Bachelor's Degree Level Research Articles

Clusters of Sociodemographic Characteristics and Their Association with Food Insecurity in Mexican University Students.

Food insecurity (FI) expresses irregular access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food. We analyze the association between clusters of sociodemographic characteristics and FI in university students from Mexico. The Latin American and Caribbean Food Security Scale was applied, and household type, socioeconomic status (SES), and the characteristics of the head of the household, among others, were asked in a cross-sectional study. We performed Two-Step cluster analysis and logistic regression models. We included 466 university students (72.5% women, 47% with FI). We identified three clusters; Cluster-1 (n = 163) included a single-parent (37.4%) or co-resident/roommate (27%) household type, middle SES (63.2%); the head of the household is usually a woman (76.1%), single (71.8%), and with bachelor's degree (41.7%) or less educational level (46.6%). Cluster-2 (n = 144) included the nuclear (89.6%) household type, high SES (76.4%); the head of the household is usually a man (79.2%), in a relationship (99.3%), and with a bachelor's degree (63.2%) or graduate level (33.3%). Cluster-3 (n = 147) is very similar to Cluster-2. The difference is that Cluster-3 includes middle SES (70.1%), and the head of the household's educational level is high school or less (100%). Only belonging to Cluster-1 was positively associated with FI (OR = 1.96, 95%CI: 1.24, 3.09). These results show the interrelationships between multiple sociodemographic characteristics and should contribute to developing interventions that simultaneously address numerous sociodemographic factors to diminish FI in university students.

A Reflective Report to Educational Policymakers: Field Expertise Status of Translation Programs in Turkish State Universities

This qualitative study investigates the educational background and fields of expertise of faculty members in English translation programs at the bachelor's degree level in state universities of Türkiye. Despite the prevalence of these programs across Turkish universities, a discrepancy emerges between the faculty members' doctoral qualifications and the specialized field of Translation Studies. The research aims to reveal the academic landscape of these programs by examining the doctoral disciplines of faculty members, utilizing data primarily sourced from the YÖK (Council of Higher Education) Atlas Database and the YÖK (Council of Higher Education) Academic Database. When information is unavailable in the database above, university websites serve as supplementary data sources. This methodological approach enables a comprehensive analysis of the extent to which academic program qualifications align with the field of Translation Studies. Preliminary findings indicate a significant underrepresentation of faculty with doctoral degrees in Translation Studies, suggesting a potential misalignment between program expertise and the specialized training needs of translation programs. This study underscores the crucial link between the program's field-specific expertise and the quality of training, highlighting the need for policy interventions aimed at bolstering the recruitment and development of academically qualified faculty in the discipline of Translation Studies. The implications of this research extend beyond academia, informing policymakers and educational administrators about the importance of aligning educational offerings with program qualifications to enhance the educational outcomes of translation programs in Türkiye.

The Relationship between Nurses’ Attitudes towards Evidence-Based Nursing and Barriers to Research Utilization: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Objective: This study was conducted to determine the relationship between nurses’ attitudes towards evidence-based nursing and barriers to the use of research. Methods: This study was a descriptive cross-sectional survey. The study carried out with 500 nurses working in a state hospital in Turkey. The data were collected with using a Nurse Descriptive Form, the Evidence‐Based Nursing Attitude Questionnaire and the Barriers to Research Utilization Scale. The analysis of data was used the independent sample t-test, ANOVA test, Kruskal Wallis analyses, post hoc test (Tamhane’s), Mann Whitney U-test, and Pearson’s product moment correlation. Results: The mean age of the nurses was 31.50 ± 7.57 years, 72.6% of them were female, and 54.4% had bachelor degree level education. The nurses’ Attitude Scale item total mean score was 3.58 ± 0.48. The belief subscale of this scale has the highest score with 3.80 ± 0.59. The nurses’ Barriers Scale item total mean was 2.65 ± 0.28. On this scale, the subscale with the highest score was setting, with 3.04 ± 0.47. Nurses’ between attitude and barriers scale item total mean was found a weak correlation (r = 0.199, p < .05). Conclusion: Nurses had highly positive attitudes towards evidence-based nursing. They had a medium level of barriers to the use of research. The nurses’ greatest barriers came from the subscale of setting. Even though nurses’ scores on attitudes towards evidence-based nursing were high, it was seen that there were barriers to the use of research. For this reason, a plan should be developed to increase nurses' knowledge and awareness of the research process that will increase compliance with future protocol practices, through the implementation of evidence-based nursing and identifying barriers to research use.

