University Research Articles

Chronicling digital teaching at a South African historically disadvantaged comprehensive university: navigating institutional culture for agricultural sciences academics

ABSTRACT This article presents a pragmatic study that explored academics’ experiences of using digital learning environments to teach agricultural sciences at a South African historically disadvantaged university. The study aimed to investigate challenges faced in integrating technology and proposes a contextually responsive approach to digital platform adoption in rural university settings. A mixed methods approach was adopted, involving reflective activities, one-on-one semi-structured interviews, focus-group discussion, and document analysis. Triangulation enhanced credibility through classroom observations and quantitative data collection. Two main themes emerged: pedagogical effectiveness, highlighting efforts to align digital tools with academic standards, and institutional culture, highlighting cultural norms, social relationships, and contextual realities on academics’ experiences. Using UTAUT2 model, findings revealed that while academics recognised the potential benefits of using prescribed digital platforms, they often customise their teaching with casual/informal platforms to reflect their personal identities and meet the needs of agricultural science modules. The study introduces a Contextually Adaptive Tech-Enhanced Pedagogy model, designed to improve the personalisation and quality within digital learning environments at historically disadvantaged higher education institutions. This study contributes to the growing discussion on contextually adaptive digital teaching practices, offering insights for inclusive and transformative teaching experiences in agricultural sciences.

Faculty perceptions of a professional development program for developing CUREs and promoting inclusive and equitable teaching.

The Diffusion of Innovations (DOI) model can be used to explore how faculty prioritize learning about and adopting new pedagogical approaches. Here, we use the DOI framework to contextualize biology faculty perceptions of a professional development (PD) program designed to help them create a full semester course-based undergraduate research experience (CURE) class at a large, public comprehensive university. PD sessions included exploring self-reflexive identity while fostering inclusive classroom spaces through understanding and interrupting implicit bias and microaggressions. This qualitative study sought to determine 11 biology faculty members' beliefs about the influence of their year-long PD on their CURE development and teaching practices. Findings suggest that faculty were motivated to teach CUREs for a variety of reasons. A common incentive was integrating research into a CURE to bring their passion into their classroom and to engage more students in research. This may be particularly important at institutions where faculty have a heavy teaching load. Faculty also reported modifying their teaching in their CUREs and other courses to be more inclusive and equitable. The importance of peer interactions in the PD was emphasized repeatedly as faculty learned from experts, the literature, and faculty who had already developed a CURE. Our results illustrate that a community of practice structure can enhance the learning aspect of the community, helping faculty consider their implementation of inclusive, equitable, and high-impact practices as an ongoing educational process for themselves and emphasizing the importance of reflection and iteration in a DOI framework.

Current situation and characteristics of discipline crossing in Chinese first-class comprehensive university based on the statistical analysis of high-quality academic output in the past five years

Current situation and characteristics of discipline crossing in Chinese first-class comprehensive university based on the statistical analysis of high-quality academic output in the past five years

Serving Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Students: Examining How Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions Build Students' Capacities

Abstract: This study examines how Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANAPISI) serve Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AA&NHPI) students. Through a two-site case study of a community college on the west coast and a regional comprehensive university on the east coast, this study details the processes that are undertaken to serve and enhance the educational experiences of AA&NHPI students by building their capacities. Findings suggests that federally-funded AANAPISIs design and implement their programs in a manner that reflects the lived experiences and realities of AA&NHPI students through academic coursework, co-curricular programming, and research opportunities, in an intentional and strategic multilayered process, which resembles a developmental nested design focused on five thematic domains. Implications for policy, practice, and research are also offered to advance the work of AANAPISIs.

THE VALUE OF COMMUNITY–UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIPS IN GHANA: IMPLEMENTING CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE DEMENTIA EDUCATION

