Infrastructure Administration Research Articles

Programa Nacional de Alimentação Escolar (PNAE): um modelo conceitual das barreiras à aquisição de alimentos da agricultura familiar

ABSTRACT: The National School Feeding Program (PNAE) is the oldest and most extensive food and nutrition program in Brazil. Art. 14 of Law 11.947 stipulate that at least 30% of its operational resources need be used to purchase family farming products. However, there are important barriers that hinder the application of this law. The present article developed a conceptual model that described and analyzed the barriers to this requirement. A systematic literature review identified twelve barriers, divided into three constructs political administrative infrastructure and human capital, which enables PNAE management to develop mitigation strategies, including a larger number of farmers in the program, thereby increasing its efficiency.

A Narrative Study on Authentic Leadership and Dual Credit Administration in Texas Community Colleges

ABSTRACT Community colleges play an integral role in early access to college via dual credit programs. Dual credit programs have grown exponentially in Texas, thus warranting further investigation into how these programs are led and administered at the district level. Authentic leadership is needed to ensure programs, students, families, and faculty members achieve success. Using authentic leadership and life-stories as a conceptual framework, this study focused on three community college administrators’ narratives, approaches to interpersonal relationships, and perspectives on dual credit challenges and priorities. The findings of the study indicated community college administrators lead these programs with a variety of leadership experiences. Furthermore, they must navigate relationships with multiple key stakeholders and respond to competing demands. This study also highlights the challenges of equity, lack of administrative infrastructure, and communication and compromise. Administrators shared their priorities in being “student ready,” strategic planning, and training and professional development. This study could assist researchers, educators, and policymakers in better understanding dual credit implementation by offering insights into the necessary training needed for district-level administrators to implement a dual credit program.

Innovations, Best Practices, and Distinctiveness in Higher Education Administration – A Case of Srinivas University

Purpose: Research in "Innovations, Best Practices, and Distinctiveness in Higher Education Administration" through case studies of universities aims to identify novel approaches, successful strategies, and unique initiatives implemented by higher education institutions. By analyzing these case studies, researchers can uncover innovative practices that contribute to institutional excellence and effectiveness in administration. Ultimately, the research seeks to disseminate valuable insights and lessons learned to improve higher education administration and foster continuous improvement across universities. Methodology: Exploratory research methodology is used where required information are collected through keyword-based search using Srinivas University website, Google search engine, Google scholar search engine, and AI-driven GPT MLM search engines. Analysis & Interpretation: Ther information collected from relevant sources are analysed, compared, evaluated, and interpreted using various frameworks. This includes innovations and best practices in infrastructure administration, Innovations and best practices in Library Administration, Innovations and best practices in Maintenance of Campus Infrastructure, Innovations and best practices in Alumni Engagement, Innovations in Vison and Leadership, Innovations in the development of Institutional Strategic Plan, Innovations in Effectiveness of Administration, Innovations in Faculty Empowerment Strategies, Innovations in Financial Management and Resource Mobilization, and Innovations, best practices, and institutional distinctiveness in Internal Quality Assurance System. Originality/Value addition: Based on the analysis some Suggestions on Innovations, Best Practices and Distinctiveness in Administrative related Activities are provided. By implementing the suggestions systematically, the university can realise its dream to become one among many world-class universities. Type of Paper: Case study based scholarly research analysis

Librarianship and bibliography in the international arena: The Subcommittee for Bibliography of the International Committee on Intellectual Cooperation, 1922–1930

In 1922, the International Committee on Intellectual Cooperation was established to serve as an advisory organ of the League of Nations in respect of science, arts and education. It took an interest in promoting international bibliographic projects and library cooperation. This article focuses on the International Committee on Intellectual Cooperation’s Subcommittee for Science and Bibliography, established in 1923, and situates it in the context of the League’s evolving and complex administrative and communication infrastructure for intellectual cooperation, to which the International Institute of Intellectual Cooperation was added in 1926. A general overview is given of the Subcommittee’s membership, its relationship with the International Institute of Bibliography of Paul Otlet and Henri Lafontaine, and its activities as reflected in its agendas, minutes and reports. Its membership comprised eminent scientists and scholars, with directors of some major libraries serving as associate members, some of whom later played leading roles in IFLA.

Beyond the classroom walls: Stakeholder experiences with remote instruction in Post RN baccalaureate nursing program during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative inquiry.

