Universiti Teknologi MARA Pahang Research Articles

Predicting students’ performance at higher education institutions using a machine learning approach

PurposeMany studies have examined pre-diploma students' backgrounds and academic performance with results showing that some did not achieve the expected level of competence. This study aims to examine the relationship between students’ demographic characteristics and their academic achievement at the pre-diploma level using machine learning.Design/methodology/approachSecondary data analysis was used in this study, which involved collecting information about 1,052 pre-diploma students enrolled at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Pahang Branch between 2017 and 2021. The research procedure was divided into two parts: data collecting and pre-processing, and building the machine learning algorithm, pre-training and testing.FindingsGender, family income, region and achievement in the national secondary school examination (Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia [SPM]) predict academic performance. Female students were 1.2 times more likely to succeed academically. Central region students performed better with a value of 1.26. M40-income students were more likely to excel with an odds ratio of 2.809. Students who excelled in SPM English and Mathematics had a better likelihood of succeeding in higher education.Research limitations/implicationsThis research was limited to pre-diploma students from UiTM Pahang Branch. For better generalizability of the results, future research should include pre-diploma students from other UiTM branches that offer this programme.Practical implicationsThis study is expected to offer insights for policymakers, particularly, the Ministry of Higher Education, in developing a comprehensive policy to improve the tertiary education system by focusing on the fourth Sustainable Development Goal.Social implicationsThese pre-diploma students were found to originate mainly from low- or middle-income families; hence, the programme may help them acquire better jobs and improve their standard of living. Most students enrolling on the pre-diploma performed below excellent at the secondary school level and were therefore given the opportunity to continue studying at a higher level.Originality/valueThis predictive model contributes to guidelines on the minimum requirements for pre-diploma students to gain admission into higher education institutions by ensuring the efficient distribution of resources and equal access to higher education among all communities.

Analysis of program outcomes attainment for diploma in civil engineering at Universiti Teknologi MARA Pahang

Analysis of program outcomes involves the assessment of the learning objectives based on cognitive, psychomotor, and affective domains and their attainment is measured using both direct and indirect approaches. This study aims to assess the program outcomes attainment for the civil engineering diploma program at Universiti Teknologi MARA Pahang. The program outcomes attainment in this study was obtained from two categories of students based on cohort 20174 using the Plan ID 6541, namely i) 257 graduated on-time students and ii) 365 overall students including extended students. The attainments were analyzed quantitatively using key performance indicators for each program outcome and program performance indicators for the overall attainment of program outcomes. Based on the key performance indicator, the results reveal that nine program outcomes are indicated as excellent while three program outcomes are indicated as good. Meanwhile, based on the program performance indicator, this cohort is indicated as well performed where 9 out of 12 program outcomes recorded above 70% average attainment. Various effective continuous quality improvement (CQI) program can be identified by the school’s committee based on these findings to further enhance the program outcomes attainment.

THE IMPACTS OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON EMPLOYEES’ PRODUCTIVITY AMONGST ADMINISTRATIVE EMPLOYEES AT UITM PAHANG, CAMPUS JENGKA

This study focused on the impacts of social media on the employees’ productivity at Universiti Teknologi MARA Pahang, Campus Jengka. A total of 113 questionnaires were distributed to the administrative employees by using simple random sampling, out of which 108 (98.58%) questionnaires were returned. A statistical analysis was conducted by using SPSS 23.0 to investigate the impacts of four factors of social media that consists of communication channels, knowledge sharing, intention to use and intrinsic motivation on employees’ productivity. The findings showed that all four factors had mean scores within the range of high and very high. In addition, the results also revealed that the four hypotheses constructed showed positive relationships between the factors of social media on employees’ productivity. Therefore, all the four research hypotheses were accepted. These findings are useful in assisting the employers in Malaysia to increase employees’ productivity with the use of social media as one of the advanced information technologies.

The Relationship between Online Learning Acceptance and Emotional Well-Being among Undergraduates

Although online learning promotes many advantages, especially in adapting to the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, minimal studies have examined the influence of online learning on undergraduates' emotional well-being. This study is crucial to prevent the adverse effects on emotional well-being such as depression, low self-esteem, and lack of self-efficacy, contributing to suicidal thoughts. In attempting to examine the factors that affect students' emotional well-being, this study utilized and extended Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) by adding emotional well-being as a new variable. This study aims to 1) investigate the predicting factors that contribute to online learning acceptance among undergraduates, and 2) examine the relationship between the actual use of online learning and emotional well-being among undergraduates. Online survey research and cross-sectional data were employed to test the conceptual framework and developed hypotheses. The respondents consisted of undergraduates from Universiti Teknologi MARA Pahang who underwent online learning. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was performed in this analysis to test the measurement model and to evaluate the hypotheses. The study found that all the predicting factors had a significant relationship with online learning acceptance except for perceived usefulness. Furthermore, the use of online learning has a significant relationship with emotional well-being whereby the students are able to adapt and feel convenient with the new learning method. The findings of this study are expected to assist educators or instructors in understanding the factors that contribute to online learning acceptance among undergraduate students and conducting their online learning in a way that may not be harmful to students’ emotional well-being.

