Cross-national structure of economic competence: Insights from a German and Russian assessment

In this paper, we present a study, which models and measures the competencies of higher education students in business and economics—within and across countries. To measure student competencies in a valid and reliable way, the Test of Understanding in College Economics was used, which assesses microeconomic and macroeconomic competencies. The test was translated into several languages and adapted for different university contexts. In the presented study, the test contents were also compared with regard to the educational standards and the university curricula in Russia and Germany. Our findings from the cross-national analysis suggest one strong general factor of economic competence, which encompasses micro- and macroeconomic dimensions. This points to a stronger interconnection between learning and understanding economic contents than previous research suggests and indicates far-reaching curricular and instructional consequences for higher education economics as well as needs for further research, which are discussed in this paper.

Simple questionnaires outperform behavioral tasks to measure socio-emotional skills in students

Recent empirical research has shown that improving socio-emotional skills such as grit, conscientiousness and self-control leads to higher academic achievement and better life outcomes. However, both theoretical and empirical works have raised concerns about the reliability of the different methods used to measure socio-emotional skills. We compared the reliability and validity of the three leading measurements methods—a student-reported questionnaire, a teacher-reported questionnaire, and a behavioral task—in a sample of 3997 French students. Before analyzing the data, we polled 114 international researchers in cognitive development and education economics; most researchers in both fields predicted that the behavioral task would be the best method. We found instead that the teacher questionnaire was more predictive of students’ behavioral outcomes and of their grade progression, while the behavioral task was the least predictive. This work suggests that researchers may not be using optimal tools to measure socio-emotional skills in children.

Da'wa Model Based on Brand Community Value: Qaryah Thayibah Implementation for Villages Fostered by 'Aisyiyah Ponorogo

Islamic da'wa's performance is highly influenced by the techniques and tactics used in conjunction with the preaching object. 'Aisyiyah applies a Qoryah Thayyibah group-based da’wa model that is expected to become the Brand Community Value. Each Regional Leader must enforce this program with a minimum of three supported villages. The purpose of Qoryah Thayyibah, in general, is to establish an advanced and dignified Islamic society. This study aimed to identify the implementation of the Qoryah Thayyibah program and the obstacles faced by 'Aisyiyah Ponorogo. The qualitative literary approach was used in this analysis. Accordingly, the data collection was through documentation (identification of documents), observation, and interviews. The inductive reasoning was also used in the analysis to see how the Qoryah Thayyibah program is implemented, and the conclusion was taken from the general statement to a particular statement. The primary sources were the results of interviews with the management of 'Aisyiyah Ponorogo, interviews with Qoryah Thayyibah PW East Java and PDA Ponorogo, the results of Tanwir relevant to Qoryah Thayyibah and supported by other sources, such as articles, documents or writings on the official PDA website of ‘Aisyiyah Ponorogo. 'Aisyiyah Ponorogo has successfully applied the Qoryah Thayyibah in five of the eight intended fields. They faced obstacles in several fields, including spirituality, education, economics, and health.

From Procrastination to Reaction! What Leadership Is Required to SHAPE the Future of Healthcare?

It is a privilege to be asked to present this Oration. Like many similar events, it pays tribute to a well-respected, revered, and past leader in our profession, in education, economics and life in general. Someone, who most of us would not have known personally nor about his involvement in the health system, particularly, SHAPE.

Conceptual and model support for the development of an innovative-active university

The monograph is devoted to the development of theoretical-methodical and model- information basis for the construction of innovative- active HEI on the basis of autonomy of its activities, quality of education, anti-corruption. Trends in the modernization of the world system of higher education have been identified, a study of the phenomenon of "autonomous, innovative- active university" has been conducted, and a list of factors influencing the increase in the competitiveness of individual HEIs has been formed. Based on the analysis of the legislative basis and state initiatives, the opportunities for the development of an innovative-active university (IAU) have been identified. The stratification of HEI of Ukraine according to the level of their educational, scientific and technical, innovative and international activities was carried out. Conceptual and methodological bases of IAU construction are developed, the mechanism of its functioning is formed and conceptual bases of formation of system of corporate management of rendering of HEI educational services on the principles of counteraction of corruption are offered. Recommended for researchers, professionals in education, economics, information management and protection, teachers, graduate students and students of higher education institutions.

