Higher Colleges Of Technology Research Articles

Knowledge, attitude, and practice toward complementary alternative medicine in the UAE: A cross- sectional study

IntroductionComplementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) encompasses utilization of traditional approaches in treating illnesses. The literature on CAM in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) shows varying awarness and practice. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice towards CAM in the UAE. MethodsThe study utilized a cross-sectional design and collected data between January and March 2023 from adults in the UAE. Using convenience sampling, participants were invited to participate from public areas. A total of 964 individuals participated in the study by filling the survey electronically. Data were collecting using the CAM knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) questionnaire. This study received ethical approval from Research Ethics and Integrity Committee at the Higher Colleges of Technology. ResultsThe mean age of the participants was 31.32 years (+-10.66). The majority of the participants were Emirati (89.5 %), female (71.6 %), married (54.4 %) and held a bachelor's degree (40.4 %). Data on CAM knowledge showed that 66.7 % of the participants recognized CAM, mostly from family and friends (38 %). More than half (56.5 %) of the participants recognized the types of CAM, with Hijama as the most well known type. The majority of the participants (80.1 %) had a positive attitude toward CAM practice. Separated participants were 3.187 times less likely to exhibit positive attitude toward CAM than single participants (OR = -3.187., 95 %CI [.005, 0.345]) and Muslims were 3.517 times more likely to exhibit positive attitude toward CAM (OR = -3.517., 95 %CI [4.717, 240.673]). Moreover, 39.3 % of the participants tried CAM mostly to relieve pain (54.8 %). There was a significant correlation between age and knowledge about CAM (r = 0.147, p < 0.001) and between knowledge and attitude toward CAM (r = 0.149, p < 0.001). There was a significant correlation between attitude toward CAM and knowledge about Hijama (r = 0.136, p < 0.001), acupuncture (r = 0.192, p < 0.001), dietary supplements (r = 0.180, p < 0.001), and herbal medicine (r = 0.161, p < 0.001). ConclusionIn the UAE, there is considerable knowledge and acceptance of CAM. Recommendations are geared toward the involvement of healthcare professionals in CAM prescription and control. Community awareness about CAM is recommended to bridge the gap between safety, risks and benefits.

Happiness and positivity in the higher education context: an empirical study

PurposeThis study aims to explore the relationship between students' happiness, stress and emotional closeness to others to help move toward evidence-based practices in the United Arab Emirates' (UAE) higher education. Therefore, the primary purpose of this study is to examine whether college students' perceived happiness differed significantly based on stress, frequency of stress management techniques and emotional closeness to others (social support).Design/methodology/approachAn increasing number of studies suggest that the relationship between higher education and happiness is either significant or positive. However, most of these studies use life satisfaction as a proxy for happiness. The survey was conducted during the academic semester whilst students were studying, to measure happiness during the performance of different duties and to avoid the impact of having free time on raising the ratio of happiness. “This period of time was chosen to depict the study-related happiness elements during experiencing these factors by the students.” The sampling technique used in this research is the simple random sampling technique to enable the researchers to use the probability sampling techniques in testing the research hypotheses and for the purpose of generalizing the research results. The sampling unit is the student who is enrolled in the population of Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) students during the academic year 2020–2021. The sample is randomly representing all levels of students as well as all faculties and campuses of the HCT. The 400 HCT participants represented both male and female local UAE students with differing GPAs. The reason to have only one nationality is the policy of HCT that accepts only local students to be enrolled in the fall and spring semesters, which are the semesters of the data collection period of the academic year 2020–2021. Prior to completion of the survey, students were interviewed in a class environment to explain the research and to gain their consent for participation in the research. The data collection has been supported by discussions and interpretations with two focus groups including 20 students to validate the research results.FindingsThe research has statistical evidence on the relationship between the positivity of expectations and happiness with achievement. Each one of these two main factors is measured by sub-constructs like positivity about the career, conformance between expectations and reality, believing in the kindness of people, strong English language skills and feeling the fairness and similarity with other students in the same context.Originality/valueThe regression analysis results of this study reveal a strong positive impact of the positivity of expectations in students' perception on the level of happiness with achievements. The model is capable to predict the future behavior of the students' happiness with achievement and that it is determined by the level of positivity of expectations. This paper investigates the relationship between higher education happiness with achievements and the positivity of expectations of an undergraduate student.

