Academic Policies Research Articles

Will the real people's geography please stand up? Community, public, and participatory geographies in conversation

AbstractThough Geography began as a tool of empire and war, now some of us are using this master's tool to dismantle the master's house. But we are tweaking the tool in various ways to make it more liberatory. People's geography aims to take Geography to the streets, and the streets to the ivory tower. It works to popularize radical geography, and radicalize popular geography. Community geographies focus on collaborations between academics and public scholars to co‐produce knowledge that serves social change. This term has grown in use recently in the US, where there is a new community geographies specialty group. The term public geography has perhaps been more often used in the UK, where the focus on “impact” by the REF has given it more weight. That sort of push from funding agencies is a growing trend internationally, though the terms used vary. Participatory research aims to foster civic engagement and look alongside research subjects, rather than looking at them. It is a strong influence on both community and public geographies, though the overlap is not exact. Other terms used are engaged research and reciprocal research. This work takes longer and is often undervalued as simply service, rather than research. Too often it has been done despite, rather than with support from, academic policies. That is beginning to change. Some terms and traditions have more resonance in some contexts than in others, but whatever the label used, it is important that we organize to honor and nurture this work.

The Role of University Academic Innovations in Agriculture and ICT to the Country’s Economic Transformation (A Case of Kapasa Makasa University)

In the recent past, Zambia has seen an increase in the number of institutions of higher learning and Kapasa Makasa University is one such Institution. Kapasa Makasa University (KMU) being the only public university in Muchinga province has put research and innovation at the helm of its daily academic activities. As a result the institution has between 2019 and 2021 developed a number of innovations, which if fully exploited by the government and private sector can have the potential to contribute significantly to the economic transformation of the country. In trying to actualize the implementation of these innovations, Management engaged various stakeholders in the industry to determine whether or not they can help to commercialize these innovations. As its motto state “Learn to Innovate”, KMU has put so much emphasis on innovations in the areas of ICTs and Agriculture which if well enhanced can help to contribute significantly to the economic transformation of the nation. Against this background the current study seek to investigate the role of university academic innovations in to the country’s economic transformation. To this effect a descriptive survey was conducted on the university population involving members of academic staff and students to determine the evolving role of university academic innovations on the country’s economic transformation. The results established that lack of deliberate academic policies aimed at commercializing innovations, inadequate stakeholder’s engagement (government and private sector), and lack of proper communication of innovation successes across internal and external audiences as well as limited financial resources are the main factors that hinder the innovations in universities from contributing to the country’s economic transformation. Based on the findings the study recommends that there is need to create strong partnership between the university, government and the industry in order to further develop and commercialize the innovations in university. In addition, the university authorities need to create academic policies that are aimed at commercializing innovations as well as deriving a proper and well-coordinated mechanisms to communicate the innovations to both internal and external audiences. Finally the study also concludes that university management need to adequately fund innovations in the institutions if they are to make a positive impact to the economic transformation of the country.

Physical activity habits prevent psychological distress in female academic students: The multiple mediating role of physical and psychosocial parameters

BackgroundPsychological distress is recognised as the most common mental health difficulty in emerging adult (18-to-24-year-old) female academic students. This study aimed to test a novel model positing physical activity habits as a protective factor for psychological distress through the mediating role of physical and psychological parameters. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet and self-reported physical health status were included as physical parameters. Self-reported psychological health status and time spent on leisure activities were the psychological parameters considered. MethodData were collected between April and May 2021. Correlation analyses and a multiple mediation model were computed on 411 online questionnaires filled out by 18-to-24-year-old female students from the University of blind (Italy). ResultsThe multiple indirect effects were significant (β = −0.088; p < 0.001). This means that physical activity habits reduce psychological distress through high adherence to the Mediterranean diet, a good self-assessment of one's physical and psychological health status, and more time spent on leisure activities outdoors, with friends, and with family members. ConclusionsResults show that academic policies should be adopted so as to design physical activity programmes that may improve the students’ healthy behaviours and social interactions, which, in turn, mitigate the detrimental effects of psychological distress.

