Public University In Malaysia Research Articles

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.

A Study Examining the Customer Service Experience Using the Partial Least Square (PLS) Approach, with a Particular Focus on Personal Interaction Encounters and Customer Involvement

The relationship between academic achievement, student happiness, and the quality of academic services provided by university staff is a critical issue in Malaysian public higher education. This correlation highlights the importance of understanding the factors that influence the interactions between academic staff and students. Knowledge of the variables affecting how academic staff members and service encounters interact is quite important. This study aims to examine the influence of personal interaction encounters and customer involvement on the level of customer service experience provided by academic staff at Malaysian public universities. To gather data from 454 academic faculty members at Malaysian public universities, a self-administered questionnaire was developed. PLS 4.0 was used in this work and proportionate stratified random sampling was utilized. The results showed significant relationships between consumer involvement and personal interaction encounters with customer service experience. By acknowledging and addressing these variables, Malaysian public universities can foster more positive and productive interactions between staff and students or other stakeholders, ultimately improving the academic experience.

Critical Review of Lecturers' Attitudes towards Quality of Teaching and Learning in Malaysian Public Universities

This literature review aims to investigate how lecturers' attitudes impact the quality of teaching and learning in public universities in Malaysia. It provides the insights on understanding the relationship between lecturers’ attitudes (responsiveness, professionalism, and accountability) and their influence on quality (effectiveness, efficiency, and productivity). The study addresses issues such as limited curriculum development, ineffective monitoring of curriculum activities, job stress among academic staff, and the perception that public universities are less favourable compared to private institutions. Analysis of studies reveals that lecturers' attitudes such as responsiveness, professionalism and accountability significantly impact teaching and learning quality by lecturers. Positive attitudes are associated with improved effectiveness, efficiency, and productivity. The review identifies various dimensions in which these attitudes affect quality and highlights the need for further exploration of these relationships. This review involved analysing 28 peer-reviewed journal articles related to lecturers' attitudes and quality measures. While not all studies focused specifically on public universities in Malaysia, the selected literature was relevant to the study’s themes. To improve teaching and learning quality, public universities should focus on enhancing lecturers' attitudes, particularly in responsiveness, professionalism, and accountability. Further research is recommended to explore these dimensions more specifically within the context of public universities in Malaysia.

Law Students and Literature: Uncovering Experiences and Overcoming Challenges

The benefits that literature offers have led many countries, including Malaysia, to integrate literature and literary texts into English education. In higher education, literature is not limited to English Language and Literature majors; students from various other degree programs also study literature as part of their curriculum. While numerous previous studies have explored students' perspectives and challenges in learning literature, most have focused on high school students and English major undergraduates. Therefore, this study seeks to investigate the views of law undergraduate students on the subject. A survey was conducted with 103 students enrolled in an English for Literary Appreciation course at a public university in Malaysia. Quantitative data were collected and analysed using descriptive statistics. The results indicated that law undergraduates prefer drama as a genre. The research also showed that, like students in other disciplines, law students generally enjoy studying literature and recognize its importance in enhancing language skills, cultural awareness, and personal development. Moreover, the study found that law students see the relevance of literature to their future careers. Unlike earlier studies that highlighted the difficulty of texts and language as the main challenges, this study identifies rigorous assessments, the volume of these assessments, and time constraints as the primary challenges faced by law undergraduates.

Managing Campus Real Estate in Malaysian Public Universities: The Plausible Role of the CREM Department

Managing Campus Real Estate in Malaysian Public Universities: The Plausible Role of the CREM Department

Fostering Adjustment: The Role of International Student Societies in Malaysian Higher Education

International students often face greater challenges than local students during their time on campus, particularly in academic, psychological, and sociocultural aspects of adjustments. These problematic issues make them more fragile and vulnerable compared to their local friends. In Malaysia, majority public universities established an International Student Society which provides platforms for connection, event organization and support international student development. This study explores the role of International Student Society in supporting international student’s adjustment, the activities organized and international students’ perception on their participation in activities in supporting academic, psychological, and sociocultural aspect of adjustment. Using qualitative research approach, this study used document analysis and semi-structured interviews involved two group of participants consisted of six international students and six International Student Society officers from six public universities in Malaysia. Result shows that International Student Society are responsible in managing five aspects of international students including organize activities to provide support in term of academic, psychological and sociocultural aspects. International students’ participation in activities foster connections and enhances adjustment in three key areas: academic, psychological, and sociocultural. In summary, the presence of International Student Society at each public university in Malaysia is a crucial strategy for supporting international students' adjustment in the host country.

Aligning Beliefs with Action: A Study of Esl Teachers' Beliefs on Fostering Learner Autonomy

Learner autonomy, where students take charge of their learning, is a growing focus in language education. However, research suggests a gap exists between teachers' belief in learner autonomy and their actual classroom practices. This study, conducted at a public Malaysian university, investigates this disconnect by exploring how ESL teachers perceive learner autonomy and how those beliefs translate into action. Using a mixed methods approach, the research first employed surveys to examine the correlation between teachers' beliefs and their reported use of autonomy-fostering practices. In-depth interviews then provided richer insights into the experiences and challenges teachers face in implementing such practices. The findings revealed a positive correlation - teachers with stronger beliefs were more likely to report using autonomy-fostering methods. However, interviews highlighted the complexities of implementing learner autonomy, revealing both potential benefits and practical challenges. This study underscores the need for targeted professional development programs that bridge the gap between teachers' beliefs and effective classroom strategies. By equipping teachers with practical tools and addressing implementation challenges, such programs can empower them to cultivate truly autonomous learners.

Enhancing Prospectives Educators’ Readiness Through Multidisciplinary Collaboration in STEM Education: An Analysis of Students Enrolled in Science and Mathematics Majors at a Public University in Malaysia

Enhancing Prospectives Educators’ Readiness Through Multidisciplinary Collaboration in STEM Education: An Analysis of Students Enrolled in Science and Mathematics Majors at a Public University in Malaysia

Exploring the Heublein Model to Resolve Postgraduate Student Dropout in a Malaysian Public University

Exploring the Heublein Model to Resolve Postgraduate Student Dropout in a Malaysian Public University