Abstract Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias have not been given much attention in sub-Saharan Africa. Although the prevalence of dementia in Ghana is not yet established, those who present cognitive impairment are often stigmatized, discriminated against, or physically harmed by community members. The mistreatment may be due to a lack of dementia knowledge and awareness in Ghana. Recognizing the critical need to increase dementia knowledge and awareness in Ghana, Alzheimer’s Ghana (Ghana), AlterDementia (US), and researchers from the University of Georgia and Emory University (US) partnered to develop and implement a culturally adapted and relevant dementia education intervention. Through a series of collaborative sessions, both organizations and researchers co-created educational materials and intervention strategies addressing dementia awareness and knowledge. Education sessions consisted of a dementia overview, brain health overview, community testimonies, local resources, question and answer session, and closing remarks. Community-based participatory research principles were used to engage public officials, faith-based organizations, television personalities, healthcare professionals, secondary school educators, and researchers in Ghana to facilitate nine dementia education sessions, spanning 15-90 minutes, to over 800 participants across four regions of Ghana. Surveys and field notes were used to collect demographic and dementia knowledge and awareness data. Preliminary findings suggest promising avenues for improving dementia knowledge and reducing stigma. This work underscores the value of community-university partnerships to culturally adapt evidence-based interventions to advance ongoing community initiatives addressing dementia.

Analysis of Research Trends and Characteristics of Climate Change and Carbon Neutrality Experts at Seoul National University

Research and practice aimed at achieving carbon neutrality cannot be approached by a single academic discipline. Instead, integrative and comprehensive research across various fields, such as natural sciences, engineering, and social sciences, is essential. Accordingly, achieving carbon neutrality requires multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research that encompasses a scientific understanding of climate change, solutions, and implementation systems across natural sciences, engineering, and social sciences. However, education, research, and policy activities related to carbon neutrality within the university are often conducted within the limited scope of departments or colleges, lacking a comprehensive and holistic approach at the university-wide level. As a world-class research-focused and comprehensive university, Seoul National University urgently needs to establish a network for integrated research on climate change and carbon neutrality. Therefore, this study was conducted to gather basic information for the establishment of a climate change and carbon neutrality convergence network at Seoul National University. 128 experts participated in the survey, and the results revealed that active research is being conducted across various fields, including technology development, policy research, climate science, and humanities and social sciences. Notably, significant research activity was observed in technology development and climate science, with policy research and humanities and social sciences also playing crucial roles. Based on the results of this study, three policy recommendations were proposed: enhancing information sharing and collaboration opportunities, establishing a multidisciplinary research network, and promoting a virtual university platform. These recommendations aim to further develop the research at Seoul National University in a more integrated and collaborative manner and serve as a valuable foundation for achieving carbon neutrality and addressing climate change goals domestically and internationally.

Socialization and Digital Marketing Assistance to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Squid Goyang By Applying Tamansiswa Teachings "TRI N (Niteni, Nirokke, Nambahi)"

Students of the Management Study Programme, Faculty of Economics, Sarjanawiyata Tamansiswa University (UST) held a community service activity with Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) partner ‘Cumi Bergoyang’ located in the Alun-alun Kidul area of Yogyakarta. This activity aims to apply digital marketing to Cumi Bergoyang MSMEs in accordance with being able to compete with other businesses and reach a wider market share, this counseling and mentoring activity also applies the Tamansiswa Teachings, namely Tri N (Niteni, Nirokke, Nambahi) in helping MSMEs understand and implement digital marketing concepts. The method used in this abdimas activity is Participatory Learning and Action (PLA), which is given in accordance with the conditions of the partners and the needs of the problems faced by the abdimas partners, then the abdimas team provides solutions in the form of training programmes that involve hands-on practice using social media platforms Instagram and Tiktok as a means of promotion used in business activities. The implication of this abdimas activity is that MSME partners ‘Cumi Bergoyang’ can increase revenue turnover and maximise promotional reach in an increasingly competitive digital era.

The Role Of Quality Service In Increase Satisfaction Customers : A Study In Business University Hospitality

Study This aiming For analyze dimensions Quality Services, analyzing attribute services, and analyze influence Quality Service to Satisfaction Customers in Business Hospitality. Open University (UT), as State Universities with Legal Entities (SU-LE) in Indonesia, operate various business units, including service hospitality like guesthouse and facilities meeting. Research This focus on analysis quality service and satisfaction customer in service UT's hospitality. UT aims to For increase flow non- tuition income through operation his business, making quality service the hospitality as aspect important from its performance in a way overall. Respondents who completed study This as many as 379 customers guesthouse and facilities meeting . Data used in study This is primary data sourced from from questionnaires distributed​ to customers. The research method used is analysis gap analysis, IPA analysis, and Structural Equation Model. Variables that influence satisfaction customer is variable tangible and responsive, whereas variables that can dependable, reassuring and empathetic No influence satisfaction UT guest house customers. Research This contribute to the attributes quality service and satisfaction customer in business state university hospitality. Research This is exploration preference every customer about perceived satisfaction and level​ the expected importance For services provided by a business hospitality.