The COVID-19 pandemic led to the closure of educational campuses and the suspension of conventional classroom teaching globally and locally, and many switched overnight to an online modality. The change was experienced differently by varied audiences, given the availability of resources. The study aimed to examine stakeholders' experiences of emergency remote instructions in the Post-RN Baccalaureate Nursing Program during the COVID-19 pandemic. A qualitative descriptive exploratory design with a purposive sampling technique was used at a private nursing university in Karachi, Pakistan. Focus group discussions with students and faculty were conducted separately, while in-depth interviews with key informants were held using semi-structured interview guides. The focus group discussions and in-depth interviews were recorded electronically and transcribed and translated, coded, and analysed manually. Findings uncovered two major themes. (a) Remote teaching and learning-a paradigm shift; and (b) Remote learning ecosystem-a challenging team sport. The first theme denotes a major shift in pedagogical approach migrating from blended learning model to a complete online modality. Theme two uncovers the efforts and teamwork of the various stakeholders who assisted in mitigating the challenges collaboratively when migrating to virtual learning environment. Findings suggest that to continue to thrive in the post-COVID world, faculty, students, and key informants must collegially enhance the teaching, learning, and assessment strategies and student-teacher interaction, capitalising on evidence-based practices, trial and error, multi-level support mechanisms, and partnerships. The study recommends building resilience in instructional and administrative infrastructure to prepare for future events like pandemics and suggests development of evidence-informed blended and online nursing programmes in the region.

Passages and rebates: Colonial officers and the shift from sea to air travel in the 1940s

Passengers seldom appear in historical accounts as having their own role in the development of civil aviation. This study identifies a particular class of air-travellers: colonial officers and their families, stationed throughout the British Empire, who in the late 1940s drove a shift to the air at a time of an acute crisis in shipping accommodations. The drive from sea to air relied on an administrative infrastructure which was created by the Crown Agents for the Colonies on the basis of their earlier agreements with shipping companies. The Crown Agents administered the passage of colonial officers and negotiated a rebate agreement with British Overseas Airways Corporation in 1949. The study concludes that the history of civil aviation and the shift from sea to air travel depended not only on technological improvements but also on passengers whose practices normalised air-travel.

Qualitative Analysis of Implementation Factors of an Embedded Caregiver Support Intervention into Adult Day Services.

Adult day services (ADS) are an important and often underutilized support resource for older adults. For persons living with dementia (PLWD), ADS is an optimal access point to not only receive therapeutic and rehabilitative activities, but as a vehicle for respite/relief for dementia caregivers. Yet, there is currently a lack of research on integrating caregiver interventions into home and community-based services such as ADS. This paper reports on qualitative findings from the Improving Outcomes for Family Caregivers of Older Adults with Complex Conditions: The Adult Day Plus (ADS Plus) Program Trial. Drawing from semi-structured interviews conducted with family caregivers and ADS site staff, we conducted a thematic analysis to examine the implementation process of ADS Plus. Themes address the relational nature of the intervention, learning, influence of the administrative infrastructure, and receptivity of ADS Plus. Our analysis determined that implementation of ADS Plus was feasible and accepted by site staff and dementia caregivers but also calls for additional evaluation of embedded caregiver support interventions across different contexts (e.g., staff size, limited technology environments) to further identify and test implementation mechanisms across settings.

‘The sublime objects of liminality’: the Byzantine insular-coastal koine and its administration in the passage from Late Antiquity to the early Middle Ages (ca. 600–ca. 850)

This paper focuses on the historical development and dynamics of political and administrative structures in regions of a fragmented empire that cannot be simply described as marginal ‘mouseholes’. Rather, it should be acknowledged that these spaces were part and parcel of a wider area (the Byzantine insular and coastal koine), which encompassed coastal areas as well as insular communities promoting socio-economic contact and cultural interchange. More importantly, they also boasted a peculiar set of material indicators suggesting a certain common cultural unity and identity. The koine coincided with liminal territories and the seas on which the Byzantine Empire retained political and naval rulership. Such liminal territories showed varied – yet coherent– administrative infrastructures and political practices on the part of local elites.

