Academic Curriculum Research Articles

Assessing Academic Perspectives on Infodemic Management and Health Security: A Needs-Based Approach

Abstract Background The information environment significantly impacts public health decisions, behaviors, and health security. Misinformation and disinformation can compromise health interventions and undermine public trust, and this phenomenon, known as the infodemic, is increasingly challenging to address and requires innovation and transformation of public health and education of the health workforce. This study aimed to assess the relevance of infodemic management (IM) to different academic fields and training needs to create a competent workforce. Methods As part of the US Federal Assistance Award within the University Partnership Program between Emory University and the University of Belgrade, a mixed-methods study was conducted to evaluate the curricula of all 31 faculties at the University of Belgrade. An online survey was distributed to faculty deans to assess the current educational framework and opinions on IM in various academic fields. This approach provided a multidimensional view of how IM is perceived and integrated across diverse disciplines. Results The survey received 33 responses from different departments at the University of Belgrade. Over 75% of participants identified misinformation as prevalent in their respective fields. More than half of the respondents believe that students are not sufficiently familiar with the concept of the infodemic and its potential consequences, only 9% believe these topics are well covered in the current curriculum, and over 90% agree that additional content on IM is required to update study programs, indicating a gap in our current educational approach. Conclusions Academic circles have acknowledged the issue of misinformation and its negative impact on public health. Current gaps in academic curricula indicate the critical necessity of integrating IM into educational programs. This innovative approach will provide future specialists with the necessary skills to navigate the complexities of the modern information ecosystem. Key messages • Over 75% of surveyed professors identify misinformation and disinformation as prevalent in their professional fields, indicating a widespread impact. • Over half of professors feel academic programs do not sufficiently equip students to navigate the information ecosystem, with over 90% calling for additional infodemiology content.

World War I and World War II: Their Effects on the Islamic World and Afghanistan

The tremendous effects that World War I and World War II had on the Islamic world are investigated in this research, with a particular focus on Afghanistan. The aftermath of World War I resulted in the breakup of empires, most notably the Ottoman Empire, as well as the restructuring of political boundaries. The study aims to explore and analyze the far-reaching impacts of World War I and World War II on the Islamic world, with a particular focus on Afghanistan. The study seeks to examine how these global conflicts reshaped political, social, and economic dynamics in Muslim-majority regions, leading to the disintegration of empires, the rise of nationalism, and the realignment of power structures. The significance of this study lies in the fact that it shades light on a relatively unexplored facet of world history, namely the manner in which the Islamic world, and Afghanistan in particular, was impacted by the two World Wars. Specifically, it sheds light on the growth of nationalism, decolonization, and geopolitical competition, all of which played a role in shaping the position of Afghanistan, Central Asia, and the Middle East within the global system. This work employs the doctrinal research methodology along with descriptive, explanatory, and analytical research approaches. It is worth mentioning that this research study is entirely based on library sources. Most of the sources are reputable and trustworthy textbooks, scholarly published and unpublished journal articles, law reports, and online websites related to the research area. One of the main findings is Both World Wars accelerated the disintegration of Islamic empires, notably the Ottoman Empire, and paved the way for European colonial powers to carve out new territories in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia. Afghanistan’s strategic position made it vulnerable to foreign influence, particularly from Britain and Russia. After World War I, Afghanistan gained greater autonomy, but it became a battleground for influence between the Soviet Union and the West following World War II, especially during the Cold War. It is recommended that further research and documents are needed the Islamic world’s experience during both World Wars, which has often been overlooked in global history. Incorporating these perspectives into academic curricula could help reshape understanding of global conflicts from a non-Western perspective.

Professional development: a mixed methods study of Masters of Public Health alumni.