Who earns engineering degrees? Detecting longitudinal data trends with infographics

AbstractTypical data available to engineering educators about the state of degrees awarded is disseminated via various groups. The most salient limitations to each of these sources are a lack of disaggregating data by multiple personal identities and an annualized reporting schedule hindering interpretations over time. This analysis ascertains how female degrees earned in engineering changed for bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree levels from 2005 to 2021. We sought to understand trends by disaggregating ASEE records by gender, race, and engineering discipline. Data gathered from EDMS were cleaned, analyzed, and visualized, following principles for data sense making and human factors. Results highlight women gravitating towards Biological, Environmental, and Computational engineering disciplines. The total number of all degrees awarded is increasing for all genders in all disciplines, but these trends are not evenly distributed across disciplines. While it is true that the overall proportion of women in engineering wavered near 20%, this statistic does not tell the whole story of what has been occurring in engineering. By disaggregating infographics, we tracked percentage growth in certain fields as well as overall increases in number of degrees awarded at all levels of higher education. Future research is needed to determine causes for women's choices in engineering.

Formation of the foreign language competence of future physical education teachers when working with digital didactic flash cards

The problem and the aim of the study. Modernization of higher education opens up new prospects for the use of electronic resources in ensuring the quality of foreign language education. The use of interactive tools (simulators, flash cards, virtual boards) meets the requirements for training programs of physical education teachers and the challenges of the international sports movement. The purpose of the work is to study the possibilities of using digital flash cards in training future physical education teachers to develop their foreign language communicative competence. Research methods. The study involved 54 first- and second-year students of Vyatka State University (Faculty of Pedagogy and Psychology) (Russian Federation). Training program: 44.03.01 Pedagogical education, Physical education and sports (bachelor's degree level). The Quizlet online platform was used to work with digital flash cards. The test contains questions grouped into the blocks “Digital educational technologies” and “Foreign language in communication (physical education and sports)”. For statistical processing of data, the Pearson's chi-squared test was used. Results. The system of working with flash cards in foreign language professional communication of physical education teachers is described: studying the functionality, working with ready-made sets of cards, automating and improving lexical units, developing thematic sets. A special feature of the program is the adaptation of its content to the specifics of the field of study. In independent work and online collaboration, students of the experimental group used Flashcards, Speller, Scatter, Quizlet Live modes. Statistically significant differences in the qualitative changes that occurred in the level of foreign language training were determined (χ2 = 8.179; p < 0.05). In conclusion, the possibilities of including flash cards in the training of physical education teachers are formulated: competition and receiving positive emotions; resources for self-development, etc. Difficulties are also highlighted: low initial level of language qualification and digital skills; different motivation; dependence of the learning process on sports specialization.

A population-based study of 15,000 people on Knowledge and awareness of lung cancer symptoms and risk factors in Saudi Arabia.

Lung cancer is currently the most fatal form of cancer worldwide, ranking as the fourth most prevalent type in Saudi Arabia, particularly among males. This trend is expected to increase with growing population, lifestyle changes, and aging population. Understanding the awareness of the Saudi population regarding the risk factors and symptoms of lung cancer is necessary to attenuate the predicted increase in cases. A cross-sectional, population-based survey was performed using a previously validated questionnaire (Lung CAM). Multiple linear regression analysis was used to assess variables associated with deficiency in knowledge and awareness of risk factors and symptoms of lung cancer. Majority of the 15,099 respondents were male (65%), aged between 18 and 30 years (53%), 50% of which were educated up to a bachelor's degree level. Overall awareness of lung cancer signs and symptoms was 53%, with painful cough and coughing up blood being the best-known symptoms. Conversely, persistent shoulder pain (44%) and clubbing fingers (47%) were the least known lung cancer symptoms. Also, 60% of the respondents showed low confidence in identifying the signs and symptoms of lung cancer. The overall awareness of the risk factors for lung cancer development was 74%, with first-hand (74%) and second-hand (68%) smoking being the most known risk factors. However, only ≤ 62% know the other non-smoking risk factors. Awareness of the risk factors and symptoms of lung cancer depended on age, gender, education, marital and employment status (p < 0.001). Public awareness of the risk factors and symptoms of lung cancer in Saudi Arabia is inadequate and heavily dependent on education and socio-economic status. Awareness can be improved through campaigns to raise awareness about other lesser-known lung cancer risk factors and symptoms.