Catastrophic Sways of Floods on the Education Sector in Pakistan

This study aimed to identify the impact of the 2022 floods on the education sector of Pakistan and to cope with the challenges faced by various stakeholders in the sector. The study employed qualitative research methodology to curate in-depth knowledge of the issue. A semi-structured interview guide was prepared to collect the data through individual interviews. The findings showed that the effects of floods ranged from damage to the school buildings to administrative and institutional infrastructure, along with a thrust on the psychosocial and economic impact on the families, educators, and children. The findings further highlighted the educational activities that had to be halted for months, leaving educators and learners stranded. It also highlighted the observations of local community leaders to deal with the education crisis on an urgent basis, giving direction in terms of preparedness to handle floods of similar magnitude in the future. The recommendations include reconstruction of the damaged schools, teacher training, coordination and cooperation among various departments, inter-sectoral cooperation to reach out to the poorest, and the provision of Temporary Learning Centres (TLCs). The study will assist in creating awareness about the grave nature of damages that occurred to the educational sector of Pakistan and the need for support.

Building VET systems to advance communities: beyond responsiveness

There are five purposes that are central to vocational education and training (VET)(i.e., engaging young people, assisting them identify their preferred occupation, preparing them to practice it, ongoing development and being innovative) in the contemporary era. Yet, common across these purposes is the overall goal of VET going beyond primarily being responsive to industry needs, to also advance individuals’ capacities to remain employable, communities to be resilient and enterprises to effectively meet new challenges. Realising that advancement through those purposes needs to be understood, informed and enacted at the local level. For that to occur there needs to be educational, social and administrative infrastructure at the local level able to realise these outcomes. It is these elements that are necessary for building further VET systems now.

Pengaruh Pembelajaran dengan Pendekatan TPACK terhadap Problem Solving Skill dan Kemandirian Belajar Siswa pada Mata Pelajaran Administrasi Infrastruktur Jaringan di SMK Negeri 1 Sepulu

The purpose of this study is to explore the influence of the TPACK approach on problem solving skills and student learning independence in the Network Infrastructure Administration subject at SMK Negeri 1 Sepulu. The research methods used are quasi-experiments with Nonequivalent Control Group Design and mixed methods with Explanatory Design. Quantitative data were obtained from pretest and posttest, as well as questionnaires, which were analyzed using quantitative statistics. The results showed that the TPACK approach had a significant positive influence on both research variables, with the average value of problem solving skills and student learning independence higher in the experimental class than the control. Students also respond positively to learning with the TPACK approach. In conclusion, the TPACK approach is effective in improving students' problem-solving skills and learning independence. This research can be a reference for teachers to develop innovative learning in other subjects with similar characteristics.

Manajemen Strategi dan Implementasi Manajemen Penerimaan Peserta Didik Baru di SMK Ma'arif Cijulang

This study aims to describe the Strategic Management of New Student Admissions at SMK MA'ARIF CIJULANG, new students are a very important activity in school. It is said so because if there is no acceptance, the school will not get students. If this happens, theexistence of the schoolwill be disrupted. This research was conducted using descriptive qualitative methods using datacollection methods in the form of: interviews, observationand documentation. The results showed that (1) the strategic management activities of new student admissions at SMK MA'ARIF Cijulang were carried out in PPDB SMK MA'ARIF Cijulang. The promotion displayed the excellence and quality of the school, namely evidence of student achievement in trophies, certificates, medals, etc. (2) Planning before PPDB is by determining the capacity of prospective new students, determining the requirements for accepting new prospective students, then preparing PPDB informationmedia and finally preparing administration and facilities and infrastructure. (2) The implementation of PPDB begins with the formation of a committee and the division of tasks for each committee. After that formed the admissions selection team, determination of the selection time, PPDB selection and the last is the announcement of the selection results. (3) The results of the acceptance of new students at SMK MA'ARIF CIJULANG arequite good, this is evidenced in the acceptance period in the 2022/2023 school year SMK MA'ARIF CIJULANG obtained as many as 19 students within a period of two months. (4) Evaluation of PPDB at SMK MA'ARIF CIJULANG using the accountability report system (LPJ )after PPDB. This report was submitted in aspecial committee meeting regarding the process of PPDB activities from beginning to end.

Effects of Political Instability on Private Investment: Empirical Investigation from African Firms

Using data from the World Bank Enterprise Surveys (WBES), our analysis focuses on the effect of perceptions of political instability on private investment at the firm level in Africa. We apply econometric techniques to correct for biases inherent in the data, such as measurement errors, missing observations, and the endogeneity problem. We used time series cross-section analysis employing the two-stage least squares (2SLS) method. Our results show that political instability has a negative and significant impact on business investment, irrespective of location of the firms. However, this effect is insignificant and weak for small firms. Furthermore, we identify a significant impact of administrative constraints, regulatory constraints and infrastructure constraints on investment. These findings highlight the importance of Strengthening political stability in order to stimulate investment, especially in small towns. Putting in place incentives and programmes to encourage employee training can improve business productivity.

