Evaluation of Practice-integrated Dual Study Models in Bulgaria and Romania and Implications for Cross-border European Cooperation between Universities and Business

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 119-128
Author(s):  
Evgenia Mahler ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Academic Staff ◽  
Data Interpretation ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Stakeholder Groups ◽  
Inductive Research ◽  
Pilot Implementation ◽  
The Impact ◽  
And Training ◽  
Country Specific

The paper addresses the country-specific pilot implementation of dual higher education programmes from the engineering domain in Bulgaria and Romania. The paper presents a summary of the findings from the evaluation of the pilot programmes. The data evaluated has been collected in each country by the means of a peer review in the implementing institutions with the participation of the three main stakeholder groups involved - students, academic staff and industrial mentors. Qualitative data collection tools and interpretative data evaluation methods have been applied in this research. The set of methods include table-based group exercises with each stakeholder group combining open-ended questions, semi-structured group discussions and observation. Inductive research approach has been applied in the evaluation of the collected data. Finally, the data interpretation serves to discuss the impact of the piloted dual education model in both countries and provides an outlook with regard to the cooperation in education and training at European level.

scholarly journals The Management of Waqf Universities in Selangor, Malaysia

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-60
Author(s):  
Mohd. Ali Muhamad Don ◽  
Muhamad Rahimi Osman
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Model Theory ◽  
The State ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
The University ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Management Issues

In Malaysia, waqf management including those in universities, is under the authority of the State Islamic Religious Council as a sole trustee waqf. This is to protect the waqf assets from any interventions by the heirs. Even so, one Malaysian university is said to manage the waqf scheme without the supervision of the Islamic Council which contradict with the provision of the State of Islamic Religious Council (SIRC) as the sole trustee of waqf. Thus, this study explores the management of waqf by several universities in Selangor and relation to SIRC as the sole trustee of waqf. A qualitative research approach was employed to collect data from focus group discussions and interviews with selected participants from the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Selangor IRC), selected universities and waqf experts in Malaysia. The findings show that University Kebangsaan Malaysia and University Putra Malaysia waqf funds are managed under the Selangor IRC monitoring while University Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia endowment or waqf fund is managed privately by the university. The impact of this is that several waqf management issues arose. Hence, the authors recommend the Model theory of al-wilayah to be applied in the management of waqf in the universities. Through this model, SIRC and the university can play a more significant role in the management of waqf, thereby promoting the development of waqf in Malaysia.

scholarly journals Problem and Challenges Faced by Students, Parents, and Teachers in Google Classes & Television Lessons

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 88-97
Author(s):  
Tshewang Dorji
Keyword(s):  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Mixed Method Research ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Heavy Load ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Television Lesson ◽  
Academic Year ◽  
And Training

The qualitative study was carried out under Thimphu Thromde, Bhutan, to assess the use of Google class and Television lessons during the emergence of COVID-19 in the 2020 academic year. The study used Google class & Television lesson observations to gain the first-hand experience and face-to-face interviews with students, parents, and teachers to get in-depth views. The Google class and television lesson observation and interview data were analyzed using emerging themes. The findings revealed that Google class and Television lessons played an essential role in making up lessons lost during schools' closure. However, the study further revealed some pertinent issues related to the Google class and Television lessons, including students resorting to copying assignments and homework directly from friends or copying directly from textbooks and the internet. Students were overburden by the heavy load of assignments assigned by different subject teachers, among many others. More preparedness and training for teachers in ICT based pedagogy was required. The study might draw policy attention to consider the problem and challenges before implementing Google class and Television lessons shortly to avoid pitfalls. The study was limited to the Thimphu Thromde, Bhutan, using a small sample size of students, parents, and teachers. A future mixed-method research approach uses surveys with students, parents, and teachers; focus group discussions with students, parents, and teachers; and policymakers' interviews are recommended.

scholarly journals Understanding Localness of Built Form at the Urban Scale: Case of Karachi, Pakistan