Private practitioners' practices for tuberculosis management in a city largely served by the private health sector in Uganda.

Globally, tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality having caused 1.6 million deaths in 2021. Uganda is a high TB burden country with a large private sector that serves close to 60% of the urban population. However, private for-profit health facilities' involvement with the National TB and Leprosy Program (NTLP) activities remains poor. This study evaluated the practices of diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) and associated factors among practitioners in private for-profit (PFP) healthcare facilities in Kampala, Uganda. We conducted a cross-sectional study among randomly selected private practitioners in Uganda's largest city, Kampala. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Descriptive statistics and generalized linear models with log Poisson link were used to analyze data. Practices were graded as standard or substandard. Of the 630 private practitioners studied, 46.2% (95% confidence interval (CI): 26.6 to 67.1) had overall standard practices. Being a laboratory technician (prevalence ratio (PR) = 2.7, p< 0.001) or doctor (PR = 1.2, p< 0.001), a bachelor's degree level of qualification (PR = 1.1, p = 0.021), quarterly supervision by the national TB program (PR = 1.3, p = 0.023), and acceptable knowledge of the practitioner about TB (PR = 1.8, p<0.001) were significantly associated with standard practices. The practices of TB management for practitioners from the PFP facilities in Kampala are suboptimal and this poses a challenge for the fight against TB given that these practitioners are a major source of primary health care in the city.

Содержание цикла социально-гуманитарных дисциплин в образовательных программах технических вузов: практика и перспектива

For many years, the higher education system has been in a state of constant complex and contradictory modifications, which led to a change in the status and list of social and humanitarian disciplines in the educational programs of technical universities. In the article, using the example of one direction of engineering training, it is considered how the content of the cycle of social and humanitarian disciplines in the state educational standards of three generations has changed. The analysis of the content of the cycle of social and humanitarian disciplines in the curricula of existing educational programs in the areas of engineering training (bachelor's degree level) of a number of technical universities is carried out. Recommendations are given on the implementation of social and humanitarian disciplines in the design of new educational programs in accordance with the fourth-generation Federal State Educational Standard in accordance with the requirements of the time, modern science, society and the individual.

DOMINANT TOURISM EDUCATIONAL AND RESEARCH REASONING: A CRITIQUE TO PORTUGAL’S CASE

In this article, we present a reflexive criticism of the Portuguese university level tourism education by analyzing CAE’s evaluations (External Evaluation Commissions) that the A3ES (https://www.a3es.pt/) has been doing at Bachelor's, master's and PhD degree level in Tourism courses. In our analysis, we underline the role of interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary in curriculums and CAE’s subjective appraisals which reduce tourism to a technical, managerial, mercantile, and neoliberal research exercise, following academic capitalist principles (Ayikoru et al., 2009; Slaughter &amp; Larry, 1997). The proposed multidisciplinary of two CAE reports stand as examples of a discourse that camouflages a practice of exclusion, blocking a truly multidisciplinary and cross-disciplinary approach, and the opportunity to consider the potential of partnership between tourism studies research reasoning and other related disciplines and approaches. This has reduced tourism training and education to a homogeneous, monodisciplinary, reductionism, endogamic, quantitative and positivist practice (Dredge et al., 2014; Franklin &amp; Crang, 2001; Hsu, 2006; Jafari, 2005, 2007; Pereiro, 2017), recognizing only hyperspecialized educational models and tourism curriculums as valid. CAEs abusively promotion of a technical and managerial specialization of tourism professionals dismisses those that establish interdisciplinary partnerships between tourism and other fields of knowledge which favour a complex humanistic training (cf. Pereiro, 2017).

