Public University In Malaysia Research Articles

Factors Affecting Graduate Employability in Malaysian Public University

Factors Affecting Graduate Employability in Malaysian Public University

The Influence of Media Exposure, Political Engagement, Peer Influence, and National Identity on Ideological Beliefs among Malaysian Public University Students

The Influence of Media Exposure, Political Engagement, Peer Influence, and National Identity on Ideological Beliefs among Malaysian Public University Students

Exploring the Influence of Media Dependency, Perspective Taking, Meaning in Life, and Psychological Capital on Online Prosocial Behavior among Malaysian Public University Students

Exploring the Influence of Media Dependency, Perspective Taking, Meaning in Life, and Psychological Capital on Online Prosocial Behavior among Malaysian Public University Students

Knowledge and Practice Towards Cleaning Medical Equipment among Nursing Students in a Malaysian Public University

Background: Healthcare-associated infections are infections acquired by patients during stay or receiving treatment within healthcare facility. High cases of healthcare-associated infections are contributed by poor medical equipment disinfection among healthcare workers, including nurses. It could be due to poor practice and awareness during their training in universities and colleges. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and practices regarding cleaning medical equipment and their association with socio-demographic characteristics among nursing students at International Islamic University Malaysia Kuantan Campus. Methods: A total of 252 nursing students were recruited using stratified random sampling. Data of socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, and practices related to medical equipment disinfection were collected using an online questionnaire. Descriptive analysis and chi-square test were used to assess the level of knowledge and practice on medical equipment contamination and disinfection, and their association with socio-demographic characteristics. Results: Most respondents (84.1%) have a good level of knowledge regarding disinfecting medical equipment. Meanwhile, 50.8% of respondents have a good level of practice regarding disinfecting medical equipment. Further analysis revealed a significant strong association between academic year and level of knowledge (p<0.05). Conclusion: The study showed that most of the nursing students have good knowledge and practice regarding medical equipment disinfection. The significant strong association between academic year and level of knowledge indicates the knowledge improvement among nursing students as their academic years increasing. Though, a larger study comprising of more universities are needed to gain the better insight on influence of nursing students on healthcare-associated infections in Malaysia.

Exploring Reflections on Learning Grammar through Task-Based Activity among Undergraduates

Task-based activities in L2 classroom settings such as preparing multimedia presentation materials and cooperative presentations can significantly improve L2 learners’ language acquisition, in terms of encouraging self-directed learning, improving students’ confidence and interest in learning, as well as promoting peer interactions. Nevertheless, this kind of language learning activity can be difficult, even for advanced L2 students due to challenges like problems working in a team, presentation anxiety, and cognitive load. Within this context, the present study aimed to explore the perception of L2 learners when learning English grammar through task-based activity. This qualitative study is derived from a conceptual framework from Willis (1996), which comprises three stages of task-based learning (TBL). The sample of this study consists of forty-one English language undergraduates who are studying a communicative English language course in a Malaysian public university. The data was derived through a survey questionnaire based on open-ended questions. The findings revealed both positive and negative reflections on the TBL, even though they are considered advanced users of the L2 language. The findings are comparable to past studies of different contexts. From these findings, it is suggested that future research should explore participants' perspectives on the potential effectiveness of implementing TBL in pairs.

Construct Validity of Adaptive Performance: A Case of Malaysian Lecturers

The virtual mode of the classroom that changes from the traditional education model poses challenges among the educators especially the inability to cope with the adaption of educational technologies. Online literacy is the basic skill to exercise an outstanding performance during changing environments. However, the conceptualization of adaptive performance seeks further exploration mainly because the past studies focus on the specific context. This study aims to present the validity and reliability of the adaptive performance construct related to online teaching platforms among Malaysian public university lecturers. The questionnaire was designed using Google Form and the adopted questionnaire was emailed to lecturers of Malaysian Research Universities (henceforth, RUs) via their institution’s email address. The data were then analyzed using the SmartPLS software through the measurement model analysis. The analysis involved a second-order approach where the outer loading values, the convergent validity of Average Variance Extracted (henceforth, AVE), and reliability analysis of the adaptive performance construct. The findings suggest that the validity and reliability of the construct were established for the context of the study. The Cronbach Alpha and composite reliability values scored above the threshold values. This study confirmed the adaptive performance instrument among the lecturers in Malaysia and can provide insight for future research. The limitation includes the sample of the study that was rather homogenous which it only focused on lecturers from Malaysian RUs.

Anxiety, Depression, and Fear of COVID-19 and Its Association With Psychosocial Factors Among the Employees of a Malaysian Public University During Movement Control Order.