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 39
Author(s):  
Suneela Ahmed
Keyword(s):  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
The West ◽  
Built Form ◽  
Observation Methods ◽  
Inductive Research ◽  
Identity Crises ◽  
New Generation ◽  
The Impact

Many cities in the developing world aspire to imitate cities of the West in their built form, since for them this represents ‘modernism’ and the future. Pakistan is a young country and the contribution of a new generation of architects and planners has been inspired by the West, in the post-modern traditions; and not informed by the local cultural, social, and physical aspects of the society. Karachi, within Pakistan, has recently seen the construction of a number of buildings and urban design projects that conform to the international concepts of entrepreneurship and innovation and are a response to the desire of politicians to create a global image for the city. Using the Urdu word maqamiat in relation to the built form, this research assesses what it means for a city to be local in the context of Karachi, being specific, having particular variables impacting the built form, but dealing with similar issues of identity crises as other formally colonized nations. A combination of deductive and inductive research approach that arches over mixed methods is used in order to reveal the nature and value of maqamiat in the built form. Semi structured interviews, focus groups, urban morphological documentation, archive review, and personal observation methods have been used for data collecting. Content, narrative, and focus group analyses are used to interpret data. This research is part of a PhD that was undertaken at Oxford Brookes University from 2012- 2016. The research postulates lessons from its study of local processes of built form production about the value given to local places by indigenous communities and the impact of global forces through image ability, aesthetics, and style.

Contribution of academics to university–industry knowledge exchange: A study of open innovation in Sri Lankan universities

2020 ◽  
pp. 095042222096436
Author(s):  
I.M.S. Weerasinghe ◽  
H.H. Dedunu
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Academic Staff ◽  
Knowledge Exchange ◽  
Equation Model ◽  
Institutional Factors ◽  
Joint Research ◽  
The Impact ◽  
University Industry ◽  
And Training

Collaboration between universities and industry is currently seen as a vehicle to improve innovation throughout the economy by means of knowledge and technology transfer. This paper examines the contributions of university staff to the promotion of knowledge exchange between universities and industry in Sri Lanka. In this quantitative explanatory study the authors apply a deductive research method and develop a conceptual framework that incorporates demographic and institutional factors as moderators. Academics of state universities constituted the survey population and 178 responses were received. SPSS and AMOS statistical packages assisted in the data analysis and a structural equation model was employed to explore the moderating effects. The findings revealed that the engagement of academic staff in joint research, contract research, human resource mobility and training was very low, and that the participation of males was greater than that of females. The impact of age on knowledge exchange was not linear in Sri Lanka. Further, the study ascertained that only joint research and training were important in knowledge exchange and that the university–industry relationship was significantly moderated by institutional factors. Other than the quality of academic work, other individual factors did not significantly moderate the relationship. The authors provide policy recommendations based on the findings.

scholarly journals Understanding Localness of Built Form at the Urban Scale: Case of Karachi, Pakistan

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 39
Author(s):  
Suneela Ahmed
Keyword(s):  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
The West ◽  
Built Form ◽  
Observation Methods ◽  
Inductive Research ◽  
Identity Crises ◽  
New Generation ◽  
The Impact

Many cities in the developing world aspire to imitate cities of the West in their built form, since for them this represents ‘modernism’ and the future. Pakistan is a young country and the contribution of a new generation of architects and planners has been inspired by the West, in the post-modern traditions, and not informed by the local cultural, social and physical aspects of the society. Karachi, within Pakistan, has recently seen the construction of a number of buildings and urban design projects that conform to the international concepts of entrepreneurship and innovation, and are a response to the desire of politicians to create a global image for the city.Using the Urdu word maqamiat in relation to the built form, this research assesses what it means for a city to be local in the context of Karachi, being specific, having particular variables impacting the built form, but dealing with similar issues of identity crises as other formally colonized nations. A combination of deductive and inductive research approach that arches over mixed methods is used, in order to reveal the nature and value of maqamiat of built form. Semi structured interviews, focus groups, urban morphological documentation, archive review and personal observation methods have been used for data collecting. Content, narrative and focus group analyses are used to interpret data.This research is part of a PhD that was undertaken at Oxford Brookes University from 2012- 2016. The research postulates lessons from its study of local processes of built form production, the value given to local places by indigenous communities and the impact of global forces through imageability, aesthetics and style.

