University Governance Research Articles

Hijab row verdict in India: A sentimental analysis of user responses on Facebook

The hijab controversy, a hot topic in India since January 2022, emerged from a clash between students and college authorities in Karnataka, a state in India. The dispute made its way to Karnataka’s High Court, which, on 15 March 2022, ruled that the hijab was not mandatory for religious practices. This decision stirred widespread debates, especially on social media platforms like Facebook. This study is focused on user reactions in The Times of India Daily’s official Facebook page, employing sentiment analysis to decipher public emotions, attitudes, and opinions. Nearly 200 comments posted on the verdict day were analyzed, utilizing the routine activity theory (RAT), spiral of silence theory, and online disinhibition effect. The research introduced a unique model, RAT+A, to enhance analysis. As a significant platform for public discourse, Facebook played a crucial role in capturing diverse societal sentiments and reactions regarding this social issue.

Factors Influencing Knowledge and Attitudes towards Second-Hand Smoking Exposure Among University Students: An Exploratory Study.

Despite extensive global research on second-hand smoking (SHS) exposure, there is a noticeable lack of studies focusing on the knowledge and attitudes of university students in Bangladesh. This cross-sectional study aimed to address this gap by assessing the levels of knowledge and attitudes towards SHS exposure among university students in Bangladesh. Utilizing a convenience sampling technique, data were collected from 383 university students, encompassing socio-demographic information, as well as knowledge and attitude-related inquiries. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS software, including independent t-tests and analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multiple linear regression. The findings revealed that participants exhibited a moderate level of knowledge and attitude towards SHS exposure. Multiple linear regression identified age, gender, mother's education, and self-rated health status as significant predictors of knowledge, explaining 12.9% of its variance (R2 = 0.129, F = 6.117, P < .001). Furthermore, age, gender, and living with parents emerged as significant predictors of attitude, explaining 14.7% of its variance (R2 = 0.147, F = 7.165, P < .001). The study highlights the need for interventions aimed at enhancing awareness and fostering positive attitudes towards SHS exposure among university students in Bangladesh. It is recommended that university authorities organize seminars and implement health education initiatives targeting vulnerable populations to address the findings and promote a smoke-free environment on campus.

Evaluation of Social Media Addiction and Its Relationship with Anxiety and Academic Performance Among Medical and Non-Medical Students: A Cross-Sectional Study from Saudi Arabia

Background: Social media (SM) use has become an integral aspect of daily life. Overutilization of SM can adversely impact an individual’s physical and emotional well-being, especially that of students. This study evaluated the potential impact of SM addiction on anxiety and academic performance among university students. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among medical ad non-medical students at Qassim University during September 2022–April 2023 after obtaining the Ethics Committee’s permission. Raosoft was used for calculating the sample size, and participants were selected through convenience sampling. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze and interpret the results, using SPSS version 25. Results: A total of 269 students participated in the study. The majority of them were male (52%), with a mean age of 22.28. The main purpose of SM usage was entertainment, followed by communication. More than 30% of them were using SM for 4–6 h per day, accessing SM 1–10 times in a day, with more than half of them feeling that they had SM addiction and that it was affecting their daily activities and sleep. The majority of them agreed that SM can be used for group discussion (78.1% vs. 71.6%) and knowledge sharing (93.7% vs. 90%). However, a statistically significant difference was observed about anxiety level between the two groups. A negative correlation was found between cumulative grade point average (CGPA) and anxiety level. Conclusion: The findings suggest that SM has both positive and negative effects on academic performance and social anxiety. Continuous education and motivation about wise use of SM is warranted among students by parents, university authorities, and policymakers.

Upgrading English Public Speaking Skills in Thai EFL Students through Imitating TED Talks Videos

This research investigates the enhancement of English public speaking skills among Thai EFL (English as a Foreign Language) students through imitating TED Talks videos. By applying Vygotsky's Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) and Krashen's Input Hypothesis, the study integrates authentic materials for effective learning. A mixed methods approach, incorporating quantitative surveys, qualitative interviews and observation was used to assess students' perceptions and improvements in speaking skills. Fifty-five students from a government university in Northeastern Thailand participated in activities involving watching, imitating, and recording their own videos posted in a Facebook group. Results show significant improvements in vocabulary, grammar, body language, and overall speech structure. Students reported increased confidence and more engaging presentations. Initial challenges included understanding diverse accents and reliance on scripts, which decreased with practice. The study underscores the benefits of selective imitation over full imitation, allowing students to maintain individuality while acquiring new skills. These findings suggest that TED Talks are a valuable resource in English language teaching, fostering both linguistic and communicative development, and highlighting the importance of authentic materials and guided practice in language acquisition.

