Regional University Research Articles

The success, satisfaction and experiences of international students in an immersive block model

Despite growing interest in immersive block models in higher education, very little is known about the experiences of international students in these non-traditional forms of learning. To enable an initial view of how international students perceive and perform in an immersive block model, we used an exploratory mixed methods approach to examine the academic success, satisfaction, and experiences of international students in a 6-week immersive block model at a regional public Australian university. Inferential statistical tests were used to explore the success rates and unit and teaching satisfaction of onshore and offshore international students in the immersive block model and in the traditional trimester model. Overall, the immersive block model made a significant positive difference to the academic success of international students, both onshore and offshore. However, a decline in satisfaction was observed among science and engineering students, contrasting with an increase in satisfaction among business and arts students. Data collected through semi-guided interviews with 10 students from this latter group indicate several key benefits and challenges associated with immersive block learning. Students reported heightened focus and motivation, supportive teaching, and a healthy study-work-life balance. Challenges included not knowing what to expect, forming social connections with classmates, and the fast turnover between assessments. These findings indicate that it is important for institutions to prepare international students well for the pace and time management demands of studying in an immersive block model and to encourage the formation of social connections. Assessment timing, volume, and scaffolding should also be key considerations in immersive block model curriculum design.

The Level of Interest in the Fields of Philosophy of Science and History of Science among Academicians at Four Universities in the Central Anatolia Region of Turkey

Aim: Determination of the level of interest in the fields of history of science and philosophy of science among academicians will contribute to the identification of the steps to be taken towards a solution to identify the problems that prevent producing knowledge and contributing to science and creating a more suitable scientific environment. The aim of this research is to reveal the level of interest in the fields of philosophy of science and history of science among academicians.
 Methods: In this research, conducted with the voluntary participation of 682 academicians from four different universities in the Central Anatolia Region, data were collected through face-to-face interviews between December 2019 and March 2020. 
 Findings: It was found that 52.3% of the academics were interested in the field of philosophy of science, while 10.1% were very interested in it. While the rate of academics who were interested in the history of science was 63.5%, the rate of those who were very interested in it was 10.7%. The level of interest in the history of science increased with age (p=0.019). Male academics (13.5% very interested) were more interested in the history of science than female academics (7.2% very interested) (p

Linguo-Pedagogical Design of Open Question Items in the Context of Digitalization

Interdisciplinary approach to the development and creation of open question items for assessment procedures in accordance with the digital transformation strategy and the new requirements for state accreditation of educational programs of higher education has been presented in the article. It has been revealed the content of the author’s terms including linguo-pedagogical mastery, linguo-pedagogical design, linguistic correctness and methodological literacy of test tasks. On the basis of scientometric analysis carried out due to the scientific electronic library elibrary it has been determined the chronological activity and subject correlation of publications of native researchers on testing students. Based on the results of a survey of teachers from 11 regional universities the main difficulties in the preparation of testing and assessment materials are summarized. Examples of test items in disciplines taught at a multidisciplinary polytechnic university are analyzed. Typical errors in the wording of questions, reference answers and evaluation criteria have been identified by the methods of erratological analysis and the reasons for their appearance have been summarized. To model the linguo-pedagogical design of test tasks the concept of an epistemic situation is used, its four components are described: ontological (subject-content definition of objects and elements of control), methodological (selection of types and types of tasks depending on the level of measured outcomes of learning), communicative-pragmatic (ensuring the comprehensibility of the text of the test task) and technological (technical implementation of the automated check of free response). Methods of test tasks modification with the help of modern digital services are proposed. As a result of the study, the authors formulate recommendations for the implementation of the linguo-pedagogical design of open question items with a focus on their implementation in the digital environment.