We examined the perceptions of the Master of Public Health (MPH) degree graduates regarding their personal competencies, job performance and professional development using a mixed method, explanatory sequential design. A cross-sectional, self-administered questionnaire of the Haifa School of Public Health alumni who graduated between 2005 and 2022 was disseminated to 849 graduates between March and June 2022, from which 127 responded (response rate: 14.90%). This was followed by 24 in-depth interviews with alumni from the same sample (conducted between November 2022 and March 2023). The sample included 74.8% of females with a mean age of 40.7 years, 35% of alumni agreed that the MPH degree helped them attain a promotion in their present position (in rank or salary), and 63.8% felt that the degree helped them improve their job performance and contribute to their current workplace. Most (80.3%) alumni reported not changing jobs after graduation. The interview themes revealed that the MPH contributed to their personal and professional lives, provided them with a holistic view of public health and health systems, and improved their in-depth scientific skills. The main reported barriers to professional development included missing core competencies, low salaries, and a lack of information regarding suitable jobs. Surprisingly, an MPH was not a requirement for some public health sector jobs. Alumni reported that the MPH degree contributed to improving many graduates' careers and satisfaction levels and to build their leadership competencies in public health. There seems to be a lack of coordination between the academic curriculum and the jobs available for alumni, hindering better alumni professional development. Regular discussions, information sharing, and curriculum refinements between MPH program leaders and health sector leaders might help address many of the concerns of MPH degree graduates.

Forging academic excellence: crafting an open academic curriculum for European Urologists.

Forging academic excellence: crafting an open academic curriculum for European Urologists.

Membangun Integritas Anak: Kontribusi Keluarga dan Sekolah dalam Upaya Pendidikan Anti Korupsi

Children's integrity is an important aspect that must be built from an early age to prevent corrupt behavior in the future. Family and school are the main factors that have a very important role in building a child's integrity. The family as the first unit has the responsibility to set an example of good character by instilling the values ​​of honesty, responsibility and discipline through open communication. On the other hand, schools act as a formal environment that not only teaches the academic curriculum, but also provides character education and equips children with an understanding of ethics and morality. This research uses a qualitative approach by interviewing parents and teachers and analyzing various literary sources such as books, journals, and so on. The research results show that this collaboration not only increases awareness of the importance of integrity, but also reduces the potential for corrupt behavior.

“Leaving no one behind”: digital empathy and inclusive media literacy education for young adults on the autism spectrum

The paper advocates for the necessity of inclusive media literacy education (MLE) and equal opportunities for young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which is in alignment with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) 2008 and the Sustainable Development Goal 4 Quality Education (SDG, 2030). It underscores the commitment to ‘leaving no one behind’, a core tenet of the SDGs, by focusing on developing digital empathy and inclusive MLE for young adults with ASD in the digital age. The study aims to empower young adults with ASD in Chennai, India, with media literacy and digital empathy through a one-day hands-on workshop and to assess the impact of this educational intervention on their understanding and application of media literacy in their daily lives. The paper employs a mixed-method approach that integrates experimental-qualitative research and the data is analysed using ‘qualitative reflexive’ thematic analysis. The study’s findings demonstrate significant improvements in the participants’ abilities to discern fake news, learn digital empathy and cybersecurity by engaging responsibly with digital media, and include MLE in their academic curriculum. The paper suggests that such educational interventions can enhance digital empathy and media literacy among young adults with ASD.

Six years of spreading BLSD skills in schools: empowering teachers as trainers.

To increase the population's ability to handle emergencies, life-saving maneuvers should be universally acquired as an automatic skill starting from school through frequent and practical retraining. Teachers could be ideal multipliers, but it is necessary to design pathways that train and motivate them, since Basic Life Support and Defibrillation (BLSD) skills are not part of their academic curricula. This study explores innovative training solutions and facilitating factors to enhance BLSD education in schools by focusing on the training and motivation of teachers. In the 1st year, an in-service training program for teachers was provided and assessed in a lower middle school in central Italy. The study compared the skills of a group of students trained by teachers with those trained by certified instructors, immediately after the course and 6 months later. Both the procedural skills and the quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) were evaluated, through a hands-on simulation. Over the next 5 years, the project was expanded to three more schools, and a field study was conducted where researchers monitored the teachers in their classroom work, supporting them in resolving critical issues. Quantitative assessments showed significant differences in student abilities immediately after the course, which diminished after 6 months. Qualitative evaluations indicated that teachers, initially reluctant, gained confidence and effectively taught BLSD skills. Over 5 academic years, the project expanded to additional schools, training 5,661 students in life-saving maneuvers with a ratio of 1 teacher for every 111 trained students, over the whole period of time. Sustainability factors included regular retraining of teachers, continually updated and free didactic materials and equipment, internal coordinators, allowing teachers the freedom to structure a customized course schedule in terms of timing and delivery methods. The study highlights the effectiveness of trained teachers as BLSD knowledge multipliers. Standardizing teacher training, including follow-up retraining, is crucial, but flexibility in student training is beneficial, allowing adaptation to the specific needs of schools. Future research should focus on the long-term sustainability of chain training in larger areas, identifying strategies to overcome organizational and motivational barriers.