Exactscore: Result Analysis

The analysis of academic performance of students is an important concern for the universities and colleges of higher learning as it is very important for planning and management of the teaching pedagogy. There is a need for the system to examine and assess the result of students in order to understand how effective the existing education system is accessing the factors for academic performance is also important so that students can be assisted to develop their individual academic performance in the university. Result analysis of universities is the process of evaluating and interpreting data related to the academic performance of students. This can be done for various purposes, such as to identify strengths and weaknesses in the education system, to monitor student progress and support, and to make informed decisions about academic policies and programs. The first step in conducting a result analysis is to gather data. This may include exam scores, grades, attendance records, and demographic information. The data is then organized and processed using statistical methods, such as descriptive statistics and inferential statistics, to generate meaningful insights. Another important aspect of result analysis is comparing the performance of different groups of students, such as those from different socioeconomic backgrounds or with different learning needs. This can help to identify disparities in the education system and to target resources and support where they are needed most. Finally, result analysis can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of various academic programs and initiatives. For example, data can be analysed to determine the impact of a new teaching method or the effectiveness of a tutoring program. This information can be used to inform future decisions and to continuously improve the quality of education. The existing system is done manually where the faculty members of university analyse it which is time consuming and frustrating. This project is intended to focus on the interaction of different factors and the role that they play to the performance of students in academics in their college or university. The proposed system will have a UI interface which asks you put URL of results link of OU website and hallticket number range. After clicking submit, it analyses with different parameters and displays all results in organized format automatically.

Quality of life in Brazilian medical students: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Medical training negatively impacts the quality of life of students. Assessing the well-being of medical students could guide academic policies and future research for improving the mental and physical health status of the population at risk. This study aimed to identify the influence of medical training on the quality of life of Brazilian medical students. A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted according to the Cochrane criteria and reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses protocol (PRISMA). The search was performed by two independent investigators using a predefined protocol registered on the PROSPERO database (CRD42021237926). Data were extracted from PubMed, Embase, and Biblioteca Virtual de Saúde (BVS). For quantitative synthesis, a meta-analysis was conducted to assess the mean difference in the quality of life between medical students at different stages in the academic cycle, stratified by sex. All data were analyzed using the random-effects model, with a confidence interval of 95% (95%CI). After evaluating the eligibility criteria, five studies were included in the meta-analysis. The data revealed that students in the pre-clinical cycle of the course exhibited higher quality of life scores in the physical (3.05 [1.48-4.62], p < 0.0001) and psychological (3.05 [0.80-5.30], p < 0.0001) domains than students in the clerkship cycle. No statistically significant differences were observed in the environmental (0.78 [-2.92-4.49], p = 0.68) or social domains (1.41 [-0.52-3.34], p = 0.15). Our analysis revealed that the medical course is associated with decreased quality of life of medical students in the physical and psychological domains. This finding was observed in both men and women. However, these findings should be interpreted with caution given the study limitations. Registration number PROSPERO, CRD42021237926.

Instructor positioning as participants in a transnational EMI program

Abstract The simultaneous global growth in higher education’s student population and demand for English-medium instruction (EMI) have created various models of transnational education (TNE) partnerships that use EMI to recruit students and increase opportunities for international collaboration. Inevitably, in transnational collaborative efforts, stakeholders have far more conflicting considerations as they navigate multiple countries’ academic policies and norms, diverse student, staff and faculty expectations, and the myriad of linguistic and cultural differences. In response to these concerns, this qualitative case study analyzed instructor discursive positioning in a TNE partnership between a US and a Vietnamese institution. Using a collaborative action research approach, this article features the experience of two instructors teaching in a TNE partnership using an EMI model in Vietnam. Using identity and positioning theory as guiding theoretical frameworks, instructors’ and students’ discourses were thematically analyzed. The findings reflect dominant discourses and language ideologies surrounding the “Englishization” of higher education, in addition to highlighting stakeholders’ challenges of working between two institutions and having conflicting responsibilities as both instructors and administrative staff. Similarly, the students’ interview data reflected their navigation of being participants at two universities with different academic systems and norms.

