Role Of Higher Education Research Articles

Higher education’s impact on CO2 mitigation: MENA insights with consideration for unemployment, economic growth, and globalization

This study investigates the intricate interplay between higher education and environmental pollution in the MENA region from 2000 to 2018. Employing a comprehensive analytical approach, including cross-dependency tests alongside panel unit root tests, Kao cointegration tests, fixed effect GLS, DOLS (dynamic ordinary least squares), FMOLS (fully modified ordinary least squares) estimations, and Granger causality tests, the research focuses on three critical control variables—Unemployment, gross domestic product, and the globalization index. GLS analysis reveals a positive correlation between higher education, globalization, GDP per capita, and CO2 emissions in the MENA region. However, delving deeper using DOLS and FMOLS, a nuanced perspective emerges, indicating the role of higher education and globalization in mitigating CO2 emissions in the long run, challenging the Kuznets curve hypothesis. Additionally, causality tests highlight the significant influence of higher education and globalization on CO2 emissions. These findings address a critical gap in the understanding of environmental dynamics in the MENA region and offer valuable insights for policymakers and governments, informing targeted interventions and policies for sustainable development and reduced CO2 emissions.

The Role of Higher Education and Financial Development on Economic Growth: Evidence on North Cyprus

This research aims to examine the effects of the development in the higher education and financial sector on economic growth in the case of North Cyprus. Findings of time series data show that there is a long-term equilibrium relationship between real income and its elements such as labor, capital, higher education, and financial growth. Results show that both capital and labor have a statistically significant effect on economic growth. Additionally, development in the financial sector is a significant contributor to economic growth, however, higher education shows evidence of greater contribution to economic growth in North Cyprus. It draws attention that the higher education sector has a greater impact on economic development than the financial sector. In this context, government authorities should support both the financial and higher education sectors in order to accelerate their contribution to economic development. Policymakers needed to concentrate more on the higher education sector in Northern Cyprus.

Unveiling Students’ Experiences and Perceptions of Artificial Intelligence Usage in Higher Education

This study explores the utilization and perception of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools among students in higher education. With the growing accessibility of AI technologies, their integration into educational settings presents a new frontier for enhancing learning experiences. This research adopts a mixed-methods approach, including surveys and interviews, to delve into how students employ AI tools and their perceived benefits and drawbacks of AI usage in the context of entrepreneurship education in a business school. The findings reveal a diverse range of AI applications, highlighting benefits such as increased productivity, personalized learning, and enhanced linguistic capability. However, concerns regarding academic integrity, over-reliance on AI, and the need for clear usage guidelines are also identified. This study contributes to the understanding of AI's role in higher education and provides much-needed empirical evidence of AI usage from students’ perspectives. Our findings underscore the importance of balanced, informed, and ethical use of AI tools in higher education.

Education policy implemented by China to advance "Belt and Road" initiative in Kazakhstan

Relevance. The relevance of this study lies in the significant role that China's "Belt and Road" initiative plays in promoting international educational exchanges, especially with Kazakhstan. Purpose. The study aims to analyse China's education policy development in Kazakhstan under the "Belt and Road" initiative, focusing on the background, influencing factors, implementation measures, and future trends, to provide insights for educational practice in both China and Kazakhstan. Methodology. The research employs a comprehensive review of policy documents, agreements, and implementation measures related to China's "Belt and Road" educational initiatives. It uses qualitative analysis to extract insights from these sources. Results. The results highlight the establishment of a "Belt and Road" educational community, the signing of educational cooperation agreements with 24 countries, and the launch of educational programs in 23 countries. Notably, 60 Chinese colleges and universities have initiated overseas education programs, and 16 have established international cooperation laboratories. Conclusions. The study concludes that the "Belt and Road" initiative has effectively fostered educational cooperation and integration. This initiative enhances higher education's role in economic, social, and cultural exchanges between China and countries along the route, particularly Kazakhstan. The findings offer a foundation for future educational policies and practices to further strengthen these international collaborations. Keywords: "Belt and Road"; China; Kazakhstan; education policy

After the ‘refugee crisis’ and the Yerevan Communiqué: Nationalism and empire as the not-so-hidden heart of European higher education

The Yerevan Communiqué represents a possible high-point in European responses to the 2015 ‘refugee crisis’ and the role of higher education in building an inclusive Europe. If that is so, then the post-2015 period can be seen as a retreat from the moral stance taken in the Communiqué. This paper takes a different perspective and argues that the post-2015 period reveals tensions at the heart of the European project and the role of higher education in this. Specifically, the paper argues that the rise of a nativist politics of belonging in Europe and its manifestation in European higher education is immanent in the European project itself as a post-imperial project, in the historical formation of European higher education amidst the legacies of imperial designs, intensified by the neoliberal reformation of nation/states, and the role of migration in the context of neoliberal globalisation and the problematic nature of ‘national’ borders.