Physical Activity in Work and Leisure Time during Pregnancy, and Its Influence on Maternal Health and Perinatal Outcomes

Background: Physical inactivity during pregnancy has been shown to be linked to an increased risk of complications. However, during pregnancy, doubts arise about what type, intensity and frequency of physical activity are most recommended. Objective: Our main objective was to know the level of physical activity (PA) and sedentary lifestyle in a representative sample of pregnant women in Málaga, one of the most populated cities in Spain. Also, we aimed to find out the effects of PA on obstetric and perinatal outcomes and on the mental health of pregnant women, differentiated according to PA intensity and domain. Methods: Five hundred and forty full-term pregnant women who had their obstetric checks in the maternity ward of the Regional University Hospital of Málaga were recruited through consecutive sampling. Participants answered a questionnaire that included the WHO Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ), the Edinburgh Depression Scale (EDS), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) and some other sociodemographic and health-related questions. Subsequently, information about perinatal outcomes was obtained after birth. Results: Only 50.8% of women followed the WHO recommendations on activity. We found a high proportion of obese pregnant women and a direct effect of a sedentary lifestyle on the rate of cesarean sections and vulvovaginal tears in spontaneous births, as well as on the mental health of future mothers. Women’s age, the number of children, BMI at the beginning of pregnancy and leisure time physical activity (LTPA) explained anxiety scores, and age, LTPA, BMI at the end of pregnancy and intense work-related physical activity (WTPA) predicted depression scores. Conclusions: LTPA improves obstetric outcomes, helping to reduce the rate of cesarean sections and vulvovaginal tears, as well as reducing prenatal anxiety and depression.

Evaluating the input-process-output quality management model for chinese students studying in ASEAN educational institutions

Relevance. Educational institutions have increased their attention towards quality management to retain their competitiveness and remain relevant in the rapidly changing world. Several models have been proposed to guide quality management for educational institutions, but empirical evaluation of them has not been properly carried out. Purpose. The article main purpose is to assess the input-process-output (IPO) model as a one that is capable to enabling academic institutions in ASEAN countries to serve the demands of Chinese studying abroad. Methodology. A voluntary response sample of 61 Chinese students studying in ASEAN countries responded to an online closed-ended questionnaires. Results. Findings from the study revealed that input factors (p=0.14; p<0.05), process factors (p=0.00; p<0.05), and output factors (p=0.028; p<0.05) provide foundations for explaining quality management efforts by universities in the ASEAN region to satisfy the demands of students from China abroad. Conclusions. Built on the analyzed results, it was recommended that universities in the ASEAN region improve their quality management efforts by focusing on each element of the inputs, processes, and outputs to ensure they are consistent with the needs of Chinese students. Keywords: Input factors; process factors; output factors; ASEAN countries; Chinese students

Unleashing the creative spark: the mediating role of employee work engagement on the relationship between employee training and creativity

PurposeThis study aims to explore the mediating role of employee work engagement in the relationship between training and creativity in the education sector in India.Design/methodology/approachThe sample for this study consisted of 260 faculty members from 11 public universities in the Punjab region. Partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was utilized to test the hypotheses.FindingsThe results of the study revealed that training has a significant direct and indirect effect on employee creativity through employee work engagement. The findings suggest that training can stimulate work engagement, highlighting the importance of fostering employee engagement for enhancing creativity.Research limitations/implicationsWhile the method used in this study may not facilitate direct generalizations, it offers valuable insights into prevalent discursive strategies found in numerous contemporary public organizations.Practical implicationsThe findings offer insights for designing targeted training interventions to enhance work engagement and foster creativity among faculty members in the education sector.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the existing literature by addressing a gap in research on the interaction between training, work engagement and creativity. As there have been limited studies on this topic in the education sector in India, this research provides novel insights and extends the understanding of how these variables are related.

Satisfaction with asynchronous e-learning: An exploratory factor analysis of the Learner Satisfaction with Asynchronous e-Learning (LSAeL) instrument

AimTo describe the development and psychometric testing of the Learner Satisfaction with Asynchronous e-Learning (LSAeL) instrument. BackgroundExisting satisfaction with e-learning instruments may not accurately evaluate learner satisfaction with constructs associated with asynchronous e-learning. DesignMethodological study. MethodsContent, face and construct validity of the instrument were evaluated using a two-stage process. A five-member expert panel evaluated the instrument’s content and face validity. A content validity index and a modified kappa co-efficient was used to calculate the content validity of individual test items and the global instrument and to adjust for chance agreement between raters. These data were then reviewed and individual items were removed, retained or refined accordingly. Using an empirically informed wholly asynchronous e-learning program 237 nursing students from a regional university in New South Wales, Australia completed the 35 item LSAeL instrument. An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was then conducted to explore the dimensionality of the instrument. ResultsExploratory factor analysis identified a seven-factor solution with 30 items, explaining an 86.1% of the total variance, was the best fit for the data. ConclusionThe study demonstrates that the construct validity of the LSAeL instrument is acceptable. Instrument development is an iterative process and further testing with other cohorts and in other settings is required.