The formation of foreign language competence of future teachers when working with flash cards

Problem statement . The modernization of higher education is a good ground for the use of electronic resources in ensuring accessibility, continuity and quality of teaching foreign languages. The use of interactive tools (simulators, flash cards, virtual whiteboards) meets the requirements to educational training programs for students of pedagogical directions and the challenges of modern society. A flash card is a card with a word, a concept, an image on one side and a translation on the other. The study aimed at substantiating the effectiveness of the use of flash cards for the formation of foreign language competence of future teachers. Methodology . Theoretical and methodological analysis and generalization were used to determine trends in the development of language education, the inclusion of informatization tools in foreign language activities and professional communication. The online platform Quizlet was chosen to work with ready-made flash cards and to create new thematic sets in digital format. The questions for the control work grouped into two blocks “Digital educational technologies” (50 points) and “Foreign language in professional communication” (50 points) were compiled. The study involved 54 students from Vyatka State University (the direction of 44.03.05 “Pedagogical education”, with two training profiles, bachelor's degree level). Pearson's chi-squared criterion was applied at the stage of statistical processing of the results. Results . The system of working with flash cards in the foreign language professional communication of future teachers is described: the study of the Quizlet functionality, working with ready-made sets of cards, automating and improving lexical units, developing their own thematic sets. In the course of independent work and network collaboration the students of the experimental group used Flashcards, Speller, Scatter, Quizlet Live modes. Statistically significant differences in the qualitative changes that occurred in the level of formation of foreign language competence were determined. Conclusion. The use of flash cards in the preparation of students of pedagogical specialties has a significant didactic potential for the development of their foreign language competence: the effect of immersion, competitiveness and obtaining positive emotions; resources for independent language learning in extracurricular time; overcoming the language barrier in the virtual gaming environment of information interaction. However, there are some drawbacks: monotony of forms for tests, lack of opportunity to practice pronunciation, partial support of operating modes in the mobile version.

Entrepreneurial inclinations among student-teachers in the School of Education, University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

The aim of this study was to investigate whether there is a statistically significant mean difference in various entrepreneurial tendencies (including the need for achievement, need for autonomy, creative tendency, calculated risk-taking, and internal locus of control) between student-teachers who have received university entrepreneurship education (Bachelor of Education in Commerce) and those who have not (Bachelor of Education in Adult and Community Education) at the School of Education, University of Dar es Salaam. The study focused on a total sample size of 36 participants, utilizing an independent sample t-test (two-tailed) to compare mean differences. Given the limited sample size, the study's findings are applicable only to student-teachers at the Bachelor's degree level at the School of Education, University of Dar es Salaam, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere Mlimani Campus. Except for the need for autonomy, no statistically significant mean difference was observed among the target population. The study recommends further research to investigate the reasons behind the statistically significant mean difference in terms of the need for autonomy between recipients and non-recipients of university entrepreneurship education at the study location

Digital communication use before and during COVID among residential older adults

Many older adults living in residential care facilities do not use digital communication technologies. The study was a retrospective pre-post study testing the impact of a digital communication program instituted at two Continuing Care Retirement Communities. We distributed a survey between March 2021 and April 2021 to examine study objectives. Data analyses were performed using JMP Pro 16.1 and SAS 9.4. One hundred twenty-six people started the survey, with 120 completing the survey and included in the analysis. The mean age was 84 years, 67.5% were female, 95.8% were White, 64.2% were widowed, and 35.3% reported at least a bachelor's degree level of education. There were minimal increases in digital communication behavior and communication frequency. Older adults most notably reported privacy concerns and have mixed responses about the utility of digital communication for social engagement. We apply the results to the Stage of Change model and provide recommendations to promote behavior change.

