Federal Universities Research Articles

Information Needs and Seeking Behaviour of NCE III Teaching Practice Students in Federal College of Education (Technical), Akoko Lagos State

Information Needs and Seeking Behaviour of NCE III Teaching Practice Students in Federal College of Education (Technical), Akoko Lagos State

Ecological Assessment of Weed Species in Two Secondary Forests in Anambra State Nigeria

An ecological study was done on weed species in two secondary forests present in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka Campus and Federal College of Education Umunze, Anambra State, Nigeria. Data was collected from the two study sites which were randomly divided for adequate coverage and proper representation. Species dominance, abundance and diversity of weed species were recorded. The result of the study showed that a total of 21 weed species were recorded in Plot 1 study area which is at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka campus; Pennisetum purpureum had the highest species abundance in the study site, with a total frequency of 93 and Dominance index of 28.97. Pennisetum purpureum had a relative density of while Tridax procumbens was the second most abundant with a frequency of 40 and Dominance of 7.10. Rhynchospora corymbosa showed the least abundance with a frequency of 6. The result of Shannon Wiener index for weed species in Plot 1 study was 2.56 and this showed that there is high diversity of weed species in the study area. Meanwhile, the result of the study in Plot 2, which is at Federal College of Education, Umunze showed that a total of 18 weed species were recorded; Imperata cylindrica had the highest species abundance in the study site, with a total frequency of 87 and Dominance index of 27.43, while Cypertrus rotundus was the second most abundant with a frequency of 67 and Dominance index of 10.5. Acanthus Montana showed the least in abundance with a frequency of 6 and Dominance index of 1.02. The result of Shannon Wiener index for weed species in Plot 2 study was 2.47 and this also showed that there is high diversity of weed species in the study area. This result invariably indicates a great potential for utilization in conservation and ecological purposes.

Radiological Risk Assessment of Building Materials Used in Federal College of Education (Technical) Akoka, Lagos State, Nigeria

Multiple building constructions necessitating a regular influx of different soils for building purposes within Federal College of Education (Technical) Akoka, in Lagos State, Nigeria spurred a radiological risk assessment of selected soil samples. Five (5) construction points were identified and ten (10) soil samples were collected. A gamma spectrometer was used to evaluate the natural radionuclides (226Ra, 232Th, and 40K) present in the soils. IAEA-certified standard materials of RGU-1, RGTh-1, and RGK-1 were used to determine the full peak efficiencies of gamma energies 609, 1120, and 1764 keV for 238U, 2614 keV for 232Th and 1460 keV for 40K. Activity concentration, absorbed dose, annual effective dose equivalent, hazard indices, and excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) were estimated to assess possible radiological risks in the building soil samples. Results from the analysis revealed the highest radioactivity among soil samples was 674.3 Bq/kg from 40K and the lowest was 18.5 Bq/kg from 226Ra. The absorbed dose (D) varies from 65.8 nGy/h to 215.3 nGy/h with an average value of 136.6 nGy/h, and the annual effective dose equivalent ranged from 0.081 mSv/y to 0.264 mSv/y with an average value 0.168 mSv/y. The internal and external hazard index ranged from 0.49 −1.46 and 0.39 − 1.32 respectively which is not completely below the hazard index threshold value ≤ 1 as recommended by UNSCEAR. The ELCR values ranging from 0.222 × 10-3 − 0.726 × 10-3 with an average value of 0.461 × 10-3 predicted an insignificant carcinogenic risk with the probability of four persons in every 10,000 persons.

Dual career policy at federal universities in Brazil: analysis of academic and sporting support.

