Understanding Technology in the Context of National Development: Critical Reflections by Tiwari, Kostenko, and Yekhanurov (2025) has quickly gained academic and pedagogical significance. The work offers a comprehensive examination of how digital transformation and technological innovation intersect with national development strategies, governance models, and economic growth. It situates technology as both a driver of progress and a subject of critical reflection within development economics and ICT4D (Information and Communication Technologies for Development). Drawing on key policy frameworks including OECD’s digital transformation guidelines, United Nations (UN) development agendas, and the Network Readiness Index the authors analyze themes such as technological advancements, human capital, governance, and innovation ecosystems. The review finds that the book makes a valuable contribution to debates on digital transformation and development by identifying thematic pillars, capturing stakeholder insights, elaborating on twin foundations of tech enabled growth, and proposing concrete solutions to governance and inclusion challenges. This is shown by its adoption as post graduate course material for Industrial & Organizational programs at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Malaysia and Esa Unggul University, Indonesia, where the author is associated with and currently using the book for post graduate studies courses listed in the curriculum. The curricular integration underscores the book’s broader pedagogical relevance in Southeast Asia. In doing so, it bridges theoretical discourse with practical policy considerations, providing scholars, policymakers, and practitioners a timely resource aligned with global development frameworks.

Missed opportunities: The unknown impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on early childhood development in the WHO European region.

Striking the balance in resource management: Exploring the impact of natural and mineral resources on financial development in BRICS-T nations

How does habitat quality respond to urbanization in China? A multi-scale perspective.

Thoracoscopic versus open oesophagectomy for patients with oesophageal cancer (JCOG1409 MONET): a multicentre, open-label, randomised, controlled, phase 3, non-inferiority trial.

From lithium to batteries: Opportunities and challenges for linking Argentina’s lithium extraction to national industrial development

Fuzuloparib with or without apatinib in patients with HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer with germline BRCA1/2 mutations (FABULOUS): interim analysis of a multicentre, three-arm, open-label, randomised, phase 3 trial.

Anxiety disorders among Chinese youth: A study based on GBD database.

Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Malaysia equips individuals with practical skills, enhances employability, fosters entrepreneurship, promotes social inclusion, facilitates industry collaboration, and contributes to national development goals. This paper presents a qualitative comparative analysis of TVET governance and financing mechanisms in five prominent Industry 4.0 nations: Australia, the United Kingdom, Germany, Singapore, and China. Based on an extensive literature review that includes academic articles, government reports, and policy documents, the study provides insights into the structures, pathways, and funding models of TVET systems in each country. Although governance structures and financing mechanisms vary across these nations, they share common challenges such as perception stigma, misalignment with labour market needs, and the integration of new technologies. The findings emphasise the importance of effective governance, strong collaboration with industry, and continuous learning initiatives to address these challenges and to improve the relevance and quality of TVET education. This research enhances the understanding of global TVET systems and offers valuable guidance for policymakers, educators, and stakeholders in strengthening TVET governance and financing strategies in the context of Industry 4.0. The comparative approach enables stakeholders to tackle shared issues such as negative perceptions and skills mismatches through focused interventions and policy improvements. In addition, it supports collaboration and the exchange of knowledge among countries, institutions, and stakeholders, encouraging mutual learning and ongoing development within the TVET sector. Key Words: TVET Governance, Financing Mechanisms, Industry 4.0, Perception Stigma, Lifelong Learning

There are different constitutional provisions, polices, commissions report, and nationalized plans for universalisation of elementary education. But when it comes to talk on higher education, not everyone expects to full enrollment. It has been observed that some quantitative targets have been somewhat arbitrarily set for enrolment ratio. It is very important to recognize that higher education is critically important to national development. The research compares college density, Gross Enrollment ratio (GER), Gender Parity Index (GPI), and the enrollment of SC, ST, and OBC students as key indicators. This study used information from a government survey on higher education, called AISHE. The researcher used Welch's t-test to analyze the difference of Gross enrolment ratio between India and West Bengal. In 2021-22 West Bengal had 15 colleges per lakh youth, while India's figures indicated 30. West Bengal's Gross Enrollment ratio was 19.9 which is much lower than the national average of 28.4 and this was found to be significant. The Gender Parity Index indicated West Bengal reached parity with a GPI of 1.03 for all students. However, the SC GPI is still at 0.96, which shows gender gaps remain within this cohort. The study advises re-established the number of colleges in rural areas, offered more scholarships, and formed special support programs for SC (girls) as mandated by NEP 2020, and providing more equitable access to education towards the national aim of a 50% GER by 2035, (Ministry of Education, 2020).