The effect of e-commerce, the use of accounting information systems and financial knowledge in decision making for entrepreneurship

An entrepreneur is said to be able to compete in the business world when they are able to adapt to the changes that occur, including technological developments. The development of information technology in today's business world plays an important role for entrepreneurs in running and developing their businesses. This is because information technology provides convenience for transactions in an efficient and effective manner. The existence of information technology today has led to an increase in entrepreneurs utilizing and using information technology. This study aims to obtain evidence regarding the effect of e-commerce, the use of accounting information systems, and financial knowledge on decision-making for entrepreneurship. This research was conducted at Warmadewa University. The data collection method used in this study was a survey method with a questionnaire technique. The population in this study were accounting students at Bachelor Degree, Diploma Degree, and Associate Degree levels at Warmadewa University who have status as active students. The data used in this study is primary data obtained by distributing questionnaires directly to respondents using a purposive sampling technique. The data analysis used is multiple linear regression.

Исследование мотивации выпускников в получении и продолжении педагогического образования

Introduction. “A teacher, if they are honest, must always be an intent learner” (Maxim Gorky). Education is a process that continues throughout a teacher's professional career and is an essential element in their growth and development as a specialist. The question of motivation in obtaining and continuing pedagogical education is related to the specific nature of the teacher's work as a translator of incentives to understand the reality. The purpose of this study was to examine the motives for obtaining and continuing pedagogical education. Materials and methods. The article presents the results analysis of a poll survey of graduates of pedagogical specialties at various levels of education: vocational training, bachelor's degree level, and master's degree level (176 people). The survey considered the aspects that reveal educational motivation, such as the probability of continuing education, the planned level and direction of training, the optimal form of education, motives for choosing a specialty, evaluation of the mastering quality level of educational programs, assessment of the teaching process at the university, evaluation of the situation with jobs while studying and prospects in the labor market, evaluation of professional training, and recommendations for improving the structure and content of educational programs. Results. Most of the surveyed graduates at all levels of education (69%) have a clear understanding of their prospects in the system of continuous pedagogical education. Students at the vocational education level are the most motivated to continue their education, while master's degree students are more motivated to realize themselves in their chosen profession. However, at the bachelor's degree level, serious difficulties arise in maintaining motivation to continue pedagogical education. Graduates at all levels of education are increasingly opting for alternative directions when choosing further education. The poll results show that participation in practical activities plays a huge motivational role in professional training. However, students note a lack of such activities, including all types of internships. Conclusion. The data we gathered on the motives for obtaining and continuing pedagogical education should be taken into account when implementing the principles of continuous education.

The mediating effect of attitude towards online advertising in the influence of social media addiction on online purchase intention

This study aims to investigate the relationship between consumers' social media addiction (SMA) levels and their online purchasing intentions (OPI) while examining the mediating role of attitudes towards online advertisements (ATOA) in this relationship. Additionally, the study aims to explore whether the demographic characteristics of consumers influence their levels of SMA, ATOA, and OPI. An online questionnaire consisting of the ATOA, SMA, OPI scales and demographic characteristics was shared with 402 participants using convenience sampling. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling were applied to the data. T-tests, ANOVA, Levene, Tukey, and Tamhane T2 tests were used for difference analysis. According to the results, social media addiction positively affects the attitude towards online advertising and purchase intention. There is a partial mediating effect of the attitude towards online advertising in the effect of social media addiction on online purchase intention. Discriminant analysis results show that social media addiction is higher among single students between 18 and 25. While the attitude of young and single students towards online advertisements is more positive, the attitude towards online advertisements is more negative in consumers aged 36 and over compared to other consumers. Online purchase intention is higher in female consumers with a bachelor's degree or higher education level and lower in consumers over 36 years of age with a low-income level. Thus, it is recommended that practitioners focus on this target group in online advertising.

Characterizing the landscape of plant science careers in the United States I: Government and private sector perspectives

