation between rapid transformation of the HE sector and graduates productivity. The study also established that universities are greatly lacking in the quality of training resources. The study concludes that improving the quality of university facilities will improve teaching and learning efficiency which in turn will enhance the quality of university graduates.

Effects and Risks of Distance Learning in Higher Education

2020 ◽  
pp. 61-73
Author(s):  
Yu. M. Tsygalov
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Distance Learning ◽  
Online Education ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Higher Education System ◽  
First Results ◽  
Spread Of Infection ◽  
The Cost

The forced work of Russian universities remotely in the context of the pandemic (COVID-19) has generated a lot of discussion about the benefits of the new form of education. The first results were summed up and reports were presented, the materials of which showed that the main goal of online education — the prevention of the spread of infection, - has been achieved. Against this background, proposals and publications have appeared substantiating the effectiveness of the massive introduction of distance learning in Russia, including in higher education. However, the assessment of such training by the population and students in publications and in social networks was predominantly negative and showed that the number of emerging problems exceeds the possible benefits of the new educational technology. Based on the analysis of the materials of publications and personal experience of teaching online, the potential benefits and problems of distance learning in higher education in Russia are considered. It is proposed to consider the effects separately for the suppliers of new technology (government, universities) and consumers (students, teachers, society). It is substantiated that the massive introduction of online education allows not only to reduce the negative consequences of epidemics, but also to reduce budgetary funding for universities, optimize the age composition of teachers, and reduce the cost of maintaining educational buildings. However, there will be a leveling / averaging of the quality of education, and responsibility for the quality of training will shift from the state/universities to students. The critical shortcomings of online education are the low degree of readiness of the digital infrastructure, the lack of a mechanism for identifying and monitoring the work of students, information security problems, and the lack of trust in such training of the population. The massive use of online education creates a number of risks for the country, the most critical of which is the destruction of the higher education system and a drop in the effectiveness of personnel training. The consequences of this risk realization are not compensated by any possible budget savings.

Biographic Characteristics and Factors Perceived as Affecting Female and Male Careers in Academic Surgery: The Tenured Gender Battle to Make It to the Top

2016 ◽  
Vol 57 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 139-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Schwarz ◽  
Sonia Sippel ◽  
Andrew Entwistle ◽  
Anna Kathrin Hell ◽  
Sarah Koenig
Keyword(s):  
Career Guidance ◽  
Work Satisfaction ◽  
Attrition Rate ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Professional Career ◽  
Academic Surgery ◽  
Female Surgeons ◽  
High Degree

Purpose: Given the high attrition rate in the field of academic surgery, we aimed to characterise the professional and personal situations of female and male academic surgeons as well as to gather data on their respective perceptions of career advancement and work satisfaction. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey in Germany, inviting all identifiable academically highly qualified female surgeons and their male counterparts in a 1:2 ratio to participate. An anonymous 103-item online questionnaire was designed and the data collected between July and September 2014. Results: The questionnaire was sent to 93 female and 200 male surgeons, of whom 63 women (67.7%) and 70 men (35.0%) replied. The average age was 47.5 and 47.1 years, respectively. Respondents identified ‘high degree of expertise', ‘ambition', and ‘clarity of one's professional aims' as important factors affecting professional career development. Both groups felt ‘workload', ‘working hours/shifts', and ‘gender' to be a hindrance, the latter of significantly greater importance to female surgeons. The mean work satisfaction scores were high in both female (69.5%) and male (75.7%) surgeons. The predictors ‘support from superiors' (standardised β coefficient = 0.41) and ‘manual aptitude' (β = 0.41) contributed incrementally to the variance in ‘high degree of work satisfaction' (90-100%) observed for female surgeons. However, childcare provided by ‘kindergarten/crèche/after-school care' had the greatest negative predictive value (β = -1.33). Conclusions: Although there are many parallels, female faculty members experience the culture of academic surgery to some extent differently from their male counterparts, especially when impacted by parenthood and childcare. Faculty development programmes need to develop strategies to improve perceived equality in career opportunities by respecting individuals' requirements as well as offering gender-appropriate career guidance.

scholarly journals Eating Habits during the COVID-19 Lockdown in Italy: The Nutritional and Lifestyle Side Effects of the Pandemic

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 2279
Author(s):  
Federica Grant ◽  
Maria Luisa Scalvedi ◽  
Umberto Scognamiglio ◽  
Aida Turrini ◽  
Laura Rossi
Keyword(s):  
Food Waste ◽  
Eating Habits ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Waste Prevention ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Nutritional Recommendations ◽  
Food And Nutrition ◽  
Excessive Consumption

To limit the spread of coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, a nationwide lockdown started in Italy in March 2020. In this unpredictable situation, a cross-sectional study using an online questionnaire was carried out by the Observatory on Food Surplus, Recovery and Waste of CREA Food and Nutrition Centre. The aim of this work was to evaluate how Italian habits changed during this period, the determinants of changes, and the effect on food waste prevention. In a sample of 2678 respondents, 62% showed low Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (AMD). During lockdown many of participants improved the quality of their diet, increasing their consumption of fruit (24.4%), vegetables (28.5%), legumes (22.1%), nuts (12%), and fish or shellfish (14%). Unfavorable changes were observed with the excessive consumption of sweets or pastries (36.9%) and comfort foods (22.7%), and a lack of physical activity (37.2%). The main novelty of this study was the examination of dietary changes identified by a cluster analysis. Respondents with generally high AMD improved their eating habits, while the habits of the respondents with generally low AMD remained unchanged. In addition, nearly 80% of respondents were sensitive to food waste. The study provides a useful contribution to the debate on nutritional recommendations in case of further lockdown.

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