Official Papers Research Articles

Enhancing digital transformation strategies: a framework for SITA

This article seeks to analyse the impact of systemic hurdles, organisational inertia, and technology limitations on the digital transformation initiatives of the State Information Technology Agency (SITA) in South Africa. The study aims to present a comprehensive framework to improve SITA's digital transformation strategy by tackling these obstacles. This article aims to identify key areas including policy restructuring, capacity building, and the adoption of modern technologies such as cloud computing, big data, and the Internet of Things (IoT). We utilised a mixed qualitative-analytical approach for data collecting and processing. Primary data were collected via semi-structured interviews with SITA personnel, while secondary data were sourced from official SITA papers, such as annual reports and strategy plans. Thematic analysis was employed to discern reoccurring patterns and themes. An analysis was conducted on a dataset of SITA's digital activities spanning from 2012 to 2021. The study's principal findings indicate that (i) systemic obstacles, including antiquated infrastructure and reluctance to change, substantially hinder digital transformation, (ii) effective security protocols and strategic alliances are crucial for surmounting these obstacles, and (iii) the establishment of a comprehensive framework encompassing capacity building and the integration of advanced technologies can significantly bolster SITA's digital transformation initiatives, thereby enhancing. Nonetheless, the study possesses drawbacks, notably its dependence on qualitative data, which may not encompass the entirety of challenges encountered by SITA. Subsequent study ought to adopt a mixed methodologies approach to facilitate a more thorough analysis. Notwithstanding these constraints, the report provides significant insights and pragmatic recommendations for policymakers and practitioners engaged in digital transformation programs at SITA.

Evaluating the Performance of ChatGPT in the Prescribing Safety Assessment: Implications for Artificial Intelligence-Assisted Prescribing.

Objective With the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, models likeChat Generative Pre-Trained Transformer (ChatGPT) are increasingly being evaluated for their potential applications in healthcare. The Prescribing Safety Assessment (PSA) is a standardised test for junior physicians in the UK to evaluate prescribing competence. This study aims to assess ChatGPT's ability to pass the PSA and its performance across different exam sections. Methodology ChatGPT (version GPT-4) was tested on four official PSA practice papers, each containing 30 questions, in three independent trials per paper, with answers evaluated using official PSA mark schemes. Performance was measured by calculating overall percentage scores and comparing them to the pass marks provided for each practice paper. Subsection performance was also analysed to identify strengths and weaknesses. Results ChatGPT achieved mean scores of 257/300 (85.67%), 236/300 (78.67%), 199/300 (66.33%), and 233/300 (77.67%) across the four papers, consistently surpassing the pass marks where available. ChatGPT performed well in sections requiring factual recall, such as "Adverse Drug Reactions", scoring 63/72 (87.50%), and "Communicating Information", scoring 63/72 (88.89%). However, it struggled in "Data Interpretation", scoring 32/72 (44.44%), showing variability across trials and indicating limitations in handling more complex clinical reasoning tasks. Conclusion While ChatGPT demonstrated strong potential in passing the PSA and excelling in sections requiring factual knowledge, its limitations in data interpretation highlight the current gaps in AI's ability to fully replicate human clinical judgement. ChatGPT shows promise in supporting safe prescribing, particularly in areas prone to human error, such as drug interactions and communicating correct information. However, due to its variability in more complex reasoning tasks, ChatGPT is not yet ready to replace human prescribers and should instead serve as a supplemental tool in clinical practice.

A cross-sectional study on advance care planning documentation attitudes during national advance care planning week in a South-East Asian country

BackgroundThrough advocacy initiatives such as roadshows during “National ACP Week”, the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) had increased advance care planning (ACP) engagement since 2011. Project Happy Apples (PHA), a community initiative project led by medical students from the National University of Singapore, also conducted a public exhibition to raise ACP awareness during this period. This study aimed to investigate and identify predictors of attitudes towards ACP documentation among ‘ACP Week’ respondents which may be used to formulate strategies to increase ACP documentation in Singapore.MethodsA cross-sectional study on ACP documentation attitudes of 262 respondents during local roadshows were conducted. Multiple logistic regression models were built to investigate the associations between demographic variables and attitudes toward ACP documentation.ResultsThe mean age was 43.5 years (SD = 17.4), 79 (30.15%) were males and 49 (18.7%) were healthcare professionals (HCP). 117 (44.66%) respondents had prior experience with serious illness and 116 (44.27%) had heard of ACP. Age was a significant predictor of readiness to sign official papers naming nominated healthcare spokesperson (NHS) (OR = 1.04, 95%CI: 1.02–1.07). Experience with serious illness was a significant predictor of readiness to discuss end-of-life (EOL) care with healthcare professionals (HCP) (OR = 3.65, 95%CI: 1.36–11.61). Being female was a significant predictor for readiness to speak to their nominated healthcare spokesperson about EOL care (OR = 7.33, 95%CI: 2.06–46.73). Subgroup analyses revealed that those aged 20–39 were less likely to speak to their healthcare professional about or sign official papers regarding EOL care. We also found that being a healthcare professional does not necessitate better or worse attitudes.ConclusionAdvocacy programs tailored to targeting respondents of different age groups and prior experience with serious illness may improve the efficacy of advocacy efforts.