Empowering Women Entrepreneurs: Enhancing Competency and Capacity Through University Education

This research aims to explore the potential of human capital, competitive advantages, and women entrepreneurship innovation in Indonesia and Kuala Lumpur, as well as to provide academic policies to the government by establishing a cluster of human resources (HR) expertise and enhancing the development of women entrepreneurship, resulting in regulations to improve human capital and women entrepreneurship. The research problem is how female entrepreneurs can transform HR expertise in their business. The survey sample of active female entrepreneurs in various cities were selected using a multi-stage random sampling method, totaling 47 female entrepreneurs, consisting of 39 respondents from Medan and Deli Serdang, 5 from West Sumatra, and 3 from Kelantan, Malaysia. The qualitative descriptive research and a comparative analysis were applied to this research. This research proves that female entrepreneurs who act as housewives must continue to develop their human resource potential, competitive advantages, and innovative abilities in entrepreneurship to produce superior products, be competitive, increase economic income, and improve the welfare of their families.

Application of Learning Theory in the 5-1-2 Pattern MBKM Curriculum at the Al-Fatimah Islamic Institute of Bojonegoro

The preparation and implementation of the MBKM Curriculum in Higher Education will be clearer, more systematic and structured if it is based on appropriate learning theories. Furthermore, MBKM at IAI Al-Fatimah Bojonegoro uses a 5-1-2 pattern, with 5 semesters of study within the study program, 1 semester of study outside the study program both on and off campus, and two semesters outside the campus (community). The 5-1-2 pattern is applied using different learning theories and learning models. In semesters 1 and 2 using behavioral learning theory, in semesters 3 and 4 using constructive and constructivist learning theories, in semester 5 using free form curriculum goals, in semesters 6 and 7 using social cognitive learning theory. The compatibility between learning theories in the 5-1-2 pattern MBKM curriculum is the basis for the academic policies that apply at IAI Al-Fatimah.

Engineering survivors: Students who persisted through academic failures

AbstractBackgroundIn the United States, the current 6‐year completion rate in engineering is a mere 54% among full‐time students who enter a 4‐year course. Researchers have identified many reasons why students leave engineering, including academic difficulties and poor teaching. However, the problems experienced by the departing students are also experienced by students who persist in engineering. Why do some students persist in engineering while others depart?PurposeWe sought to better understand persisters by investigating their responses to failure experiences. We left the definition of failure up to the students, who described experiences such as failing exams, failing courses, and temporarily abandoning their degree programs.Design/MethodWe interviewed 26 undergraduate engineering students who had persisted in engineering after failing a required technical course. Using thematic analysis, we analyzed the students' responses to their failure experiences and developed themes to describe their responses.ResultsWe constructed four themes to describe students' responses to failure experiences: unresponsive, avoidant, floundering, and rebounding.ConclusionsSince failure events are common among engineering students—even those who persist—we recommend that the engineering education community work toward removing the stigma traditionally associated with failure by normalizing failure as an opportunity for growth. We also recommend that faculty and administrators revise academic policies to promote student resilience and to enable learning from failure.

Doctoral Student Experiences in Indonesian Postgraduate Programs: A Phenomenological Investigation of Challenges

This research answers academic anxiety that departs from a study of the complexity of the problems faced by doctoral students in Indonesia. The existing phenomenon is that doctoral students in Indonesia who are scattered in various public and private universities with various fields of knowledge still face many technical and non-technical problems caused by problems that are both academic and non-academic in nature. This research uses a qualitative descriptive approach with the phenomenological study method developed by Edmund Husserl. Data collection techniques use literature and field studies through interviews, documentation and observation. The primary data source is postgraduate students, and the secondary data source is the Postgraduate Director, Head of Study Program and administrative staff. Data analysis in this qualitative research consists of three streams of activities that occur simultaneously, namely data reduction, data presentation, drawing conclusions or verification. Data checking in this research is based on four criteria, namely, degree of trustworthiness, transferability, dependability, and certainty. The findings from this study include the theoretical level regarding the conceptualization of the Portrait of Doctoral Programs in Indonesia as an Educational Phenomenon and dissertation as Research Identity of Doctoral Programs (Standards and Characteristics). This research also found academic and non-academic problems for doctoral students in Indonesia. The implications of the results of this research are to provide recommendations for ideas for the academic community for making decisions and academic policies as well as formulating a quality education system and improving the quality assurance of postgraduate doctoral education in Indonesia.