Challenges of home learning during movement control order among UiTM Pahang students

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the enforcement of the Movement Control Order (MCO) by theMalaysian government since March 2020 significantly impacted many sectors such as the economy, society, and others. MCO enforcement has made Malaysians spend most of their time staying at home, and even some have lost their income source. Another sector that has been greatly affected is the educational sector. Today’s landscape of education has changed dramatically with the phenomenal rise of virtual classes from home. Learning and teaching processes are undertaken remotely and on digital platforms to curb the spreading of the virus. This situation has affected the lesson and learning process from home to many of the several students in Malaysia. Therefore, this study investigates the challenges of home learning during MCO among students in the Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Pahang Branch. A simple random sampling technique was used to distribute the online survey questionnaires, involving a sample of 213 students. Besides, a descriptive statistic was used to study the students’ demographic characteristics according to the challenges. In contrast, logistic regression analysis was used to determine the factors associated with home learning challenges during MCO. Based on the findings, most male and female students were not well prepared for home learning during MCO, with a percentage of 71.60% and 69.70%, respectively. As a result, 79.81% agreed that home learning is more stressful than the physical classes on the campus. In comparison, 79.63% of Social Science and 83.02% of Science and Technology students claimed that the workload given is way more significant during online classes. Furthermore, this study concludes that the most associated challenges of home learning faced by the students during MCO are the abundance of workload and loss of interest in the subject.

Influence factors for proceeding with open and distance learning: UiTM Pahang sharing experience

COVID-19 pandemic has affected almost all sectors in the world, including education. As an effort to break the chain of virus spreading, schools and higher institutions in most countries have stopped all physical classes for a while. Ministry of Education has directed a virtual learning to be conducted in schools and higher education during Movement Control Order was implemented in Malaysia to proceed the teaching and learning process. The virtual learning included online and offline learning which is called as open distance learning. Hence, the main objective of this study is to identify the factors that influence the Universiti Teknologi MARA Pahang Branch students to continue practicing the open and distance learning. A set of questionnaires was disseminated to all 7,363 students of Universiti Teknologi MARA Pahang, where a number of 1,181 responses had been received from the survey conducted with a responding rate of 16%. The demographic aspects of the students were represented by a descriptive statistic and the identification o f p o ssible f a ctors w a s u s ed t o b u ild a n e w analysis model using logistic regression analysis. According to the results obtained, there are six factors that influenced t he s tudents t o c ontinue p racticing O DL w hich a r e: 1 ) w orkstation, 2 ) internet access, 3) learning equipment 4) understanding learning video 5) frequentness of device usage and 6) exchange of final e x amination t o fi na l as se ssment. Ba se d on th e ov er all mo de l, 70.94% of the sample was correctly classified.

Students’ Experience in Learning Accounting via Open and Distance Learning (ODL)


 Covid-19 is an unprecedented crisis that has affected almost all industry players including education. It has transformed our way of life and introduced a new normal to how things are done. As an effort to contain the outbreak of pandemic Covid-19, universities have shifted to online learning. In line with this, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) has decided to execute open and distance learning (ODL) for the current semester until 31 December 2020. ODL introduces a different learning environment as compared to the traditional classroom that requires students to be self-reliant in learning new things. Hence, the purpose of the study is to explore students’ experiences in the process of knowledge transfer through ODL specifically for accounting subjects. A questionnaire was distributed to students who were taking the subject of Introduction to Financial Accounting and Introduction to Cost Accounting in UiTM Pahang Kampus Raub and a total of 206 responses were received. The study found over half of the students enjoy learning through ODL but only one-third were looking forward to having ODL for the next semester. Poor internet connection is the main reason found in the study that makes ODL not preferred by the students. At the same time, few features were highlighted by the students about ODL such as the advantage of pre-recorded video to catch up the new material and flexibility for them to learn at their own pace.