Bloom’s Taxonomy-Does It have a Place at Hogwarts?

Aims and Scope | Author Guidelines | Current Issue | Archive | Indexing | Editorial Board | Contact Us Volume 5 | Issue 3 | 2022 Title: Bloom’s Taxonomy-Does It have a Place at Hogwarts? Author(S): Kausar Saida* and Carmelina Monteiro Corresponding Author Affiliation*: Department of General Studies, Higher Colleges of Technology, UAE Abstract: Harry Potter … Continue reading "International Journal of Education and Knowledge Management (IJEKM)"

TYPOLOGY OF INNOVATION ECOSYSTEMS UNIVERSITY-BASED INNOVATION ECOSYSTEMS ENTREPRENEURS IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Purpose- This paper explores the typology of innovation ecosystems obtained from the literature review which university-based innovation ecosystems in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) universities on the entrepreneurial subdivision of the innovation ecosystem and terms it an entrepreneurial ecosystem. Methodology- The aims of this study is qualitative in nature, while reflecting its exploratory nature and the absence of any previous work on university Typology of innovation in the UAE. A list of all UAE universities from the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA) will be used as primary research. Secondary sources and used as a sampling frame. The sampling procedure involved contacting the universities or colleges. Findings- The Centre of Excellence for Applied Research and Training (CERT) at Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) Established in 1996 the first center to adopt entrepreneurial initiatives. The UAEU Science and Innovation Park (UAEU-SIP) and Start AD, NYU Abu Dhabi both established in 2016 as the first concepts of innovation and incubator centers in the UAE universities. The UAE Government and Local government are the biggest supporters of universities, and with limited support from the private sector. Due to the early stage of those incubators and centers, with building a skilled workforce with entrepreneurial mindsets, the outcomes of incubated startups are expected to emerge after some time. Conclusion- This study focused only on universities located in the UAE which it's an emerging country. This study focused on university incubators or Innovation Centers only as introduced above more research is required on university-based innovation ecosystems' reach and strategic context. Keywords: Entrepreneurial, Ecosystem, Typology of innovation,UAE, University-based innovation JEL Codes: O30, O31

Faculty perceptions of the implementation of the United Arab Emirate's qualifications framework (QF Emirates) in federal higher education institutions

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine faculty perceptions of the aim/structure of the United Arab Emirate's Qualifications Framework (QF Emirates) and its impact on academic practices in order to support policymakers on how to better implement the framework.Design/methodology/approachThe study applied a mixed-methods approach to obtain quantitative and qualitative feedback from faculty members from two of the largest higher education institutions in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), namely the UAE University (UAEU) and the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT). A questionnaire was used to capture broad insight from a sample of 788 faculty members from both institutions. In addition, semistructured interviews were conducted with 20 faculty members to offer more in-depth analysis of how to improve QF Emirates strategies in light of the current challenges and future aspirations.FindingsThe study revealed that faculty members have an overall “average” to “high” perceptions of the general aim/structure of the QF Emirates and its impact on teaching, learning and assessment. Moreover, the study revealed that faculty from the HCT have a significantly higher perception of the QF Emirates implementation compared to faculty from the UAEU. The study concluded with proposing a number of solutions to support in improving the QF Emirates implementation, including raising awareness across stakeholders, identifying and communicating faculty roles in the process, and developing polices, guidelines and systems to support consistent integration of QF Emirates into academic practices.Originality/valueThe outcomes of this study would add to the existing body of knowledge pertaining to the role of stakeholders (e.g. faculty members) in the implementation of the national qualifications framework. It addition, it can drive future professional development activities and add to the discourse around the conceptual framework of NQFs. Outcomes of the study could also provide additional information on the use of the QF Emirates as a supporting instrument. Last but not least, this work could provide insight to policymakers in regard to institutional support that would promote effective adoption of the QF Emirates.