Evaluation of The Accuracy and Success of Providing Smart Indonesia Card Assistance - Independent Lectures at XYZ University and ABC University

The provision of the Indonesia Smart Card-Independent College (KIP-KM) has been running since 2021. The current condition of KIP-KM is decreasing in numbers in almost all regions of Indonesia. Some universities still often change recipients and stop giving KIP-KM. Until now there is no information about the accuracy and success of the program, so there needs to be an academic study. This research aims to evaluate the implementation of providing KIP-KM to poor students in private universities under the guidance of LLDIKTI Region XII. XYZ University and ABC were chosen because these two universities are the largest private universities in LLDIKTI Region XII and have a large KIP-KM quota in Maluku. This research is qualitative research with analysis techniques Miles and Huberman (2014). Data collection using documentation and interviews. Data were analyzed using the CIPP evaluation model. The results showed that: 1) The KIP-KM program is contextually not entirely appropriate but has been successful; 2) The input is correct, but not yet fully successful; 3) The process is correct, but not yet fully successful; 4) Product-wise it is correct and successful.

Diversities in higher education: academics’ inclusive views and reported practices in a regional Australian university

ABSTRACT The paper reports on results of a survey on inclusive education developed for a university. The University Inclusive Education Survey was designed to examine academics’ views on inclusion of a diverse range of students including sexuality and gender, disability, cultural and ethnic diversity and Indigenous Australians. Inclusiveness has focused on access for students with disabilities and has broadened to access for all with little research on how this is being achieved. The survey contained five scales – comfort, confidence, importance of including a range of specific diversities, intention to implement strategies and overall inclusiveness. The results indicate connections between self-efficacy and importance of diversity with a weaker connection to implementation strategies. Those who completed the survey indicated very strong interest and efforts in inclusive teaching. A majority outlined inclusive practices in qualitative responses though there was evidence of uncertainty about implementing inclusive practices.

The Evolution of an Online Geoscience Lab Course: Experiences from a Regional University

This article seeks to provide a template for faculty to address the challenges of teaching an online lab science course and the efforts of faculty and staff to ensure quality, academic integrity, and student success by relating our university’s experience in developing and continuing to evolve our geoscience lab course for online delivery over twenty years. After a brief review of the literature surrounding the pedagogy and challenges of teaching online lab science course, the bulk of this article will address UT Martin’s path navigating from early iterations of general education Geology lab courses to the versions offered currently.

The Effect of Financial Literacy on Consumptive Behavior: Self-Control as a Mediator

Background: The situation faced by the younger generation today can affect their consumptive behavior. The level of literacy and self-control are some of the variables that can affect a person's consumptive behavior. How financial literacy can affect a person's consumptive behavior is the aim of this study. Method: To obtain research data, students of the Faculty of Economics and Business from various universities in the Special Region of Yogyakarta were given questionnaires. The data that has been obtained is then processed using the SPSS statistical tool. Results: Research shows that self-control has the ability to mediate the effects of financial literacy on consumptive behavior. Conclusion: Thus, it can be concluded that when one's students have high financial knowledge, they are better able to control their consumptive behavior.

Stress and suicidal ideation among Chinese college students: The role of meaning in life

Although studies have demonstrated that stress exacerbates suicidal ideation, limited research has explored the moderating role of meaning in life in the relationship between stress and suicidal ideation. Therefore, this study investigates whether stress and meaning in life are crucial factors in suicidal ideation and whether meaning in life moderates the relationship between stress and suicidal ideation. We recruited 2,094 college students from seven universities in different regions of China. The results of hierarchical regression analyses show that suicidal ideation is positively correlated with stress but negatively with meaning in life, and that meaning in life moderates the relationship between suicidal ideation and personal hassle. These results indicate that intervention strategies that focus on meaning in life can be influential in mitigating suicidal ideation among college students.