Knowledge and attitudes of undergraduate medical students towards palliative Care in Karachi, Pakistan

Background: Palliative care is a critical component of healthcare, especially for patients with life-limiting illnesses. However, the knowledge and attitudes of future healthcare providers, particularly medical students, towards palliative care remain underexplored in low- and middle-income countries like Pakistan. Objective: This study aims to assess the knowledge and attitudes of final-year medical students in Karachi, Pakistan, towards palliative care and explore the association of demographic factors with these perceptions. Methods: A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted from July 2022 to July 2023, involving 400 final-year medical students from five universities in Karachi. The participants were selected using a non-probability convenience sampling method. Data were collected through an online questionnaire assessing knowledge and attitudes towards palliative care. The association between demographic factors and students' knowledge and attitudes was analyzed using SPSS version 26. Results: The study population consisted of 70.8% female and 29.3% male students, with 79.3% aged 20-25 years. A majority (53.7%) of participants demonstrated good knowledge of palliative care, while 46.3% had poor knowledge. Attitudinal analysis revealed that 74.7% had a moderate attitude towards palliative care, 24.3% had a favorable attitude, and 1.0% had an unfavorable attitude. Significant associations were found between university type, upbringing, and national origin with both knowledge and attitudes. Students from government universities and those with urban upbringing were more likely to have good knowledge and favorable attitudes. Additionally, gender was significantly associated with attitudes, with females showing more favorable attitudes towards palliative care (p&lt;0.001). Conclusion: The study highlights the need for targeted educational interventions to improve knowledge and attitudes towards palliative care among medical students in Pakistan. The findings suggest that demographic factors play a crucial role in shaping students' perceptions, underscoring the importance of curriculum reforms that address these disparities to prepare future healthcare providers for delivering effective palliative care.

What Role Does the Strength of Character of Institutions Play in the Planning and Leadership of Public Universities in Rivers State, Nigeria?

This study examined the role of strength of character of institutions in shaping the planning and leadership of public universities in Rivers State, Nigeria. Institutional character strength, defined by core ethical values and principles, significantly influences decision-making processes, governance, and stakeholder engagement within universities. This research highlighted how strength of character facilitates effective planning and leadership, enabling university leaders to navigate challenges such as funding constraints and political pressures. Furthermore, it emphasized the importance of character in promoting academic integrity and community engagement, which ultimately contributes to the long-term sustainability and reputation of public universities. Through qualitative review and quantitative analysis, a self-structured questionnaire tagged the “Strength of Character of Institutions” was developed to assess stakeholders’ perceptions of the strength of character of institutions. The study’s sample size of 600 was determined using Cochran's formula, the respondents include faculty members, non-academic staff, and doctoral students respectively. The internal consistency questionnaire was verified using Cronbach's alpha and reliability indices of α = .916 and .887 was obtained respectively. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 29. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions, while Kendall’s Tau-b was employed test the hypotheses at .05 level of significant level. This study found that institutions with robust character do not only enhance their operational effectiveness but also prepare faculty members, administrative staff and students to become ethical leaders. The findings emphasized the necessity of integrating character education into university curricula and leadership training programs, which will position strength of character as a foundational element for successful planning and governance in public universities. This study contributed to the broader discourse on higher education management and the ethical responsibilities of academic institutions.

Work-based learning: a catalyst for leadership, organizational development and economic growth in Tennessee.

This paper explores the significance of work-based learning in the context of leadership development, organizational growth and the promising economic success in Tennessee organizations. It aims to investigate the practical implications of work-based learning, focusing on its role in enhancing leadership capabilities, fostering innovation and contributing to a prosperous economic future. The research employs a systematic literature review to examine existing studies on work-based learning, leadership development, organizational growth and economic success in Tennessee. It also involves data collection from various sources, including government agencies, colleges and organizations in the state. The collected data are rigorously verified and cross-referenced to ensure reliability and relevance. The findings emphasize the transformative potential of work-based learning initiatives in Tennessee. They reveal that work-based learning programs are vital in developing influential leaders, fostering a culture of learning and innovation and contributing to economic competitiveness. The research also highlights the interconnectedness of leadership development, organizational growth and economic success, emphasizing the critical role of work-based learning in driving positive outcomes in all these dimensions. This research contributes to the existing body of knowledge by emphasizing the practical applicability of work-based learning findings. It provides insights into the unique context of Tennessee organizations and their motivations, challenges and opportunities related to work-based learning. The research also outlines recommendations and future research directions to bridge the gap between theory and practice, enhancing the impact of work-based learning initiatives in Tennessee and beyond. The insights gained can assist other states and industries in developing effective work-based learning programs tailored to their specific economic needs and industry demands, fostering broader economic prosperity.