Problem characteristics of problem-based learning in hospitality and tourism education

ABSTRACT The aim of this qualitative study is to examine problem characteristics that facilitate the achievement of problem-based learning outcomes in hospitality and tourism education. Rooted in constructivist grounded theory, 64 in-depth interviews were held with hospitality and tourism postgraduates who had attended a marketing course including problem-based learning activities offered at a comprehensive research university. A theoretical framework comprising six problem-level attributes (measurable, ethically sound, applicable to the real world, innovative, theoretically sound, stakeholder-diversified) and three learner-level attributes (peer discussion, teacher discussion, and sharing) was proposed to support problem design in problem-based learning. These findings theoretically expand the problem-based learning literature into hospitality and tourism education. The results provide administrators and educators with a basis for designing problem-based learning activities in hospitality and tourism.

DT-fuzzy DEMATEL: a new method for determining important factors for student satisfaction with e-course adoption in a Vietnamese university

PurposeAs emerging e-course providers after the COVID-19 crisis, universities (UNI) policymakers in the Mekong Delta region (MDR) have faced difficulties owing to limited clues about what factors improve student retention and recruitment. This study aims to determine important factors (IF) for student satisfaction with e-course adoption (e-satisfaction) for student retention and recruitment.Design/methodology/approachSurvey data collected from 850 students of the target UNI were analyzed using the DT-fuzzy DEMATEL method. Input factor dimensions included course design, technical infrastructure, interaction, teacher-related and student-related factors. Decision Trees (DT) confirmed the final factors; fuzzy decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) was used to establish the cause-effect relationships among these factors.FindingsDT-fuzzy DEMATEL method can identify satisfied and dissatisfied students (accuracy = 94.95%) and determine IFs successfully. The most IFs included new and useful knowledge/information provided, various effective teaching methods and motivation to read provided learning materials.Originality/valueAlthough e-satisfaction has been the focus of theories and practices, e-satisfaction in an emerging region like MDR has been studied here for the first time. Most IFs can be used as predictors for e-satisfaction and serve as a primary reference for UNIs’ policymakers. Several practical suggestions were also provided for the sustainable and long-term development of e-programs.

The Effect of Core Stability, Wall Sit, and Squat Training Programs on Balance and Keumgang Makki Performance of Taekwondo Uny Athletes

This research aims (1) to determine the effect of the core stability, wall sit, and squat training program towards the balance of UNY (Yogyakarta State University) taekwondo athletes, (2) to determine the effect of the core stability, wall sit, and squat training program towards the performance of keumgang makki of UNY taekwondo athletes. This research was an experimental study. The research design was "One Groups Pretest-Posttest Design". The research population was UNY taekwondo athletes. The sampling technique used purposive sampling, with the criteria: (1) taekwondo athletes who were still actively participating in UKM UNY (University Taekwondo Club) training, (2) Poomsae athletes with an age range of 18-22 years old, (3) Poomsae athletes who had learned keumgang moves. Based on the criteria, there were 7 athletes who met the requirements. The balance instrument used the Standing Stork Test and the keumgang makki performance used an assessment from the judge. The data analysis used the t test. The results of the research show that (1) There is a significant effect of the core stability, wall sit, and squat training program towards the balance of Taekwondo athletes at UNY, with t count at 5.490 > t table 2.447, and p-value 0.002 < 0.05. The amount of improvement in balance after being given core stability exercises, wall sits and squats is at 17.90%. (2) There is a significant effect of the core stability, wall sit, and squat training program towards the keumgang makki performance of UNY Taekwondo athletes, with t count at 9.212 > t table 2.447, and p-value 0.000 < 0.05. The magnitude of the increase in keumgang performance after being given core stability, wall sit, and squat training is at 28.46%.

