ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN STEM AND ARTS SUBJECTS IN BHUTAN: A GENDER PERSPECTIVE

Academic performance disparities among the gender of students are the cause of concern. Numerous explanations for academic performance disparities, especially in Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Arts subjects between male and female students, are established in many countries. However, similar studies in Bhutan, especially at the tertiary education level, are scant. Therefore, this study mainly assessed i) students’ perception of STEM and Arts subjects, ii) compared male and female academic performance in STEM and Arts subjects, and iii) studied students' perception of the factors affecting their academic performance. Data were collected from 265 students of four constituent colleges (two Science and Arts colleges each) of the Royal University of Bhutan using semi-structured questionnaires. A multistage sampling (comprising a mixture of purposive and random) was employed. The research used a quantitative approach with descriptive and inferential statistics (Chi-square, t-tests, and binary logistic regressions). The result showed no significant association between students’ gender and their choice of subjects. At Science colleges, female students outperformed male students. In contrast, there were no significant differences in the performance of male and female students at Arts Colleges. Overall, females (71.63 ± 6.35) outperform male (69.57 ± 7.80) students. Hence, there are no stereotypes in STEM and Arts subjects among Bhutanese undergraduate students. However, future research could include parents and lecturers to gather their perspectives on STEM and Arts subjects. Variables, including study hours, communication skills, and Bhutanese Educational Policies, should also be thoroughly investigated as factors affecting students' academic performance

GOOD GOVERNANCE IN BANGLADESH: A STUDY OF WORLD GOVERNANCE INDICATORS

The inclusive philosophy of good governance is almost indispensable for the progress of state democracy in Bangladesh. However, the Bangladesh government is fighting a malicious virus in the governance structure that is visible in all sectors of the state. Against this backdrop, an attempt has been made to comprehend the general state of good governance in Bangladesh according to World Governance Indicators (WGI) of the World Bank. This study is based on mixed approach containing quantitative data from World Bank website (world economy.com) and qualitative data from existing literatures. The collected data have also been analyzed through table, chart and text. This paper found, the current situation in Bangladesh is appalling and detrimental to the socio-economic development of the country. This situation is crisscrossed by overpopulation, politicization, bureaucratization, corruption, poverty, broken law and order, and the narrow game of politics. This paper then outlines some of the policy guidelines needed to define good governance principles in Bangladesh. The results of this study are expected to be useful for policymakers in devising appropriate strategies to ensure good governance at all levels of government.

KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE, AND PURCHASE OF LIFE INSURANCE AMONG THE FACULTY MEMBERS OF A STATE UNIVERSITY

Life insurance companies in the Philippines are active contributors to the country’s social and national development. This study aimed to assess the purchase of life insurance among the faculty members of the Visayas State University-Main Campus in Baybay City, Leyte, Philippines. A stratified random sampling procedure was used to gather pertinent data from 195 participants. Descriptive measures, correlation analysis, and binary logit regression analysis were used to examine the socio-demographic data and the level of knowledge and attitude in regards to the faculties’ decision to purchase life insurance. Results showed that educational attainment and knowledge on life insurance significantly influence the purchase of life insurance. Furthermore, purchase on life insurance increases as the faculty becomes more knowledgeable about the benefits of having life insurance coverage. Hence, life insurance companies should conduct a thorough orientation in view to their procedure, policy, and benefits to increase their purchase.

INDONESIAN LEARNING: TOWARDS THE ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT OF COMMUNICATIVE COMPETENCE

Academic achievement becomes very important in the language learning process. Student performance, student progress and student potential are essential to measuring academic achievement or learning outcomes. This study aims to identify the relationship of final learning achievement with the student learning experience to improve students’ language skills. Research focuses on what skills are the final achievements of learning and observe whether the learning experience can support the plan of acquisition of learning achievements. Research design is qualitative content analysis. The population used is the semester learning plan document of the Indonesian language and literature learning model SD. Sample selection uses the method of sampling units by selectively distinguishing the units to be analyzed based on the scope of the research problem. Data analysis using interpretive approaches: Reducing data to manageable representations: summarizing or simplifying data; inferring contextual phenomena: relying on analytical constructs or models of the chosen context as warrants; Narrating the answers to content analysts’ questions amount to make the result comprehensible to others. Based on the study results, the learning experience is determined based on the end goal of learning. Discuss in-depth the concept of learning the Indonesian language and literature in elementary schools based on multiliterate, integrative, and differentiated learning concepts.

TEACHER EDUCATOR PROFESSIONALISM AND STUDENT TEACHER LEARNING IN NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES

Of the three components constituting teacher education curriculum, namely general education, specialized education and professional education, the professional education component is arguably accorded the highest consideration in the scholarship of teaching. However, there is an emerging concern over the involvement of non-education specialists in the teaching of this component. Yet, there is little evidence of sufficient engagement with this concern in the Nigerian context. As a sequel to a study on pedagogical misconceptions by student teachers, this paper examines the impact of teacher educators' professionalism on student teachers' learning in Nigerian universities. Through the analytic method, the study engaged with data collected through the instrumentality of official records like Faculty brochures, lecture notes developed by teacher educators, systematic observations by the researchers, and semi-structured interviews involving selected participants. The qualitative study employs a constructivist paradigm that methodically situates data and analysis in the context of the experiences and perceptions of both the participants and researchers, and focusses on the main theme, namely teacher educator's knowledge as a predictor of student-teacher learning, which emerged from the data for the earlier study as collected in three universities where the present lead researcher assessed prospective teachers on teaching practice in their third and fourth years, in his capacity as teaching practice supervisor. In exposing the effect of teacher educator professionalism on prospective teacher learning, the present study revealed instances of miseducation by some of the teacher educators involved in teaching professional education courses, which substantially accounts for the student teachers' pedagogical misconceptions