СПЕЦИФИКА ПРОИЗВОДСТВА И ИСПОЛЬЗОВАНИЯ БОЛЬШИХ ДАННЫХ В ГОСУДАРСТВЕННОМ УПРАВЛЕНИИ

Differences in the practice of Big Data (BD) usage between the private and public sectors are causing a problem of public administration access to advanced BD technologies and methods used in business. The high potential of BD is in demand by public organizations while private businesses hold these technologies and methods. The study of barriers to the dissemination of a practice of BD usage in public administration allows identification of possibilities and directions for BD production and use by public organizations. Russian and foreign cases of production and incorporation of BD in public administration for their analysis were selected from scientific and business sources. The barriers limiting work with BD in public administration are identified: a legal regulation of BD implementation, the structure and functioning of the IT infrastructure of public administration, requirements for the quality of data as content, and the scope and scale of socio-political development problems in public administration. Analysis of BD application in public administration has shown the ways of BD production, such as signal reception and date entry, as well as the necessity of using the IT infrastructure of business. Ways of implementing BD vary due to their multitasking in the public and private sectors. Since BD accumulated by public organizations is in demand by private businesses, providing a data access mechanism can be an approach to enhancing the digital economy at the local and state levels. The study demonstrates the high importance of finding the ways to develop and disseminate BD for public authorities.

Competitive capabilities of higher education institutions from their Employees' perspectives: A case study of King Khalid University.

This study aimed to uncover the competitive advantages of King Khalid University (KKU) as a higher educational institution and identify the strategies needed to strengthen its competitive stance through a qualitative case study approach. Data were collected via detailed interviews with 30 university staff, comprising 19 faculty members and 11 academic leaders. Following this, the data were qualitatively analyzed using MAXQDA 2022 software. The results showed that KKU has 30 sub-competitive strengths, including work ethics, future vision, academic excellence, creativity, teamwork, respect for intellectual property, continuous customer-focused improvement, a positive workplace environment, organizational trust, and the ability to attract international students. Additionally, the study identified 8 challenges hindering KKU's advancement in global university rankings, spanning academic, human, and administrative areas. To improve its standing in international rankings, thematic analysis revealed 11 strategies to enhance KKU's competitiveness. These include aligning academic programs with job market demands, enhancing research facilities, boosting funding for academic and research endeavors, fostering international academic and scientific partnerships, and upgrading the technological infrastructure for academics and administration. The analysis underscores the need for KKU to adopt a comprehensive suite of academic, human, and administrative strategies to bolster its competitive position. This is crucial for KKU's rise in global university rankings and its alignment with the National Vision 2030, aiming to place over five Saudi universities among the top 100 or 200 globally.

Religious Minorities in Punjab Prisons

Despite Islamic, constitutional, and statutory provisions, under-trial and convicts from religious minorities in Punjab prisons strive for the right to worship and earn remissions by acquiring religious education on parity with Muslim prisoners. Muslim prisoners are entitled to remission if they reach a certain level of the Qur’ānic and Islamic education. In contrast, prisoners hailing from religious monitories cannot earn remission for their religious courses according to Pakistan Prisons Rules, 1978. This article outlines the state of remission for prisoners from religious minorities. It discusses the tenets of Islamic theology on the issue of providing religious education to non-Muslims at the expense of the Islamic state. The article investigates the administrative impediments and attitudinal biases that entail religious discrimination and the challenges that religious minorities experience in acquiring religious education for remission. The article underlines the need to develop administrative infrastructure and capacity in Punjab prisons to deliver education to religious minorities.

Complexity of Tax Aspects in Carbon Tax Implementation

The focus on carbon tax has been central in efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The use of carbon tax policies as a vital tool to address climate change has been implemented in many countries, including Indonesia. However, the implementation of carbon taxes involves a series of complex challenges. This research aims to examine the complexity of tax aspects that pose challenges in the process of implementing carbon tax policies in Indonesia and the strategies the Indonesian government can employ to overcome these challenges. The research adopts a qualitative approach, collecting data through literature review. It explores the multidimensionality and complexity of carbon tax aspects, encompassing policy design, socio-economic impacts, and administrative constraints. The research findings indicate the need for an integrated carbon tax policy design, focusing on setting appropriate rates and ensuring fair revenue allocation. Evaluating the social and economic impacts of carbon taxes becomes a crucial part of understanding the extensive consequences that may arise. Involvement from industries and other stakeholders in the policy design process is an essential element in addressing this complexity. The study also emphasizes the necessity for improvements in administrative infrastructure and monitoring systems to ensure that carbon taxes are not only effective but also accountable in significantly reducing carbon emissions

Utilization of cancer immunotherapy in sub-Saharan Africa.