The effect of financial literacy and digital payment technology on financial vulnerability: A crucial investigation

This study examines the effect of (1) financial literacy on student financial vulnerability and (2) digital payment technology on student financial vulnerability. This research approach uses a quantitative approach. The method used is the survey method. The population in this study were accounting students of Yogyakarta State University (UNY) batch 2017 - 2023, and the sampling method used convenience sampling. The research sample was obtained from 86 students from the 2017-2023 class and divided into proportions. Hypothesis testing using multiple linear regression analysis. The results of this study indicate that (1) financial literacy does not affect financial vulnerability; (2) digital payment technology has a significant positive effect on financial vulnerability.

Artful learning: early childhood pre-service teachers and art integration

ABSTRACT Early childhood education pre-service teachers (ECE PSTs) often feel unprepared and uneasy about incorporating the arts into their future classrooms. This lack of confidence may limit children’s creative and artistic development. We designed and implemented a collaborative art integration course assignment called the Artful Learning Project to address this issue. This project involved 60 ECE PSTs enrolled in an early childhood curriculum methods course at a comprehensive university in the Northeast. Our findings revealed that while ECE PSTs require further support in integrating art, they demonstrated an emerging understanding of art integration practices after the project. The findings suggest that teacher preparation programs should focus on scaffolding integration concepts, providing instruction about art media, teaching PSTs to use various materials, and demonstrating how to scaffold discussion around works of art. The study underscores the potential of ECE PSTs to integrate art with structured support and training effectively.

Research on Teaching Reform of Basic Medical Courses in Comprehensive Universities Oriented Towards “Clinical Competency”

Through this study, we aim to construct a teaching model for basic medical courses that enhances “clinical competency.” We explore the optimal methods and pathways for the organic integration of exam-oriented teaching and professional teaching, optimize teaching efficiency, improve teaching quality and educational effectiveness, and provide theoretical support for the cultivation of clinical medical talents in China. The goal is to establish a talent cultivation objective oriented towards “clinical competency,” promote the teaching reform of basic medical courses in comprehensive universities, facilitate the transition of basic medical course teaching from “teacher knowledge presentation” to “student knowledge construction,” and cultivate high-quality medical talents with clinical competency.

“People Would Just Say, ‘That Doesn’t Exist’”: An Analysis of the Experiences of Racialized International Students as Settler Colonial, Racial, and Gendered Violence

A growing body of scholarship reveals that racialized international students in the West are disproportionately vulnerable to exploitation and violence on and off university and college campuses, and in public and private spaces. This harm may be due to the actions of individuals (such as landlords, employers, fellow international students, non-international student classmates, professors, strangers, and members of their ethnic communities), as well as the policies and inaction of institutions and governments. These institutional and systemic factors include precarious immigration status and visa and immigration requirements, unregulated homestay programs, unregulated tuition fees, and the intersections of racism, sexism, xenophobia, and Islamophobia. This paper draws on interviews with racialized international students and university employees who provide services to international students at a comprehensive university in Ontario, Canada, and argues that the everyday and structural violence the students may face is best understood as constitutive of the violence of White settler colonialism.

Exploring the impact of artificial intelligence application in personalized learning environments: thematic analysis of undergraduates’ perceptions in China

The burgeoning integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology within educational settings, particularly in personalized learning environments, has garnered significant interest. This paper delves into the perceptions and experiences of undergraduate students in Chinese universities concerning AI’s application in personalized learning. The study surveyed 48 undergraduates from a comprehensive Chinese university who had utilized generative AI, gathering their insights through semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was employed to organize and interpret the data. The findings underscore the positive impact of generative AI on students’ motivation and cognitive skills, alongside concerns regarding potential over-reliance leading to a decline in independent thinking. Student apprehensions include AI accuracy, data privacy, and algorithmic biases. The study advocates for a student-centric approach in AI research, stressing interdisciplinary collaboration to foster AI’s educational application. Additionally, it emphasizes the necessity of teacher training in AI integration to ensure effective pedagogical implementation. Ethical considerations and privacy safeguards in AI utilization are highlighted, signaling crucial areas for further inquiry and practical guidance.