scholarly journals The Impact Of Village Funds On Enhanching Welfare Of North Maluku Communities Using Falah Approach

IKONOMIKA ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 205-230
Author(s):  
Chuzaimah Batubara (Universitas Islam Negeri Sumatera Utara - Medan) ◽  
Isnaini Harahap (Universitas Islam Negeri Sumatera Utara - Medan) ◽  
Siti Marpuah (Universiti Tun Hussein Onn - Malaysia)
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Poverty Rate ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Infrastructure Development ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Fund Managers ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Village

The village fund is the government's effort to reduce poverty in villages in Indonesia, including in North Maluku. From the perspective of development funding, village funds play a major role in improving the quality of villages in North Maluku. But in fact, the poverty rate in North Maluku has actually increased. Based on these facts, this paper seeks to explain how the effectiveness of village funds is to reduce poverty and improve community welfare. To answer this problem, a qualitative research approach was carried out by the method of collecting in-depth interview data and focus group discussions with the village head, BPD and village communities.By conducting in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, this study found that village funds in Beringin Jaya and Akeguraci Villages in Tidore Kepulauan District and Ake Jailolo Village and Bobane Village, West Halmahera District, North Maluku, were able to improve the status of villages from disadvantaged to developing villages, but these changes are not followed by an increase in welfare (Falah). This is because village fund programs are more focused on infrastructure development but have not been able to meet economic and social aspects of life, such as providing life skills, enhancing harmony, and independence. The main problem is that human resources are still low both in terms of education level and quality of expertise so that village funds are managed as is.This study recommends that village funds are effective in reducing poverty, the village government needs to prepare a village development blueprint (renstra) in the next 5 years with clear indicators based on village achievements and the amount of village funds received. Village governments also need to send village fund managers to attend training on planning and reportingvillage financialKeywords: village funds, index, empowerment, Falah, North Maluku

Experiences and Challenges of Peer Educators as Part of a Health and Wellness Strategy in the Workplace in Gauteng, South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Boitumelo Joyce Mohapi
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Behaviour Change ◽  
Peer Education ◽  
Hiv And Aids ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Peer Educators ◽  
African Region ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Change Strategy ◽  
The Impact

Peer education is a behaviour change strategy employed to mitigate the impact of HIV and AIDS. It is widely used as a behaviour change strategy, both globally and in the southern African region. The researcher explored the experiences and challenges of peer educators in four companies in Gauteng, South Africa, and utilised a qualitative research approach with an exploratory and descriptive design. Convenience sampling, as a type of non-probability sampling, was used to identify four companies that had peer educators and were part of the Swedish Workplace HIV and AIDS Programme in Gauteng, South Africa. Four focus group discussions were used as a method of data collection and the data that were collected were analysed according to the themes that emerged. The study revealed that the experiences of peer educators in the workplace were mainly positive and offered them some opportunities, but also presented them with some challenges in the execution of their tasks. There was also a need to ensure that peer education becomes sustainable.

scholarly journals The Impact of Remuneration and Training and Development on Organizational Commitment

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 26
Author(s):  
Ashfaq Ahmad ◽  
Syed Mir Muhammad Shah ◽  
Palwasha Bibi ◽  
Syed Muzafar Hussain Shah
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Commitment ◽  
Social Exchange ◽  
Social Exchange Theory ◽  
Academic Staff ◽  
Mail Survey ◽  
Training And Development ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Hr Managers ◽  
The Impact ◽  
And Training