Students’ Experience in Learning Accounting via Open and Distance Learning (ODL)

Covid-19 is an unprecedented crisis that has affected almost all industry players including education. It has transformed our way of life and introduced a new normal to how things are done. As an effort to contain the outbreak of pandemic Covid-19, universities have shifted to online learning. In line with this, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) has decided to execute open and distance learning (ODL) for the current semester until 31 December 2020. ODL introduces a different learning environment as compared to the traditional classroom that requires students to be self-reliant in learning new things. Hence, the purpose of the study is to explore students’ experiences in the process of knowledge transfer through ODL specifically for accounting subjects. A questionnaire was distributed to students who were taking the subject of Introduction to Financial Accounting and Introduction to Cost Accounting in UiTM Pahang Kampus Raub and a total of 206 responses were received. The study found over half of the students enjoy learning through ODL but only one-third were looking forward to having ODL for the next semester. Poor internet connection is the main reason found in the study that makes ODL not preferred by the students. At the same time, few features were highlighted by the students about ODL such as the advantage of pre-recorded video to catch up the new material and flexibility for them to learn at their own pace.

Neuro cognitive tracking and corrective action: a way forward in academic performance

The problem of a high performance gap among accounting students in the Faculty of Accountancy of the Universiti Teknologi MARA Pahang does exist. The findings indicated that 64% of diploma and 75% bachelor students have a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of below 3.00 (the equivalent grade of B); a gap does exist if measured against the university academic quality standard. Few critical factors were identified, such as poor cognitive skills, lecturers’ level of preparations and suitable teaching methods to influence students’ academic performance. A creative and innovative teaching and learning method, Neuro Cognitive Tracking and Corrective Action (NCTCA) computerized system, has been introduced, implemented and tested. The results indicated that the number of students having GPA of below 3.00 was reduced to 34% and 35% for diploma and bachelor students respectively due to improved cognitive skills. Improvements in cognitive skills for diploma students were knowledge (68%), comprehension (71%), and application (68%) or an average performance gap of 31%, while the bachelor students’ cognitive levels were comprehension (74%), application (70%) and analysis (69%), with an average of 29% as compared to the earlier non-NCTCA phase. This study concludes that when student cognitive skill acquisitions are high, this could result in better GPAs and ultimately decreases the performance gap.

E-Learning Awareness in a Higher Learning Institution in Malaysia

Electronic learning (E-learning) is the current technology that is widely used nowadays. E-learning goes beyond digital technologies. New E-learning technology continues to become increasingly accessed and implemented by people of all walks of life. Increasingly, the technologies are becoming more integrated as an invisible and ubiquitous part of a global system. This study attempted to identify the students’ awareness on E-learning in higher learning Institutions. E-Learning in higher learning Institutions aim to give students a greater autonomy regarding the point in time, the content and the method by which they learn by providing on demand learning, that eliminates the barriers of time and distance. This paper presents a survey from 120 students of Universiti Teknologi MARA Pahang (UiTM). Data were then analyzed using SPSS. The results show that the students are interested on this new technology as they are willing to use E-learning. The results prove that the concept of E-learning can be more easily acceptable if it is able to provide at least the same learning experience based on the current education style and able to provide an interactive learning environment for them. The acceptance level of the students is also high, and the results obtained revealed that the respondents accept E-learning as one method of teaching and learning process. It is believed that E- learning will be able to improve the educational efficiency by complementing traditional learning in Universiti Teknologi MARA Pahang (UiTM).

E-Learning Successful Elements for Higher Learning Institution in Malaysia

In this new century, Internet has become an important medium in human life. Widely used of Internet throughout the world, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has been a driving force that transforms economic, business, commercial activities and socio-political changes in a borderless world. The changes has affected education sector thoroughly for the last few years. Nowadays, E-learning plays important roles in education institution. E- learning is the delivery of learning, training or education program by electronic means. This new technology involves the use of a computer or electronic device (e.g. a mobile phone). Through the years, E-learning creates a new paradigm for modern education. However, study shows that there are a numbers of failures when it comes to implementation process of e-learning. Since the model is at the core of any technology in order to meet major challenges and become successful, there is a need to develop appropriate models for E-learning. Thus, to gain a better understanding of the phenomenon, it is vital to focus on emerged models in this area. Questionnaires been distributed to 120 students of Universiti Teknologi MARA Pahang in order to identify the important elements of E-learning based on students perceptions. The results been analyzed using SPSS. Study shows there are 10 elements to ensure successfulness of E-learning which are ease of use, appearance, linkage, structure and layout, information, reliability, efficiency, support, communication and security. It is believes that these elements are very important elements in ensuring successfulness of E-learning in higher learning Institutions in Malaysia.