Exploration and Practice of Innovative and Entrepreneurial Talent Training Model in Medical Colleges under the Background of “New Medicine”

Innovation and entrepreneurship education has become one of the important directions of higher education reform, but innovation and entrepreneurship education in medical colleges generally lags behind other discipline universities or comprehensive universities. Actively exploring the training mode of innovation and entrepreneurship talents is of great significance for cultivating innovative medical talents needed by the country and society. At present, innovation and entrepreneurship education in higher medical colleges is facing many challenges, the most important of which include the lack of concept in innovation and entrepreneurship education, medical students’ weak awareness of innovation and entrepreneurship, and poor construction of innovation and entrepreneurship teaching staff. To address these challenges, we will introduce incentive measures for innovation and entrepreneurship education at the college level, and improve the guarantee and incentive mechanisms for innovation and entrepreneurship education; create an “Innovation and Entrepreneurship Education Platform” for teachers and students to exchange ideas on innovation and entrepreneurship; start building a high-quality team of innovation and entrepreneurship teachers, promote the continuous improvement of the quality of innovation and entrepreneurship education, and ensure the quality of medical talent training.

Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (FAHP) for Evaluating Knowledge Areas of Advanced Certificate in Engineering Taught in South Africa

In order to evaluate the consistency of the knowledge areas (KAs) covered in the advanced certificate in engineering (AdvCertEng) course, this study used the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) technique. Both universities of technology and comprehensive universities in South Africa offer this subject. The primary requirements that an engineering programme should meet for the purposes of creating and implementing FAHP, are knowledge areas. The opinions of experts and decision-makers are prone to some subjectivity, imprecision, even some uncertainty and ambiguity, which results in fuzziness. Triangular fuzzy numbers (TFN1) between (1,1,1) and (9,9,9) are used to establish fuzzy pairwise comparisons between criteria on a qualitative level, whilst FAHP is used to calculate the weights of the criterion on a quantitative one. In this investigation, TFNs linked to a fuzzy distance from the crisp values of 1 are employed, and the related FAHP is denoted as FAHP1. The credit weight for each knowledge area is then calculated uniformly using the same method. AdvCertEng's existing knowledge area credit weights were generally confirmed using FAHP1. FAHP and ECSA's credit weights did, however, differ by minuscule amounts.

Exploring the Relationships of Learners and Instructors in Online Courses

This quantitative study explored the relationship between student-instructor connectedness and student anxiety in online higher education courses. Research shows the value of student-instructor connectedness for student satisfaction in online learning. Utilizing the Connectedness and Anxiety items of the Student-Instructor Relationship Scale (Creasey, et al., 2009) in a large-scale cross-sectional survey with a representative sample of students at a comprehensive research university in the southeastern United States of America, we found significant relationships between the dependent variables (connectedness, anxiety, and motivation). Students with higher connectedness with instructor(s) tended to have higher motivation with lower levels of anxiety. In addition, students with higher anxiety were likely to show lower levels of motivation. Students perceived male instructors to form lower connectedness and male students and transfer students had higher levels of anxiety. Findings contribute to the field of instructor connectedness in online learning and have implications for higher education institutions and faculty considering increasing online learning offerings. We provide recommendations for building rapport and enhancing connectedness in online learning to decrease anxiety and increase student motivation.

Inclusive Classroom, Space Design, and Academic Performance of Teachers in A China Comprehensive University

This research explored the complex relationships between inclusive classroom design, spatial flexibility, and teacher academic performance, while addressing the growing need for a better understanding of how these variables interact, especially in relation to demographic factors such as age, experience, and subject specialization. Utilizing a descriptive research method, the study aimed to offer insights into the foundational connections between these elements, with the goal of informing strategies for creating more effective teaching environments.The findings revealed significant disparities based on demographic factors, with younger teachers, those in STEM fields, and urban-based faculty demonstrating higher levels of academic productivity and engagement in classrooms designed to promote inclusivity and flexibility. The research also underscored the generally positive impact of well-designed classroom spaces on overall teaching quality, but it highlighted concerns regarding the limitations of rigid classroom layouts, which may hinder dynamic teaching methods.Moreover, the study found a strong correlation between flexible spatial design and teacher engagement, indicating that as classroom environments became more adaptable, teachers were more likely to employ diverse instructional techniques, ultimately enhancing their academic performance. Consequently, the research proposed several recommendations for the improvement of inclusive classroom design, urging universities to prioritize investment in flexible, accessible, and technology-enhanced learning spaces that can support the varied teaching needs of faculty members. These insights contribute to the broader discussion on improving academic outcomes through thoughtful space design, offering valuable guidance for comprehensive universities in China as they seek to enhance both teaching effectiveness and overall academic performance.