How university governance affects education service quality: insights from Ethiopian public universities

University governance plays a significant role in bringing about change because it is one of the most critical variables in determining the success of higher education institutions. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the influence of university governance on the education service quality of Ethiopian public universities. Accordingly, the current study focuses on five key university governance principles: accountability, autonomy, academic freedom, transparency and responsibility. The study utilized a multiple linear regression model, which made use of quantitative data sources. Data was collected from 378 instructors and academic officials from six public institutions, including department heads, deans, faculty heads, and directors. The research utilized a closed-ended questionnaire. Using SPSS software version 20, the quantitative data were examined using the descriptive statistics and inferential statistics techniques. The results of the regression analysis and correlation were discovered. The correlation result indicates that accountability and academic freedom parameters had a positive and strong correlation with education service quality. The regression results showed that academic freedom positively affected the education service quality while accountability and responsibility negatively affected the quality of education services of Ethiopian public universities. Academic leaders and staff of public universities should therefore practice academic freedom, transparency, and autonomous decision-making through implementing university governance principles in their respective public universities in Ethiopia.

Quality Education for Sustainable Development: Evolving Pedagogies to Maintain a Balance Between Knowledge, Skills, and Values-Case Study of Saudi Universities

Ozone depletion, global warming, soil degradation, etc., could be, to a great extent, instrumental in making our Earth an unsafe place. Therefore, to prevent further damage, Article 6 of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) emphasizes spreading awareness among the members of the planetary community to protect the planet. The study aims to identify teaching pedagogies that can effectively develop awareness and responsibility among university youth for a sustainable future. The study adopts an exploratory triangulation approach and uses three instruments: a closed-ended questionnaire, a focus group interview, and a comparative performance of control and experimental groups. Fifty-one faculties from two government universities of Saudi Arabia: Qassim University, Qassim, and Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Alkharj along with 47 students pursuing conversation courses at Level Three in Prince Sattam University participated in the study. JASP 0.9 open-source software was used for statistical analysis. The results revealed that constructivist inquiry-based approaches promoted sustainable development education.

Trust and tension: shared governance in higher education amid student activism

ABSTRACT This article examines the intricate dynamics of trust and tension within university governance in Taiwan and Hong Kong, where the broader socio-political context – particularly student activism – profoundly influences university operations. Using the ‘grammar of trust’ framework, the article explores how student participation, as a core element of shared governance, presents both opportunities for democratic engagement and significant challenges, especially in politically charged environments. Through interviews with key stakeholders, including university council members and student leaders, the article uncovers issues surrounding the politicisation of university governance and emphasises the role of students in campus politics. It highlights the complexities introduced by political influences, advocating for proactive trust-building initiatives to navigate these challenges, mitigate conflicts, foster effective university governance, and contribute to broader societal progress.

A STUDY ON LIFE SKILLS AND THEIR DEVELOPMENT AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS IN CUDDALORE DISTRICT

This study explores the development of life skills among college students in Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu, focusing on socio-demographic, institutional, and economic influences. Using a descriptive research design, data were collected from 160 undergraduate students through a structured questionnaire covering ten life skill domains. The findings reveal disparities based on institutional type, domicile, and parental background. Students from aided colleges and urban areas performed better than those in government colleges and rural settings. Gender differences showed females excelling in empathy and interpersonal skills, while males scored slightly higher in decision-making. The study emphasizes the need for targeted interventions such as experiential learning, rural outreach programs, and institutional support to bridge gaps and promote equitable skill development for holistic student growth.

