Public University In Malaysia Research Articles

Entrepreneurial Motivation in Students and its Relationship to Lifelong Learning in a Malaysian Public University

Entrepreneurial Motivation in Students and its Relationship to Lifelong Learning in a Malaysian Public University

Stress, Anxiety and Depression of Undergraduate Medical Students in a Public Medical Programme in Malaysia: A Risk Factor Analysis

This study aims to investigate the prevalence and factors affecting stress, anxiety, and depression of medical students in a public university in Malaysia. Medical students of years 1 to 5 were invited to answer an anonymised Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) questionnaire. Sociodemographic data were also collected. The results were analysed using descriptive and univariate/multivariate logistic regression analyses. Out of 907 participants, 35.2% reported to having stress, anxiety 43.5% and depression 7.1%. Students in year 1 were more likely to be anxious compared to year 5 [β: 2.059; 95% CI: (1.247, 3.398); p = 0.014], and those from B40-families were more likely to be stressed [β: 1.79; 95% CI: (1.183, 2.718); p = 0.006] compared to T20-families. Those without psychiatric and medical illnesses had 80% [β: 0.202; 95% CI: (0.69, 0.597); p = 0.004] and 34% [β: 0.666; 95% CI: (0.445, 0.994); p = 0.047] reduction in stress level, while 86% [β: 0.143; 95% CI: (0.038, 0.535); p = 0.004] and 39% [β: 0.614; 95% CI: (0.409, 0.923); p = 0.019] had reduction in anxiety levels. In addition, those without psychiatric illness had 91% [β: 0.094; 95% CI: (0.032, 0.275); p = <0.001] reduction in depressive symptoms. Those who considered counselling were 1.8 times more likely to be stressed [β: 1.849; 95% CI: (1.367, 2.500); p = <0.001] and had anxiety [β: 1.879; 95% CI: (1.387, 2.545); p = <0.001]. There is a moderate prevalence of anxiety and stress among medical students, but a low occurrence of depression. Being in year 1, B40 socioeconomic group, having medical and psychological illnesses resulted in a higher risk of stress, anxiety and depression.

Flexible Work Arrangements, Job Satisfaction and Family Satisfaction: The Spillover Effect of Work-Family Conflict

Since its beginning, the pandemic has forced many organizations to adopt new norms, offering more flexible work arrangements. Yet, there is limited knowledge on how these arrangements, particularly flextime, could affect the work-family conflict (WFC) and its consequences on both job and family satisfaction. Despite this, there has been limited research on the spillover effect of WFC, concentrating on cross-domain effects on both job and family satisfaction in Eastern culture. Hence, the aim of this study is to investigate the spillover effect of WFC on job and family satisfaction among academicians from selected Malaysian public universities. The web-based survey questionnaire was employed, and statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software. Flextime was found to have a significant negative association with both WIF and FIW. Furthermore, the findings revealed that WIF has a stronger spillover effect on cross-domains, notably family satisfaction. FIW has a greater impact on its own domain specificity, namely family satisfaction. Thus, the study contributes to our understanding of the spillover effect of WFC on cross-domains, particularly in Eastern contextual cultures, and helps to provide additional insight into family-friend policies intended to reduce the occurrence of WFC, leading to a better balance of work and personal responsibilities.

The Scale Validation of Family Takāful Awareness: An Exploratory Factor Analysis

Family takāful awareness is gaining interest from stakeholders, including Takāful operators and researchers. However, the instrument for evaluating administrative support staff awareness needs some revalidation. Hence, the purpose of this study is to validate the factor structure assessed by its determinants, including attitude, subjective norm, and product knowledge. A valid sample of 368 administrative support staff from Malaysian public universities participated in the primary data collection through a structured questionnaire. The validity and reliability of the measures were assessed, showing strong reliability with Cronbach's Alpha values above 0.70. Thus, 21 modified items were used to gauge Family takāful awareness. This study offers initial support for the reliability and validity of the instrument employed, suggesting its effectiveness in gathering data on family takāful awareness. Incorporating additional factors and conducting comparative studies can provide deeper insights into family takāful awareness among administrative support staff at Malaysian public universities.