Exploring the Path of “Project Team Style” Faculty Development for Applied Undergraduate Programs

Applied undergraduate education plays a crucial role in higher education, serving as a key platform for nurturing innovative talents. However, the lack of practical and innovative skills among teachers in applied undergraduate programs, who primarily come directly from academic institutions, hinders the cultivation of students' abilities in these areas. This limitation also affects the professional growth of teachers. The Internet of Things engineering program at Guangdong Institute of Science and Technology has successfully implemented a 'project team type' teacher training approach over three years, yielding positive outcomes. By utilizing diversified integration within project teams, this model fosters collective team development. Such a model holds significant value in enhancing the quality of applied undergraduate faculty and driving the transformation and advancement of local undergraduate institutions.

Students’ Perceptions of the Skills in the Labor Market in the 4th Industrial Revolution

The Fourth Industrial Revolution will have a crucial impact on the jobs, the types of skills required to cover them, and the role of Higher Education in obtaining these skills. Among the challenges universities are called upon to face is providing students with the necessary employability skills for their future professional careers. This research aims to investigate the perceptions of students at the University of the Aegean and the University of Patras on the employability skills considered necessary in the future labor market. The research was conducted using a questionnaire answered by 392 students from various faculties of the University of the Aegean and the University of Patras. The results show that participants consider hard skills more important (such as Equipment Selection and troubleshooting) than programming and mathematics. They also consider soft skills (such as active listening and critical thinking) to be more important than negotiation, social perceptiveness, and coordination. In terms of their degree and the skills it offers, the majority consider that they have chosen it for a professional career and that it provides them with the necessary skills for the labor market. However, for the next 10–15 years, they do not consider that their degree will be sufficient regarding the skills requirements for their employability.

Inverse Trigonometric Fuzzy Preference Programming to Generate Weights with Optimal Solutions Implemented on Evaluation Criteria in E-Learning

Nielsen’s heuristics are widely recognized for usability evaluation, but they are often considered insufficiently specific for assessing particular domains, such as e-learning. Currently, e-learning plays a pivotal role in higher education because of the shift in the educational paradigm from a teacher-centered approach to a student-centered approach. The criteria utilized in multiple sets of heuristics for evaluating e-learning are carefully examined based on the definitions of each criterion. If there are similarities in meaning among these criteria, they are consolidated into a single criterion, resulting in the creation of 20 new criteria (spanning three primary aspects) for the evaluation of e-learning. These 20 new criteria encompass key aspects related to the user interface, learning development, and motivation. Each aspect is assigned a weight to facilitate prioritization when implementing improvements to evaluate e-learning, which is especially beneficial for institutions with limited resources responsible for the relevant units. In terms of weighting, there is room for enhancement to attain more optimal weighting outcomes by employing a Fuzzy Preference Programming method known as Inverse Trigonometric Fuzzy Preference Programming (ITFPP). The higher the assigned weight, the greater the priority for implementing improvements.

Ethics and Value are Essential: Role of Higher Education

Ethics and Value are Essential: Role of Higher Education

FACTORS AFFECTING THE EFFICIENCY OF REFORMS IN THE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS

Socio-economic development in the 20th century and the present period is explained by the sharp increase of the human factor in the composition of resources. On the one hand, this resource has risen to a new level in terms of quality, and on the other hand, society's investments are increasingly directed to its creation. In the article, the opinions about the role of higher education in the formation of human capital are scientifically based.