Independent Curriculum Policy in Early Childhood Education Units in Indonesia

The Independent Curriculum is an innovative advancement in the Indonesian education system, namely in Early Childhood Education (PAUD). This study aims to discover the Independent Curriculum policy in PAUD (Early Childhood Education) through a literature review approach. In particular, the researcher will analyze and evaluate policies, regulations, and theories related to the definition of the Independent Curriculum in Early Childhood Education. Information is gathered from reliable sources, including scientific publications, books, and official government papers. The study's findings show that the Independent Curriculum offers PAUD the ability to tailor the curriculum to the specific needs and attributes of students, thus providing flexibility. PAUD is encouraged to develop the Pancasila Student Profile through child-centered learning, play, and exploration. This research also found several challenges in implementing the Independent Curriculum in PAUD, such as limited human resources, infrastructure, and funding. Ultimately, the Independent Curriculum has great potential to improve the quality of early childhood education in Indonesia. Nevertheless, it is crucial for some stakeholders to consistently exert their efforts to ensure the smooth and smooth implementation of the implementation process.

The Rushdiyye School in Rawandz and its most prominent problems 1868-1916

Throughout the history, science and scholars have held a prominent position within Kurdish society. During ancient times, mosques, madrassas, and chambers served as the primary hubs for scientific knowledge and educational institutions. However, during the final phase of Ottoman administration in Kurdistan, the state officially established schools, including one in the city of Rawandz. The state covered the expenses of these schools, including teachers' salaries and the provision of educational materials for students. However, in contrast to other educational institutions in Rushdiya, the Rushdiya school in Rawandz exhibits several deficiencies and challenges. The subject matter revolved around education, students, and teachers. In this study, many scientific methodologies were employed, including historical analysis and the examination of textual materials as the primary source. Additionally, supplementary scientific sources such as books and research papers were utilized. Academic fields such as master's and doctorate theses, along with the use of comparative techniques sources and official calendars and papers of the Ottoman state, offer comprehensive insights into his life and accomplishments. This research aims to scientifically examine the Rushdieh School of Rawandz and the prominent issues that arose between 1868 and 1916. Despite these challenges, the school played a significant role in advancing the scientific interests of Rawandz and fostering the development of a new generation.

INSET CONTENT TOWARDS TEACHERS’ PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE 21ST CENTURY: GLOBAL CHALLENGES

The present paper discusses whether INSET content includes new thematic fields in line with the European and supranational directions as a result of the global advancements towards teachers’ efficient training and professional development in the 21st century. To this end, a review of the scholarly literature focusing on the official papers of supranational institutions has been carried out, along with an empirical study which investigates the extent to which INSET content has been updated to contribute to teachers’ professional development. As regards the empirical study, the quantitative research method was selected to gather data via an online questionnaire answered by 290 in-service state-school primary teachers. The research questions examine whether INSET content (a) includes topics related to 21st-century socio-educational challenges, (b) addresses modern state-school issues, (c) responds to teachers’ actual training needs, (d) satisfies teachers and/or needs revision. According to the research findings, INSET content seems to be out-of-date since modern educational topics deemed to be of crucial importance in the 21st-century education, such as global citizenship, human rights education, intercultural education and school bullying issues are included in teachers’ in-service training only to a minimum extent. Quantitative data also reveal deficient investigation of teachers’ training needs which results in a severe gap between INSET content and their actual training needs. Last but not least, findings raise implications for INSET content reform and update in order to focus on modern thematic fields as a prerequisite for teachers’ professional development in the 21st century via the systematic investigation of both teachers’ and schools’ needs.<p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/soc/0727/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