Predictors of grit among medical students: a study at a Malaysian Public University

BackgroundPrevious literature has demonstrated associations between grit and positive educational and psychological outcomes, such as higher academic grades, lower attrition rates in medical training, and protection from burnout. However, the predictors of grit have yet to be studied, particularly among medical students in Malaysia. This study aimed to determine the level of grit and its predictors among Malaysian medical students.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 123 medical students from a public university in Malaysia. Data on sociodemographic and educational characteristics were collected. The student’s personality traits were determined using the Big Five Inventory (BFI), while grit was assessed using the validated 7-item Short Grit Scale (Grit-S). Grit was expressed as a mean score, ranging from 1 (not at all gritty) to 5 (extremely gritty). Multiple linear regression was used to determine the association between the predictors (personality, sociodemographic and educational characteristics) and grit among these students.ResultsThe mean grit score was 3.43 (SD 0.57). Based on the multiple linear regression analysis, the grit score was significantly predicted by three personality traits which were extraversion, b = 0.2 (95% CI: 0.07–0.32), agreeableness, b = 0.28 (95% CI: 0.12–0.44) and conscientiousness, b = 0.6 (95% CI: 0.42–0.77). A 1-point increase in the mean extraversion, agreeableness, and conscientiousness scores would independently increase these students’ mean grit scores by 0.2, 0.28, and 0.6, respectively. The sociodemographic and educational characteristics did not significantly predict grit among Malaysian medical students.ConclusionsThe mean grit score among Malaysian medical students is comparable to other medical students in Asia. Extraversion, agreeableness, and conscientiousness personality traits were associated with higher grit. As grit is a dynamic trait, appropriate interventions should be implemented to foster and increase it among these students.

Assessing the Influence of Practical Training on Perceived Employability Among Public University Students in Malaysia

This study examines the influence of practical training on the perceived employability of students from public universities in Malaysia. As employability becomes an important aspect of higher education, practical training is often viewed as essential in preparing students for the workforce. This study assesses the impact of practical training on students' perceived employability by evaluating the quality, effectiveness, and satisfaction associated with such training, all of which are important for career readiness and success. Quantitative data was collected through a survey questionnaire distributed via Google Forms. The findings highlight the positive impacts of practical training on students' perceived employability, including skill development, increased confidence, and improved employer perception. Also, the study identifies areas for enhancing training programs to better prepare students for the workforce. The insights gained aim to inform improvements in university career readiness programs and highlight the importance of practical training in enhancing students' employability.

Predictors of Depression Among Trainee Counselors: The Role of Coping Styles and Resilience

Training to become a counselor is a uniquely challenging process, and trainee counselors report depressive symptoms, although most are not diagnosed with mental illness. This study investigates whether coping strategies and resilience predict depression among trainee counselors. The sample consisted of 182 participants, all enrolled as trainee counselor students at public universities in Malaysia. Remarkably, within this study, 46.2% of trainee counselors were found to be grappling with moderate to severe depressive symptoms. The study brings to light significant associations among trainee counselors between coping mechanisms, such as emotion-focused and avoidant coping, resilience, and depression. Nevertheless, only avoidant coping and resilience emerged as robust predictors of depressive symptoms. These findings underscore the heightened vulnerability of trainee counselors to the development of depressive symptoms, emphasizing the potential benefit of addressing avoidant coping strategies to alleviate these symptoms. Furthermore, these results underscore the critical significance of nurturing resilience and fostering positive coping skills among counselor trainees, especially those exhibiting heightened levels of depressive symptoms.