Building an Excellence Capabilities Portfolio in Higher Education: A Case Study of Higher Colleges of Technology, UAE

The Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) has developed and deployed a set of distinctive and dynamic capabilities in alignment with the UAE national agenda. These capabilities drive an ambitious strategy that anticipates and ensures future readiness; creates student-centric value; enables and empowers human capital; exploits the full potential of digital enablement; leverages through smart partnerships and resource optimization; builds capacity for knowledge exchange; and synergizes through collaboration, co-creation, and stakeholder orientation. This study presents HCT’s methodology as a case study to develop its capabilities portfolio, structure, main connectors (internal and external forces), and business operational model and capabilities dynamics that support HCT’s continuous transformation and leading position. The study proposes a model and practices to develop and unify standards for higher education institutions (HEIs) in their journey towards building distinctive and dynamic capabilities and achieving excellence maturity.

Evaluating the Effect of 3D Printing Technologies on Innovation and Entrepreneurship: A Practical Case Study

Higher Education Institutions (HEI’s) in many countries are drivers of innovative development economy. The innovative activity of HEI depends on both internal and external factors. Today, more and more emphasis is placed on innovative ecosystems, in which the HEI acts as one of the active actors in cooperation with business, government, public and private organizations. The research case study paper explores and compares the approaches development of regional innovation ecosystem of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) Innovation and Entrepreneurship Teaching initiative, as well as an assessment of its impact on the results of this particular innovation method at the HCT. The case study reveals on the topic of using and adapting 3D printing technologies in the field of education. 3D printing technologies can be applied to teach technological skills in different fields, including the field of education. They also contribute to the reorientation of attention from the digital or virtual environment to the real world, since the results of educational activities are not sketches and models, but real objects with given characteristics. 3D printing technologies are among the fastest growing and promising technologies. These technologies can significantly contribute to the introduction of new forms of organization of the educational process, increase motivation and the formation of the necessary competencies of learners, graduates and teaching faculties. The objective of this paper is to review the basic issues related to 3D printing technology initiative as a process of technological transition though integrating the technological innovation into the educational ecosystem and measuring its impact on students. The paper elaborates this practical showcase experience through a case study of ‘Al Ibtikar’ – Innovation and Entrepreneurship Club at HCT to provide empirical support for similar industrial and education players to better predict the innovation trajectory through 3D technologies in the future. In this way, the research presents a conceptual framework that provides a foundation for discussing 3D technology and discover a development prediction of 3D printing technology in the lens of using this practice in the educational process.

Editorial: Fourth Industrial Revolution Transforming Businesses

This Special Edition is a collection of diverse and varied papers presented at the FIR 2020 conference. This was the first virtual conference hosted by the Faculty of Business, Higher Colleges of Technology, UAE and the presenters were selected to submit their papers to this Special Edition for review. All submitted papers went through the rigorous process of double-blind review. The best papers were selected for publication. The collection of papers are from different areas of research and the commonalities are the Fourth Industrial Revolution in the context of the UAE and surrounding countries. The readers will enjoy a wide range of papers from different areas and all built on a solid grounding of quantitative and qualitative research. The papers in this special edition include topics related to supply chain, blockchain, finance, marketing, consumer behaviour, employee motivation and knowledge management.