Inclusive Education for a More Egalitarian Society

Special education for persons with disabilities is an integral part of a nation’s education system. However, it is not until after World War II, particularly after the 1970s, that the right to education of children with disabilities garnered widespread attention in the global community. The UN’ agencies released a succession of official papers related to or specialized in this issue, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Declaration on the Rights of Mentally Retarded Persons, Declaration on the Rights of Disabled Persons, Declaration of the Rights of the Child, Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities, Framework for Action on Special Needs Education, and Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Despite the variations in the context and content between these papers, they share the common conception that every society and its government have the responsibility and obligation to provide high-quality education services for children with disabilities to ensure their right to education and protect them from educational discrimination and exclusion (Li, 2023).

A high-frequency digital economy index: text analysis and factor analysis based on big data

ABSTRACT We propose a high-frequency digital economy index by combining official white papers and big data. It aims to resolve the discrepancy between the new economic reality and old economic indicators used by decision-makers and policymakers. We have demonstrated a significant effect due to keyword rotations on the indices. Further analysis of the Dagum-Gini coefficient shows that spatial heterogeneity and temporal variation of the digital economy indices can be mainly attributed to between-group inequality.

Nyerere’s Philosophy of Education for Self-Reliance and Its Implications for Enhancing the Socio-Economic Dimension of Current Kenyan University Education

While considerable attention has been devoted to exploring the potential of higher education in driving economic development, comparatively less focus has been directed towards its role in nurturing social imperatives associated with education. In the same vein, the economic benefits of a university degree in Kenya have been emphasised, while the social relevance of serving society has not received enough attention. In order to strengthen the social and economic paradigms of higher education in Kenya, the article examine the unique contribution of Nyerere's philosophy of education for self-reliance in the realm of African educational philosophies. The purpose of this study was to analyse what educational implications Kenyan universities can adopt from Nyerere's education for self-reliance philosophy using a literature-based research approach. The methodology of the study used was a multifaceted technique that comprised a literature review, conceptual analysis, a comprehensive content analysis and triangulation for evaluating relevant books, research studies, scholarly works and official papers about the socio-economic role of university education and Nyerere's philosophy of education. The study's findings indicated that the Nyerere educational philosophy, which is characterized by its invaluable lessons on the roles of the teacher, curriculum development, and the purpose of university education, may have beneficial implications on Kenyan university education. The socio-economic dimensions of university education emphasize enhancing society through problem-solving, community engagement, and career-oriented learning. The study also underscored the vital need for training for jobs in both white-collar and blue-collar fields by universities, the incorporation of problem-solving skills relevant to the 21st century, on-going professional development, and benchmarking. These recommendations could be the cornerstone of socio-economic education reforms at Kenyan universities, which could prepare its youth for the dynamic opportunities of the twenty-first century, positioning Kenya as a forerunner in the global advancement of socio-economic dimension of university education.

The African Union and Conflict Resolution: Challenges and Prospects

With an emphasis on the difficulties and opportunities the AU faces, this paper explores the role of the African Union (AU) in resolving conflicts in Africa. Using secondary data sources from scholarly publications, studies, and official AU papers, the research takes a qualitative approach. The research investigates the efficacy of the AU's projects and the challenges faced in resolving conflicts by examining the organization's efforts in conflict prevention, mediation, peacekeeping, and peace-building. The findings clarified the constraints caused by political meddling, a lack of political will, finance, and resources, the complexity of African conflicts, and regional and global dynamics on the continent. Notwithstanding these difficulties, the research emphasizes how the AU may support conflict resolution by utilizing its mediation procedures, early warning systems, and alliances with domestic and foreign organizations. The study emphasizes the need of ongoing efforts to discourse the root causes of African conflicts and improve the AU's capacity for resolving disputes.

Political economy dynamics of Russia's intervention in Syria

This article aims to place the issue of economic benefits obtained by Russia by military intervention in Syria in the larger perspective of its role as a global player shaping Middle East affairs. The essay aims to answer the following question: How much have Russia's economic interests been impacted by its military involvement in Syria? Russian objectives in Syria extend beyond its geostrategic location to encompass national interests in various strategic areas, particularly maintaining its economic power and bolstering its worldwide influence in Middle Eastern politics. The article will explore the additional advantages that contributed to the expansion of Russian commercial ties in the region, beyond Syria's geostrategic location. This article assumes that Russia is steadily investing in building its influence and creating geo-economic dynamics to boost its economic national interests. The study examines how Russia has been translating its military participation into economic benefits across several sectors, including arms transactions, oil businesses, economic networking, trade facilitation, and resilience. The paper will rely on signed contracts, official papers, reports, menus, speeches, press releases, declaratory statements, and reports on official visits as primary data. This article focuses on the political economy of Russian military involvement in the Syrian crisis to provide detailed insights.