Management of digital resources in Government college libraries of Madhya Pradesh: A study

Management of digital resources in Government college libraries of Madhya Pradesh: A study

Learning English through Drama-Based Approach (DBA): A Pedagogical Stylistic Experiment with Pygmalion

This study explores the effectiveness of using a new approach called drama-based approach in helping to learn English language. This approach was pioneered by Dorothy Heathcote in 1950. Heathcote, a drama teacher, developed this technique to help young children communicate confidently in English. In this research, the same theatrical method is employed to enhance students' spoken English skills. The chosen medium for the dramatic activity is George Bernard Shaw's play Pygmalion (1916), focusing on selected passages relevant to English language learning. The research incorporates both qualitative and quantitative methods, demanding active participation from students in the play. They engaged by taking on various roles of characters, as opposed to being passive listeners under a teacher's direction. This research took place in Dera Ismail Khan at Government College No. 1, involving 5th semester students who were divided into two groups: a control group and an experimental group. The experimental group performed the play through role-play and dialogue reading, while the control group read the play through traditional methods without any active engagement. The experimental study unfolded in three stages: a questionnaire, an intervention combined with improvisation, and an exam. Results were statistically measured and compared across both groups. The experimental group outperformed the control group in spoken English, demonstrating that a drama-based approach effectively facilitates the students in learning English language. This method allowed students to easily grasp themes, central message, linguistic elements, and character relationships, enhancing their understanding as well as their accents. The heightened engagement and enjoyment expressed by the students indicated a positive reception of this learning activity.

The Role of Performance Audit Using Analysis SWOT in Achieving Programmatic Accreditation of Government Colleges (Applied Research)

The research aims to provide theoretical frameworks on the study's variables (performance audit and software accreditation) and highlight the elements of performance audit and how to use them in obtaining software accreditation for colleges of management and economics through the intermediate role of analysis SWOT. The deductive approach was used to switch from the general aspect related to identifying what software accreditation and what performance audit and its elements to reach the aspect of activating performance audit elements in achieving software accreditation for colleges through the intermediate role of S analysis SWOT. Also, the inductive approach was adopted to switch from the special one related to the research problem observation to the general aspect by circulating recommendations for activating the performance audit elements to complete the program accreditation activities on time. The most important conclusion of the research is the lack of a comprehensive description of activities that develop teaching abilities, nor an extensive description of pedagogical approaches, methods and teaching aids of study programs, which is an obstacle to developing the quality of education and teaching and improving the teaching staff performance. There is a lack of a description of how to include the expectations of stakeholders, the labour market, graduates, students, society, and policymakers in the curriculum and define learning goals. There is also a lack of a clear description of how to achieve integration between executive education programs, study programs, and scientific contributions. The most important recommendations include a comprehensive description of activities that develop teaching abilities of pedagogical curricula, methods and teaching aids for study programs, which is an obstacle to the development of the quality of teaching and teaching, improving the performance of the teaching staff. Include a description of how to include stakeholders' expectations, the labour market, graduates, students, society, and policymakers in the curriculum, and define learning goals in strategic plans; include a clear description of how to integrate executive education programs, study programs, and scientific contributions.

Social responsibility and university governance: Case study public universities in the central zone of Ecuador

Social Responsibility (SR), currently plays a leading role in the management and management of organizations, guiding them to be socially responsible. The objective of the study presented is to analyze the factors associated with Social Responsibility and University governance, in public universities in the central zone of Ecuador. The investigative analysis was carried out with a 145 sample of students corresponding to the five public universities in the area, for which qualitative methodology was used, as it allowed explaining the problem from a social and descriptive context, the quantitative methodology on the other hand allowed apply a questionnaire to collect information and thus have a clearer appreciation of the objective reality of university management and its relationship with society; it is also non-experimental cross-sectional in order to achieve the proposed objective. Among the results obtained, common elements were found that are repeated in the 5 universities analyzed, 51.03% know the code of ethics, 31.10% say that there is evaluation and training of administrative personnel, 57.24% state that there are none. spaces for dialogue and participation of university actors, 75.67% say that universities have an organizational structure, in addition, a deficiency was identified in communication systems. The data also indicate that students have a negative perspective in relation to the ability of administrative staff to effectively fulfill their role within the university, which demonstrates that students have a negative view in relation to the management carried out by administrative staff in its role within the institutions, it can then be said that a very notable weakness is evident in university governance. These data are relevant for decision-making and the incorporation of effective strategies for responsible management of the institutions analyzed

Perspectives on Academic Freedom in the Context of Transformation (insights Ukraine and Germany)