This cross-sectional study among the employees of the National Defense University of Malaysia (NDUM) assessed the levels of depression, anxiety, and fear related to COVID-19 and its association with psychosocial factors. It was conducted during the strict lockdown period imposed by the Malaysian government due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A stratified sampling method was used, and 277 employees were randomly selected to participate in the study. Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD-7) was used to measure anxiety symptoms. Patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9) was utilized to assess depression. The fear of COVID-19 (FOC) was calculated using the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV), while the psychosocial factors affecting psychological impact were measured using a self-generated questionnaire. The study obtained a response rate of 46.2% (n=128). Most respondents were female, married, permanent employees, and from the non-academic group. Depressive and anxiety symptoms were reported by 47% (n=55) and 32.5% (n=38) of the respondents, respectively. Statistically, a higher level of fear related to COVID-19 was found among non-academic employees (p=0.015) and those with permanent employment status (p=0.030). Anxiety was significantly correlated with depression (r=0.70, p≤0.001), while no correlations were found between these factors and fear related to COVID-19. Taking over school lessons was the most troubling factor that affected the respondents' level of distress, followed by working from home and worrying about their family member's health. This study identified significant psychological effects of the pandemic on university employees, with anxiety and depression being notably correlated. While the generalizability of the findings is limited due to a low response rate, several key psychosocial distress factors were identified. These findings emphasize the necessity of addressing psychosocial factors to mitigate the mental health impact of pandemics. Further research with a higher response rate is required to confirm these findings and to design targeted interventions to support affected employees.

INVESTIGATING ESL STUDENTS’ USE OF SOCIO-AFFECTIVE STRATEGIES TO ENHANCE SPEAKING MOTIVATION AND SPEECH FLUENCY AT A PUBLIC UNIVERSITY IN MALAYSIA

Abstract: This pilot study explores the feasibility of investigating the use of socio-affective strategies by ESL (English as a Second Language) students to enhance their speaking motivation and speech fluency at a public university in Malaysia. It was observed that some students who enrolled in an English oral communication course at a Malaysian public university were struggling with speaking motivation and speech fluency when delivering speeches in class. This study aimed to assess the feasibility of a large-scale study on the use of socio-affective strategies and gather preliminary data on students’ perceptions of the use of the strategies in their oral communication classes. A mixed-methods design was employed, involving 32 participants in the quantitative phase and 2 participants in the qualitative phase. In the quantitative phase, the findings revealed that students used various socio-affective strategies in the speaking classroom, focusing on teamwork, seeking feedback, and managing emotional states. Gender differences were also discovered in the use of socio-affective strategies in enhancing speaking motivation and speech fluency. Qualitative data further investigated students’ experiences, emphasizing the importance of peer support and self-development strategies. A validated questionnaire and semi-structured interview sheet exhibited high reliability and validity, making them suitable for large-scale studies. This pilot study sets a strong basis for in-depth research in investigating the students’ use of socio-affective strategies in speaking classrooms and offers insights into the theoretical and practical application of ESL pedagogy. Keywords: ESL Speaking Motivation; ESL Speech Fluency; ESL Tertiary Education; Socio-affective Strategies; Public University

Impact of Workplace Bullying on Psychological Distress: Role of Perceived Organisational Support and Religious Coping

Despite the fact that perceived organisational support (POS) and religious coping have been advocated as a crucial component of the stress model, the roles remain unclear among academics that often associate with heavy workloads. Therefore, this study aims to examine the moderating role of POS, and the mediating role of religious coping between the relationship of workplace bullying and psychological distress among academics in higher educational institutions (HEIs). Data were collected from academic staff from private and public universities in Malaysia, and a total of 219 data were used. The results revealed that workplace bullying has a positive impact on academics’ psychological distress, and the POS significantly moderated the relationship between workplace bullying and psychological distress. However, this study failed to support the mediating role of religious coping. This study adds to our knowledge of the stress model, by focusing more on perceived organisational support in minimising psychological distress and less on personal resources (religious coping).

