Private University In Malaysia Research Articles

Peer Mentoring Module: The Effect of an Intervention of Academic Mentoring Program towards Motivation and Self-esteem among Foundation Students in Malaysia

Academic mentoring program between peer mentors and mentees is believed to be as part of the guidance and counselling practice to enhance the development of education field. This program practiced Peer Mentoring Module (PMM) for peer mentors with skills namely: interpersonal relationship, communication, motivation, empathy and emotional stability. The purpose of this research is to identify the effectiveness of PMM on the treatment of students' motivation and self-esteem among foundation students in a private University in Malaysia. Forty subjects (mentees) with CGPA < 2.00 points were tutored by forty trained mentors. A pretest-posttest control research design was utilized to look at the difference of the level of motivation and self-esteem of the students (mentees) with low achievement (CGPA below 2.00 points). Two types of instruments are used in this study; Rosenberg Self-Esteem (RSE) and Achievement Goal Questionnaire (AGQ). The subjects were examined at week one for pre-test and post-test at week ten. Statistical analysis included (group x time) measures t-test to determine between and within group mean differences. The overall findings support the hypothesis that PMM intervention to train peer mentors in Mentoring Program shows positive effects on increasing the level of motivation and general self-esteem of mentees. After 10 weeks during the post-test, there was statistically improved in RSE and AGQ scores (p < 0.05). The research outcome may help researchers to proof that PMM through academic mentoring program can increase the attitude and confidence of the mentees. Therefore, a more positive learning perspective among the low achievers will be one of the important aspects in implementing the guidance and counselling practice in academic mentoring.

A Qualitative Analysis of the Leadership Style of a Vice-Chancellor in a Private University in Malaysia

This study used Bolman and Deal’s framework to examine the leadership frames of a vice-chancellor in a private university in Malaysia. Qualitative methods comprised interviews with the vice-chancellor and six of his staff reporting directly to him, document analysis, and observations. Atlas.ti was used to code the leadership frames. Content analysis revealed that the vice-chancellor exhibited three frames, showing a multi-frame leadership style. It reflects the vice-chancellor implements an effective leadership style and a high level of cognitive ability, which is important for the organizational effectiveness.

Breast cancer prevention information seeking behavior and interest on cell phone and text use: a cross-sectional study in Malaysia.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer and the second principal cause of cancer deaths among women worldwide, including Malaysia. This study focused on media choice and attempted to determine the communication channels mostly used and preferred by women in seeking information and knowledge about breast cancer. A cross sectional study was carried out to examine the breast cancer prevention information seeking behavior among 450 students at one private university in Malaysia. The mean age of respondents was 25±4.3 years. Common interpersonal information sources were doctors, friends, and nurses and common channel information sources were television, brochure, and internet. Overall, 89.9% used cell phones, 46.1% had an interest in receiving cell phone breast cancer prevention messages, 73.9% used text messaging, and 36.7% had an interest in receiving text breast cancer prevention messages. Bivariate analysis revealed significant differences among age, eduation, nationality and use of cell phones. Assessment of health information seeking behavior is important for community health educators to target populations for program development.

A Study to Understand Factors Contributing Towards Weak Studentss Academic Performances in a Private University in Malaysia

The objective of this study is to understand factors contributing towards weak students’ academic performances in a private university in Malaysia. Data was collected from 238 students using self-administered research questionnaires and 102 cases with CGPA below 3.0 were selected to test the research hypotheses using regression analysis. The LOGIT regression model provides evidence that Learning & Teaching Methods play a significant role in determining students’ academic outcomes is an important factor in determining the academic performance of students. This study is expected to give insight reference to lecturers, scholars, school heads, school-administrators, education institutions and researchers. It will be effective in addressing the problems of underachieving students in to order to enhance weak students’ academic performance. Public sector educational institutions are not the focus of this study.

Is Having Had a Cup of Coffee a Methodological Issue in Routine Sphygmomanometry?