PROCRASTINATION AND ANXIETY AMONG PSYCHOLOGY AND SOCIAL WORK STUDENTS IN A PUBLIC UNIVERSITY IN EAST MALAYSIA

Procrastination is prevalent and pernicious but not entirely understood. It has been seen as a universal phenomenon that hinders people’s ability to accomplish their goals. Procrastination can be defined as lack or absence of self regulated performance and the behavioural tendency to delay what is necessary to reach a goal. It appears to be a troubling phenomenon and yet human beings have been procrastinating for centuries. University students are the backbone of society. They need to be aware of their procrastination attitude so that they could tackle the problem. Anxiety on the other hand is a negative feeling. Studies show that a relationship exists between procrastination and anxiety. However very few studies investigate procrastination and anxiety, especially among Psychology and Social Work students in the public university in Malaysia. In view of this, the objectives of this study are to examine: (1) the difference in procrastination by gender; (2) the difference in anxiety by gender; (3) the relationship between procrastination and anxiety. This study managed to get 304 samples for the objectives above. The difference of gender was tested by t-test; while the relationship between procrastination and anxiety was tested by correlation. The results of this study indicated that female students engaged more in major procrastination, whereas male students engaged more in moderate procrastination. However, there were no significant differences on procrastination and anxiety between gender. The finding also showed a significant relationship between procrastination and anxiety.

Is ChatGPT a source to enhance firms’ strategic value and business sustainability?

Purpose This study aims to investigate the effects of three dimensions of ChatGPT strategic value – organization support (OS), managerial productivity (IM) and decision aids (DA) – on the business sustainability (BS) of Malaysian public universities. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative methodology was adopted for this study to examine the relationships between ChatGPT strategic value and the BS of Malaysian public universities. Findings The study found that two dimensions of ChatGPT strategic value, namely, OS and IM, influence BS, whereas DA do not. Research limitations/implications To the best of the author’s knowledge, this study is the first to address the relationship between ChatGPT strategic value and BS in a specific context – Malaysian public universities – providing new contributions to theory by extending the literature on the topic. Practical implications The findings are expected to guide universities in Malaysia in leveraging ChatGPT strategic value for enhancing BS. Originality/value To the best of the author’s knowledge, this empirical study is the first in the literature to examine the relationships between ChatGPT strategic value and BS in the education sector. Supported by an original conceptual model, the insights provided should extend the literature dedicated to ChatGPT strategic value and BS in the context of a South Asian economy.

PREDICTORS OF THE ENJOYMENT AND MISSING EXPERIENCES OF MALAYSIAN STUDENTS IN HOME COUNTRY AND OVERSEAS

The purpose of this longitudinal study was to identify the predictors of the adaptation experiences of Malaysian students in home country and overseas, from two perspectives: missing and enjoyment experiences. At Time 1, 2090 responses were collected from a group of students who were enrolling at various overseas preparatory studying programmes (later termed as overseas students) and also first year students who were continuing their education at a public university in Malaysia (later termed as home country students). At Time 2, 628 of the participants were retained. The predictor variables were Time 1 well-being indicators (i.e. life satisfaction, positive and negative affect), importance and satisfaction of conservation and self-transcendence values, perceived success (measured by the Malaysian Certificate of Examination results and perceived English language fluency), personality, and parents’ level of education. The findings showed that overseas students who had a low level of English language fluency and a high level of importance of conservation and satisfaction of self-transcendence values tended to miss home. Similarly, overseas students who were less fluent in English were less likely to enjoy their life abroad. Whilst for the home country students, the high level of negative affect predicted their missing experience, and none of the predictor variables were found to be significant in contributing to enjoyment experience.

CHALLENGES IN NAVIGATING THE ACADEMIC WORLD: A PERSPECTIVE FROM EARLY-CAREER ACADEMICS

Higher education (HE) is a dynamic sector that is constantly experiencing changes due to the rapidly changing world. Today, academics are not just expected to deliver lectures, but they also need to contribute to other aspects of academia such as publishing scholarly works, securing grants, innovation and holding administrative positions. The multiple demands and responsibilities that an academic need to meet in their career can be overwhelming especially for those early-career academics (ECAs). Understanding the challenges they face in the early years of career is important to facilitate universities in devising effective strategies to develop this group of employees. Following a qualitative, case study method, we explored the challenges facing ECAs serving in two comprehensive public universities in Malaysia. Data were collected using individual, semi-structured interviews on six ECAs. Findings revealed that ECAs faced challenges in terms of support they received, workload, and networking opportunities. Looking at the future, universities need to think of ways to manage and support ECAs which can help with their successful integration into the academic world. Our study contributes to the growing global research on ECAs and talent management initiatives in higher education.