Manual Madness: Challenges of Contract Renewal in Campus Vending Machine Business

The vending machine industry has evolved from conventional to connected machines. Vending machines are currently in wide use and typically involve a remote machine holding a plurality of products or items to be dispensed after receiving money from a purchaser. The industry has gone beyond just delivering snacks and is developing new and sophisticated retail solutions for both large and small companies. In this study, a qualitative inquiry was conducted in one of the branch universities of the largest public universities in Malaysia. A total of three vending machine entrepreneurs were qualitatively interviewed individually. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed to find a common theme. As a result, three challenges were identified: using a lot of paper, being time-consuming, and having no alert process. Contract renewal is significant and should not be taken for granted and it is a far-sighted move for a business manager to use the most efficient process from start to end. The respondent agreed that the current renewal process is redundant and time-consuming. Therefore, the researchers proposed to all the parties to reduce the hassle of renewing the contract. Based on this research, the authority department in public or private universities can develop an innovation in monitoring systems to improve the process. The results can provide suitable coping strategies for business owners to have the best practices for a contract renewal mechanism.

Writing Effective Cover Letters: Do Undergraduates Have the Written Communication Skills to Achieve the Spirit of SDG4 Quality Education?

Introduction: This study investigates the impact of English language instructors’ intervention on the cover letter writing process for job applications among specific ESL learners enrolled in a workplace communication course at a public university in Malaysia. This study adopts an action research technique, incorporating content analysis conducted before and after the intervention. The goal of this action research is to identify inaccuracies or issues in the format and content of cover letters written by the selected learners and implement instructor intervention to resolve the identified problems or errors. Generally, the results of this study revealed that the effectiveness of the learners’ cover letters improved after receiving extra input and feedback from their language instructors. A lack of learner-readiness and job knowledge resulted in some learners experiencing difficulty in writing coherent cover letters. More importantly, the learners indicated that their writing experiences raised greater awareness of the many aspects of cover letters and enhanced their confidence in writing cover letters. Overall, this study contributes the initiative to enhance learners' understanding of the ever-changing employment market and develop not only their ability to write cover letters but also their self-confidence and proficiency in the English language. Most significantly, the written communication skills will provide them with lifelong learning opportunities that are taught in higher education as stipulated in the fourth goal (SDG4) of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, which emphasizes quality education. Objective: The objective of this study is to assess the learners' proficiency in writing cover letters by identifying their strengths and weaknesses. The aim is to evaluate the efficacy of the writing methods employed in cover letters and determine their appropriateness. Theoretical Framework: Kolb’s experiential learning theory (ELT) serves as the primary conceptual framework to define the sequence of activities in the research procedure. David Kolb's (1984) cycle of experiential learning stages perceives learning as a dynamic interaction between learners and their environment (Kolb, 2014). The Experiential Learning Theory (ELT) underscores a cyclical learning process that includes experiencing, reflecting, thinking, and experimenting (Kolb & Kolb, 2005). Method: This study adopts the action research methodology and employed a six-phase method, which comprises the first phase, the diagnostic test, the second phase, the evaluation of cover letters, the third phase, the pre-writing strategies, the fourth phase, the writing phase, the fifth phase, the instructor feedback phase, and the sixth phase is the re-writing phase. Results and Discussion: The results obtained revealed the necessity for graduating learners to possess enhanced skills and knowledge prior to entering the challenging work market. There is currently a strong demand for graduates to develop more modern and thorough tactics to successfully secure employment. The results of this study confirm the need for innovative methods in language acquisition, specifically grammar mastery. Research Implications: Learners need a helping hand with their language and should be guided closely beginning with the rudiments of writing and other integrated language skills that would help bolster their confidence in writing cover letters and improve their communication skills. They need to learn to be independent and proactive in the job-search process. As instructors empower learners with lifelong skills of writing cover letters, the learners themselves should constantly keep abreast of the changes in the dynamic job market. Originality/Value: This study helps learners comprehend the shifting job market, prepare cover letters, and improve their English and self-confidence. Most importantly, it will offer lifelong learning, as stated in the UN's fourth Sustainable Development Goal (SDG4).

AI Concepts Integration in Developing E-Muhadathat Kits For Non-Arabic Speakers

Recent educational reforms focus on strategically integrating technology into teaching, aligning with the principles of the fourth industrial revolution (IR 4.0). Among the swiftly evolving technologies in language learning is Artificial Intelligence (AI), particularly in the form of Natural Language Processing (NLP). This technology has been applied to create the E-Muhadathat kit, an interactive Arabic conversation simulation tool designed to enhance communication skills for non-Arabic speaking students in Malaysian public universities. This study aims to investigate the role of AI in education, address the challenges in developing AI-based Arabic language learning software, and propose a model for the E-Muhadathat kit tailored for non-Arabic speakers. This literature review uses documentary methods to gather information from journals, conference proceedings, articles, dissertations, and digital books from databases such as Google Scholar, Springer Link, Science Direct, and Research Gate. The collected data undergoes descriptive analysis based on thematic categorization. The findings indicate that the concept of AI consists of three core components: machine learning, deep learning, and neural networks. Arabic linguists have recognized several challenges in developing AI-based software, such as orthographic, morphological, syntactic, anaphoric, and semantic ambiguities. Moreover, the E-Muhadathat kit's design integrates machine learning and deep learning techniques, featuring applications for both spoken and written language. The study's findings support educators and researchers aiming to create Arabic language software tailored for non-native speakers in Malaysian higher education institutions. As a result, the study advocates for further investigation into the use of AI in Arabic language education to enhance the communication abilities of non-native speakers in Malaysia.