The Lancet Oncology Commission for sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) predicts that cancer deaths will double from 520,158 per year to more than 1 million per year by the year 2040. These striking figures indicate a need to urgently evaluate cancer treatment infrastructure and resources in the region. Studies have found immunotherapy to be effective for the treatment of advanced-stage cancer, which almost 70% of patients in SSA present with. Despite immunotherapy's significant therapeutic potential, its utilization in SSA is not well documented. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the landscape of immunotherapy in SSA. A Qualtrics survey assessing the existing infrastructure and training for safe immunotherapy administration was developed and distributed online via email and WhatsApp to 3,231 healthcare providers across SSA, with a target audience of healthcare providers serving patients with cancer. The survey contained 22 questions evaluating the accessibility, use, knowledge, and training on immunotherapy in SSA. Responses were collected between January and February 2023. Microsoft Excel was used to summarize and visually present the distribution of responses as counts and proportions. 292 responses were included from 28 countries in SSA. 29% of all respondents indicated their clinic has easy access to cancer immunotherapy and 46% indicated their clinic currently practices it. Of clinics that practiced immunotherapy (n = 133), 12% used genomic sequencing to assess the tumor mutational burden biomarker, and 44% assessed expression of the PD-L1 biomarker prior to immunotherapy administration. 46% of all respondents were familiar with immunotherapy. 11% indicated being adequately trained to administer it. Of these (n=33), 52% indicated also being trained to manage immune-related adverse events related to immunotherapy administration. Immunotherapy utilization and training is low in SSA and insufficient for the rising cancer burden. Increased accessibility and usage of biomarker testing to predict immunotherapy response, incorporation of immunotherapy training into continuous medical education, and increased access to immunotherapy drugs may be prerequisites for expanded utilization of immunotherapy in SSA.

Developing research programs that align with the clinical mission

Building a competitive research program within a department of surgery requires a significant commitment by the department and the institution to provide the necessary resources for faculty recruitment, retention of current faculty, and physical space/infrastructure to support research activities. We expanded the academic footprint of our department as demonstrated by the expansion of the department of surgery research funding by 13-fold over a period of 7 years, resulting in an increase in national ranking from 55th place to 10th place in the National Institutes of Health extramural funding. This required attention to multiple factors that affect the ability of faculty to establish and maintain competitive research programs. We executed a plan that established a leadership structure that coordinates resources and provides mentorship to faculty. The department invested heavily in the recruitment of new faculty, especially junior faculty, but also some mid-career and senior investigators to develop a critical mass in specific areas for competitive large grant and program project applications. The pipeline of new trainees interested in research was augmented by successful training grant applications that created a mechanism by which residents and fellows can pursue research for periods ranging from a few weeks to 2 years. Administrative infrastructure was created to assist faculty in grant submissions as well as post-award management. Finally, in partnership with institutional leadership, the department acquired the physical space necessary to support both dry-lab and wet-lab research activities. To achieve true excellence, an academic surgery department must maintain excellence in both the clinical and research areas, which, in the context of an academic medical center, are not separate goals.

University campus as a smart technology-supported active learning arena

Universities are facing many challenges as they are expected to prepare their students in the best possible way to contribute to sustainable societal- and industrial development. Students will become researchers, innovators, entrepreneurs, and role models, and should be able to contribute in the transition to a greener and smarter future. The task is almost impossible. It requires full attention from both students and their teachers. To successfully complete this task, universities explore different approaches, including developing smart technology-supported active learning arenas. This report provides an insight into the technological development of the learning environment and presents wish lists for organizing a smart technology-supported learning environment, both in the physical and in the virtual environment, on campus and online (virtual). In addition, the report presents possibilities for appropriate development of competencies. The infrastructure for teaching, research, and administration must be as good as possible. Universities and other educational institutions around the world are experimenting with various technological solutions to establish a learning and working environment that is adapted to increased expectations and demands from students, employees, and society in general. An active learning arena must consider both physical, hybrid and virtual aspects and might address design and organization of physical and hybrid classrooms on campus, offices on campus, home offices, meeting places on campus, lounges and meeting rooms on campus, collaboration opportunities on campus, virtual rooms and virtual campuses, laboratories, social media, and biophilic areas.