Societal Impact StatementHumans are dependent upon plants for oxygen, food, textiles, and medicines. Climate change and deforestation represent serious threats to our planet, causing significant disruptions to our ability to access and utilize these plant resources; this makes a botanically literate workforce and plant science careers more important than ever. Unfortunately, the current state of botanical career opportunities and training programs in the United States remains unclear. This study focuses on the current employment trends of government and private sector botanists and what skills future plant scientists will need to be successful in these careers.Summary Plant science plays a crucial role in our society and in ongoing efforts to address many global challenges, including food insecurity and climate change. Yet, despite a predicted increase in plant science career opportunities in the United States, the botanical career landscape outside of academia is not well understood. To further our understanding of the training required for non‐academic botanical careers, the botanical sub‐disciplines used on the job, and career challenges faced by plant scientists, we surveyed 61 scientists working in government and 59 scientists working in the private sector in the United States. In both career sectors, &gt; 80% of survey participants reported recent hires at the bachelor's degree level. New personnel with master's degrees were more commonly reported in the government sector (95%) than in the private sector (69%). Most plant scientists working in government reported a focus on plant ecology and resource management. By contrast, most industry/non‐profit work involved horticulture and biotechnology, with some specific skills spanning both sectors. Notably, one prediction made nearly a decade ago appears to be manifesting: plant scientists seem to be retiring more quickly than they are being replaced. Survey respondents reported that attempts to hire full‐time staff are met with obstacles, including insufficient funding. Plant science professionals in both career sectors emphasized their routine use of botanical skills developed as students, highlighting the need for effective training at the undergraduate level. We discuss the implications of these findings and present several recommendations for preparing future generations of plant scientists and increasing the scientific community's botanical capacity.

Analisis Kepatuhan Wajib Pajak Orang Pribadi Berdasarkan Gender, Jenis Pekerjaan, dan Tingkat Pendidikan

In contrast to previous research which discussed the factors that influence taxpayer compliance, this study will measure how differences in the level of individual taxpayer compliance are based on the factors that influence it. This difference is measured using the variables gender, type of work and educational level of taxpayers registered at KPP Pratama Padang Satu. The data collection method used in this study was a questionnaire. The population of this study is taxpayers registered at KPP Pratama Padang Satu, with 100 respondents. While the method of data analysis and hypothesis testing used independent t-test and Kruskal Wallis. The result of this study is proves that there is no difference between female and male taxpayers in fulfilling individual taxpayer compliance. This study proves that there are differences between employee and non-employee taxpayers in fulfilling individual taxpayer compliance. This study proves that there are differences between taxpayers with high school education, Associate's degree, Bachelor degree, and Masters education levels in fulfilling individual taxpayer compliance. This research is expected to make a practical contribution to the government to provide socialization to taxpayers to be more obedient in paying taxes.

The influences of corporate policies for COVID-19 on work stress and anxiety among healthcare employees.

During the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, if it is considered that educated manpower is the most valuable resource of countries, it can be thought that various policies should be developed both at the macro- and micro-levels to minimize the loss of healthcare employees. This study aims to determine the effects of the corporate policies for COVID-19 on the work stress and anxiety of healthcare employees. The sample of the study consists of 136 of 265 healthcare employees in Sakarya Provincial Health Directorate Emergency Health Services in Turkey. The average age of the participants was 34.43 years, and the average duration of professional experience was 12.12 years. Approximately 61% of the participants are male and 51% have a bachelor's degree or higher level. A questionnaire form was used in the study as the data collection tool consisting of socio-demographic characteristics, institutional policies on COVID-19, work stress, and the Status Anxiety Scale. Process Macro Model 4, descriptive statistics and correlation analysis were used for the data analysis. According to the results of the study, the corporate policies for COVID-19 perception of participants were above average (3.30±0.82) while work stress (2.99±0.88) and anxiety (2.65±0.56) were below average. The corporate policies for COVID-19 perception of participants reduced their work stress (β= - 0.430) and anxiety (β= - 0.361). Additionally, anxiety played a mediating role in the effect of the corporate policies for COVID-19 perception on work stress, and it further raised the impact of corporate policies for COVID-19 perception on the work stress reduction (β= - 0.169). During the COVID-19 pandemic, health managers should determine and control the anxiety and stress levels of the health employees on their staff and take a number of steps to reduce their anxiety and stress.