Digital competence of the university student. A systematic and bibliographic update

Society has experienced an essential technological revolution in recent decades, generating significant repercussions in the educational field, especially in higher education. This technological evolution demands the development of digital skills that allow us to face problems and situations in this environment. In this sense, Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) have attached great importance to the training in digital skills of university students in their academic policies. Digital competence implies the knowledge, abilities, skills, and attitudes necessary to access, analyze, evaluate, reflect critically, create, and communicate in four key areas: technological, informational, multimedia, and communicative. The objective of this article is to analyze documents related to the digital competencies of university students. To achieve this, a descriptive bibliometric study was carried out. Among the conclusions, the need to strengthen the training in digital skills of university students is highlighted so that they can take advantage of the communication tools available in the knowledge society.

Analyzing the Impact of Social Media on Students using SPSS: Insights and Implications

Students may lose concentration and productivity in their academics by spending hours scrolling through their feeds, participating in online debates, or viewing videos’ students' mental health may be greatly impacted by social media sites. Continual exposure to curated and idealized versions of others' lives can contribute to feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem, and anxiety. The effect of social media on pupils has recently generated a lot of interest and discussion. Examining how these online spaces affect students' lives is crucial as platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, and Tikor become more popular and influential. This essay will go over five major issues about how social media affects students: Academic Results: Excessive social media use frequently causes distractions and deterioration in academic results. Studying how social media affects students has broad academic implications and is crucial in the current digital era. Understanding and assessing this influence can help different stakeholders, such as educators, parents, lawmakers, and mental health specialists, gain insightful information. Here are some significant factors emphasizing the importance of the study: Academic Policies and Interventions: The establishment of successful policies and interventions can be influenced by research on how social media affects students' academic performance. Teachers can use measures to improve focus, time management, and digital literacy among pupils by pinpointing the causes of distraction and decreased productivity. Mental Health Support: It is vital for mental health experts to look into the relationship between social media use and results in terms of mental health. A thorough and organized technique is required while researching the effects of social media on pupils in order to collect pertinent information and produce insightful findings. An example of a potential research approach is given below: Select the most appropriate research design for the study, such as mixed techniques, qualitative, or quantitative. To choose the best strategy, take into account the research questions, objectives, and resources at hand. Conduct a detailed analysis of the body of knowledge regarding how social media affects kids. Create a solid theoretical framework for the study by identifying important theories, concepts, and findings from prior research. Taken as input parameters is Age, Gender, program, what type of family background, where do you from? how much does using social media cut your time of regular sleep? Does using social media effect on your studies?, how many hours a day do you spend on social media/, on a scale how social media effect relationship?, on scale how social media have positive impact/negative impact on students?, how social media effect communication and connectivity?.

Navigating the Nexus: Government Policies in Cultivating Religious Moderation Within State Islamic Higher Education

&lt;p&gt;This study aims to analyze the implementation of religious moderation at the State Islamic Higher Education (PTKIN) in Indonesia through academic policies in the fields of education, research, and community service programs. It is based on the empirical examination of the spread of radical, extreme, and exclusive religious sects among higher education civitas academica in Indonesia. The research combines qualitative and quantitative approaches (mixed methods) simultaneously. Data sources were randomly obtained from leaders, lecturers, and students at PTKIN through interviews, observations, questionnaires, documentation, and focus group discussions. Data analysis was carried out through data reduction, data display, and data verification, as well as statistical analysis using the t-test with the SPSS 17.0 program. The results show that religious moderation has been promoted through academic policies in education, research, and community services, which aligns with Pancasila values as the Indonesian state philosophy. This finding is strengthened by the acquisition of a significant t-test &amp;lt; 0.05, which indicates that the academic policies provide crucial support for implementing religious moderation at PTKIN. Overall, this study confirms the idea that promoting religious moderation should be seen as a crucial shared agenda since it plays a pivotal role in determining the long-term viability of a country.&lt;/p&gt;

Perceptions of nursing students and faculty members towards academic integrity and professionalism in Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study