Internationally, the implementation of holistic programs aimed at academic, financial and retirement preparation support for student-athletes who find themselves in dual careers, such as university students, has been widespread and intensified. However, little is known about the subject in the Brazilian national context, because although there are related studies, they are punctual and related to specific universities. In view of the above, this study aimed to investigate public policy aimed at student-athletes at Brazilian federal universities. This is an exploratory, qualitative, cross-sectional and documentary study, using the websites, internal regulations and public notices of 69 Brazilian federal universities for the year 2023, using the content analysis technique. The results indicate that 72.05% offer some kind of support to DC based on the holistic model, 66.17% of which is academic and 60.29% sports. Among the academic support, the flexibility of assessments (57.35%) and the differentiated treatment of absences (51.47%) were close. The sporting support is centered on partial payment of competition costs (60.29%) and athlete grants are restricted to 20.58% of universities. It can be concluded that Brazil's federal universities have policies that include support actions that integrate the holistic model (academic), with incipient coverage of scholarships (sports), but do not effectively follow the holistic model.

GENDER-RELATED FACTORS AND ENTREPRENEURIAL INTENTIONS OF UNDERGRADUATES IN SELECTED FEDERAL UNIVERSITIES IN SOUTHWEST, NIGERIA

Purpose: The study assesses the gender related factors and entrepreneurial intentions of undergraduate students of selected Federal Universities in Southwest, Nigeria. It specifically, examined barriers to male and female entrepreneurial activities in the selected Universities; assessed how entrepreneurship education has impacted entrepreneurial intentions of female and male undergraduates in the study area; and evaluated how entrepreneurial intentions of male and female undergraduates differ in the study area. Theoretical Framework: The study's foundation was Social Feminist Theory (SFT), which clarified the widely held stereotype that women are subservient to men. This stereotype is said to conflict with the innate desire for entrepreneurship, and female students' inclination to start their own businesses may be viewed as a hindrance. In this regard, the study has attempted to conduct a methodical assessment of several publications concerning the relationship between gender and the entrepreneurial intentions of students at particular Federal Universities in the Southwest region of Nigeria. Design/Methodology/Approach: To guide the investigation, three research questions were developed. Similarly, three objectives and three null hypotheses were generated for the study. The study adopted the use of a cross-sectional survey approach, and structured questionnaire administration was made use of, to gather data. A total of 1,820 questionnaires were distributed to the respondents and were all recovered for the study. The study made use of a well-structured and validated “Gender Related Factors and Entrepreneurial Intentions Questionnaire” as the instrument for data collection. The data analysis included both inferential and descriptive statistics, such as; Mann-Whitney U Test, Multiple Linear Regression and basic percentages, counts, mean, and standard deviation.. Findings: The study found that female students faced more barriers to entrepreneurial activities than male students. The distribution of barriers is not the same across the two categories of gender. Entrepreneurship education is positively related to entrepreneurial intention and explains a variation in the level of entrepreneurial intention of undergraduate students in the selected Federal universities. Female students showed less entrepreneurial intention than male students and suggests that the distribution of entrepreneurial intention is not the same across the two categories of gender. Originality/Value: The study, recommended among others that; Policymakers and stakeholders in entrepreneurship matters should give adequate consideration and preference to the female gender in terms of training and other forms of entrepreneurial education to foster better intention with them. Nevertheless, the male gender must not be ignored completely as this may result in a viscous cycle; University management, facilitators and lecturers should also improve on the techniques and methods used in teaching entrepreneurship in Nigerian universities to positively impact the entrepreneurial intention of university students; and Management should also use attractive methods and practical styles that will raise the curiosity of students to the field of entrepreneurship..

Are we on the right path? Insights from Brazilian universities on monitoring and evaluation of Public Communication of Science and Technology in the digital environment

This study addresses the perception of theoretical models and the application of evaluation indicators in the context of Public Communication of Science and Technology (PCST) within the digital environment of Brazilian federal universities. The model under validation was built based on the ideal types, presenting 26 indicators for monitoring and assessment. The results of a survey applied to communication managers in these institutions indicate the higher relevance of Type 1 indicators (Inform), with some institutions adopting Type 2 (Engage) indicators and, less frequently, Type 3 (Participate) indicators. Insufficient training in social media leads to platform-dependent evaluation. Despite being considered relevant, consistent monitoring remains irregular and is secondary in PCST programs.