Background: In view of the impact of hypertension on public health, the objective of this study was to determine whether having had a cup of coffee in an everyday life setting raises blood pressure significant enough to make it a methodological issue in routine sphygmomanometry. Methods: Healthy normotensive volunteers from a private university in Malaysia were recruited. After an overnight fast, seated systolic and diastolic blood pressures (SBP and DBP) of habitual coffee drinkers (n=16) were measured (Omron HEM 7080 automated monitor) in the laboratory 15 min. before and every 15 min. up to 90 min. after drinking strong coffee. This was repeated on non-habitual drinkers (n=16) who also underwent a control study (decaffeinated coffee). To see whether the laboratory findings could be extrapolated to everyday life setting, the pre-coffee BP and 30 min.and 60 min.post-coffee BPs were measured on habitual coffee drinkers (n=18) who Original Research Article Wai et al.; BJMMR, 6(10): 965-977, 2015; Article no.BJMMR.2015.273 966 consumed self-prepared coffee and who carried on with routine office work between BP measurements taken in a nearby room. Results: In the laboratory setting, coffee significantly increased SBP and DBP at all time-points in non-habitual drinkers (e.g.11.38+/8.2 and 10.75+/-5.7 mm Hg at 75 min; P<0.01, repeated measures ANOVA and Dunnett's test); in habitual drinkers, SBP only was increased (7.23+/-4.7 at 90 min; P<0.05). In the office setting, smaller but significant DBP elevations (3.72+/-5.1 at 60 min; P<0.05) were observed. Conclusion: The results indicate that having had a cup of coffee could be a methodological issue in routine sphygmomanometry, particularly with non-habitual coffee drinkers consuming strong coffee. However, caution should be exercised in drawing conclusions because of the small sample size.

Assessing antecedents and consequences of student satisfaction in higher education: evidence from Malaysia

This paper explores the interrelationships of the key influences on student satisfaction via multivariate analysis from three groups of university students in two popular private universities in Malaysia. The correlation coefficient and structural model indicated that student satisfaction is influenced not only by academic quality, but also by the university core services, information technology services, and skill building. These dimensions are linked to one another. The strong interrelationships between these dimensions are indicative that holistic approach needs to be adopted rather than dealing with each dimension in isolation in creating a valued education. Significant performance gaps of key influences indicated that the satisfaction levels are below students’ expectation despite the satisfaction scores being above average. Academic assessment, teaching quality, and IT are areas where a university management needs to prioritize resources in order to increase student satisfaction. Students who perceived higher value are more likely to have higher repurchase intention.

Job Selection Preferences of Accounting Students in Malaysian Private Universities

Abstract The purpose of this descriptive study is to investigate the factors affecting job selection preferences of accounting student in Malaysian private universities. The independent variables which were chosen are starting salary, gender, employer reputation and working environment. This research seeks to identify whether starting salary, gender, employer reputation and working environment are vital to accounting student in Malaysian private universities when choosing or selecting a job in future. In order to observe these factors, 200 students, specifically students who enrolled in accounting field from few of the private universities in Malaysia were surveyed. The data collection is tested using IBM SPSS Statistics software. The research findings showed that three factors, which are starting salary, employer reputation and working environment, have significant relationship with job selection preferences while gender variable are not significantly related to the dependent variable. The findings of this study has implication on the employers and educators by providing guidance to them of what a fresh graduate prefers when selecting job or career. Besides, the findings will assist universities to have better knowledge about career preferences to come out with curriculum for the accounting program which can boost accounting students to choose accountant as their profession. Not only that, professional bodies such as Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA) can identify factors that affect the decision of these accounting students in selecting their career so that they can formulate various strategies to accomplish a desired number of accountants by 2020.

The Relationship between Emotional Intelligence and Teaching Effectiveness of Lecturers in Public and Private Universities in Malaysia

The Relationship between Emotional Intelligence and Teaching Effectiveness of Lecturers in Public and Private Universities in Malaysia

English

Objectives: Smartphone technology has transformed our lives in many ways and it is also reflected in learning. The objective of this pilot study was to find out the physiotherapy students’ perception on the use of smart phone and medical related applications (apps) as a learning tool in a private university in Malaysia. Methods: The method used in this study was an online survey. The link for the online survey form was posted on the Facebook page of the university Physio-Club and the participation in the survey was voluntary. The students have to answer close ended questions related to the ownership of the smart phone; frequency, duration and purpose of smart phone and medical related apps use for their learning, in university and clinical environment. Open ended questions were also used to explore the students’ perception about the usefulness of the applications, and their recommendations. Results: 68 students responded to the questionnaire of which 69.1% and 30.9% were female and male students respectively. Google Android was the most popular among the students (61.8%) followed by iPhone (25%). The majority (63.2%) of the students possessed 1to5medical related apps in their Smartphone. Their preferred use was, for educational learning (79.4%) and revising (74.6%), with less usage in clinical ward (30.2%) and clinic (20.6%) environment. Their usage frequency was once or twice a day with duration lasting between1and10minutes, in university as well as in a clinical environment. They often used the smart phone and applications to find out the disease diagnosis/ management and they found it most useful due to easy accessibility of information. Conclusion: This pilot study showed that most of the physiotherapy students use medical related apps in their Smartphone for learning activity, and they mostly recommended dictionary and physiotherapy apps.

