Promotion Of Higher Education Research Articles

Situation Analysis of Female Academics' Career Advancement in Higher Education in Syria

This research examines factors which may be influencing female academics career advancement at Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Syria. The paper conducts situation analysis on academic environment at HEI in Syria, exploring factors which may be impacting female academics experience and career progression and lack of academic representation at senior management levels. The paper examines a private HEIs investigating the environment in Syria highlighting the situation after 2011. The methodology applied in diagnosing the situation, is based on data collected from a capacity building in higher education project (CBHE), funded by Erasmus+. The methodology employs the design of questionnaire survey administered at the research target group. A one-way translation from English to Arabic is performed by expert academics and verified by linguistic experts. The sample design employs nonprobability sampling techniques. The size of the sample is 47 observations for academics. The findings of the analysis are reported across individual, and institutional levels. The research results signify that interest in research is a strong motivator; while career satisfaction still reveals an area of future development. There is still little awareness on gender issues topics, as well as little research works being performed in the scope gender research issues. The concept of gender equality has a high potential for evolution and expansion on the intermediate and long term at the institutional and socio cultural contests in Syria. The future direction of this research emphasizes developing a conceptual framework on the factors which may be affecting female academics experience and career advancement in HEIs in Syria. Furthermore, future research recommends the development of institutional and national policies in the scope of gender equality, which could be reflected at human resources practices, environment of the workplace, infusion of gender at university mission and planning, curriculum, research, and university governance.

‘You don't have to be educated to help your child’: Parental involvement among first generation of higher education Druze students in Israel

AbstractFirst‐generation students cope with challenges deriving from a lack of knowledge regarding higher education. This lack of knowledge is particularly relevant for minorities groups. In this context, parental involvement can be regarded as a meaningful pathway for enrolment and advancement in higher education. The study examined the perceptions of Druze students from the Golan Heights in Israel, who are considered to be a minority group and are first‐generation students, regarding their parents' involvement in their higher education studies. 15 Druze were interviewed. Using thematic analysis, it was found that parents' support is reflected in a high appreciation of education, due to the absence of opportunities during their own childhood, alongside moral and indirect academic support. The study contributes to understanding the intersection of being part of the Druze minority with being first‐generation students, highlighting these students' ways of overcoming barriers in the context of national and ethnic challenges.

Determinants of university brand loyalty in an emerging higher education market

PurposeA university’s brand is a key competitive advantage in higher education (HE). This study examines the university's reputation’s intermediary impact on core services (emotional environment, perceived faculty and course suitability) and brand loyalty in private universities in Iran.Design/methodology/approachA quantitative method was used to achieve research objectives. The data collected from students enrolled in major private universities in the capital of Iran were analyzed to test the proposed model, both directly and indirectly, using structural equation modeling (SEM).FindingsThe findings confirmed all of the hypothesized relationships. Prominently, the core service construct (emotional environment, perceived faculty and course suitability) was found to be significantly affecting the university brand reputation. The study found evidence for the impact of university reputation on students' loyalty. Findings also indicated the presence of several indirect relationships among the considered dimensions.Research limitations/implicationsCurrent research offers implications for universities that are met with the perpetual challenge of survival in the competitive HE marketplace. Findings from the study not only help build theory on university brand loyalty but also make an essential contribution towards guiding managers in developing effective strategies by building reputation and loyalty by concentrating on the most crucial determinants.Originality/valueAlthough research in HE marketing is growing, the effects of university core services on building loyalty have not garnered attention, which is theoretically a vital construct. The paper presents a new framework to realize university brand loyalty with the help of integrated relationships among select dimensions in the setting of an emerging HE market.