EXPLORING THE POWER OF GENERATIVE AI: ENHANCING BUSINESS EMAIL WRITING SKILLS FOR L2 LEARNERS

L2 learners at higher education often face difficulties in writing business emails in English, which hinder effective workplace communication and academic success. Therefore, higher education institutions should educate their learners about business email literacy. This study analysed how thirty-one business degree Malay students at a public university in Malaysia utilized generative AI tools for composing business emails. These participants presented their reflection investigation on the application of generative AI in business email writing for their group class assignment for English for Business Communication. This study's research approach included a qualitative document analysis on PowerPoint presentation slides of the participants, and thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. The findings reveal three themes emerged from the study; Theme 1: Preferred generative AI, Theme 2: Optimising generative AI prompts for business email writing, and Theme 3: Ethical usage of AI. Theme 1 has three sub-themes; user friendliness, relevant business contexts and quality generated texts. The results showed that all groups had different AI tools due to their personal choices. Theme 2 has two sub-themes; prompts for external email and prompts for internal email. The participants used generative AI tools for idea expansion and paraphrasing. These L2 learners also wrote specific prompts for different types of email. Two emerging sub-themes of Theme 3 are writing assistance and best practices on ethical usage of generative AI. The participants stressed the significance of understanding plagiarism and effectively using generative AI tools. Learners should be educated on intellectual property and ethical AI tool usage. Higher education institutions should integrate these tools into their courses to enhance business email writing skills and prepare students for AI-driven workplaces, fostering ethical and effective usage.

ASSESSING THE PSYCHOLOGICAL HELP-SEEKING ATTITUDES AMONG MALAYSIAN AND INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

ABSTRACT Mental health issues have become prevalent among youth, particularly among university students. However, the utilization of psychological services remains low. Despite the mismatch, limited studies explored the psychological help-seeking attitudes and their barriers in a cross-cultural context. This study aimed to examine the differences of in terms of gender, openness, value and need in seeking professional help among Malaysian and International university students. The findings of this study will aid in the implementation of better policies to ensure the wellbeing of both Malaysian and International university students. The data was collected in May 2022 using a cross-sectional survey questionnaire distributed at one of the public universities in Malaysia (n=54). The results revealed that the psychological help-seeking attitudes among International students and Malaysian are similar and low, albeit the insignificance. However, males and females are found to have a significantly small difference in the value and need in seeking professional help. Broadly, the results of this work inform that psychological help-seeking attitudes are most likely the same for both Malaysian and International students. Therefore, it is crucial for researchers to explore the current factors that hinder students from perceiving psychological help as a need. Keywords: Mental Health, Help-seeking attitudes, Cross-Cultural, University Students, Undergraduate Students

Academic Adaptation of Chinese Postgraduate Students in Malaysia

In recent years, there has been a notable rise in the number of Chinese applicants seeking admission to Malaysian tertiary education institutions, particularly for postgraduate programmes. This trend can be attributed to the favourable policies implemented by the Malaysian government. For Chinese students themselves, the prior task of studying abroad is to achieve their educational goals, which is challenging for them to study in an unfamiliar educational context. This study aims to explore Chinese postgraduate students’ academic adaptation to Malaysian research-oriented universities that provide qualified postgraduate programmes. Using qualitative methods, the study conducted semi-structured interviews with 15 Chinese postgraduate students studying in five Malaysian public universities. Thematic analysis was adopted to analyse the data collected. The study’s findings unveiled the various factors affecting Chinese postgraduate students’ academic adaptation throughout their postgraduate tenure, encompassing language ability, supervisor-supervisee relationship, pedagogic differences, academic support and emotional support. In addition, the study also highlighted the strategies that Chinese postgraduate students employed to embrace these challenges. The implications of the findings are expected to help Chinese postgraduate students develop effective strategies and programs to facilitate their academic adaptation in Malaysia. Further to this, these findings can offer recommendations to higher education institutions on how to collaborate effectively with Chinese students. Keywords: Academic adaptation, Chinese postgraduate students, Malaysian universities, challenges, strategies.