Communication apprehension among Chinese accounting and business students: a demographic exploration

Past literature has consistently highlighted the problem of oral communication apprehension (CA) among accounting majors. However, these results are mostly applicable to developed countries. As such, this study gathers questionnaire data consisting of 1090 students of one large Chinese–dominated private university in Malaysia. Data analysis reveals that accounting students, surprisingly, do not differ significantly in terms of levels of CA compared to that of business students. Also, CA does not differ across student's age and year of study. Results were discussed in light of how personal variables support the extent of future accountants as communicators.

The Predictors of Lecturers’ Teaching Effectiveness for Public and Private Universities in Malaysia

The Predictors of Lecturers’ Teaching Effectiveness for Public and Private Universities in Malaysia

Dog Ownership, Perceived Social Supports and Stress Among University Students

This study was conducted to determine whether there is a significant mean difference of perceived stress between dog owners and non-dog owners and whether there are significant correlations between different sources of perceived social supports and perceived stress. Participants were 116 undergraduate students in a Malaysian private university college. Among 116 participants, 44 were dog owners. Participants completed 10-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). The results indicated that there was a significant mean difference of perceived stress between dog owners (N = 44, M = 19.57) and non-dog owners (N = 72, M = 21.67). Among non-dog owners, a significant negative correlation was found between perceived social support from friends and perceived stress. However, among non-dog owners, no significant correlations were found between perceived stress and perceived social support from family, friends, significant others and dogs. Further research using a bigger sample size is needed to verify the relationship between perceived stress and perceived social support among dog owners.

Factor Affecting Adoption of Ubiquitous Computing in Knowledge Sharing: Comparison between Local and Foreign Employees in Private University Malaysia

This study aims to propose a research framework that could be used to examine key factors affecting adoption of ubiquitous computing devices in knowledge sharing from the perspectives of foreign and local employees in private universities Malaysia. This research provides recommendations to the management and educational practitioners to promote and enhance foreign and local employees’ adoption of ubiquitous computing devices in knowledge sharing in private universities Malaysia. Five hundred questionnaires were distributed to foreign and local employees who are currently working in top private universities in Malaysia. The finding of this study shows that collaborative organisational culture and help facility availability are two important factors that affect adoption of ubiquitous computing devices in knowledge sharing from the perspectives of both foreign and local employees in private universities Malaysia. Strategic future planning positively influences local employees’ adoption of ubiquitous computing devices in knowledge sharing but it does not significantly affect foreign employees’ adoption of ubiquitous computing devices in knowledge sharing.

Online Forum

In the current era of globalization, constant and perpetual advances in information technology are reshaping learning styles and the way students learn in higher education. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine the usage of online forums as a platform and learning tool. It also investigated how online forum affected students’ learning, particularly in active learning and independent learning. A survey was conducted amongst 113 business foundation students from a private university in Malaysia. The study found that learning experience and learning satisfaction gained from online forum influence both active learning and independent learning. Conversely, learning ease only affects active learning and not independent learning. These findings draw attention to facets of online forums, which could have an impact on how instructors transfer knowledge and how students learn.

The Effectiveness of Psychoeducation and Systematic Desensitization to Reduce Test Anxiety Among First-year Pharmacy Students

To analyze the effect of psychological intervention on reducing performance anxiety and the consequences of the intervention on first-year pharmacy students. In this experimental study, 236 first-year undergraduate pharmacy students from a private university in Malaysia were approached between weeks 5 and 7 of their first semester to participate in the study. The completed responses for the Westside Test Anxiety Scale (WTAS), the Kessler Perceived Distress Scale (PDS), and the Academic Motivation Scale (AMS) were received from 225 students. Out of 225 students, 42 exhibited moderate to high test anxiety according to the WTAS (score ranging from 30 to 39) and were randomly placed into either an experiment group (n=21) or a waiting list control group (n=21). The prevalence of test anxiety among pharmacy students in this study was lower compared to other university students in previous studies. The present study's anxiety management of psychoeducation and systematic education for test anxiety reduced lack of motivation and psychological distress and improved grade point average (GPA). Psychological intervention helped significantly reduce scores of test anxiety, psychological distress, and lack of motivation, and it helped improve students' GPA.