Smart next-gen drying solution: A study of design, development and performance evaluation of IoT-enabled IR-assisted refractance window dryer

Refractance window drying is a technique that has great potential to dry commodities, with better quality at an affordable cost. However, there is still a lack of awareness regarding its use and implementation in academic curricula as well as in industry. This study aims to design and develop a low-cost and effective Internet of Things (IoT) enabled Infrared (IR) assisted refractance window dryer. The effect of different flexible materials used as membranes with the same thickness was also investigated. Then, experiments were conducted on papaya pulp to study the performance of the developed dryer. The drying time (reduced moisture content up to 4%) was observed for the papaya pulp sample by employing Low-density polyethylene (LDPE), Polypropylene (PP), Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), White Polyethylene Terephthalate (W-PET) and Transparent polyethylene terephthalate (T-PET) material as a membrane were 300, 330, 360, 330, and 300 min respectively. After thoroughly testing membrane materials properties, it is concluded that the T-PET membrane has superior thermal, mechanical, and optical properties. After an exhaustive examination of the marketplace scrutiny, the payback period was found to be 0.55 years.

Partnership Quality, Student’s Satisfaction, and Loyalty: A Study at Higher Education Legal Entities in Indonesia

Abstract Partnership among higher education institutions serves as the central element for sustainable development. The quality of their partnerships is highly necessary for higher education development, specifically in academic infrastructure, curriculum design, pedagogical practices, and financial frameworks. This progression is expected to enhance students’ satisfaction and loyalty. Therefore, this study explores the effects of partnerships among higher education institutions with legal entities on students’ satisfaction and loyalty. Accordingly, this research adopted a quantitative descriptive and regressive survey approach. The research population consisted of students from a university with a legal entity. At the same time, the sample was taken through purposive sampling with the criteria of having interacted or received services from the university’s partner with a legal entity. Data were garnered through questionnaires, which have been declared valid and reliable. The collected data were analyzed using the structural equation model technique through Structural Equation Modeling-Partial Least Squares with SmartPLS 3 application. The research results indicate the following: (1) partnership quality (PQ) directly influences student satisfaction (SS), (2) SS directly affects student loyalty (SL), (3) PQ of higher education institutions with legal entity presents no effects on SL, and (4) PQ indirectly affects SL through SS.

Student Suicide in India: An Analysis of Newspaper Articles(2019-2023).

Student suicide is one significant public health concern across the world, including India. In recent years, the surge in suicide cases has further worried mental health professionals and policymakers. The current study analysed the reported student suicide cases published in four leading Indian newspapers. Based on the analysis of newspaper reports published between 2019 and 2023, the study detected a total of 491 suicidal deaths of students. The result revealed that academic reasons (academic dissatisfaction, academic stress and academic failure), institutional reasons (bullying, caste discrimination, ragging, harassment and toxic institutional culture), mental health issues (depression, psychological stress and anxiety), financial crisis and online gaming are the most commonly reported reasons behind student suicides. The majority of suicide victims were within the age range of 16-21 years. The highest number of suicide cases are reported from Kota, a city often referred to as the coaching capital of India. The study highlights considering changes in the academic curriculum to make academic programs less stressful for students. More importantly, policies should ensure that the academic campuses are free from harassment, bullying or similar aggressive experiences. Furthermore, emphasising students' mental health should be the education system's biggest priority.