Взаимосвязь развития региона и функ­ционирования вузов (на примере Северо-Западного федерального округа)

The role of universities in regional socio-economic systems is pivotal. However, despite the overall trend of GRP growth, regions of Russia’s Northwestern Federal District underperform on education-related measures. These include the share of education in GRP, the percentage of individuals employed in the education sector and the number of universities and students. These trends pose a substantial challenge to regional development, especially in the context of the fourth industrial revolution and the rise of the knowledge economy. The lack of attention to the education sector may stem from the gross underestimation of its contribution to regional development. By implementing their ‘third mission’, universities exert influence on the economy, politics and socially responsible industries in their home region. A better understanding of the role of universities in regional development requires a comprehensive evaluation of their performance. This study aims to evaluate the performance of regional universities and examine its impact on regional socio-economic indicators. The paper proposes a methodology for evaluating the performance of regional universities and presents the results of its application in the regions of Russia’s Northwestern Federal District. The universities of the Arkhangelsk region and St Petersburg demonstrated the highest performance levels, whilst those of the Leningrad region were the lowest. Correlation analysis showed a significant connection between universities’ performance levels and the key socio-economic indicators of regional development. Universities’ performance levels vary significantly across Russia’s Northwestern regions. The findings may interest researchers studying regional development issues and administrators of universities prioritising the implementation of the third mission. Additionally, the results can inform decisions regarding the advancement of higher education at the regional level within the Northwestern Federal District.

Development path of college labor education based on big data platform in the context of health psychology

Abstract Labor education is an important content of quality education, and the promotion of higher education cannot be separated from the implementation and practice of labor education. The labor education platform and labor education resource base in colleges and universities are established using the big data platform, which combines Hadoop technology and the HBase database. In order to help students obtain labor education teaching resources more efficiently on the labor education platform, reinforcement learning is combined with a deep neural network to optimize the scheduling of teaching resources, and α -the dispersion recommendation algorithm is used to realize personalized recommendations of teaching resources. With regard to the effectiveness of the labor education platform, load testing and application effects were carried out, and the influencing factors of labor behavior and craftsmanship cultivation of college labor education students were analyzed in depth. The labor education platform’s transaction response time increases by 22.5 seconds when the number of users reaches 5000, according to the results. The personal motivation for craftsmanship in the process of labor education will be affected by the campus culture, and its correlation coefficient is 0.565, and the student’s satisfaction with the platform of labor education reaches 0.825. The innovation and development of labor education in colleges and universities need to fully rely on the big data platform to promote the optimization and sharing of labor education resources and to promote the development of labor education resources. The cultivation of student labor creation and craftsmanship can be ensured through the optimization and sharing of educational resources.

STAFF TRAINING AND ACADEMICS JOB PERFORMANCE IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN NIGERIA

This research explores the nexus between training programs and the job performance of academic staff in Nigerian tertiary institutions, relying on secondary data gleaned from both print and online sources. Through a comprehensive review of publications, we discerned a pivotal relationship between consistent academic staff training and heightened job performance. Our findings underscore the positive impact of training on the effective implementation of teaching, research, and community service programs by academicians. The study's conclusion emphasizes the integral role played by ongoing training initiatives in shaping the performance landscape within tertiary institutions. Academic staff, when equipped with diverse skills through continual training, exhibit enhanced proficiency in executing their responsibilities across teaching, research, and community service realms. This research contributes valuable insights to the discourse on professional development within academic settings. In light of our discoveries, we advocate for the establishment of structured training programs tailored to the unique demands of academic roles. These initiatives, supported by continuous professional development and institutional backing, stand poised to elevate the overall performance of academic staff in Nigerian tertiary institutions. This paper serves as a call to action for educational institutions to prioritize training as a strategic investment in the advancement of higher education in Nigeria.