LIVELIHOOD OF STREET VENDORS DURING COVID-19 LOCKDOWN IN BANGLADESH: EARNINGS BREAK OFF EXPENSES REMAIN

On March 8, 2020, the first case of covid-19 was discovered in Bangladesh. As a result, the government decided to shut down all sectors for a certain period when the whole world was battling the first wave of Covid-19. After one year of the first wave, the second wave has recently hit the planet affecting almost all the countries including Bangladesh. Like all other sectors, street vending has been encountered and felt severe distress regarding the vendors’ livelihood. This study aims to explore the livelihood of street vendors during covid-19 in Bangladesh. This study features an in-depth interview of 15 street vendors to document their experiences during lockdown due to covid-19. This study is based on a qualitative approach with a purposive sampling technique. This study found lockdown is a significant burden for street vendors, leaving them with no other choice for earning money. During the lockdown, they expend savings, borrow money from others, take out loans, sell home furniture, and obtain money from their parents to fulfil their needs and demands. In order to improve this situation of street vendors, the government should take necessary steps with adequate financial and food assistance so that the vendors can survive during this lockdown.

The INSTRUCTION OF SCIENCE IN RURAL JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL

The teacher is an essential component of learning. Learning that is often focused by the government is learning in urban schools. Even though rural schools also have the same right to consider. Longer distances and access to schools that are more difficult to reach causes a lack of attention in rural areas schools. Learning in rural areas also requires attention to improve the quality of teaching. Knowing learning activities in rural schools is very important because it will understand what learning needs to be improved. The purpose of the research is to find out how teaching science in rural schools. This research uses mixed methods with the Taxonomy Development Model research design. The phase of QUAL is carried out to identify important variables. The development of a taxonomy or classification system, the development of theories that are not yet stable, and supporting it is a test in the phase of QUAN to obtain more thorough study results. The findings of this study illustrate that learning begins with answering questions, so students are enthusiastic. The next learning activity showing films about the reproduction of students was very excited about learning. The obstacle found in learning is the lack of preparation in the learning that is done so that time is wasted to condition the video playback.

IMPACT OF MACHINE TRANSLATION ON UNIVERSITY STUDENTS’ TRANSLATION ABILITY: SOUTH EASTERN UNIVERSITY OF SRI LANKA AS A MODEL

Machine Translation (MT) is a unique tool in the field of translation. It is used all over the world. In accordance with, the undergraduates who are following Specialization in Linguistics and Translation at the department of Arabic language from South Eastern University of Sri Lanka face obstacles when they translate between Tamil, English & Arabic. Due to, they focus on MT to translate. According to this, the current research aims to identify the impact of MT on their translation activities. This research uses the descriptive analysis methodology. Primary data were collected from observation and questionnaire that was given to the undergraduates who are following Specialization in Linguistics and Translation at the department of Arabic language from South Eastern University of Sri Lanka in the academic year 2018/2019. Secondary data were gathered from research papers, books, research articles, and websites. The findings of this research declares that the undergraduates in the selected area have desires in the translation field and face the obstacles when translating. Thus, they try to use MT for getting accurate translation, idea of the source text, understanding the unknown words. Due to it, they couldn’t omit the MT in their translation activities. Because, it is easy to use and helps to save the time. At the time, they assume that non-use of MT will effect negatively in their translation ability.

An ACCULTURATION OF THE APPLICATION OF INHERITANCE LAW IN THE SUNDANESE INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY OF WIWITAN

Indigenous peoples are legal subjects recognized for their traditional rights and other rights by the 1945 Constitution and other laws and regulations. Sunda Wiwitan is understood as the original Sundanese religion or early Sundanese which is the naming of the belief system used by people of Sundanese descent who still confirm the spiritual teachings of the Sundanese ancestors. Humans are legal subjects, bearers of rights and obligations from the moment of birth and end when humans die. From the event of a person's death, there are legal consequences, namely how to resolve the rights and obligations of the person's death which is regulated by inheritance law. This is an empirical juridical method or non-doctrinal study, looking at the validity of a statutory regulation and legal norm originating from religion, which lives and develops in a group of indigenous peoples. The purpose of this study was to determine and examine the acculturation of customary inheritance law and Islamic inheritance law in the Sunda Wiwitan community and to determine the form of application of Islamic inheritance law to the Sunda Wiwitan indigenous people in Kasepuhan Ciptagelar with Kampung Urug. The results show that the acculturation of the application of inheritance law to the Sunda Wiwitan community, Kasepuhan Ciptagelar and Kampung Urug regarding the application of Islamic inheritance law is that Islamic inheritance law is carried out by prioritizing deliberation and consensus in the family of the heirs of the Sunda Wiwitan Indigenous Peoples. followers of Islam. As for customary law, the Sunda Wiwitan people make it a norm and culture that is carried out in social life.

PUBLIC POLICY INNOVATION IN DEVELOPING STATE OWNED BUSINESS AGENCIES

State-owned Enterprise (BUMN), as one of the pillars of the Indonesian economy, is guided by the outline of the 1945 contusion and the existence of private entities and cooperatives. In principle, the state's involvement in these activities reflects the substance of article 33 of the amendment of the 1945 constitution. One of the missions of BUMN is to serve by innovating. Public policy innovating is a necessity that must be done to overcome problems that exist in society. From the point of view of public policy studies and public services, it can be seen that the government has developed several SOE development strategies that lead the country to face charges in the organizational environment and also to reduce the negative label attached to the bureaucracy. One of the goals of public policy innovation is to improve the quality of public services. The obstacle faced in public policy innovation is that there is no comprehensive study on the development and sustainability of policy innovation in public services in Indonesia