A proposed Educational Strategy for Developing Technical Education at AL-Asmarrya Islamic University in Libya

The study aims to propose an educational strategy for reforming and developing technical education at Al-Asmarrya Islamic University, in Libya. The study used the Developmental Descriptive Approach, and data was collected through a questionnaire consisted of (30) items to measure the axes of technical education, (6) of them addressed the curriculum, while (7) items covered teaching staff, (7) for university administration, and (10) items concerned with financial capabilities and equipment. The study population consisted of all faculty members at Al-Asmarrya Islamic University, numbering (998), and a random sample estimated at (342) faculty members was chosen in intentional manner from four colleges, which are: (Engineering College, the College of Marine Resources, the College of Information Technology, and the College of Public Health & Nursing). The study found out the following results: The degree of expectation of the members of the study sample was (high), and the teaching staffs field came first, followed by the field of university administration, then financial capabilities and achievements, and finally the field of academic curriculum. In the light of this, an educational strategy was proposed to reform and develop technical education at Al-Asmarrya Islamic University in Libya. The study recommended for adoption by this University.

From Science to Therapy: The Shaping of German Psychology Through Student Preferences

In 2020, a new record was set: For the first time in history, more than 100.000 students of psychology were officially enrolled in Germany. This remarkable number is the outcome of a long-term transformation of the whole academic landscape in Europe as well as dynamics that are specific to the German context. As these recent changes have not yet been properly discussed outside the German-speaking world, this paper provides a contextual analysis of the factors that have contributed to the current state of discipline, including legal regulations and economic conditions, academic curricula, and students’ preferences. It is argued that the growth of the discipline was primarily an effect of psychology becoming the primary route to psychotherapeutic practice in Germany after World War II. Even though representatives of the discipline repeatedly voiced concern about the one-sided interest of their students, German academic psychology has benefited from the steady increase in demand for clinical training, especially among female students, on many levels. In late 2020, a new law came into force which redefined the requirements for the qualification of psychotherapists. Although this legal reform was introduced only very recently, it is already becoming apparent that this change will have a profound impact on the discipline. As the tensions between basic research and applied branches increase, cracks are appearing in the foundations of the whole discipline, forcing it to make tough choices about its future development.

Service-Learning and Project-Based Learning Methodologies in Higher Music Education: a review of the literature

INTRODUCTION. Recent research highlights the potential of multidimensional and holistic learning in educational transforation, the provision of social services from the university and development of professional identity. This article aims to analyse the relationship between the Service-Learning and Project-Based Learning methodologies in higher music education and the acquisition of transversal competences. METHOD. A review of 29 articles on both methodologies in higher music education, published between 2012 and 2022, was conducted. The articles were selected from WoS, Scopus, and ERIC databases. Four categories were explored: (1) Social interaction, (2) personal growth, (3) academic learning, and (4) challenges related to the implementation and contextualization of the methodologies. RESULTS. Results show that, in the context of higher music education, both methodologies have a potentially positive impact on the development of transversal competencies in students. The review shows benefits in social aspects such as the development of civic responsibility and communication skills among peers and teachers; academic aspects such as adaptation to complex learning environments, mutually beneficial goals and shared authority; and personal development aspects such as flexibility, solidarity and respect. The review also shows that reflective practice contributes to developing students’ openness to constructive criticism, which is perceived as a positive contribution to learning. CONCLUSIONS. The methodologies studied can foster students’ personal growth, the mitigation of their biases in the classroom and the reflective and conscious appreciation of their own learning. To be taken into account are the challenges related to the complexity of adjusting the projects to the academic curriculum and community needs, as well as the large amount of time and effort required for the process. Finally, further research using different search terms and criteria is encouraged to achieve a broader understanding of how music initiatives can be designed and implemented through these methodologies, the projection they can have, and how research is conducted in this field.

Towards Digital Adaption: An Exploration of Chinese Social Workers’ Experiences of Digital Service Challenges and Coping Strategies in the Context of COVID-19

Abstract This study is based on interviews with sixty-three Chinese social workers to explore the challenges they faced and the strategies they adopted when using digital technology for front-line services during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Employing an ecosystem theory, thematic analysis is applied to analyse interview transcripts. The findings reveal three major challenges faced by social workers: limited digital capital, digital-mediated service predicaments and the digital burden. To address the aforementioned challenges, social workers adopted four strategies: digital empowerment, adjustment of online service processes, leveraging the advantages of digital technology and asking colleagues for support. This study suggests enhancing support for social workers through improved digital training and psychological care, integrating digital-mediated social work skills into academic curricula, and fostering interdisciplinary partnerships to develop and utilize reliable digital tools, thereby improving the quality and effectiveness of social work in the digital age.