Real yields and PVSYST simulations: comparative analysis based on four photovoltaic installations at Ibn Tofail University

Abstract Since the PVSYST simulator is the most well-known software among researchers and PV experts, we chose to compare its results to those of the manual method. Thus, the objective of the article was to obtain the degree of similarity between the results of the PVSYST simulation and the manual calculation of the same parameters, based on the study of the photovoltaic systems of the University Ibn Tofail. Those installations are installed in the Faculty of Letters, Science, the Presidency and CFC. The later used in our study, have different parameters. Hence, to collect these parameters and their distinct data we used multiple sources. The datasheets of each components of the PV system contains the parameters that distinguish the devices therefore it was mandatory to look for that information, since it will facilitate our study. The meteorological database PVGIS, was our reference for the temperature and irradiation data. What’s more is the PVSYST software that helps in the simulation of the PV system and thus having a detailed report with massive information. All this collection of data was aiming to help us comparing the results of yields and other parameters by manual calculation versus simulation in PVSYST. Morocco has demonstrated a strong commitment to combat climate change by embracing renewable energy, particularly photovoltaic systems. In this pursuit, universities like Ibn Tofail University (UIT) play a crucial role in addressing climate challenges and developing research solutions for mitigation. UIT actively participates in projects related to environmental protection and sustainable development, contributing to Morocco’s growth and higher education advancement. As part of its efforts, UIT has been involved in implementing sustainable green projects and promoting renewable energy technologies. A specific study at UIT aimed to compare PVSYST simulation results with manual calculations for four PV systems on campus, considering parameters such as orientation, electrical installation, and panel types. The International Energy Agency (IEA) Photovoltaic Systems Program has established standards and a key concept, the yield factor, measuring the net energy production over a facility’s lifetime compared to the energy used for construction, operation, and supply. By evaluating the accuracy and efficiency of PVSYST, researchers sought to advance the use of PV systems and contribute to Morocco’s renewable energy goals. Such research not only aids in the progression of renewable energy technology but also aligns with Morocco’s vision for sustainable development and environmental protection.

Innovative educational technologies as a way of higher education enhancement

The article examines the interconnected functions of the innovative activity of the teacher, which contribute to the improvement of higher education. The purpose of the article is to consider innovative educational technologies as a means of improving higher education and to prove their impact on the training of a modern competitive specialist. The methodology shows the connection of the main methodological approaches of professional training of a modern competitive specialist with the help of innovative educational technologies as a means of improving higher education. The levels of training of the future specialist with innovative educational means are highlighted. The classification of innovative educational technologies was carried out. The importance of hybrid courses, which include a form of combination of distance learning and face-to-face learning, is shown. The features are identified and the necessity of innovative educational technologies for the improvement of higher education is shown. Innovative educational technologies have advantages in higher education. The criteria of innovations in the educational process are singled out. The features of innovative training are listed, which are of great importance for the improvement of higher education and, as a result, obtaining a competitive specialist.

FOREIGN EXPERIENCE IN IMPLEMENTING DIGITAL EDUCATION IN THE CONTEXT OF DIGITAL ECONOMY TRANSFORMATION

The relevance of the research topic is that the study of foreign experiences in the implementation of digital education in the context of digital economic transformation is of great importance. In the context of digitalisation, developed countries are implementing digitalisation policies to promote the digital transformation of education, focusing on improving digital literacy and digital competence. The purpose of the study is to conceptualise the foreign experience of implementing digital education in the context of digital economy transformation. This study aims to examine the global implementation of digital education as a social and economic phenomenon. This study focuses on exploring the impact of the digital economy on the transformation of digital education. The research will focus on: (1) reflections on the concepts of digitalisation of education in advanced countries such as the USA, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, the UK, Germany and China; (2) definition of connotations and attributes of the digital economy; (3) identification of smart education as a condition for the transformation of the digital economy. According to the study, advanced countries are adopting smart education concepts as a crucial step towards digitalising education to achieve a balance in developing high-quality education, enhancing its quality, expanding opportunities, and promoting the formation of lifelong digital competenciesIt is concluded that the promotion of higher education as a "smart digital transformation reform" contributes to the creation of a new educational environment in the digital age, providing convenient channels for obtaining digital resources. Informatisation of education as a factor of digital transformation has created new opportunities, provided students with intelligent data for learning, given a new impetus to education reform, facilitated large-scale individualised learning, and formed innovative concepts for implementing smart education as an extension of the capabilities of digital technologies and the impact of the digital economy on the transformation of digital education.