Pioneering Digital Ventures: Investigating Proactive Personality, Education, and Opportunity in Malaysian Higher Education

Digital entrepreneurship has become increasingly important in the context of Industry 4.0. This study explores the connections between digital entrepreneurial intention, proactive personality, entrepreneurial education, and entrepreneurial opportunity among Malaysian public university students. Additionally, it examines the mediating roles of attitudes, subjective norms, and PBC, guided by the TPB. A quantitative research design was employed, collecting data from 250 students, which was then analyzed using SPSS to test the proposed model. The findings reveal that entrepreneurial education and PBC are significant predictors of students’ digital entrepreneurial intention. Moreover, proactive personality, entrepreneurship education, and entrepreneurial opportunity indirectly influence digital entrepreneurial intention via PBC. These results contribute to a more nuanced understanding of the factors driving digital entrepreneurial intention and highlight the importance of fostering educational environments that support entrepreneurship. The study provides valuable insights for educators and policymakers to develop strategies that enhance digital entrepreneurial capacities among students, promoting innovation and self-employment opportunities

Social work programs in Malaysian public universities: an analysis of barriers to producing competent social workers

ABSTRACT The University of Science Malaysia (USM) has developed a social work program for in the Social Welfare Department officers since 1975 to produce practically competent social workers. Courses offered at public universities should include relevant knowledge, skills, and field experiences to ensure that students can effectively communicate and resolve clients’ issues. The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) listed 10 standards of social work education, namely the profession, ethics, diversity, social justice, populations at risk, human behaviors, social welfare, practices with individuals, groups and communities, research and skill development. The study aims to evaluate effective social work programs by analyzing the obstacles encountered by public university students in Malaysia to fulfill CSWE standards. A total of 279 final-year students from six public universities pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in social work participated, with questionnaires analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 23.0. Results indicated effective social work education, with students encountering moderate barriers. Students demonstrated competence aligned with the Social Work Act, which was crucial for addressing psycho-social and socio-economic issues in Malaysian communities. This study also highlighted the importance of producing skilled social workers to enhance societal well-being, assisting individuals, families, and communities in resolving various challenges.

DEA-Based Malmquist Productivity Approach for Assessing Total Factor Productivity Change in Malaysian Public Universities

This study uses the non-parametric frontier method to examine the productivity growth of Malaysian public universities from 2017 to 2021. It examines changes in productivity at university groups and individual institutions, using three inputs (academic staff, undergraduate student enrolment, and postgraduate student enrolment) and three outputs (undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications awarded and publications). This study analyses productivity changes and breaks them down into technical efficiency and technological change using the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA)-based Malmquist productivity index (MPI). The analysis reveals that public universities in Malaysia have seen an average annual increase in MPI of 0.5% over the period of the study. However, when the components of this productivity change are examined, it becomes evident that Malaysian public universities have had an annual average 1.3% increase in technology along with a 0.8% decline in technical efficiency. Further evaluation of the indexes reveals disparities between Malaysian university groups. Technical, comprehensive, and research universities make up the group that performs the best to the worst. Although Malaysian public universities’ productivity is increasing, it is mostly due to technology, which comes at the expense of decreased technical efficiency.

E-Waste Management Practices Through the Eyes of Responsible Departments at Malaysian Public Universities

Electronic and electrical waste (E-waste) has been identified as the fastest-growing waste stream in the world. In Malaysia, forecasts indicate that it will soon reach 24.5 million units of e-waste by the year 2025. Today, higher learning institutions also contribute to the rapidly growing threat of e-waste. Besides mobile phones, the usage of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) equipment at universities keeps increasing and contributes to the increased quantity of e-waste, while the handling and disposal methods of e-waste still need to be improved. The purpose of this paper is to examine the current e-waste management system as well as to investigate the critical challenges constraining e-waste management at public universities in Malaysia. By using a qualitative approach, a number of interview sessions have been conducted with the responsible departments at six established public universities in Malaysia. It has been found that currently only e-waste generated from used electric and electronic equipment (EEE) which have been declared as university assets are being managed by the responsible departments at the six universities. All six universities are using the standard process of handling their e-waste since every single process needs to comply with the requirements of the Ministry of Finance (MOF). This remains the main constraint to flexibility or improvement of the current system. The universities are also facing some challenges, among others, lack of awareness and knowledge on how to properly handle e-waste among university citizens, no clear sustainable policy at the university, lack of facilities within the university compound to support the proper practice of e-waste disposal as well as lack of education and related training provided to the campus citizens. This paper also provides some recommendations for the improvement of e-waste management towards sustainability and offers an agenda for future research.