Education of Future Language Workers: Supporting Students’ Startups as a Teaching Strategy

The article discusses the role of student start-ups in general and their introduction into the academic curriculum as graduation projects in particular. The paper provides an overview and short history of the student start-up as a concept and the term, underlining, on the one hand, a contemporary demand for student entrepreneurship encouragement, their social capital built-up and University-industry collaboration but problematic ambiguity of their realization, on the other. The authors claim the innovations as it goes is most challenging for both teachers and students of non-business academic programs and requires a certain shift in teaching strategies as well as the curriculum. The paper dwells on the existing background of student start-ups in non-business fields and underlines that in such circumstances teaching and extracurricular activities become a major tool to promote the entrepreneurial intentions among the students. The authors claim the academic training can benefit from a suchlike approach and the transdisciplinary projects may serve as a practice-oriented cumulative ground for student start-ups. The paper illustrates how these projects can be implemented. The authors have stepped up their efforts towards introducing a student start-up to show how a certain student project can later launch them into business resulting in creating a new venture.

QUALITY ENHANCEMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN CAMBODIA

Quality improvement is critical for both public and private colleges in Cambodia. The purpose of this study is to identify common quality management practices in Cambodian Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), measure the relationships between quality management and quality assessments (internal and external), and evaluate the relationships between quality assessments and HE quality enhancement. A quantitative research approach was used in this study to evaluate the factors between quality enhancement and quality management for their significant implications. This study used simple and multivariate regressions to look at how quality assurance variables affect higher education quality. The study developed accurate questionnaires for 337 people from Cambodia's private and public higher education colleges and institutes, including academics and management staff. According to the findings, the majority of institutions regarded academic curriculum, facilities, educational management, academic staff and teaching methodologies, and student evaluation as critical quality management measures. However, they placed less emphasis on cooperation. The multiple regression analysis revealed that factors related to internal quality assessment (IQA), external quality assessment (EQA), and HE quality enhancement were consistent, indicating that academic curriculum, student assessment, facilities, support staff, and collaborations were potential factors for improving higher education quality. The emphasis on Internal Quality Assessment (IQA) and External Quality Assessment (EQA) resulted in dramatically enhanced higher education quality. Highly ranked institutions tended to have a better IQA and EQA system, and IQA and EQA played an important role in conducting frequent examinations of quality management methods.

Bridging the gap between academic translation programs and industry demands: Stakeholders’ perspectives on future directions

Recent trends in the translation industry have paved way for the academic translation programs to embrace more sophisticated approaches to train translators. This shift in pedagogical approach is to prepare and equip translation students to develop and enhance their translation competencies to suit the current market demands in the industry. However, this research aims to explore the perspectives of relevant stakeholders in the translation industry on the potential areas for enhancement and future directions that can improve the consistency between academic translation training and industry demands. Regarding the objectives of this research, the total number of ninety-seven (97) individuals who participated in this research were administered a survey form, wherein they shared their opinions. Through the use of quantitative method, the research highlighted relevant insights from the participants’ responses including, academic curriculum relevance, industry cooperation, soft skill development, and continuous professional development (CPD). The results stress the need to expose translation trainees to current translation technologies during training, encouraging collaboration with translation companies, and putting an emphasis on the development of crucial soft skills. Above all, the research emphasized the adoption of a more learner-centered pedagogical approach in academic translation programs. With this approach, translation students are better equipped with the necessary competence to meet the needs of the dynamic translation market.

The Provisions of Using Elephants’ Ivory Bone: An Applied Jurisprudential Study

The study aimed to clarify the rulings on the use and utilization of ivory in Islamic jurisprudence. It followed both the inductive and analytical methods, elucidating the nature of ivory and the rulings on the purity of bones from deceased animals, with a particular focus on elephant bones, through presenting the opinions of jurists. It also addressed the rulings on the utilization of ivory through sale and its use in various industries, as well as its use in medicine and treatment. The study sought to determine the most authoritative opinion based on evidence and in alignment with the objectives of Sharia. The study concluded with several findings, including that elephant bone is considered pure according to the most authoritative opinion, that the sale of ivory is permissible, and that it can be used in various industries and in the field of medicine, such as being implanted in the human body, when necessary, without affecting the validity of prayer. The study recommended incorporating the rulings on the utilization of ivory into academic curricula and presenting papers at conferences to explore this topic in a manner consistent with contemporary realities.