International Advisory Committee

International Advisory Committee Prof. Allison M. Okamura (IEEE Fellow), Stanford University, United States Conference Committees Chair Prof. Dennis Lieu, University of California, Berkeley, United States Program Committee Chairs Prof. Dr. Jan Awrejcewicz, Lodz University of Technology, Poland Marina Barulina, Institute of Precision Mechanics and Control, Russian Academy of Sciences, Russia Technical Committee Chairs Prof. He Xu, Harbin Engineering University, ChinaProf. Kunhong Liu, Xiamen University, ChinaProf. Kwanho You, Sungkyunkwan University, South KoreaProf. Mohamed bin Hussein, Universiti Technologi Malaysia, MalaysiaAssoc. Prof. Yi Jin, University of Science and Technology of China, ChinaAssoc. Prof. Jie Yang, Dalian University of Technology, ChinaAssoc. Prof. Dirman Hanafi, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, MalaysiaAssoc. Prof. Dr. Vyacheslav Petrenko,North-Caucasus Federal University, RussiaAssoc. Prof. Dr. Maria Lapina, North-Caucasus Federal University, RussiaAsst. Prof. Abdel-Hameed Badawy, New Mexico State University, USADr. Zahid Akhtar, University of Memphis, USADr.Hsien-I Lin, National Taipei University of Technology, TaiwanDr. Lihong Zheng, Charles Sturt University, AustraliaDr. Adrian Kampa, Silesian University of Technology, PolandSze-Teng Liong, Feng Chia University, TaiwanMuath Alrammal, Higher Colleges of Technology, United Arabe of EmiratesMunir Naveed, Higher Colleges of Technology, United Arabe of EmiratesSuman Deb, NIT Agartala, IndiaNirmalya Kar, National Institute of Technology Agartala, IndiaAshim Saha, National Institute of Technology Agartala, IndiaIbragim Suleimenov, Almaty University of Power Engineering and Telecommunications,KazakhstanAkhat Bakirov, Almaty University of Power Engineering and Telecommunications, KazakhstanSebastian Heil, Chemnitz Technical University, Germany

Instructional and Business Continuity Amid and Beyond COVID-19 Outbreak: A Case Study from the Higher Colleges of Technology

With the announcement of COVID-19 as pandemic, and the call for social distancing, academic institutions reacted by shutting campuses and calling for the shift to virtual online delivery. In HCT, we conducted this study in an effort to sustain success in these global challenging times of crisis that is informed by strategic foresight.HCT called for an all-online delivery starting March 22, 2020 after a two-day pilot in the preceding week. HCT readiness is a result of orchestrating: an ecosystem perspective on digital transformation, a forth-looking institutional strategy that has technology utilization as a major pillar, an education technology strategy, and a comprehensive set of intelligent learning tools.Forward-looking scenarios were designed based on two critical uncertainties: (1) COVID-19 longevity and (2) socio-economic disruption. These scenarios are: Divine Mercy, Recovery Mode, New Norm, and Survival of the Fittest. Subsequently, the features of each scenario are assessed for implications on HCT’s business and support operations, and the proactive strategies are documented to cope with these implications.During the full online delivery mode period, HCT recorded 86% satisfaction amongst its faculty and 54% amongst its student body, delivered 234,000 hours through 61,000 online classes, and delivered over 21,000 hours of online professional development (PD). Over the same period, more than 1900 non-faculty employees have been running business as usual from home.Envisioning future scenarios and preparing the organization for them is a practice that should be deployed in parallel to emergency response efforts to ensure successful business continuity.

VOLATILITY EFFECTS OF INDEX OPTIONS TRADING ON THE UNDERLYING SPOT INDEX

16Mar 2020 VOLATILITY EFFECTS OF INDEX OPTIONS TRADING ON THE UNDERLYING SPOT INDEX Khurshid Ali Ganai , Irshad Ahmad Malik and Khalid Ashraf Chisti Assistant Professor, Business Division, Higher Colleges of Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Assistant Professor, Department of Management Studies, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, India. Assistant Professor, Department of Commerce, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, India.