The Economic Context of Higher Education Expansion: Race, Gender, and Household Finances Across Cohorts and Generations

This article assesses how the economic context of higher education expansion since the mid-20th century has shaped families’ financial lives—in terms of income and wealth/debt—as well as how these trends have differed for Black and White women and men. We use data from the NLSY-79 (comprising trailing-edge Baby Boomers) and NLSY-97 (comprising early Millennials) to show how academically similar students in these two cohorts fared in terms of educational attainment, household income, household wealth, and total student debt accrued by age 35. While we discuss findings across race-gender groups, our results call attention to the education-related economic disadvantages faced by Black women that have accelerated across cohorts. Over time, Black women’s educational attainment has increased substantially, and high-achieving Black women, in particular, have become uniquely likely to progress beyond the BA. But while high-achieving Black women have made many advances in higher education, they also have become more likely than similarly high-achieving White men, White women, and Black men to have zero or negative wealth at the household level, and to accrue student debt for themselves and for their children. Our findings demonstrate that the costs of expanded access to credit for higher education have not been borne equally across race, gender, and achievement, and that these patterns have multigenerational financial consequences for college attendees and their families.

Clinical analysis of secondary glaucoma in Central China

To describe the epidemiology, clinical and social characteristics, management, and outcomes of patients with secondary glaucoma in Central China, a total of 1,129 cases (1,158 eyes) among 710 males (62.89%) and 419 females (37.11%) were analyzed. The mean age was 53.75 ± 17.11 years. The New Rural Cooperative Medical System (NCMS) played the most important role in reimbursement (60.32%) for secondary glaucoma-related medical expenses. The predominant occupation was “farmer” (53.41%). Neovascularization and trauma were the leading causes of secondary glaucoma. Cases of trauma-induced glaucoma decreased substantially during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. An education level of senior high school or above was uncommon. Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation was the most commonly performed surgery. At the final follow-up, the overall intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with vascular disease- and trauma-related secondary glaucoma was 19.53 ± 10.20 mmHg, 20.26 ± 11.75 mmHg, and 16.90 ± 6.72 mmHg, while the mean visual acuity (VA) was 0.33 ± 0.32, 0.34 ± 0.36, and 0.43 ± 0.36. In 814 (70.29%) eyes, the VA was < 0.01. Effective preventive measures for at-risk populations, increased NCMS coverage and the promotion of higher education are necessary. These findings will help ophthalmologists detect secondary glaucoma early and manage it in a timely manner.

District analysis of poverty dynamics in rural South Africa

Persistent poverty is a major developmental challenge for South Africa and has multifaceted dimensions. This paper profiled and investigated poverty transitions among rural households in 22 district municipalities in South Africa. Foster-Greer-Thorbecke indices were applied to panel data from the National Income Dynamics Study from 2008 to 2017. Findings indicate that poverty levels varied across districts and poverty was most prevalent in Zululand, OR Tambo and Sisonke districts. Furthermore, districts with high poverty rates also had high poverty gap ratios. Poverty transition analyses revealed that in 82% of the districts, poverty declined between 2008 and 2017, while it increased in 13% of the districts. This transition was not mirrored between waves, with the majority of households remaining in the same poverty status between waves. The study recommends that these traditional rural districts be a major focus of poverty alleviation efforts. The role of the state in providing stability to combat poverty is encouraged through promotion of higher education. Additionally, support for agriculture as a business is also recommended. Collaborations between district municipalities and provincial departments of agriculture could facilitate this. The study adds to existing literature by providing insights from disaggregated profile and analysis of rural poverty in district municipalities.