The article examines the current state of academic freedom in Ukraine and Germany in the context of their historical, social, and political challenges. Particular attention is paid to the impact of the Soviet legacy, bureaucracy, financial constraints, and the full-scale war in Ukraine on the functioning of educational and scientific institutions. The key aspects that define academic freedom are analyzed, including institutional autonomy, freedom of teaching, research, democratization of university culture, and international cooperation. The scientific novelty of the paper lies in identifying the interrelationships between the challenges of the post-Soviet legacy, structural barriers, the impact of war, and the prospects for international integration to strengthen academic freedom. The authors rely on the results of a thematic analysis of the discussion panel “Perspectives on Academic Freedom” held within the framework of the international conference “Open Science and Innovation in Ukraine 2024” (OSICU2024) and the German Year of Science 2024 - Academic Freedom initiative. The article identifies eight key thematic categories: academic freedom and autonomy, post-Soviet challenges, freedom of speech and censorship, funding and resource allocation, structural barriers, the impact of war on the academic environment, cultural and democratic development, and international cooperation. In each of these areas, the main challenges faced by Ukrainian and German universities are revealed and ways to address them are suggested. Considerable attention is paid to the issues of financial autonomy, which is the basis for the realization of academic freedom. The article discusses the need to increase basic state funding in Ukraine and to reform grant mechanisms in Germany. It is pointed out that international cooperation can play a crucial role in overcoming the challenges of war, involving Ukrainian scientists in the global academic community, and implementing best practices in university management. In addition, the study emphasizes the importance of developing democratic approaches to university governance and fostering a culture of openness and critical thinking. The results of the study offer recommendations for strengthening institutional autonomy, reducing bureaucracy, increasing the financial sustainability of universities, and ensuring academic freedom in the face of global and local challenges. The article contributes to the theoretical and practical understanding of the ways of transformation of the Ukrainian higher education system and its integration into the European educational space..

Internal university governance and social relevance. Analysis of public higher education

Internal university governance and social relevance. Analysis of public higher education

THE ROLE OF DIGITAL MEDIA IN DEVELOPING AN ONLINE ANATOMY COURSE FOR THE ACQUISITION OF PRE-SERVICE SCIENCE TEACHERS HEALTH LITERACY

In the Pandemic, online learning was conducted after the suspension of face-to-face instruction at the educational institutions to eliminate the spread of the disease. Besides, online learning can also be an effective way to carry out education after natural disasters such as earthquakes. This study aimed to detect the effectiveness of an online anatomy course enriched with digital media news on pre-service science teachers’ course attitudes and health literacy after two major earthquakes hit the east and southeast of Turkey in 2023. In this direction, a single group pre-test – post-test weak experimental design was conducted with the attendance of 25 senior science education students who studied at a governmental university in Turkey. Data was collected with Attitudes towards Anatomy Course Scale and Health Literacy Scale. The study lasted for one semester and included data collection and instruction process on an online learning platform. The instruction process covered the systems in human body. Each course began with the examination of several digital media news regarding the focus of the course. Afterwards, the course content was presented to the students and the course ended with the evaluation of the subject with the help of Web 2.0 tools. Collected data was analyzed quantitatively with SPSS 26.0. According to the results, a significant increase was determined both in pre-service teachers’ mean anatomy course attitudes and health literacies. Besides, detailed analyses indicated significant improvements in the course attitudes and health literacies of three of four subscales of the instruments. It is recommended to implement a similar instructional design to sustain anatomy education during online learning for undergraduate students in different programs. Also, adapting such a course design to face-to-face applications might make contributions to the development of well-equipped pre-service teachers in addition to sustaining healthy young individuals and a healthy society.

Portfolio Learning - An Observational Study Conducted among Post Graduates Students to Assess Feasibility in a Government College Setting

Portfolio Learning - An Observational Study Conducted among Post Graduates Students to Assess Feasibility in a Government College Setting

Good University Governance dan Kinerja Perguruan Tinggi

This study aims to synthesize the results of previous research on Good University Governance (GUG) and Higher Education Performance through Systematic Literature Review (SLR). This research using SLR presents quantitative data to determine the development of the issue of GUG and Higher Education Performance. There are several parameters used, namely journal sources, variable mapping, theory, type of university and research approach. The results of this study show that there are 31 articles originating from accredited national and non-ranked national journals during the period 2020-2024. Topics related to internal audit, college performance, GUG, internal control, organizational commitment, and risk management.Agency Theory was the most widely used theory and the dominant use of quantitative methods in GUG and College Performance.Private Universities are the most widely researched universities on the issue of GUG and Higher Education Performance. This study contributes significantly to the map of previous research in a structured manner in the form of a list of independent, dependent, moderating, and mediating variables as determinants, consequences, and moderation-mediation so that through the relationship map, this study provides input for the topic of GUG and Higher Education Performance that still needs to be explored. This study has a limitation in that it is an interpretative study and therefore the findings are limited to i.