Academic middle leadership: An exploration of Arab women's professional identities in higher education

This study explored the professional identities of four Arab women holding academic middle leadership roles in higher education within the Arab States Region. Employing a narrative inquiry approach and guided by the Dynamic Systems Model of Role Identity, the research investigates how these women leaders perceived their career trajectories and navigated their role identities. The study sheds light on the multifaceted nature of their identity negotiations, influenced by a complex interplay of circumstances, social processes, critical incidents, key individuals, and opportunities. Notably, the study brings attention to the pervasive challenges faced by these women, not only externally but also from internalized biases ingrained within the system, perpetuated even by fellow women. The intricacies of these identity negotiations are further contextualized within micro-political processes and the inherent asymmetrical distribution of power in organizational hierarchies, marked by androcentric dominance, and lack of trust. Despite these challenges, the narratives suggest that women in these roles actively embrace collaborative and inclusive leadership styles, potentially enhancing their effectiveness in navigating the complexities of higher education leadership.

The Role of Higher Education in Shaping Essential Personality Traits for Achieving Success in Entrepreneurship in Spain.

Research on university education and its role in developing personality traits essential to achieving success in entrepreneurship is required because of the significance of entrepreneurship for advancements in the economic, social, technological, and environmental spheres. Additionally, the value of a university education in shaping an individual's personality, and the necessity of emphasizing entrepreneurship in higher education for students to achieve real success, should be a priority in our society. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to explore how university education influences personality traits that are key to success in entrepreneurship in Spain. To achieve this objective, a qualitative methodology based on the study of 11 cases has been adopted. The results allow us to conclude that university education has a decisive influence on the development of the personality traits that integrally determine entrepreneurial success as the culmination of the final stage of the maturation process; however, a university education is not fundamental to the development of these traits. Nevertheless, entrepreneurs emphasized that the personality traits analyzed need to be reinforced explicitly in university education since they effectively positively impact the success of entrepreneurial initiatives.

Out to Pasture: Transitioning From Servant-Leadership to Post-Leadership Roles in Academia

Faculty in leadership or administrative roles may continue their career advancement until retirement. In some cases, faculty may choose or have chosen for them, to not continue in a leadership role in the academy. An extensive search of the literature on post-leadership roles using the search term post-leadership in Web of Science, Communication Abstracts, PsycArticles (ProQuest), ProQuest Research Library, and Education Full-text (EBSCO) databases failed to uncover research specifically related to post-leadership faculty roles in higher education. According to Jasinki (2020) while much scholarship has focused on leadership development in academia, little scholarship has focused on the phenomena of “stepping down.” Utilizing autoethnographic method (see Ellis et al., 2011), the author seeks to understand the connection between the personal journey and the effects of our cultural expectations of post-leadership in academia on self-identity. This current project aims to begin the conversation by sharing a personal narrative about the process of reflection related to post-leadership roles and offering a critical self-analysis within the context of servant leadership.

Exam as an instrument for student-active learning in STEM education – An example from a reliability analysis course

Exams have a powerful role in higher education typically in the form of summative assessment, where the goal is to evaluate student learning at the end of the course; to test whether the students have achieved the learning objectives. Beyond representing a final activity in the course, exams have a role in giving students exam-relevant problems to solve, and to communicate a set of standards. It can be argued that this problem-solving activity contributes to learning and will make the students better equipped to perform well on the final exam. From the teacher’s perspective, the designing of exams represents a task creating specific awareness to the course content and student capabilities. In this paper, focus is on student activity and in-depth learning, where we investigate a potential to use exams more actively in learning activities prior to the summative assessment. A way suggested in this paper and tested for a reliability analysis (probability and statistics oriented) course, is to have the students design on their own an exam set with solutions, preferably in groups. The students have access to supervision and are given feedback on their product. There is a rationale that this activity may add motivation, and results indicate a positive learning benefit from the initiative, which is also supported by feedback collected from the students in the course evaluation. Main feedback being that it makes them see problems from different perspectives and taking a more active role. Besides, the format to work together with other students on solving a low-stake but value-adding task without direct influence on their grade was appreciated. The way allows for creative thinking and reflection. It extends the traditional use of exams and represents a way in line with problem-based learning thinking.

