Private University In Malaysia Research Articles

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on medical and non-medical students at a private university in Malaysia

Background: Worldwide the COVID-19 pandemic affected people in various ways. Despite all the constraints students were in a unique position of being thrown into a lockdown situation where they had to learn from home and online. This had its own repercussions, and our aim was to study the effect of learning, as well as the mental and financial impact it had on the students at this private university. Methods: Using a pre-validated google questionnaire, we conducted a cross-sectional study amongst the undergraduate students from the various faculties. We used a modified DASS-21, with 15 questions rated on a Likert’s scale to assess mental health. Academic assessment and the financial impact assessment had 8 questions each. Sample size was 177. Cronbach’s for overall internal consistency was 0.860. Results: We had 208 respondents, where 66.3% were female and 62% Chinese. The mean score for medical students (mean=38.3, SD=12.9) was slightly higher than non-medical students (mean=37.3, SD=11.6). Overall non-medical students faced more challenges than the medical students academically as seen in poor contact with lecturers (chi square 10.73, p=0.030), their home environment was not conducive for learning (chi square 4.38, p=0.036) and have significantly more distraction from family members (chi square 4.87, p=0.027). Financially, a significant number of non-medical students struggled to pay for food expenses (chi square 12.92, p≤0.001). Conclusions: There was no significant difference between medical and non-medical students on mental health issues. Non-medical students were impacted more academically and financially.

Post-pandemic impact on a private University in Malaysia: adapting strategies for sustainable education in chemistry

The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic marked an unprecedented disruption in global education systems, affecting a vast population of approximately 1.6 billion learners across over 200 countries. Specifically, within Malaysia, where private universities hold a significant role in shaping the educational sphere, the pandemic brought about notable shifts in higher education. This research focuses on the post-pandemic impact on a private university situated in the Malaysian capital, focusing on transformations in teaching and learning approaches, student engagement, and technological integration in chemistry education. Through an in-depth analysis of diverse data sources from students and literatire review, this study aims to shed light on the challenges faced by the teaching and learning process in chemistry and the strategies employed to mitigate the adverse effects. In addition, the study also discusses the potential long-term transformations in higher education that may persist beyond the pandemic and offers recommendations to ensure the resilience and adaptability of private universities in Malaysia. Understanding the post-pandemic impact on private universities is crucial for formulating effective policies and strategies to enhance the quality and accessibility of higher education in the evolving educational landscape.

Post-pandemic impact on a private university in Malaysia: adapting strategies for sustainable education in chemistry

The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic marked an unprecedented disruption in global education systems, affecting a vast population of approximately 1.6 billion learners across over 200 countries. Specifically, within Malaysia, where private universities hold a significant role in shaping the educational sphere, the pandemic brought about notable shifts in higher education. This research focuses on the post-pandemic impact on a private university situated in the Malaysian capital, focusing on transformations in teaching and learning approaches, student engagement, and technological integration in chemistry education. Through an in-depth analysis of diverse data sources from students and literatire review, this study aims to shed light on the challenges faced by the teaching and learning process in chemistry and the strategies employed to mitigate the adverse effects. In addition, the study also discusses the potential long-term transformations in higher education that may persist beyond the pandemic and offers recommendations to ensure the resilience and adaptability of private universities in Malaysia. Understanding the post-pandemic impact on private universities is crucial for formulating effective policies and strategies to enhance the quality and accessibility of higher education in the evolving educational landscape.

Evaluating Online Purchase Intentions among Malaysian Private University Students: The Role of Perceived Risk, and Trust in Online Vendors

Evaluating Online Purchase Intentions among Malaysian Private University Students: The Role of Perceived Risk, and Trust in Online Vendors

Pre-University Students' Perception in Using Generative AI: A Study at a Malaysian Private University

Pre-University Students' Perception in Using Generative AI: A Study at a Malaysian Private University

Instructors’ perceptions and pedagogical approaches to online teaching in selected Malaysian private universities

Instructors’ perceptions and pedagogical approaches to online teaching in selected Malaysian private universities

The Power to Move the Eiffel Tower: Conceptual Metaphor and Persuasion in L2 Argumentative Writing