Malay Translation of Attitudes Toward Career Counselling Scale for University Students in Malaysia

The purpose of this study is to translate the Attitudes Towards Career Counselling Scales (ATCCS) into Malay version. The researcher also tested the validity and reliability of the instrument using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). A total of 500 final-year undergraduate students at four public universities in Malaysia were included in this study (100 for EFA, 400 for CFA). There are four experts involved in the translation process. The three experts consist of a university lecturer in the field of counseling and a translation specialist. The face and content validity of the instrument involved five experts and resulted in a high validity score of 0.95. Two factors were formed through EFA, namely value and stigma, based on an eigenvalue of above 1. The total cumulative percentage is 64.95% and is considered strong. All items have factor loading values above .6. The result of the CFA analysis shows that the ATCCS measurement model had fulfilled the fit index RMSEA (0.089), CFI (0.926), TLI (0.914) and Chisq/df (4.191). The results also show that convergent validity and composite reliability were achieved. These two factors have an internal consistency value (Cronbach's alpha) of value α =.95, stigma α =.88, total ATCCS α =.85, and these values are within an acceptable range. The conclusion from the EFA and CFA conducted is that the Attitudes Toward Career Counselling in the Malay version meets the criteria of validity and reliability of the instrument to be used by future researchers in determining students' planned happenstance skills among university students.

Performance assessment of large-scale rooftop solar PV system: a case study in a Malaysian Public University

Adopting rooftop solar PV systems in various domestic and non-domestic sectors (including commercial, industrial, and agricultural) exhibits their commitment to green energy ventures. This study intends to evaluate the effectiveness of a grid-connected solar system that has been installed so far: a 6.9 MWp photovoltaic (PV) system implemented at University Tun Hussein Onn (UTHM) in Batu Pahat, Johor. This green energy system was installed as a part of the Self-Consumption (SELCO) program utilizing a Supply Agreement for Renewable Energy (SARE) contract. To assess the mounted energy system's efficiency, performance monitoring was carried out between December 2021 and November 2022. By evaluating the enactment of the 6.9 MWp solar system at UTHM, this present work has attempted to compile the achievement of implementation of self-consumption in terms of performance analysis and financial benefits to consumer. Based on International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 61724 standard, this study also investigates several performance characteristics of the PV system, such as final yield, clearness index (CI), array yield, PV module efficiency, inverter efficiency, reference yield, and capacity factor (CF) performance ratio (PR). Moreover, an assessment of Carbon Dioxide (CO2)\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$${CO}_{2})$$\\end{document} avoidance was also conducted to quantify the amount of CO2\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$${CO}_{2}$$\\end{document} reduction achieved. In addition, the self-consumption ratio and self-sufficiency ratio pattern for solar power plant in UTHM has been assessed. The monthly clearness index at the project location from December 2021 to November 2022 ranges from 0.63 to 0.66. The PV system was monitored throughout this time and generated 8529 MWh of energy. The installed PV system has shown an efficiency of 11.86%, a final yield of 108.28%, and a PR of 0.78, respectively. Further, the installed 6.9 MWp PV system at UTHM will cut CO2\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$${CO}_{2}$$\\end{document} emissions by 5450 tons annually. The 6.9 MWp solar PV system is also estimated to reduce 25.1 RM mil in 25 years. Making the system larger to 6.9 MWp would reduce the consumption from the grid during the week, makes it possible to achieve self-consumption levels of up to 100% and self-sufficiency of this solar plant is relatively low ranges from 22 to 35%. The research finding bridges the gap between policy makers, investors, and the public regarding acceptance of the large-scale Self-Consumption (SELCO) and strengthen the strategic collaborations between solar service provider and educational bodies to support of the government’s agenda to achieve carbon emission intensity reduction in Malaysia.Graphical