Academic Workloads: Insights from Medical and Non-medical Lecturers’ Experience in Universiti Sains Malaysia

Academic workload is crucial for effective educational management, but measuring it is challenging due to varying field-specific demands. This study explored the components of academic workload among medical and non-medical lecturers at a Malaysian public university through a phenomenological approach. Focus group discussions (FGDs) with full-time, permanent lecturers were used to gather insights. The FGDs were moderated, audio-recorded, and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was conducted using ATLAS.ti version 7, following six steps: reading transcripts, labelling meaningful texts into codes, identifying important codes, compiling related codes into categories, labelling categories, and presenting results. Each transcript was coded by two researchers, with final themes discussed for consensus. Twenty-three lecturers from diverse fields (arts, humanities, health sciences, medicine, engineering, pure sciences, and social sciences) participated. Ten categories of academic workload were identified: teaching, research, administration, supervision, quality assurance, external activities, service, assessment, income generation, and continuous education. These were grouped into four themes: educational load (teaching, supervision, and assessment), scholarly activity load (research and external activities), academic quality load (quality assurance and continuous education), and institutional load (administration, income generation, and service). The study highlighted that academic workloads are intricately linked to the multifaceted roles of academics as educators, scholars, leaders, managers, and professionals.

A Conceptual Review of Trust and Knowledge-Sharing Behavior Among Academics in Public Universities

sharing behavior among academicians in public universities. Trust is recognized as a fundamental element underpinning effective knowledge sharing in organizations, crucial for skill development, enhancing competencies, and sustaining competitive advantages. In academic settings, knowledge dissemination occurs through various channels such as teaching, publications, training, and research. Despite the assumption that academicians are actively engaged in knowledge creation and sharing, real-world practices may not always reflect this. This paper reviews existing literature to elucidate how trust impacts knowledge-sharing behavior among academicians, with a focus on Malaysian public universities. The findings aim to offer insights into the dynamics of trust in knowledge sharing and propose strategies to foster a knowledge-sharing culture in academia.

Needs Analysis on the Module Development for Working Sandwich Generation in public University in Malaysia

The number of caregivers of older people will increase to 60% by 2040 to maintain the current ratio of caregivers to older people, which in turn will impact on their mental health and career needs. This study provides the profile, characterisation and needs analysis of the samples, which were conducted using non-probability convenience sampling. This included 201 sandwich and non-sandwich generation working at a public university in relation to coping with caring responsibilities, workplace challenges, personal development and interest in specific programmes or support systems to strengthen and improve coping strategies, adaptability and resilience of employees in the workplace. Understanding these dynamics, improved the development of modules and services to better meet the specific needs of these groups. The aim of this study is to identify the need for stress coping strategies, career adaptability and career resilience and to analyse needs-based programmes for the working sandwich generation. The needs analysis shows that the development of modules must be taken into account when designing a career intervention modules. The research proposes a comprehensive intervention module for career guidance programs to aid sandwich generation in coping with stress, enhancing career adaptability and resilience.

The Influence of Proactive Personality, Social Support and Self-Esteem Towards Career Adaptability Among Full Time Postgraduate Business Faculty Students

This paper studies the relationship between proactive personality, social support and self-esteem on career adaptability among postgraduate business students, in a public university in Malaysia. The study used the quantitative approach and online survey questionnaires to collect data from the business doctoral students. Regression analysis was used to determine the relationship between proactive personality, social support and self-esteem with career adaptability among postgraduate students. The study collected from 214 postgraduate students reported that proactive personality and social support are significant in explaining career adaptability while self-esteem was found not significant in explaining career adaptability. This study sheds light on the factors contributing to postgraduate students’ career adaptability. The main challenge lies in adjusting to the work environment, which is influenced by the workplace and the support from employers, especially the Human Resource (HR) teams. HR can develop strategies to help these students better adapt to their new roles, making their transition into the professional world smoother and more successful.