This article analyses conceptual metaphors produced in argumentative writing by learners of English as a second language (L2). Founded on the Conceptual Metaphor Theory, it explores the linguistic metaphorical expressions which reflect an underlying conceptual metaphor. By drawing on Critical Metaphor Analysis, this research adopts a qualitative approach to analysing the concealed motivations behind a conceptual metaphor use. The data of this study comprise five argumentative essay samples collected from foundation year students at a private university in Malaysia. This study reveals how a conceptual metaphor is evoked to frame an argument in a way that is advantageous to the participants, particularly in establishing their stance on the proposition that social media is advantageous rather than disadvantageous to its users. Seven conceptual metaphors identified from the five samples of writing are related to social media, namely global mass gathering, loudspeaker, free society, accommodation, teacher, strong force and maze. While the first six metaphors serve as rhetorical tools to aid the participants in establishing arguments, the last metaphor is raised in the counterclaim section to illustrate how the opposition could equally rely on conceptual metaphors to establish its viewpoint. In instances where the metaphors are deployed as rhetorical devices, the participants’ covert intention to convince readers of their standpoint is achieved by utilising the conceptual metaphors to illuminate abstract ideas, arouse positive or negative emotions in readers, indicate positive or negative evaluations and evoke an ideology.

Undergraduate students' motivation toward online learning and intention to enrol in future online courses

Online education has become increasingly common, particularly in higher education, and students' willingness to learn online has increased following the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to understand the factors that motivate students to learn online and their intentions to continue taking online courses. The research surveyed 112 students from a private university in Malaysia and found that both intrinsic and extrinsic factors motivated them to learn online. The majority of students also intended to continue with online learning in the future. Extrinsic incentives such as performance improvement were found to be the most effective motivators. Universities should consider adjusting the curriculum to improve student learning while considering the flexibility of the time and effort that students should put in to build a meaningful online learning experience.

The Effectiveness of Technology Enhanced Assessment in Malaysian Higher Education for Medical Students

Technology-enhanced assessment (TEA) means all types of assessments that use technological aid either online or offline, either during or after learning with the objective of improving or assessing the process of learning. Aims: This study assessed the effectiveness and influence of TEA on the academic performance of medical students in a Malaysian private university. A cross-sectional study was conducted and convenience sampling was applied to recruit participants. A validated online questionnaire was used and the participants were required to report their demographic characteristics, academic performance before and after using TEA, and their attitudes towards the TEA. Paired-t-test was performed to assess the difference in medical students’ mean CGPA before and after using TEA. Study findings showed that medical students have positive attitudes towards TEA and believe that TEA offers value to their learning. TEA was found to have a positive impact on the academic performance by which there is a significance difference in medical students’ mean CGPA before and after using TEA (p0.05). TEA is an effective tool that can enhance the learning process among medical students. Nevertheless, the sample studied need to be more diverse to be able to generalize the results for all medical students along different universities and countries.

Knowledge Management Practices and Academician Well-Being: A Case Study of Selected Private Universities in Malaysia

Knowledge Management Practices and Academician Well-Being: A Case Study of Selected Private Universities in Malaysia

Management Accounting Change: Perceived Characteristics of Innovation on the Adoption of Activity-Based Costing for Private University in Malaysia by Using the Roger Theory

Management Accounting Change: Perceived Characteristics of Innovation on the Adoption of Activity-Based Costing for Private University in Malaysia by Using the Roger Theory

Gen Y Academicians’ Emotional Labour and Wellbeing: The Moderating Effects of Human Resource Practices

The study examines the moderating influence of human resource practices on the relationship between emotional labour and wellbeing of Gen Y academicians. Data were collected from 314 Gen Y academicians from private universities in Malaysia and analyzed using the partial least squares structural equation model (PLS-SEM). The findings of the study show Gen Y academicians do experience emotional labour and employ both surface and deep acting at the workplace. More importantly the findings show that that there is positive and attributable human resource practices has a significant moderating effect on the relationship between emotional labour (Surface Acting & Deep Acting) and the wellbeing of the Gen Y academicians. Few studies to date have paid attention to the influence of human resource practices between emotional labour and wellbeing in the context of Gen Y workforce in an academic setting. The results of the study deserve attention of university management to better assist and support young academicians to manage their emotional health and as a result enhance their wellbeing at the workplace.

Factors influencing international students’ perceived value and satisfaction at private universities in Malaysia

Factors influencing international students’ perceived value and satisfaction at private universities in Malaysia

The Relationship of Succession Planning, Career Attitude and Job Security with Turnover Intention at Private University in Malaysia

The Relationship of Succession Planning, Career Attitude and Job Security with Turnover Intention at Private University in Malaysia

The roles of vocational interest and entrepreneurial event model in agropreneurship intention

Purpose This study aims to investigate the impact of Holland’s theory of career choice (RIASEC [realistic, investigative, artistic, social, enterprising and conventional]) on the entrepreneurial event model (EEM) and the agropreneurial intention among university students. Design/methodology/approach This study is quantitative research, and 772 undergraduate students from public and private universities in Malaysia participated. The data were then analysed using SmartPLS 4. Findings The statistical analysis revealed that the realistic, artistic, enterprising and conventional in Holland’s theory of career choice (RIASEC) are antecedents of perceived desirability and feasibility, which has an indirect effect on agropreneurial intention. Additionally, all dimensions of EEM have a direct effect on agropreneurial intention. Originality/value Despite the importance of agriculture in providing food security and reducing poverty, especially in rural areas, there is very limited empirical research in this area. Notably, most of the research on the intention to become an entrepreneur is general entrepreneurship. This study, therefore, undertakes an interventionist role to investigate the factors influencing agropreneurial intention among youth.