Leadership transformation in academic organisation: A case study

The Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is seeking to revolutionise its academic operations. HCT has 17 campuses across the UAE, creating both opportunities and challenges for management. The organisation needs to identify and implement an effective and efficient management structure and process to realise its new vision, HCT 2.0. HCT has developed a strategic plan 2017–2022, where it is implementing the corporate approach in an academic institution. This approach imposes 320 key performance indicators and 23 strategic initiatives to achieve the HCT 2.0 vision and mission. The key target of HCT 2.0 is to achieve 100% employment for its graduates by 2022. The management has solicited all stakeholders’ input in the transformation processes, to ensure alignment of its operations with the new paradigm. This paper demonstrates the transformation process and its impact at the leadership level. Keywords: Leadership, organisational transformation, HCT 2.0, change management

Enabling Entrepreneurship: Entrepreneurial Intentions among Emirati Students

This paper aims to identify and examine motivational and environmental factors that impact entrepreneurial intentions of Emirati undergraduates in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Using a quantitative, correlational research design this study administered the Entrepreneurial Intentions Questionnaire (EIQ), to a sample of 74 business students from the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT), Sharjah Campuses. Descriptive statistics, correlational analysis and regression models were used to analyse and evaluate hypotheses. Findings confirm a high degree of entrepreneurial intentions among Emirati undergraduates, explained by a combination of motivational and environmental variables. Emirati Business students value capabilities over social approval to opt for starting an entrepreneurial venture. Students’ entrepreneurial intentions strongly correlated with perceptions of capabilities, which signals significant implications for practitioners. The paper suggests a clear focus on enhancing entrepreneurial capabilities is an effective avenue to cultivate entrepreneurial intentions and foster entrepreneurial action. Although previous studies in the UAE context highlighted high levels of entrepreneurial intentions, understanding of which factors influence these intentions was lacking. This paper makes significant contributions to filling this gap.

BENCHMARKING LEARNER EDUCATION USING ONLINE BUSINESS SIMULATION

For programmatic accreditation by the Accreditation Council of Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), business programs are required to meet STANDARD #4, Measurement and Analysis of Student Learning and Performance. Business units must demonstrate that outcome assessment systems are in place using documented evidence that shows how the results are being used to further develop or improve the academic business program. The Higher Colleges of Technology, a 17 campus federal university in the United Arab Emirates, differentiates its applied degree programs through a ‘learning by doing ethos,’ which permeates the entire curricula. This paper documents benchmarking of education for managing innovation. Using business simulation for Bachelors of Business, Year 3 learners, in a business strategy class; learners explored through a simulated environment the following functional areas; research and development, production, and marketing of a technology product. Student teams were required to use finite resources and compete against other student teams in the same universe. The study employed an instrument developed in a 60-sample pilot study of business simulation learners against which subsequent learners participating in online business simulation could be benchmarked. The results showed incremental improvement in the program due to changes made in assessment strategies, including the oral defense. To cite this document:  Alfred Miller, Benchmarking learner education using online business simulation, International Journal of Cyber Society and Education, Vol. 9, No. 1, pp. 17-34, 2016. Permanent link to this document: http://dx.doi.org/10.7903/ijcse.1418

Teacherss Perceptions About the Process and Challenges of Designing an English for Specific Purposes Course in the Arabian Gulf

This paper discusses teachers’ perceptions about the process and challenges of course design in general, and ESP (English for Specific Purposes) courses in particular. The study involves the process of designing an ESP course for returning students from the work place in the continued education department at the Higher Colleges of Technology. the findings in this paper are based on a qualitative research that employed an interpretivist/ constructivist theory, in which qualitative data was gathered primarily through interviews with a view to clarifying teachers' perceptions and understanding the beliefs and practices behind them. The study attempted to answer mainly the following questions. How do teachers perceive the process of an ESP course design? And what are the challenges they might encounter while designing ESP courses in general? In the findings section, four major themes have emerged from the data analysis process; they consist of influence of 1- Culture, Ideology, and Politics 2- The controversy of Needs Analysis, 3- Challenges in producing adequate course materials, and 4- Theory versus practice. Finally, the study discusses the implications of the findings and presents some recommendations for further use.