Development of African Languages as the Medium of Instruction in Higher Education: From Policy to Practice

This study, using the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) as a key case study, critically examined the integration of African languages, specifically isiZulu, in South Africa’s higher education system. Employing a qualitative approach, the research conducted semi-structured interviews with lecturers and students while analysing relevant policies through a comprehensive examination of secondary data. The theoretical framework is grounded in sociolinguistics that focuses on diglossia—a linguistic phenomenon where two languages serve distinct functions in multilingual communities. The article engaged with the legacy of apartheid and colonialism, considering racial power differences that position African languages as inferior. The findings highlight the transformative role UKZN has embarked on of intellectualising isiZulu, challenging persistent misconceptions about the capacity of African languages to contribute to knowledge within higher education. The recommendations stressed the need for innovative teaching approaches, and robust support services for students engaging with academic content in African languages. This paper contributes to reshaping the narrative around African languages, recognising their vital role in higher education. Keywords: African Languages, Higher Education, Transformation, Language Policy, Diglossia

Economic Consequences of Artificial Intelligence and Labor Automation: Employment Recovery, Transformation of Labor Markets, and Dynamics of Social Structure in the Context of Digital Transformation

Globalization, industrialization, and digitalization have led to structural changes in the economy and labor markets, affecting their internationalization, flexibility, labor mobility, and the emergence of new forms of employment. The purpose of the academic paper is to identify the economic consequences of digital transformation and automation of labor markets in the example of the EU-27 countries for the period 2013-2022. The structural-functional analysis was used in the academic paper to characterize and systematically study the economic consequences of digitalization and automation in the labor markets of the EU-27 countries. The functioning of the labor market in various EU-27 countries in the context of digital transformation is characterized by several features. The EU-27 labor markets are characterized by rapid employment recovery, especially during the pandemic and economic downturn in 2020, and employment revival in 2021-2022. In the Member States, a stable level of employment is generally observed; there is a decrease in the share of people with 0-2, and 3-4 educational attainment levels, while the share of people with 5-8 educational attainment levels is growing, and there is a stable growth in wages and incomes. Changes in the social structure of the employed by vocational and educational levels and qualifications in favor of increasing the importance and role of higher education have been revealed. Changes in forms of employment and the emergence of new forms of employment (sharing of workers and workplaces, temporary management, casual labor, ICT-based mobile work, voucher work, portfolio work, crowd employment, and collaborative work) have been identified.

The Role of Higher Education in Sustainable Development: A Case Study at Yarmouk University.

The Role of Higher Education in Sustainable Development: A Case Study at Yarmouk University.

Addressing Poverty through Social Entrepreneurship for Sustainable Development: A Comprehensive Bibliometric Analysis

The increasing social and environmental challenges, particularly poverty, have brought social entrepreneurship, a highly researched domain, to the attention of academicians. It has emerged as a critical issue in the context of economic development and societal well-being. The current study presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis in the field of social entrepreneurship and poverty alleviation to explain the current state, geographical performance, and future research agenda. Utilizing VOS viewer (version 1.6.20) and R Studio software (version 4.3.2), 461 final articles were examined and extracted from the Web of Science database, covering the period from 1998 to 2022. The findings reveal a significant increase in research activity in this field since 2009, indicating a growing demand for it as a solution to social challenges. Notably, the years 2021–2022 witnessed a remarkable 55% surge in research output. The Sustainability Journal ranks first as the most productive source, followed by the Journal of Cleaner Production. The most prolific authors are Nina Kolleck from Germany, David Littlewood, and Diane Holt from the UK. Additionally, this study assesses the geographic distribution of research contributions, highlighting regions with relatively lower research performance, such as South Asian and African countries. Leading in this domain are the UK, Spain, the USA, and European institutions. Co-citation patterns reveal four thematic clusters: (1) dynamics of social entrepreneurship; (2) sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem; (3) social entrepreneurship for social innovation; and (4) integrated sustainable entrepreneurship, shedding light on critical aspects and the intellectual structure of this domain. Finally, keyword co-occurrence analysis identifies emerging research areas, e.g., entrepreneurial development, the role of higher education, enterprise collaboration, inclusive growth, and socio-economic empowerment. This research provides valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners committed to achieving sustainable social change.

Research on Reading Strategies and Teaching of Foreign Literary Works

The reading of foreign literature plays an important role in higher education, but many students encounter difficulties in the process of reading and need effective reading strategies. Combining literature review with empirical research, this paper discusses the reading strategies of foreign literary works, including pre-reading strategies, during-reading strategies and post-reading strategies, and puts forward corresponding practical suggestions. The research shows that effective reading strategies can improve the quality and efficiency of reading, enhance students' interest and ability in reading, and improve their foreign language level and humanistic quality.

The Role of Higher Education in Human And Social Development in Zimbabwe

The Role of Higher Education in Human And Social Development in Zimbabwe