Intimate Technologies of Family Making: Birth Control Politics in Cold War Turkey.

In April 1965, the Turkish Parliament passed the law legalizing birth control, including the pills and the use of intrauterine devices. This article examines the beginnings and expansion of family planning in Turkey in the 1960s by tracing the encounters of American experts, Turkish physicians along with bureaucrats, and thousands of urban squatter dwelling and rural women and men. Different from the previous historical accounts framing family planning as an insular and state-driven modernization project, it provides a transnational history of family planning in Turkey by unearthing intimate links between the discourses of development and histories of family, sexuality, and reproduction. By using Population Council documents, Turkish official papers, Parliament minutes, visual materials, and national and feminist press accounts, this article demonstrates that family planning practices with new technologies of contraceptives constituted often-neglected but indispensable components of infrastructure in the formation of technologies of governance in Turkey in Cold War context.

Review of Official Papers on the Creation of a World Financial Centre in Russia (2008-2024)

Review of Official Papers on the Creation of a World Financial Centre in Russia (2008-2024)

Analisis Prinsip Pembiayaan Kesehatan dalam Mendukung Cakupan Kesehatan Semesta di Indonesia

Health financing is an essential component of the health system, particularly in the pursuit of universal health care. The primary role of universal health care is financial risk protection, which includes the availability of national health insurance as well as access to safe and inexpensive essential health services. The goal of this study is to learn about the concepts of health financing in order to attain universal health care. This article employs a qualitative approach, drawing on secondary data sources such as books, scientific journals, linked internet websites, official government papers, and others. According to the findings, the effectiveness of raising income for health care finance cannot be quantified. In terms of income collection, there is still some overlap in health financing sources, particularly in the national health insurance programme (JKN). Aside from that, the JKN program's procurement of services and distribution methods are encountering difficulties due to a shortfall in the JKN budget, as well as the community's lack of discipline in making JKN contributions. Furthermore, despite the notion of decentralisation, local governments continue to rely on the central government for health financial planning and budgeting. Keywords: health systems, health financing, universal health coverage

Local Legislation is Associated With Regional Transgender Attitudes.

Using a newly developed measure of implicit transgender attitudes, we investigate the association between state-level antitransgender policies and individual-level attitudes about transgender people among residents. In a large sample of U.S. participants (N = 211,133), we find that individuals living in states with more discriminatory policies against transgender people (e.g., not allowing changes to one's gender identity on official identity papers) exhibited more negative implicit and explicit transgender attitudes. This pattern held after controlling for participant race and gender, as well as when looking only at cisgender participants. These findings extend prior work concerning how intergroup biases relate to regional characteristics such as legislation and do so in a novel and consequential context. This research also informs ongoing work concerning the role of policy-making and social norms on the development and expression of intergroup prejudice.

Analysis of nickel export restriction and downstream policy in Indonesia

With 21 million metric tons of nickel deposits, or ? of global reserves, Indonesia possesses an abundance of the metal. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the export and processing policies of the Indonesian government regarding nickel and how they relate to global nickel requirements in light of future energy estimates. This study's methodology, which gathers information from official websites, government papers, mass media, and literature, is based on qualitative assumption analysis. The findings indicate that a revision is necessary to ESDM Ministerial Regulation Number 11 of 2019. This policy has a negative effect since the government failed to consider a number of factors while drafting it, including the effects on the environment, the disparity in benefits between China and Indonesia, and the distribution of social implications. Since this policy fosters future national economic progress, it can be deemed appropriate. Impacts on social, environmental, and national resilience still need to be taken into account. The study's findings indicate that, although expert assumptions and a number of other factors on social and environmental issues vary, the government's assumptions, which give priority to the economic sector, do not. The notion of nickel's added value is currently the sole issue that the government views as a major concern, despite the fact that downstream nickel applications can have a good societal impact.