Correlation between Nutrition Education and Dietary Habits in College Athletes

This study investigates the relationship between nutrition education and dietary habits among college athletes, focusing on volleyball and football players at the Federal College of Education, Zaria. With a sample size of 52 Physical and Health Education (PHE) students, the research aims to understand how nutrition knowledge influences dietary choices across different sports. The study used a quasi-experimental design with tests given before and after the intervention. Three types of data were collected: a validated nutrition knowledge questionnaire based on Zinn et al. (2005), a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), and a 3-day food diary. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 25, with Pearson's correlation coefficient examining relationships between variables and independent t-tests comparing differences between sports. The findings suggest a significant positive correlation between nutrition education and improved dietary habits (r = 0.58, p < 0.001), with volleyball players showing a stronger correlation (r = 0.63, p < 0.001) compared to football players (r = 0.52, p < 0.01). Post-intervention, both groups demonstrated improved dietary habits, with volleyball players showing greater improvements in fruit and vegetable intake and reduced consumption of processed foods. The study concludes that nutrition education has a positive impact on the dietary habits of college athletes, with the effect varying between different sports. The stronger correlation observed in volleyball players suggests that sport-specific factors may influence the effectiveness of nutrition education. Based on these findings, the study recommends curriculum planners and experts implement a continuous nutrition education curriculum as part of athletic programs. This curriculum should not only provide foundational knowledge but also include ongoing education to reinforce and expand upon initial learning.

The Design and Implementation of an E-Learning Portal for Federal College of Education Technical Omoku and it’s Implication to Teaching and Learning .

The Design and Implementation of an E-Learning Portal for Federal College of Education Technical Omoku and it’s Implication to Teaching and Learning .

Racial Affirmative Action and the Consensus on Phenotypic Hetero-Identification: Notes on the State Universities of the Brazilian Midwest

Racial affirmative action policies in Brazil have recently reached consensus in their technical procedures for defining black subjects of law, through phenotypic heteroidentification panels. Such panels aim to minimize reports of fraud, legitimize the subjects of affirmative policy law and provide legal security to institutions. This article revisits the construction of this consensus. Before 2012, the landmark Law 12,711, which standardizes affirmative actions in Federal Higher Education Institutions, there was a diversity of understandings and selection procedures. Currently, there is a unified model for these federal institutions and homogeneity regarding the phenotypic heteroidentification procedure. As federal legislation is not imposed on state universities, we highlight similarities and differences between the hegemonic model of phenotypic heteroidentification of federal and state universities in the Midwest. Methodologically, we conducted documentary and bibliographical research on the selection processes of State Universities in the Central-West region, with an emphasis on the different models of phenotypic heteroidentification implemented throughout the 21st century. The results indicate, in many ways, an essentialization of black identity and a depoliticization of the public debate on racial issues in Brazil. We therefore assess that this resulted in a decrease of criticism of the formation of Brazilian national identity and the establishment of objective parameters for the definition of black subjects of law.

IMPRESSÕES DE ACADÊMICOS DE ENFERMAGEM SOBRE O ENSINO REMOTO DURANTE A PANDEMIA E ISOLAMENTO SOCIAL

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the sociodemographic profile, remote academic activities, and impacts on the daily lives of nursing students. METHOD: The survey included 446 students from two federal universities in Rio de Janeiro, through an electronic questionnaire containing open and closed questions. Of these, 96 responded by providing their impressions of remote teaching. The study was approved by the ethics committee of the institutions involved. RESULTS: The analysis of the participants’ impressions pointed to the high workload and lack of leisure as factors that weighed most heavily on the lives of students, which could affect their mental health. CONCLUSION: It is recommended that a reflection on the desired image for public higher education and that professors and institutions have real knowledge of student profiles.