This study objects to explore the effect of remuneration and training and development (T&D) on organizational commitment (OC). The emphasis of the current study was to clarify a university through remuneration and T&D can accomplish to retain and to be committed with their academic staff. The current study also highlights that remuneration and T&D are best practices which can be adopted and applied even after changes in environment, practices and technology. The study used a cross-sectional and quantitative mail survey approach by getting responses from 346 by using stratified random sampling. The result revealed that remuneration has a major impact over OC. The result also showed that T&D is a vital factor for the OC in public higher education institutions (HEIs). Theoretically, the current study has contributed towards a body of knowledge concerning to organizational commitment under the domain of social exchange theory (SET). Practically, by employing the current study outcomes HR managers, particularly of the universities will be able to pay their attention to some specific factors such as remuneration and T&D to enhance employee retention. Finally, recommendations and limitation with reference to the current study and sector are presented. This study aims to be beneficial for the HR managers at HEIs and the policy makers.

Food delivery apps (FDAs) in Asia: an exploratory study across India and the Philippines

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shweta Pandey ◽  
Deepak Chawla ◽  
Sandeep Puri
Keyword(s):  
Food Packaging ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Food Delivery ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
App Development ◽  
Qualitative Research Methodology ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Country Specific

PurposeThis study explores and compares the reasons for or against including situational triggers on the adoption of food delivery apps (FDAs) across lesser-researched Asian countries like India and the Philippines.Design/methodology/approachThe study utilises a qualitative research methodology using focus group discussions and interviews across each country.FindingsRespondents from India highlighted the importance of convenience, aggressive discounts, app service quality, fulfilment and multiple payment options as the key reasons for adopting the FDAs. However, these factors require redressal in the Philippines context. Also, the study findings highlight some country-specific requirements: in the Philippines, food packaging, cheaper options provided by the local convenience stores and lack of variety of food options; in India, the impact of parental beliefs and segregated vegetarian food delivery.Practical implicationsThe study makes practical suggestions for consumer behaviour researchers, developers and marketers of FDAs who are confronted with challenges in app development for a multi-cultural audience and to ensure growth and the adoption of the FDAs across the two countries.Originality/valueThis is one of the first studies to compare diverse national markets to uncover differences and similarities in the factors impacting the adoption of FDAs. The results highlight the impact of varying levels of evolution of FDAs and social, technological and cultural contextual differences on the adoption of the FDAs across India and the Philippines.

scholarly journals English Language Skills Required by the Hospitality and Tourism Sector in El Oro, Ecuador

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 156
Author(s):  
Mayra Alexandra Cuenca Erazo ◽  
Stephanie Isabel Molina Ramírez ◽  
Maria Asuncion Rojas Encalada ◽  
Jhonny Villafuerte Holguin ◽  
Jia Hui Zou
Keyword(s):  
English Language ◽  
English Proficiency ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Tourism Sector ◽  
Language Knowledge ◽  
The University ◽  
The Impact

the present study follows a qualitative research approach that analyzes the perceptions of people linked to the different fields in the tourism sector of the province of El Oro in Ecuador. Currently, this province has professionals who lack a good level of English proficiency to provide foreigners with the best service. The researchers applied semi-structured interviews, capitalization of testimony, and focus group discussions to 15 participants associated with the different activities in the tourism area. The present study aimed to explore the needs and uses of the English language in the tourism and Hostelry sectors of "El Oro," the implications of having staff with good English language knowledge, and the impact of knowing English in the tourism sector.  The results revealed that staff required having an appropriate level of English proficiency to make tourists feel comfortable during their stay.  For this reason, knowing English has a positive impact in all the areas of the tourism sector.  The researchers suggest further studies regarding the effectiveness of different strategies and techniques to develop English for Tourism Purposes (ETP) at the university level and examine the impact of knowing English in the different fields of the tourism sector.

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