This paper examines the utilisation of various linguistic codes for the performance of multilingual identities among undergraduates at a University in South-south, Nigeria. Data were generated by means of participant observations and semi-structured interviews with the aid of audiotape recorders and field notes during a one-year fieldwork involving 100 students. Findings show situations where participants’ deploy their knowledge on use of multiple (registers and/or varieties of) language(s) to accomplish certain (academic) tasks. The use (and intermixing) of languages or registers by students enact (cross-)disciplinary, national linguistic, intragroup, ethnolinguistic and plurilingual identities. The language practice reconstructs the performance of Nigerian University students’ multilingual identities through the deployment of appropriate code(s) to attend to communication exigencies in specific contexts of essential discourses in different tasks in an academic environment. It is recommended that multilingual activities be encouraged in academic institutions to enable plurilingual students achieve desired goals for individual, collective and national development.

The French style of governance during colonisation was “assimilation”. It made French the only medium of instruction and communication in schools, thus annihilating African languages and cultures. Francophone African countries are now struggling to include their indigenous languages into the school curriculum. This article examines the challenges faced by francophone countries like Benin Republic, in their quest to elevate the status of indigenous languages. It submits that indigenous languages should be promoted alongside the official language for better understanding and national development. The article concludes that the revival of indigenous languages in schools’ curriculum is key to African technological development.

This study aims to develop the agricultural reality of wheat production in the region and establish a baseline from which to assess the impact of the national wheat cultivation development project in subsequent years and ensure the contınuıty of the ratıon card. The research relied on a descriptive analytical approach and a standard quantitative approach based on econometrics. The study was conducted in the lands of the Al-Numaniyah region, which were planted with wheat for seven previous agricultural seasons, starting from 2015-2016. wheat cultivation in previous years yielded acceptable positive results from an economic perspective, as measured by statistical analysis. The net present value was 12.7 at a discount factor of 8%, and the benefit-to-cost ratio was 1.1 at a discount factor of 8%. The internal rate of return was 29.3% To predict the current state of wheat cultivation in the region for subsequent seasons, starting from 2022-2023, time series were used, relying on the statistical linear regression equation Y = a + bx. According to this, wheat production forecasts were 44 , 48 , 52 , and 57 thousand tons for the subsequent years, from 2026 – 2029. The results of the analysis revealed a decrease in ration card support allocations in Iraq for the period 2004-2023 which was reflected in a reduction in the ration card items and a decrease in the number of months the ration card was received , although the poverty rate in Iraq for the period 2004-2023 became 21.7% and its average for the years 2020-2023 is 28%.

This study analyzes the implementation of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) at BMI Jayapura Branch and its alignment with the principles of maqāṣid syarī‘ah. The limited publication of CSR activities raises questions about the extent of the bank’s social responsibility, despite its potential to support national development through justice, equity, and community welfare. Using a qualitative method with a descriptive approach, data was collected through interviews, observation, and documentation. The findings show that CSR is implemented through programmes coordinated with Baitul Maal Muamalat, focusing on education, health, humanitarian aid, social da’wah, infrastructure, and economic empowerment. These programmes are inclusive, benefiting all societal levels, including non-Muslims, and fulfill all dimensions of maqāṣid syarī’ah—al-ḍarūriyyah, al-ḥajiyyah, and al-taḥsīniyyah. However, the implementation faces challenges: a lack of monitoring and evaluation, dominant instructions from the head office, limited human resources, and a tendency for consumptive programmes that fail to create sustainable economic empowerment. Furthermore, limited CSR publications reduce accountability and social legitimacy, despite the significant potential for using social media. These findings underscore the need to strengthen evaluation mechanisms, enhance branch capacity, and improve public communication strategies to achieve welfare objectives more effectively through CSR.