Home office and the Work Environment of Public Servers

Introduction: This article aimed to identify and analyze the changes that occurred due to the implementation of home office, as a result of Covid-19, in the work environment of technical-administrative employees at federal universities. The research used a qualitative and descriptive approach. The results showed that employees prefer to continue working from home, with the hybrid model or partial teleworking being preferred. The main advantages were autonomy and greater flexibility of schedules; increased productivity; less bureaucracy and family coexistence. And the main disadvantages were adequacy of the work space; leadership difficulties and feelings of isolation. Objective: The objective of the research, which is exploratory in nature, is to analyze the changes that the home office brought to the work environment of technical-administrative employees at a federal university. Theoretical Framework: The theoretical framework is divided into two main parts. The first part deals with home office research, which conceptually underlies this research. The second part explores the home office in more detail in the context of Brazilian public administration. Method: The qualitative methodology was adopted for this research, through semi-structured interviews with 18 administrative technical employees from the Federal University in São Paulo (UF). The Atlas TI 23 was used for content analysis. The research was authorized and approved by the Research Ethics committee at the institution involved. Results and Discussion: The results showed a preference for the home office model, especially the hybrid or partial model (with in-person work once or twice a week). Also, it was found that the performance of the servers was influenced by the implementation of the home office, in their perception, with the majority reporting difficulties in adapting in the first months and, currently, they consider that their productivity has returned to the same standards, or improved, compared to when the activities were only in person. Research Implications: It is considered that this study can serve as a reference for other public universities, as well as for federal institutes, as both enjoy the same managerial and administrative autonomy, constitutionally guaranteed; and the respective employees are under the same legal employment regime at the federal level. Originality/Value: The relevance and value of this research are evidenced by [explain how the results may impact the area of study or professional practice]. It is considered that this study can serve as a reference for other public universities, as well as for federal institutes, as both enjoy the same managerial and administrative autonomy, constitutionally guaranteed; and the respective employees are under the same legal employment regime at the federal level.

Impact of fasting on the selected anthropometric and physiological parameters of young adults attending Federal College of Agricultural Produce Technology, Kano, Nigeria

Impact of fasting on the selected anthropometric and physiological parameters of young adults attending Federal College of Agricultural Produce Technology, Kano, Nigeria

Assessing the Effect of Acculturation Program on Academic Achievement of French Students in Colleges of Education in Nigeria

One of the compulsory courses needed for graduation of French students at college of education level is FRE 225 - Immersion Program - popularly referred to as Acculturation Exercise (NCCE, 2020). That is why this study assessed the effects of the acculturation program on the academic achievement of French students using colleges of education in Nigeria as a case study. The survey research design was used for this study. The range of 20-50 subjects were conveniently and randomly sampled in each of the three (3) geopolitical zone of south-west, north-central and north-west of Nigeria. Their composition comprised of one state college and one federal college of education. Thus, 230 respondents and a self-developed research instrument tagged “French Immersion Achievement Test (FIAT)” with a reliability coefficient of 0.79 using the Cronbach Alpha SPSS statistical tool were employed for the study. The data collected were statistically analyzed using t-test statistics at ∝ 0.05 level of significance to test the null hypotheses formulated. The major findings, among others, revealed that students who were exposed to the acculturation program (Group I) performed significantly better in French than their counterparts (Group II) who were not exposed to the program. The study, therefore, recommends, among other things, that the acculturation program in French studies in Nigeria colleges of education should be taken more seriously and be intensified in order to achieve the desired objectives.

An Analysis of Biotechnology Production in Brazil: A Bibliometric Analysis on the Patentscope Platform

Objective: The study aimed to map the production of technologies and innovations related to biotechnology in Brazil. Theoretical Framework: It was decided to take patents granted in the databases of the National Institute of Intellectual Property as a basis, using the patentiometry technique. Method: The patentiometry method is used, with the characterization being the analysis of the results of 2,396 patents, characterizing 'countries', 'regions and candidates', 'IPC code' and 'publication dates' and the stratification of information was carried out, generating the data to be analyzed in the research. Results and Discussion: Significant emphasis on research centers and public universities in the development of technologies. In recent years, the Brazilian national market began to compete with foreigners, this fact forced the national industry to rethink its conventional models and strategies, with Brazil being the sixth largest producer of pharmaceutical methods, another fact that presents similarity is in relation to agro-industries, addressing Brazil stands out in this production. Implications of the Research: It was evident that Brazil has directed part of its resources to investment and development of technologies in the country and biotechnology is driven by research centers and federal universities. The South, Southeast and Northeast regions are made up of the states that have greater expressiveness in innovation and technologies related to biotechnology. Originality/Value: This study contributes to literature, scientific and social academic community, as it presents data on innovation in the field of biotechnology, enabling reflections on impacts, investments and development of the country through technological production.