BackgroundMaintaining and nourishing academic integrity along with professionalism in nursing education is integral and imperative to the development of the nursing profession. However, evidence shows that academic dishonesty and incompetency exist and are raising problems among college students of all disciplines including nursing. To date, limited studies have been conducted in this area in Saudi Arabia. ObjectivesTo determine the perceptions of nursing students and faculty members towards academic integrity and professionalism. DesignA cross-sectional design. Settings and participantsA convenience sample of undergraduate students enrolled in government universities in Saudi Arabia, and their faculty members. Methods342 Saudi nursing students and 113 nursing faculty members were surveyed with a valid and reliable questionnaire modified to the study setting. ResultsFindings revealed that the majority of nursing students and faculty members were aware of the nature of academic dishonesty and unprofessionalism. Less 40 % of students and teachers reported academic dishonesty and unprofessionalism as frequent. The majority of respondents in both groups revealed there were no existing policies in their colleges relevant to academic integrity/dishonesty. For those who reported the presence of a policy, the highest percentage of the respondents expressed just occasional implementation. There was no significant difference between the perceptions of students and faculty in all scenarios regarding academic integrity and professionalism. Lastly, the level of education and affiliated nursing college was associated with the respondents' perceptions. ConclusionsNursing students and faculty members have considerable cognizance of the concept of academic integrity and professionalism. However, the occurrence of academic dishonesty and unprofessionalism was observed at both universities. The lack of established policies is a particular challenge for management. Hence, it is essential that educational institutions formulate clear academic policies that cultivate academic integrity, prevent academic dishonesty, and enhance the level of professionalism.

Breast Imaging Fellowship Training in the United States: A National Survey of Fellowship Program Directors.

To provide an updated characterization of breast imaging fellowship programs in the United States to identify opportunities for improvement and standardization. An anonymous survey was e-mailed to program directors of breast imaging fellowship programs listed on the Society of Breast Imaging website. The survey was open from April 23, 2021, through May 27, 2021. The survey was deemed exempt by the IRB. Forty-seven of 80 (59%) program directors responded, of which 36/47 (77%) represented programs dedicated 100% to breast imaging, and 11/47 (23%) represented programs dedicated 50%-75% to breast imaging. Common elements to most programs include tumor boards (47/47, 100%), journal clubs (39/47, 83%), case-based teaching sessions (35/47, 74%), didactic lectures (40/47, 85%), and participation in radiology-pathology conferences (29/47, 62%). Mammography Quality and Standards Act audit training (22/47, 47%), mammography quality control training (22/47, 47%), and formal communication training (19/47, 40%) were less common. Most programs provide exposure to wire (42/47, 89%) and wire-free localization procedures (45/47, 96%), but exposure to contrast-enhanced mammography (13/47, 28%) and molecular breast imaging (4/47, 9%) was limited. A small majority of programs (25/47, 53%) do not require weekday call; however, more (31/47, 66%) have weekend call responsibilities. Many programs (29/47, 62%) offer at least 3 weeks of elective time, which may be clinical or nonclinical. Breast imaging fellowship programs vary in curricula, modality exposure, and academic policies. The results of this survey can help guide further efforts to standardize and optimize fellowship training.

Exploring the Hurdles in Integrating Artificial Intelligence in Medical Education: A Talk with ChatGPT

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in the medical field is rapidly increasing, and its importance is recognised as it can analyse medical information and improve patient outcomes. The Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer (ChatGPT) by OpenAI is a language model that can respond to prompts in a human-like manner and has the potential to transform medical education. In this conversation, the authors engage with ChatGPT to discuss the challenges associated with the application of AI in medical education. ChatGPT acknowledges the limitations of AI in medical education and the importance of students demonstrating their understanding during assessments. It also discusses the need for academic policies to ensure the responsible and ethical use of AI in medical education.