Building Affordable Touchpad Tablets and Integrating it within Undergraduate Students’ Curriculum

&lt;p class="2M-body"&gt;This research paper will discuss the process and consequences of allowing undergraduate students to build their own touchpads and integrate it within their daily learning activities. The paper will try to capture the student’s acceptance level toward the procedure and its anticipated academic results. The level of student’s acceptance will be measured based on a group of statistical questions such as the amount of time and level of difficulties encountered during the assembly process. Moreover, the discussion will elaborate toward the opportunities that can be achieved in terms of students’ learning mobility and overall enhancements of their educational performance. At this point, a group of survey questions will investigate the affiliation between allowing the student’s to build their own touchpads and the fact of achieving better academic results. In this respect, a group of 39 students currently studying at the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT), in Abu Dhabi Women’s College (ADWC), will be asked to be part of a questionnaire to record their behaviour and overall impression in relation to the touchpad assembly and its usage.&lt;/p&gt;

The Fifth Annual Gulf Comparative Education Society Symposium Locating the National in the International: Comparative Perspectives on Language, Identity, Policy, and Practice

The Gulf Comparative Education Society (GCES) held its fifth annual symposium under the sponsorship of the Higher Colleges of Technology, the Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation for Policy Research, and Middlesex University Dubai from April 8 to 10, 2014. Entitled “Locating the National in the International: Comparative Perspectives on Language, Identity, Policy, and Practice,” the symposium was held at the Dubai Women’s College in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). It consisted of a pre-conference workshop, one keynote address, four featured panels and eleven breakout sessions with over 55 presentations by both invited speakers as well as those who had submitted abstracts. The speakers came from a wide variety of countries including the UAE, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, Switzerland, England, Australia, Germany, and the United States, and represented different voices in the education sector, such as policymakers, academics and researchers, school providers and leaders, consultants, and teachers.

Cloud Solution to assist in Mobile Technology Learning

This paper will discuss the use of cloud-based computing solutions to assist in the process of mobile learning and teaching. The paper will go through the limitations of mobile technology and the areas where cloud solutions can assist to fill in the gaps. It will also discuss the student’s acceptance of such system and the tremendous opportunities cloud technology could offer to higher education students in terms of learning mobility and computer software accessibility. In this respect, the paper will investigate the usage of the Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) that is recently adapted in the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) as part of its private cloud solution. This research will show how using cloud solutions in conjunction with mobile smart devices, such as the iPad, could technically and pedagogically facilitate the educational process both for students and faculty members. Concluding remarks will be presented and discussed at the end of the paper.

Cloud Video Conferencing for Geographically Distributed Colleges

This paper will discuss the use of cloud-based video conferencing services across a geographically dispersed college system – to improve communication amongst academic staff and to provide access to educational programmes for small, scattered cohorts of students. The paper will discuss student acceptance of the technology and will present guidelines for making course delivery more effective and interactive, as well as explore new techniques that transform traditional closed classes into open global hubs that can integrate customized seminars and incorporate specialist guest speakers. It will also investigate the utilisation of this technology at the Higher Colleges of Technology, UAE, and compare it to traditional video conferencing rooms in terms of cost, access and utilisation. Concluding remarks will be presented and discussed at the end of the paper.

Effectiveness of teaching strategies for engaging adults who experienced childhood difficulties in learning mathematics

We investigated whether the introduction of a variety of activity-based teaching strategies into college-level mathematics classes in the United Arab Emirates was effective in terms of the nature of the classroom learning environment and students’ satisfaction. In addition, we investigated how the use of personally-relevant and concrete activities changed the learning environment in ways that were perceived to be beneficial by adults who had experienced failure. For a sample of 84 students from eight classes in the Higher Colleges of Technology, the learning environment was assessed with a modified Arabic version of four scales (Involvement, Task Orientation, Personalisation and Individualisation) from the College and University Classroom Environment Inventory (CUCEI) and Satisfaction was also measured with a scale from the same instrument. As well, five case-study students were involved in assessing the learning environment through observations, semi-structured interviews and focus-group interviews in order to link qualitative information with the constructs assessed by the CUCEI.