Non-fungible tokens, decentralized autonomous organizations, Web 3.0, and the metaverse in education: From university to metaversity

The pandemic has accelerated technological advances in higher education. Learning management systems that make use of the persistent platform, a wide range of communication options, and profoundly immersive qualities quickly become the platform of choice for learning management systems. The blockchain enables non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and uses the blockchain architecture to validate college diplomas and transcripts, opening the way for a diverse variety of e-portfolios owned and shared by students and teachers. Another type of blockchain that is relatively new to the education scene is decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs). Through this, technology courses, certificates, and more can become automated and authenticated on the blockchain. The current state of the web is rapidly evolving into what is known as Web 3.0. It is the emerging evolution of the internet to make it machine-readable, which includes leveraging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), the cloud, and distributed ledger technologies such as blockchain. From the perspectives of the university and the metaverse, this paper discusses the shift in education brought about by NFTs, DAOs, Web 3.0, and the metaverse. The powerful mix of Web 3.0 and the metaverse is about to revolutionize the way people learn and teach in the modern world.

Constructing symbolic capital to coordinate teaching-focused university-industry collaborations in China: a documentary, videological and empirical analysis

This paper explores how the Chinese government constructs symbolic capital and uses its converted forms to coordinate the relationship between the industry and the higher education sector for implementing teaching-focused university-industry collaboration (UIC). Through videological analysis of thirteen video segments, documentary analysis of three important state policy documents and a special website, and semi-structured interviews with six enterprise representatives and three university representatives, the study reveals that the forms of explicit symbolic capital include linking teaching-focused UIC with national development and rejuvenation, endowing participants with high accolades, and selecting exemplary cases for special recognition. The implicit symbolic capital includes putting teaching-focused UIC within the framework of formal university assessment schemes and untapping participants’ economic capital based upon expanded potential markets. Capital conversion and mobility have led to an education-oriented ecosystem where various stakeholders share a common vision for quality advancement in higher education.

The perceived labour market value of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) in Europe and the USA

ABSTRACT The advantages of higher education have received significant attention over time. However, recent research seems to challenge this assumption. It highlights that returns to education may be subject to inflation, may vary in relation to skills, and may not be equally distributed, thus posing new questions about the role of formal education. Against this background, the growing popularity of new forms of online education and training such as MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) have emerged. Investigating the way different learners use MOOCs may contribute to a deeper understanding of the evolution of the labour market outcomes of both traditional and technologically-mediated educational qualifications. Based on 43 semi-structured interviews conducted with MOOC users in the USA and in Europe, this article explores the potential of MOOCs on the labour market. The positional competition approach can help frame the results, inasmuch as MOOCs emerge as ‘soft credentials’. These accessible and flexible educational tools seem to provide applicants in the job queue with additional resources, although their labour market value remains modest and ancillary to formal educational qualifications. From a long-term perspective, however, increasing reliance on this type of training may contribute to further shifting of responsibilities from collective actors to individual workers.

Higher Education Future in the Era of Digital Transformation

A significant number of educational stakeholders are concerned about the issue of digitalization in higher educational institutions (HEIs). Digital skills are becoming more pertinent throughout every context, particularly in the workplace. As a result, one of the key purposes for universities has shifted to preparing future managers to address issues and look for solutions, including information literacy as a vital set of skills. The research of educational technology advances in higher education is now being discussed and debated, with various laws, projects, and tactics being offered. Digital technology has been a part of the lives of today’s children from the moment they are born. There are still many different types of digital divisions that exist in our society, and they affect the younger generation and their digital futures. Today’s students do not have the same level of preparation for the technology-rich society they will have. Universities and teaching should go through a significant digital transformation to fulfill the demands of today’s generation and the fully digitized world they will be living in. The COVID-19 pandemic has quickly and unexpectedly compelled HEIs and the educational system to engage in such a shift. In this study, we investigate the digital transformation brought about by COVID-19 in the fundamental education of the younger generation. Additionally, the study investigates the various digital divides that have emerged and been reinforced, as well as the potential roadblocks that have been reported along the way. In this paper, the study suggests that research into information management must better address students, their increasingly digitalized everyday lives, and basic education as key focus areas.