Purpose This study explores the Internet of Things' (IoT) potential to enhance energy efficiency in buildings from a theoretical perspective. Design/methodology/approach The research employs a comprehensive literature review methodology, assessing various theories including technology acceptance theory and diffusion of innovation theory. It evaluates existing scholarly articles and case studies on Internet of Things applications in energy management, particularly within the Ghanaian context. Findings The findings indicate that the IoT has the potential to significantly improve energy efficiency by automating building systems and providing real-time data for informed decision-making. However, barriers such as limited public awareness, high initial costs and technical interoperability must be overcome to facilitate effective adoption. Research limitations/implications The research is limited by the potential biases inherent in secondary data sources and a lack of extensive local studies on implementing the IoT in Ghana. Future research should address these gaps, exploring socioeconomic factors and specific barriers to adoption. Practical implications The study outlines actionable recommendations for policymakers and practitioners, including establishing supportive regulatory frameworks, financial incentives and public awareness campaigns to enhance the adoption of the IoT for energy management. Social implications The integration of IoT in Ghana's built environment carries notable social implications. By improving energy efficiency, it can ease household energy burdens and enhance public service delivery. Community-centered awareness programs and demonstration projects help build public trust and cultural acceptance of technology. Financial incentives and subsidized retrofits reduce inequalities in access, addressing affordability gaps for marginalized populations. Local production initiatives will foster job creation and stimulate industrial growth, contributing to national development goals. Furthermore, inclusive stakeholder participation particularly involving district assemblies, NGOs and academia promotes social cohesion and equitable governance, ensuring that IoT adoption responds to diverse community needs and local realities. Originality/value This paper contributes original insights by focusing on the intersection of IoT technology and energy efficiency within the Ghanaian building sector, highlighting unique challenges and opportunities for stakeholders.

This article explores the critical role of the Geological Survey of Brazil (SGB-CPRM) in advancing national development strategies through the provision of geoscientific data and expertise. It examines how the institution's activities align with and support key public policies in Brazil, including those focused on safe and sustainable mining, mapping and studies of oceans and coastal zones, water security (“water in quantity and quality, forever”), disaster risk reduction, and other crosscutting agendas. Through a comparative analysis of strategic plans from leading global geological surveys, the article underscores Brazil’s technical strengths and strong data production capabilities, while also drawing attention to the lack of a formally established national mineral policy integrated into broader development frameworks. It argues that SGB-CPRM plays a vital role in bridging this policy gap and positioning Brazil to participate effectively in the global transition to a low-carbon economy. The article also describes the Brazil Geological Survey’s contributions under the Multi-Year Plan (PPA), particularly in geological mapping and critic minerals, marine geology, water resources and geohazards. Despite facing budgetary and operational constraints, the institution has continued to make progress through institutional collaboration and technical resilience. SGB-CPRM acts as a strategic partner in the formulation and implementation of public policies, integrating geoscientific information into policy frameworks to enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of government actions across various sectors. One of the SGB-CPRM's most tangible contributions lies in its long-standing geological mapping program, which has produced an extensive and systematically updated set of geological maps covering the vast Brazilian territory. These maps—developed over decades and continually updated—are accessible through the institutional repository and constitute a fundamental resource for academic research. While not formally responsible for policy formulation, SGB-CPRM acts as a key articulator, providing critical scenarios and technical insights to both the executive and legislative branches. In addition to the national geological mapping program, a core function of SGB-CPRM is to serve as the central hub for generating Brazil's basic geoscientific data. This foundational information, made available through its public platforms, is indispensable for the creation of evidence-based policies. By ensuring access to reliable and standardized national data, SGB-CPRM empowers government bodies, the private sector, and civil society to make informed decisions. To enhance the effectiveness of these policies, there is a clear need for more participatory committees focused on Brazil's diverse development strategies. Continued investment in its technical capabilities and expanded data dissemination efforts will further solidify SGB-CPRM's pivotal role in supporting Brazil’s national development strategies and contributing to a more resilient and sustainable future.