Cloud Computing Adoption Factors for University Administration

With the current financial crisis and challenging growing needs, many universities are facing problems in providing necessary information technology (IT) support for administrative, educational, and research activities. Cloud Computing (CC) has been developed to meet these demands, and is accepted by numerous organizations as a good alternative to manage their IT provisions. However, it is rarely used at universities. This paper intends to find out the major reasons that have caused many universitiesare non usage of CC. A systematic review was conducted based on recently published works on CC to identify the staff positions as well as their required services. Secondly, a correspondence to these was initiated to find out the models/services/applications that are available in the marketplace. Furthermore, an explorative case study was used to find out the factors that have caused the negligence of CC applications at universities. A semi-structured interview was also conducted with administrators, IT staffers, technicians and clerks at four public and private universities in Malaysia. The collected data were analyzed using an open coding methodology. To support the finding of interview a survey is done and a questionnaire distributed. For analysing the result of questionnaire correlation and regression is done by using SPSS.

Erratum to: Preliminary study on teachers’ use of the iPad in bachelor of education program at a private university in Malaysia

Erratum to: Preliminary study on teachers’ use of the iPad in bachelor of education program at a private university in Malaysia

Is Test Anxiety a Problem Among Medical Students: A Cross Sectional Study on Outcome of Test Anxiety among Medical Students?

Pathological anxiety towards an exam intensifies psychological distress and reduces academic motivation. The present study aimed to identify the prevalence of test anxiety and psychological distress. Additionally, the present study examined the extent to which test anxiety predicts psychological distress and academic motivation. Westside Text Anxiety Scale (WTAS), Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K-10) and Academic Motivation Scale (AMS) were administered among 154 first year undergraduate medical students attending a private university in Malaysia. The results showed that 18.2 (n = 28) percent of medical students experienced test anxiety and 53.9 (n = 83) percent of them were psychological distressed. Further, results showed that test anxiety positively correlated with psychological distress and amotivation. Test anxiety is a significant predictor of psychological distress and amotivation. Over all, medical students who experience test anxiety tend to experience high psychological distress and amotivation in their studies.

Knowledge sharing of academic staff

Purpose– The aim of this study is to build upon Jainet al.'s (2007) work by investigating the knowledge-sharing barriers and strategies of academic staff in public and private universities in Malaysia which have received relatively little research attention to date.Design/methodology/approach– A survey of 502 questionnaires was collected on both public and private universities in Malaysia. Data were analysed using SPSS.Findings– The overall findings show that private universities are more effective and are more willing to share knowledge. Linking knowledge sharing with non-monetary rewards and fair performance appraisals are strongly recommended in private universities, while monetary rewards, recognitions, publication of knowledge on websites and newsletters and the use of appropriate technology tools and systems are strongly recommended in public universities.Practical implications– Top management in Malaysian public and private universities must play their role and put in more effort to ensure academics have the proper platform and support to share their knowledge.Originality/value– This study is perhaps one of the first to address the comparison between knowledge sharing among lecturers in private and public universities in Malaysia.

The Effect of Gender and Nationality on Service Quality in Malaysian Higher Education

Competition is becoming increasingly intense among service organizations, and one of the most profitable service sectors of Malaysia is the higher education sector. This stiff competition requires tertiary institutions to satisfy their clients. Hence, measuring students’ satisfaction becomes essential. Accordingly, this study measures the effect of gender and nationality on service quality in Malaysian private universities using the SERVQUAL instrument. The level of students’ satisfaction is evaluated based on the gap found between their perceptions and expectations towards five dimensions of service quality, namely tangibles, reliability, responsiveness, assurance, and empathy, based on their gender and nationality. Thus, a 22-item Likert-type questionnaire was administered among 250 students from both genders and different nationalities. Based on the results obtained, there is no sufficient evidence concerning the effect of gender on service quality in higher education institutions. However, nationality has a slight effect on the responsiveness dimension of service quality. Then, the research addresses policy implications on the importance of the education system in a country, and some implications for universities to improve their offered services. Finally, in the two last sections, the researchers address limitations of the study and future research directions.