Issues and challenges of women in career advancement in higher education

Since times immemorial we have been hearing about the women empowerment in discussion forums and events. Much hype is created on Gender equality in education, career and society. Much of it reflects upon the point that women is the weaker section who needs special attention right from education to career advancement. Government has imposed Equal opportunity laws to favour equal treatment of women at employment and avoid exploitation of women by the employer. But much of the issues are pushed under the carpet and much of it go unnoticed and submissive. Literacy, socioeconomic status and family support has been major challenges for women to overcome the issues faced in the society. Present study focuses on exploring the obstacles coming in way of career advancement of women. Study relies on secondary data gathered from various sources to arrive at findings. Possibilities of overcoming the hurdles are explained as an outcome of the research. Emphasis is on throwing light on the pain points of the women in career advancement

Nationality differences in Gen Z work values: an exploratory study

PurposeGeneration Z (Gen Z) will account for a growing proportion of the global workforce in the coming years. Therefore, it is vitally important to understand this generation’s unique perspectives and preferences regarding work. This exploratory study aims to examine the prioritisation and desirability of Gen Z work values according to respondents’ nationality.Design/methodology/approachData for this study were collected through a survey among 1,188 undergraduate students enrolled in one university each in China, Germany, the Netherlands and Thailand. ANOVA test and Tukey post hoc analysis were used to find out the difference between the groups based on nationality.FindingsFindings indicate that nationality serves as a key differentiator in work value preferences. The findings challenge the concept of a global Gen Z as only two of the measured values, learning and visible results, were found to have universal appeal across the nationality groups. In spite of increased levels of global interconnectedness and accompanying crossvergence of values, the results show significant statistical differences in work values based on the respondents’ nationality.Research limitations/implicationsBecause of the scope and explorative design of the present study, it cannot be certain that the findings are exclusively from Gen Z characteristics or influenced by other, non-cultural, variables.Practical implicationsThis study suggests there is a need for study programmes at a tertiary level to embed experiential learning components and individual study pathways in their curricula to enable students to develop realistic expectations about the workplace and their place in it. In turn, these programmes will be able to develop a competitive advantage in higher education landscape.Originality/valueThe insights gained can be leveraged by internationally oriented study programmes, such as International Business (IB), to better address Gen Z needs and expectations.

Intellectual Capital and Knowledge Management in Higher Education: Concept, Implementation, and Barriers

Intellectual capital has developed into an intriguing concept that is frequently debated by academics and professionals and has been shown to improve the performance of all types of businesses, including institutions. Through a systematic literature review, this research is expected to enable reflection on the critical role of intellectual capital management in establishing an organization's competitive advantage in higher education and the essential part of knowledge management and socialization opportunities in the development of social thinking in higher education institutions and organizations. Ten articles published in national and international journals were selected to analyze thematically as the research data. The findings report that intellectual capital management lays the groundwork for strategic planning and the commercial success of modern educational institutions. Rethinking processes and fostering knowledge formation, particularly concerning their impact on functional strategies, is critical for academic administrators to increase their competitive advantage, the strength of internal organizational structures, and the effectiveness of educational programs.

2 - Competencies and Proficiencies in Special Education: The Case of Ethiopian Universities

This study explores and analyses the competencies and proficiencies of final- year university students studying special education in two public higher education institutions in Ethiopia. A total of fifty-five final-year students were purposefully sampled with the results that these students severely lacked the requisite competencies and proficiencies in areas and skills that are crucial for personal and professional advancement in higher education. The study also observes that the training of university students does not sufficiently incorporate practical experiences and effective exposure to the tools and methods that schools employ to provide robust special education services. The study, based on the analysis of knowledge of the Individual Education Plan, concludes that final-year students involved in this study lack the requisite competencies, experiences and proficiencies which are key skills necessary for special education teachers.