Philippine landscape heritage education: review of the preparedness of landscape architecture curricula in the Philippines for cultural landscape heritage conservation specialization

PurposeThis paper serves as a pilot study for the education of cultural landscape heritage conservation (CLHC) and review the preparedness of landscape architecture curricula in the Philippines for the CLHC specialization. It proposes the utilization of the “Geodesign” framework in formulating a developmental process and validation of the interrelationship and collaborative activity created by the thematic areas towards landscape heritage education and professionalization. The goal of the study is to create new possibilities for the profession through the study and professionalization of cultural landscapes, thus, raising awareness and significance of cultural heritage and heritage conservation in the lenses of the Philippine landscapes.Design/methodology/approachThe research opted for literature reviews, comprehensive desktop reviews of the landscape architecture syllabi of higher education institutions (HEIs) and SWOT and PESTEL analyses as qualitative assessments, including stakeholder feedback discussions with the current four (4) HEIs, Philippine Association of Landscape Architects (PALA), Technical Committee for Landscape Architecture, Commission on Higher Education (TCLA CHED), Professional Regulation Commission–Board of Landscape Architecture (PRC–BOLA) and the ICOMOS IFLA International Scientific Committee on Cultural Landscapes, National Philippine Committee (Philippine NSCCL). The data were complemented by a quantitative assessment using Leopold and Lohani and Thann assessment matrix on importance (without considering magnitude), and for this study, it is the level of preparedness and integration.FindingsThe paper brings forth to the conclusion that the landscape architecture curricula at the bachelor's degree level of the University of the Philippines – Diliman (UP – Diliman) in Quezon City and University of San Carlos (USC) in Cebu are prepared to integrate and/or consider updating their respective curriculum in accordance to the CLHC specialization. The curricula of Bulacan State University (BulSU) in Malolos, Bulacan, and the University of San Agustin (USA) in Iloilo may need to consider introducing courses related to the thematic areas to be able to create an area of basis for integration.Research limitations/implicationsThe study is initiated as part of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) Philippines Internship programme during a master degree study wherein the research is bounded within the limit of its duration. Therefore, the study was able to only identify and chose the possible thematic areas and course concentrations for the specialization of CLHC; select, review and propose courses related to CLHC; screen courses from the landscape architecture curricula of the universities based on its course title, course information (if provided) and cross–checked with Government syllabi; and allocation of units and time per identified course as well as required prerequisite from thematic areas was not covered in this study.Practical implicationsThe paper can be used as a tool to engage discussions with the PRC–BOLA in its development of the specialization of CLHC currently being planned. Study topics and themes identified can be the starting point of training programmes that can benefit students of the current four universities in the study and landscape architecture professionals alike. This will eventually translate to benefits to society as heritage conservation methodologies are developed by practitioners who can apply such knowledge to places of cultural and natural significance and develop learnings to concrete heritage laws and policies protecting landscapes.Originality/valueThis paper serves as a pilot study for the education and professionalization of CLHC in the Philippines. Significantly, the development of CLHC specialization in the Philippines shall open various opportunities in developing Philippine cultural landscape heritage conservationists trained at the local context.

Changing the model of radiography practice: Challenges of role advancement and future needs for radiographers working in the UAE

IntroductionThe radiographers' role in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is focused on image acquisition with a willingness to accept advanced practice roles after appropriate education and training. Radiographers working in the UAE are highly motivated and ambitious to achieve those internationally identified levels of professional recognition and opportunities for role advancement. This study investigates the radiographers’ perspectives, perceptions and hopes for role advancement in the UAE. MethodsA qualitative research study design using Focus Group Discussions (FGD) was used to elicit the perceptions of radiographers. Participants were radiographers working in the hospitals and clinics supervised by the Ministry of Health and Prevention. Participants were asked about the recognized tasks defined as advancement roles, needs for roles clinically, challenges and requirements to prepare radiographers to participate in extended/developed roles. The discussions were audio recorded and later transcribed by an independent research assistant. Thematic analysis was used for data analysis Results29 radiographers participated in the FGDs, and 83% (n = 24) were interested in role advancement. FGD revealed that their current practice showed some informal extended role that may promote career progression. The most significant challenges identified by participants was their knowledge level as provided by the current curriculum and the need for education and licensing body support to accommodate change. ConclusionThe study identified a need for education and licensing body support to enable change in roles by radiographers, through improving radiographer knowledge and experience for role advancement. Implications for practiceTo sustain role advancement, formal intense training and education are necessary, normally above bachelor's degree level. Furthermore, establishing standards, licensing organizations/professional bodies should be part of the transformation of the profession to enable internationally recognized models to be followed.