Sustainability in Federal Universities: An analysis based on management reports

This study examines the integration of sustainability in Brazilian federal universities based on the analysis of 2022 management reports. In the current global scenario, the integration of environmental and social sustainability into the policies of higher education institutions is crucial. Brazil's federal universities play a vital role in nurturing leaders and producing knowledge that can positively influence society and the environment. This study questions how these institutions are incorporating sustainability into their management strategies, contributing to a more sustainable future. The study aims to analyze how Brazilian federal universities approach sustainability in their activities and decisions, using the 2022 management reports as a basis. The research is descriptive in nature and involved the selection of 12 recently created federal universities, whose 2022 management reports were analyzed. Content analysis was performed in two stages: coding and interpretation. The actions described in the reports were categorized into themes related to sustainability, including education, planning, control, technology, infrastructure, collective applicability, and administrative actions. Of the 12 reports analyzed, 8 universities demonstrated a commitment to sustainability, dedicating specific chapters to this theme. The economic dimension was the one that presented the most actions, with 78 initiatives identified, reflecting a conscious strategy to ensure financial and operational sustainability. The analysis reveals that Brazilian federal universities are increasingly integrating sustainability into their operations and management. Economic initiatives stand out as fundamental for the viability of institutions, promoting a virtuous cycle of sustainable development.

Career and educational trajectory of Bachelors of Applied Informatics at a regional university: aspects of design and implementation

This article analyzes a complex set of personnel training problems for the digital economy. The authors note that the mechanical increase in budget places in the system of higher and secondary vocational education is not enough to provide the IT segment of the labor market in Russia, which is related both to the quality of training of specialists and to the career expectations of graduates. The author’s definition of the student’s career and educational trajectory is given. As one of the possible solutions, an integrative-micromodular approach is proposed, the key element of which is the cooperation of the student, the university and potential employers in designing and implementing an effective career and educational trajectory for each student. The authors note significant differences in the goals, resources and strategies of federal, national and regional universities, while focusing on the latter. Using the example of bachelor’s degree training in the field of Applied Informatics 09.03.03, the issues of work and part-time work of students during the study period, the influence of this factor on the career and educational trajectory are analyzed in depth. Examples of the implementation of micromodules «career stage» in the disciplines of «Programming», «Databases», «Information Systems Design», «Software Engineering», «Data Analysis», «Cloud services», «Web programming» are considered. The strategy of using psychosemantics methods for recognizing and clarifying the image of a future profession, professional self-reflection and, possibly, professional trials is described.

Virtual Classroom Competences Required by Electrical Installation and Maintenance Works Trade Teachers in Technical Colleges in Yobe State, Nigeria

This study investigated the virtual classroom proficiencies needed by Electrical Installation and Maintenance Works trade teachers in Technical Colleges in Yobe State, Nigeria. Employing a descriptive survey research design, the population of the study was 69 individuals, comprising 53 teachers and 16 ICT experts from eight Technical Colleges in Yobe State, Nigeria. Due to the manageable size of the population, the entire population was included in the study, eliminating the need for sampling. Data collection utilized the "Technical Colleges Virtual Classroom Competency Questionnaire (TCVCCQ)," structured with responses on a 5-point scale. Validation of the instrument was performed by three experts from the Department of Electrical/Electronic Technology Education, Federal College of Education (Technical), Potiskum, Yobe State, resulting in a reliability index of 0.82 determined through the Cronbach Alpha technique. Mean statistics were employed to analyze data for the research questions, while hypotheses were tested at a significance level of 0.05 using a t-test. The findings revealed a lack of proficiency among teachers in utilizing participant panels and video play features within virtual classrooms. The study recommends that principals arrange in-house workshops for teachers to acquire requisite proficiency in using participant panel features, and further suggests consultation with video experts to enhance the quality of instructional videos for improved utilization of video play features within virtual classrooms.