Thriving in scarcity: Harnessing intellectual capital for open frugal innovation

Private higher education institutions (PHEIs) are struggling to invest in the facilities, tools, and staff required to build a complete IR4.0 education ecosystem due to a lack of funding and technological resources. This research investigates the role of intellectual capital elements (Human, Relational, and Structural Capital) in promoting frugal innovation in Malaysian private universities utilizing knowledge-based theory. Using a quantitative research approach, we collected survey data from 308 respondents affiliated with Private Higher Education Institutions (PHEIs) in Malaysia. The study found that human capital is not statistically significant in its relationship with frugal innovation in higher education, while structural capital and relational capital do show significant relationships. These findings contribute to our understanding of intellectual capital's role in frugal innovation in Malaysian PHEIs.

Factors influencing undergraduate students’ engagement in online learning: a PLS-SEM approach

ABSTRACT Effective engagement during online learning is essential for achieving successful student outcomes. This study aims to determine the level of engagement among undergraduate students and its influencing factors during the online learning process. Data were collected from a sample of 609 undergraduate students, taken from four public and private universities in Malaysia. Results showed that undergradaute students have a moderate level of engagement during online learning. Their engagement was significantly influenced by perceptions of online learning, experiences in online learning, and online self-regulation skills, as demonstrated by the results of partial least square-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). These factors accounted for 63.7% of the variance in students’ engagement (R2 = .637, p < 0.01). The implications of the study were discussed.

Mitigating Challenges in the Administration of Private Higher Educational Institutions in Malaysia

Education plays a crucial role in creating individuals who contribute positively to the development of a country. The private education sector in Malaysia, has proven to be a major source of revenue for the Malaysian government, and it is the government’s aspiration to capture a large percentage of the higher education global market. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the challenges faced by academic leaders in managing private universities in Malaysia and to provide feasible recommendations to overcome them. The findings are expected to provide valuable information to the management of Malaysian private universities, policymakers, and regulatory agencies. The information gathered could provide enlightenment regarding the difficulties faced in order to design and implement further policies to elevate their operational method and ensure long-term survival. Valuable recommendations have been provided to ensure the institutions remain profitable and sustainable as the development of Malaysia’s social and economic sector is dependent on its education sector.

An Exploring Rewards Systems and Turnover Intention among Malaysian Private University Academics: The Role of Continuance Commitment as a Mediator

This research employed an empirical approach in overviewing the relationship between five independent variables namely, remuneration, work-life balance, supervisor support, and employee recognition and the intention of turnover by means of employees' continuance commitment. The study comprises a total of 331 academics from the four private universities that were selected. This study utilized a structured survey to collect data, drawing on publicly available literature to inform the survey's design. Building upon a comprehensive review of existing literature, the survey instrument was tailored to address the specific research objectives of this study, incorporating modifications as deemed necessary. The analysis presented in this chapter offers a detailed examination of both the measurement and structural models employed in the study. The measurement model rigorously assessed the reliability and validity of the measurement instruments, ensuring that indicators met established criteria for accuracy and precision. Subsequent Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) analyses revealed that neither direct nor mediated paths achieved statistical significance, indicating a lack of empirical support for the hypothesized relationships among the variables under investigation. This comprehensive evaluation provides valuable insights into the methodological rigor of the study and highlights avenues for future research exploration.

Effectiveness of Assessment Exemplars in a Business Management Course

Samples of past and present student work should not just be kept away in the faculty drawers, cabinets or simply stored in the digital space. There are many benefits from these valuable pieces of work that can be shared with their peers and future students. By sharing and showing these exemplars, students understand better the expectations for their own work to obtain good grades. They not only learn to benchmark their work against their peers and understand the assessment requirements better, but most importantly, exemplars provide them guidance when undertaking a piece of assessment. This action research explores the use of assessment exemplars and its effectiveness on Business Management students in a pre-university programme at a private university in Malaysia. A basic qualitative approach using focus group discussions was adopted. Four major themes on the impact of assessment exemplars emerged from the focus group discussions, namely assessment exemplars provide guidance, make students aware of standards and expectations, provide motivation to start writing, and builds confidence. This study provides insights into understanding students’ experience in using exemplars in the pre-university context.