„Von seiner Hochheit allenthalben recommendiret wird”

Based on archival material from the Hungarian Royal Court Chancellery Archive in Budapest, this study examines the extent to which the selection and advancement of offi cials were infl uenced by Prince Albert of Saxony (who became Duke of Saxe-Teschen in 1766). He was appointed by Maria Theresa, his future mother-in-law, as the lieutenantgovernor of the Kingdom of Hungary in late December 1765. From the official papers, it is possible to ascertain the reasons given for changes in personnel in the Hungarian Royal Lieutenancy Council, the primary government body (of which the Prince was the president) responsible for domestic policy in Hungary. The period under consideration is between 1765 and 1771. The influence of Prince Albert, an outsider in Hungary, was hardly discernable in the early four years. Appointments were invariably decided by the sovereign, Queen Maria Theresa. During this time, Prince Albert’s role was mostly limited to proposing individuals for non-salaried, so-called supernumerary posts or honorary councillorships. However, following the introduction of a new, more professinalised administration in 1769, the Hungarian Royal Lieutenancy Council required more experienced and qualified staff. Consequently, Prince Albert had the opportunity to advance his trusted officials who had proven their administrative efficiency. He achieved the promotion of talented secretaries to the rank of councillor, for example, even if it occasially involved unorthodox methods. The sources also show that low-paid, lowerranking officials received a pay increase, and from 1776, a special bonus. Hence, the files of the Hungarian Royal Court Chancellery clearly demonstrate that Prince Albert had an influential role in proposing candidates for administrative offices.

German food security in times of crisis

The article deals with the German food security during the conflict in Ukraine. The study analyses the German food system resilience and the Ukrainian crisis impact on food security. The author aims to solve several scientific problems as well. The article examines the German understanding of food security and how the national concept corresponds to the approaches of international organisations. The author analyses the level of self-sufficiency in basic food products in Germany and the impact of the Ukrainian conflict on various imported food products. She examines official documents of the UN FAO, the government of Germany, and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food to identify the conception of food security in Germany. The researcher scrutinises statistic data provided by the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture, the Federal Office for Food and Agriculture, the Federal Statistical Office and concludes about the level of German self-sufficiency in food. The interpretation of data data of fluctuations in the supply of oilseeds and oil reveals the effect of Ukrainian crisis on German food security as well. Official papers and statistic data analysis shows that Germany achieved self-sufficiency in basic food. The country focuses on strengthening the sustainability of agriculture and improving food quality in its national strategic papers. The weak element of food security is imports of oil and oilseeds, the supply of which declined in 2022. At the same time, raising prices and declining supplies of gas and fertilisers can become a serious threat to food security.

STRATEGY OF PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT. ASSUMPTIONS AND PRACTICE

The aim of the article is to confront the arrangements of official strategy papers concerning agricultural and rural development, including the performance indicators, with the data illustrating the real policy pursued in this area and the effects of this policy. The content of key strategy papersas well as relevant data from the Central Statistical Office and the Ministry of Finance were also analysed. As a result, it was found that: (1) the indicators of objectives focused on supporting agriculture and rural areas adopted in analysed strategies cannot be used to interpret a coherent concept of the policy towards rural areas and agriculture; (2) there are inconsistencies between the arrangements of different strategies; (3) public support was aimed primarily at improving the income situation of farmers, to the detriment of achieving such objectives as improvement of agrarian structure and efficiency of farms, improvement of living conditions in the countryside and more effective environmental protection.

«Ставрополь – вторая родина». Заметки на полях о неизвестных годах жизни И.Д. Попко и В.Ф. Золотаренко

The majority of the lives of Lieutenant General of the Kuban Cossack Army, Ivan Diomidovich Popko, and the Kuban writer and ethnographer Vasily Fedorovich Zolotarenko, their scientific and creative biographies, have been comprehensively examined by historians. However, there remains one segment of their lives that, perhaps, remains the most unexplored and unknown: their childhood and adolescence. This is mainly due to the scarcity of documents covering this period. Official pa-pers provide no information about this particular stage of their friendship. Nevertheless, fragments of information about their early years have been discovered in personal documents. Bits and pieces of such valuable data were uncovered in V. F. Zolotarenko's diary and in I. D. Popko's letters, pre-served in the State Archive of the Stavropol Territory. Additionally, a letter from Stepan Ivanovich Romanovsky was found, which mentions the historian's years of study in Stavropol. This publica-tion serves as an appeal for further investigation into this intriguing matter. It is my sincere hope that researchers will unearth additional documents that will contribute to a more comprehensive under-standing of this hitherto unknown period in the lives of these truly remarkable individuals.