Appraisal of Students Admission on Service Delivery in the Directorate of Undergraduate Studies (DUS) Federal College of Education (FCE), Yola

Establishment of relationship between policy issues and service delivery in tertiary institution of learning requires to encourage policy implementations to relate to policy formulation that would address rather than dismal service delivery in tertiary educational institutions across the country. Precisely the research intends to establish if policy issues on students’ admission affect service delivery in DUS FCE, Yola. The main instruments used for data collection were the Questionnaires, Focus Group Discussion (FGD), observation check list and Semi Structured Interview (SSI) formats. This paper proposes Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) test statistic as a measurement tool for the study. The findings show that consideration of only first choice for JAMB Admission affect students intake in DUS and cut off marks for admission into DUS poses a threat to intake in some programmes. Post JAMB screening of applicants ensures selection of better candidates. Also, clearly stated memorandum of understanding (MoU) with portal managers and memorandum of understanding (MoU) with ICT facility managers would enhance service delivery in DUS. The study recommends that admission guidelines/policies of regulatory bodies like JAMB and affiliate institution need to be carefully studied and regularly incorporated in the students’ guide book.

Digital-Based Learning and the Sustainability of Business Education Programmes among College of Education Lecturers in Cross River State

The study examined digital-based learning and the sustainability of business education programs among College of Education lecturers in Cross River State. Two research questions and two null hypotheses guided the study. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The study was carried out in Cross River State. The population of this study consisted of forty (40) students in business education from the Federal College of Education Obudu and the College of Education Akamkpe, all in Cross River State. There was no sampling since the population is manageable and accessible to the researchers. A self-developed questionnaire titled “Digital Based Learning and the Sustainability of Business Education Programmes Questionnaire (DBLSBEPQ). A 10-item self-developed questionnaire was validated by three experts. The reliability of the instrument was established using a pilot-testing approach, and the Cronbach's alpha calculation yielded an overall coefficient's value of.78. The mean and standard deviation were used to analyze the responses to the items in the questionnaire, while an independent t-test was used to test the hypotheses at the 0.05 level of significance. The decision level was based on a 2.50 cut-off point. Findings of the study showed that business education lecturers in colleges of education in Cross River State do not adopt nor utilize digital learning tools for the sustainability of business education programs in colleges of education in Cross River. Based on the findings of the study, the researcher concludes that business education lecturers should be able to develop digital skills to enhance their adaptation and the utilization of digital skills for the sustainability of business education programs in Nigerian colleges of education. It was recommended, among others, that the provost of colleges of education should make regular digital technology training programs compulsory for all college lecturers in Nigeria. Received: 19 June 2024 / Accepted: 24 June 2024 / Published: 8 July 2024

Evaluating Instructional Package for Teaching Mathematics for the Hearing-impaired Students

This study evaluated a package for teaching algebra with sign language video to students with hearing difficulties within Oyo State, Nigeria. Seventy-four participants, comprising 37 males and 37 females, were involved in the pre-test-post-test design to assess the effectiveness of such a package. At the Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo, the reliability test returned an alpha value of 0.812 and 0.670, in which items used had very strong internal consistency among 26 hearing-impaired Economics students. The collection of data was done in three different stages: initial collation of resources, conducting a pre-test, and subsequently after six weeks, a post-test evaluation. The results show that the package strongly improved students' performances, with females doing better than males, as was confirmed by a statistically significant p-value (<0.05). It becomes obvious that the video package efficiently enriches comprehension in algebra and thus supports individual learning among students to help them be able to solve problems on their own. The findings suggest the special role that visual aids can play in the education of students with special needs. The results further suggest that video packages can be considered surrogate teachers that inculcate positive attitudes toward learning among hearing-impaired students. As an instructional strategy, this should, when implemented, lead to improved students' profile performance and a better understanding of mathematical concepts among Nigerian Colleges of Education.