Undergraduates’ experience and satisfaction of massive open online course in Malaysia

<span lang="EN-US">While massive open online course (MOOC) is gaining popularity, studies have shown how negative user experience of the learning platform can lead to issues related to poor learning performance. OpenLearning, as the official national coordinated MOOCs program for higher education institutions in Malaysia, is still considerably gaining momentum in this country, thus much can still be observed in the usability aspect of this platform from the student’s perspective. This study aimed to evaluate the aspects of user experience and learning satisfaction of MOOC OpenLearning involving undergraduate students in a public university in Malaysia. Data were gathered through the online survey method which adapted questions from the user experience questionnaire (UEQ) and the usefulness, satisfaction, and ease of use (USE) questionnaire. Descriptive analyses revealed moderate positive levels of user experience and learning satisfaction towards MOOC OpenLearning among the respondents. Furthermore, there was a significant positive correlation between both factors, suggesting the importance of considering user experience as the key factor in enhancing students’ satisfaction with MOOC. Recommendations arising from the students’ perceptions and concerns on the usability aspect contribute towards developing strategic guidelines for enhancing students’ learning experiences, especially during circumstances that necessitate effective online learning strategies.</span>

The Role of Social Support and Emotional Intelligence in Fostering Resilience Among Malaysian Undergraduate Students

One of the challenges impeding Malaysia's economic growth in 2024 is the condition of the global economy, which would raise the country's unemployment rate. There are generally 224,000 new graduates born in Malaysia every year, yet only 127,000 highly skilled jobs are available. This means that Malaysia produces an excessive number of university graduates. The shortage of job prospects will make it harder for the next graduates to find jobs. Hence, graduates from universities need to be psychologically ready to handle uncertain circumstances. Employers do believe that university graduates must acquire workplace resilience before beginning their careers. People perceive a resilient individual as tough, deserving of respect, and successful. Empirical evidence supports the claim that university students' emotional intelligence and social support play a major role in determining their resilience. Thus, the purpose of this study is to find out the extent to which students’ resilience correlated with social support and emotional intelligence at six Malaysian public universities. To collect data, we conducted a cross-sectional survey with 387 students. The results show a considerable positive correlation between resilience, emotional intelligence, and social support. This study demonstrates the potential influences of social support and emotional intelligence on the development of resilience in Malaysian undergraduate students. The unpredictable nature of the global economy signifies that changes in the university environments are inevitable. This study suggests that enhancing the university's general courses and co-curriculum module will foster students’ willingness to take risks and increase their self-confidence, both of which will increase resilience.

Are Gender and Education Field factors associated with the future career of alumni degree holders? A case study of a Malaysian Public University

Are Gender and Education Field factors associated with the future career of alumni degree holders? A case study of a Malaysian Public University

Online Purchase Intention of Digital Products among University Students

Online shopping is one of the e-commerce platforms. It has gradually become famous worldwide and is expanding quickly in nations because of its continuous changes and upgrades. Most online shoppers are aged 20 and 30. University students have become one of Malaysia's most significant market populations due to the growth of digital educational services. However, it is still unclear what factors drive these university students toward online purchase of digital products. This study examines the relationship between social influence, product preference, system security, perceived pricing, and online purchase intention of digital products among public university students. 227 undergraduate students enrolled in Malaysian public universities were surveyed using a quantitative questionnaire. The Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) was used to analyze the collected data for this project. The findings of this study demonstrated significant relationships between online purchase intention and social influence, system security, and perceived pricing. According to the analysis results, perceived pricing has the most significant influence on purchasers' intention to purchase online. Hence, service providers should ensure that their product pricing is reasonable and worth the money to purchase. Additionally, marketing strategies can be tailored using e-WOM practices to raise social influence, and the system's security aspects must be enhanced to increase trust and knowledge of the legitimacy of online purchases.