Vodún/Vodu, Resistance, and North/South Relations in Undemocratic Togo

Vodún/Vodu have long served as a “way of life” and ontology for making sense of the world along the Bight of Benin, and in the Caribbean and Atlantic world where many slaves were brought. In Togo, the core ethnic groups, the Ewes, continue to turn inward toward Vodún/Vodu traditions as mechanisms of resistance against an autocratic and despotic rule of a northern regime. While the north remains underdeveloped regarding education, economics, and health care delivery—the majority southern Ewes remain locked out of a political process run by the Eyadema regime, who regularly cite north/south conflict as a justification for absolute one-party rule over all of Togo. Vodun/Vodu become motors of modernity through creative assimilation and adaptation to the most pressing geopolitical concerns of the day. This paper assesses the relationship between Vodun/Vodu and contemporary Togolese politics, and its resistance to state-sponsored terror and autocracy.

Investasi Nilai Agama dan Membangun Perekonomian di Saat Pandemi COVID-19 dalam Mempersiapkan Sumber Daya Manusia yang Berkualitas

Abstrak: Masalah; Pandemi COVID-19 telah melemahkan nilai-nilai yang diharapkan dari pendidikan dan ketahanan pangan serta berdampak pada psikologi masyarakat. Metode: Melakukan observasi awal, merumuskan strategi yang sesuai saat terjadi pandemi, melakukan diskusi dan tanya jawab dengan selalu memperhatikan tata cara kesehatan. Masa pandemi berdampak pada kualitas manusia pada pendidikan, ekonomi serta psikologis. Untuk itu diperlukan upaya membangun sumber daya manusia melalui bidang pendidikan dan ekonomi serta psikologi. Permasalahan yang terjadi karena rendahnya pemahaman masyarakat tentang meningkatkan pendidikan, ekonomi serta psikologis selama masa pandemi. Hasil: meningkatkan pemahaman cara kualitas SDM melalui pendidikan agama, ekonomi serta psikologi, melalui tanya jawab edukasi, diskusi cara membangun SDM melalui sektor pendidikan dan ekonomi serta psikologis. Kesimpulan: masyarakat memulai pendidikan agama dari rumah tangga masing-masing dengan memberikan contoh, kebiasaan, dan penghargaan. Dalam bidang ekonomi, masyarakat mengelola dan memanfaatkan sumber daya alam yang ada dan mendekatkan diri kepada Allah untuk memberikan kesehatan dan perlindungan.Abstract: Problem; The COVID-19 pandemic has weakened the values expected of education and food security and has had an impact on people's psychology. Methods: Conduct initial observations, formulate appropriate strategies during a pandemic, conduct discussions and ask questions by always paying attention to health procedures. The pandemic period has an impact on human quality in education, economy, and psychology. For this reason, efforts are needed to build human resources through the fields of education and economics as well as psychology. Problems that occur due to low public understanding about improving education, economics, and psychology during the pandemic. Results: increasing understanding of how to quality human resources through religious, economic, and psychological education, through educational questions and answers, discussions on how to build human resources through the education and economic and psychological sectors. Conclusion: people start religious education from their respective households by providing examples, habits, and rewards. In the economic field, the community manages and utilizes existing natural resources and draws closer to God to provide health and protection.

Teacher's Wages as a Mechanism to Improve the Educational Attainment of Students in Algerian Schools "An Empirical Study from 1970 to 2018"

The purpose of this paper is to clarify the importance of education economics as a modern approach to educational research, especially the importance of the policy of raising teacher wages as a mechanism to improve the educational attainment of students in government schools. The study used the inductive approach by examining the experience of Algeria between 1970 and 2018, where the Algerian government raised teachers' wages by more than 100% with the aim of improving the educational attainment of students. Therefore, the study adopted the standard method through a statistical model for a linear relationship linking the passing rate in the baccalaureate exam to express the dependent variable represented in academic achievement for students, while invoking three independent variables to indicate teachers' wages which are: minimum wages, government support, and inflation. Through the ARDL method, the assessment results showed the direct and strong relationship between teacher wages and educational attainment for students in the short and long term. Keywords: Teacher wages, students ’educational attainment, public schools, Algeria