Factors Affecting Cheating Behavior at Quetta- Pakistan

Cheating in examinations across the globe is an issue of growing concern. This study argues that the culture of cheating in exams in Balochistan has reduced the efficiency of human resource and has resulted in producing students with high qualifications but less potential in the province. Therefore, it is very importantto explore the factors contributing to cheating in exams and to suggest a course of action to mitigate the menace it poses. A quantitative research method was employed for this study. Similarly, statistical techniques such as correlation and logistic regression were conducted for statistical analysis and explanation of thestudy using SPSS. Theoretically, the study is inspired by rational choice theory. The findings of the study show a significant relationship between personal, institutional, and situational factors. Personal factors that contribute to cheating were found to be students’ desire to excel, low GPA, and slow learning. Institutional factors include the weak administrative role of institutions, poor academic policies, overload on students, and weak performance of the teachers. Situational factors such as the poor management strategy of the examiner, time pressure, and technological tools were found to be instigating students towards cheating. The study suggests that an appropriate exam hall setting, effective monitoring, concept-oriented exams, and a strong honor code can decrease cheating.

Impact of social media on students

Students may lose concentration and productivity in their academics by spending hours scrolling through their feeds, participating in online debates, or viewing videos’ students' mental health may be greatly impacted by social media sites. Continual exposure to curated and idealized versions of others' lives can contribute to feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem, and anxiety. The effect of social media on pupils has recently generated a lot of interest and discussion. Examining how these online spaces affect students' lives is crucial as platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, and Tikor become more popular and influential. This essay will go over five major issues about how social media affects students: Academic Results: Excessive social media use frequently causes distractions and a deterioration in academic results. Studying how social media affects students has broad academic implications and is crucial in the current digital era. Understanding and assessing this influence can help different stakeholders, such as educators, parents, lawmakers, and mental health specialists, gain insightful information. Here are some significant factors emphasizing the importance of the study: Academic Policies and Interventions: The establishment of successful policies and interventions can be influenced by research on how social media affects students' academic performance. Teachers can use measures to improve focus, time management, and digital literacy among pupils by pinpointing the causes of distraction and decreased productivity. Mental Health Support: It is vital for mental health experts to look into the relationship between social media use and results in terms of mental health. A thorough and organized technique is required while researching the effects of social media on pupils in order to collect pertinent information and produce insightful findings. An example of a potential research approach is given below: Select the most appropriate research design for the study, such as mixed techniques, qualitative, or quantitative. To choose the best strategy, take into account the research questions, objectives, and resources at hand. Conduct a detailed analysis of the body of knowledge regarding how social media affects kids. Create a solid theoretical framework for the study by identifying important theories, concepts, and findings from prior research. Age, Gender, program, what type of family background, where do you from? how much does using social media cut your time of regular sleep? does using social media effect on your studies?, how many hours a day do you spend on social media/, on a scale how social media effect relationship?, on scale how social media have positive impact/negative impact on students?, how social media effect communication and connectivity?

Key indicators informing students’ perceptions of online learning and academic performance during the COVID- 19 pandemic

The purpose of this paper is to examine students’ perceptions of their online learning experience during the first wave of COVID-19. The paper highlights the actions taken by the institution in transitioning to online learning and key indicators which influenced students’ perceived online learning and academic performance during the pandemic. The study was conducted at a university and reports on quantitative and qualitative data collected from an online survey of 3257 students. Tinto and Pusser’s (2006) model of institutional actions was used as a framework to guide the study. The study’s findings forced the university to re-look at student support through new lenses. The findings from the data provided the basis for the institution to re-invent three academic policies to include a more holistic approach to learning, teaching, and student success. The policies developed were: Flexible Learning and Teaching Provision (FLTP), Assessment, and Curriculum Transformation and Renewal, which placed the student at the centre of university actions.

Effect of commuting on the academic performance of students in higher technical education and their physical and emotional state

ABSTRACT This study establishes a relationship between commuting time and academic attainment of Bachelor of Technology students in face-to-face lectures and labs. A group of 244 students from a private university in India participated in this study. Surveys were conducted to know the specific effect of commuting time on students’ academic performance and their physical and mental state. This study reveals that commuting time has a negative correlation and a weak or moderate effect on academic performance. The results exhibited that 53% of commuting students found commuting a hindrance in class punctuality and regularity while 86% of students felt constant stress of getting debarred in the exam, in case of failing to maintain required attendance. This study will help academic administrators to frame academic policies to create a better academic environment for higher education students in India as well as in the countries having compulsory attendance policies.