Analysing Student Feedback on the Integration of 3D Printing in the Teaching of Mammography for Radiologic Technologists

The objective of this study is to assess the suitability of using printed breast models as educational tools for instructing radiographer students on positioning and compression techniques in X-ray mammography. A physical anthropomorphic breast phantom, created with a stereolithography 3D printer based on a computational breast model, served as the main tool in the teaching approach. The practical exercise, conducted in three sessions for first, second, and third-year radiographer students, involved a structured approach in front of the mammography device. A questionnaire assessed participants' opinions on the 3D breast phantom and the exercise's impact on positioning, compression, and mammography device teachings. Among the 83 students surveyed, 52 provided responses, demonstrating a success rate of 71.2% in mastering the exercise utilizing the physical breast phantom. A significant portion of students express the importance of integrating contemporary digital technologies into their academic curriculum, based on the practical experience. The instructor demonstrated thorough preparation and competence in guiding the practical session. The positive experience in this teaching approach strongly encourages future professionals to integrate these new technologies into their daily practice, especially for acquiring skills in compression techniques and breast positioning.

Evaluating MOL-Magsaysay Maritime Academy’s Educational Program: Performance of First Graduates and Stakeholders’ Feedback

MMMA’s Educational Program provide students with an opportunity to develop the necessary technical skills (Hard skills) and personality traits (Soft skills) to become a well-rounded and a successful seafarer and individual. MMMA’s Educational Program includes two areas of activities and experiences that are designed to enhance the student’s learning. Specifically, this includes the approved CHED-MARINA prescribed and regulated Maritime Academic Curriculum underpinned on the STCW Convention, and MMMA’s own Leadership Training Paradigm, anchored on the Transformational Leadership through Coaching principle. This paper aims to determine whether MMMA’s educational program effectively prepares students for their maritime industry careers. The primary objective of the study is to evaluate MMMA’s educational program by obtaining key stakeholders’ and employers’ feedback based on the work performance of the first graduates, and exploring whether there is a relationship between the 3-year classroom instruction performance and the 12-month onboard training performance. By examining both classroom and onboard performance outcomes and key stakeholders’ and employers’ feedback, the study seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of the academy’s impact on its graduates’ readiness for the maritime workforce. The research utilizes a descriptive-correlational approach. Preliminary findings indicate that the majority of the first graduates have demonstrated strong academic competence and skills during the 3-year classroom instruction and the 12-month shipboard training, both in the areas of technical skills (hard skills) and personality skills (soft skills) based on the results of the document analysis. Correlation results also showed that there is a linear relationship between the manifestation of soft skills during the 3-year academic classroom instruction and the 12-month shipboard training, but there was no relationship on the technical skills. On the other hand, satisfaction ratings provided by the two groups of stakeholders, namely the faculty and the industry partners/ employers expressed some serious concerns on the manifestation of the cadets’ personality skills or soft skills particularly in discipline and leadership based on their interactions with cadets and occasional feedback from the ships. Nonetheless, some areas for improvement have been identified, such as the need for enhanced soft skills and further alignment of academic training with industry-specific demands. The study concludes that MOL-Magsaysay Maritime Academy’s educational programs have been effective in preparing the first batch (Batch 2018) of graduates for successful maritime careers. The insights gained from the stakeholders’ feedback will be instrumental in refining the academy’s educational program and training methods in terms of the leadership training paradigm, anchored on the principle of transformational leadership through coaching, to better meet industry needs in general, and stakeholders’ needs in particular, and enhance future graduates’ employability and performance. On the technical side, new trends and regulations in the areas of digitalization and environmental regulations needs to be incorporated in the educational program. Keywords: MMMA (MOL-Magsaysay Maritime Academy); Educational Program; Technical Skills; Soft Skills