This paper explored the intricate nexus between youth culture, creative arts, and national development, emphasising the role of young populations as pivotal agents of socio-economic transformation. Drawing on interdisciplinary frameworks, through discursive evaluation of rhetorical strategies and societal resonance, the study discussed how youth-driven cultural expressions and creative practices foster innovation, social cohesion, and cultural identity within Ghana’s development milieu. It further explored the potential of the creative sector as a strategic lever for sustainable development, advocating for policy interventions that nurture youth participation in cultural industries. The discussion suggests that empowering youth engagement in the arts can serve as a catalytic mechanism for enhancing national development trajectories through fostering creativity, entrepreneurial spirit, and social inclusion. Such an environment facilitates opportunities for youth to cultivate character, acquire knowledge, skills and develop innate talents and abilities. Based on these analyses, a key recommendation is that government policies should prioritise and vigorously promote investment in young people by harnessing their creative potential and culture for youth-centred sustainable development. Such an emphasis is essential for fostering sustainable socio-economic growth and ensuring political stability within society.

This study explores how two leading national online media, detikcom and Kompas.com, construct news frames around the issue of isolation on Enggano Island through the analytical lens of Robert Entman’s framing model. Enggano, a frontier island in Bengkulu Province, has long been characterized by poor transport connectivity, limited infrastructure, and minimal state attention. Each media outlet offers a different interpretive stance, revealing how developmental inequality and the dynamics between Indonesia’s center and periphery are discursively shaped. This study adopts a qualitative framing analysis by applying Entman’s four analytical dimensions: defining the problem, diagnosing causes, making moral evaluations, and suggesting remedies. The data comprise ten online articles published in June 2025, all addressing isolation and development on Enggano. The findings indicate that detikcom constructs the issue primarily through geographical and factual perspectives, portraying Enggano as a remote area requiring infrastructure improvement. Conversely, Kompas.com situates the story within the broader context of policy disparity and governmental accountability, using a tone that is both critical and empathetic toward local communities. In terms of moral evaluation, detikcom maintains descriptive neutrality, while Kompas.com underscores unequal national development and advocates for implicit moral concern. Despite these differences, both outlets stop short of offering concrete policy recommendations. Overall, this study demonstrates that media framing serves as a pivotal mechanism for shaping how isolation and developmental inequality are perceived in Indonesia’s peripheral regions. The findings extend theoretical discussions in development communication and media studies, particularly regarding how the national media reproduces or challenges spatial inequalities within the discourse of public policy and national development.

This study examines the transformation of Indonesia’s economic policies during the Reform Era and the influence of neoliberal doctrines on national development following the collapse of the New Order in 1998. Using a library research method, this study analyzes academic literature, institutional reports, and policy documents to identify patterns of policy change, forms of neoliberal penetration in strategic sectors, and their socio-economic consequences. The findings indicate that macroeconomic stabilization, banking restructuring, trade liberalization, privatization of state-owned enterprises, and fiscal decentralization successfully restored economic stability and increased foreign investment. However, these reforms also resulted in rising income inequality, uneven regional development, and commercialization of public services. The study concludes that the Reform Era generated macroeconomic recovery while simultaneously reinforcing socio-economic disparities, requiring corrective state policies to achieve inclusive development.

China's economy relies heavily on its diverse industries, and efficient economic management plays a vital role in national development and improving people's livelihoods. The application of massive data in economic management not only enhances the level of financial control but also lays a solid foundation for subsequent optimization and research on financial management technologies. This paper analyzes the application of big data in economic management, discusses its development, management practices, and existing challenges, and highlights the important role of data-driven decision-making in optimizing financial control. A new economic management model based on data monitoring, consumer demand forecasting, and product price information analysis is proposed. The proposed algorithm achieves a 22.98% higher accuracy in predicting consumer purchasing propensity compared to the traditional support vector machines algorithm.