Effect of Organisational Factors on Intrapreneurial Behaviour of Public University Academicians in Malaysia

Academics in Malaysia have been working hard in recent years to move towards a more innovative and intrapreneurial culture with the support of the government. The aim of this study is to particularly look at the organisational factors that influence their intrapreneurial behaviour, as it is thought that organisational factors may have some effects on their intrapreneurial behaviour. It is also argued that a good environment and support from an academic institution will not be enough if an academician does not have intrapreneurial attributes. Alternatively, an academician with adequate intrapreneurial attitude may be demotivated to innovate in their respective research and teaching activities if his/her institution does not provide adequate support. An online survey questionnaire was circulated to 4 universities in the southern region of Malaysia, from which 250 respondents took part in the survey. It was found that all four organizational factors considered in this study have a significant effect on intrapreneurial behaviour. The mediating role of gender was also sought. It was found that the recognition of intrapreneurial activity does not show a significant effect on the intrapreneurial behaviour of academicians in the presence of gender. However, the other three variables (managerial support, flexible organisational structure, and favourable organisational culture) show a significant effect on intrapreneurial behaviour while gender acts as a mediating variable.

Students' digital technology attitude, literacy and self-efficacy and their effect on online learning engagement

This study utilised students' online engagement, digital technology attitude, digital literacy, and self-efficacy theories to develop and test a model connecting these factors within a regional university in Australia. A field survey collected data from 110 first-year students. AMOS 28 was employed for measurement and structural model path analysis. The study initially examined the impact of students' attitudes and digital literacy on their self-efficacy. Subsequently, the effects of self-efficacy on five dimensions of online engagement were assessed: social, collaborative, cognitive, behavioural, and emotional. The findings indicated that positive student attitudes and digital literacy significantly contributed to self-efficacy, which, in turn, positively affected the engagement dimensions. This suggests that when designing and facilitating online, blended, or technology-enhanced courses in higher education, educators should pay attention to various elements of engagement. The study highlights the importance of considering students' attitudes and digital literacy in fostering self-efficacy and enhancing online learning engagements. Further research and implications for future studies are also recommended.

The Digital Ideological and Political Platform of Second Classroom Empowers Five Education and its Long term Mechanism

Since the implementation of the "Five Education" policy in universities, universities in various regions have actively established relevant systems for the second classroom, developed second classroom activities, and cultivated comprehensive development of students in morality, intelligence, physical fitness, aesthetics, and labor. As a comprehensive ability exercise independent of the "first classroom", the "second classroom" not only promotes the development of comprehensive quality, but also bears the important responsibility of moral education. Digital empowerment of precise ideological and political education in universities can achieve precise grasp of educational objects, precise supply of educational content, precise evaluation of educational effects, and precise control of educational processes, which helps to make up for many shortcomings of traditional ideological and political education. This article takes the "Ruichuan University" Second Classroom Transcript Digital Ideological and Political Platform of Sichuan University as an example to analyze the mechanism of the "Second Classroom" digital ideological and political platform, represented by it, to empower five educations, and to analyze the methods to promote its long-term operation based on its operational status.

ANNUAL ANALYSIS OF PARASITIC INFECTIONS IN BULGARIA IN 2022

INTRODUCTION: Infections caused by parasites still represent an important global health problem. Although parasitic infections are responsible for significant morbidity and mortality in developing countries, they are also prevalent in developed countries. This study aims to establish the dynamics of the parasitic infections registered in the country (local and imported) and to analyze the situation, based on data from the previous years. METHODS: We used the annual reports of regional health inspectorates, diagnostic laboratories, medical universities, and data from the National center of infectious and parasitic diseases about all individuals infected with parasitic diseases in the country. RESULTS: A total of 635,522 persons were examined in 2022, of whom 1.82% were diagnosed with various parasitic infections. In the local helminthic zoonoses such as echinococcosis and trichinellosis, a significant decrease in morbidity was observed,1.3%₀₀₀ (n = 89) for cystic echinococcosis and 0.16%₀₀₀ (n = 9) for trichinellosis. For soil-transmitted helminthiases (ascariasis and trichuriasis), the incidence was 6.7%₀₀₀ and 0.5%₀₀₀, respectively. Data on enterobiasis does not show any particular dynamics in 2022 either. The registered prevalence for the country was 1.48%, and for children from various childcare facilities - 2.45%. During the year, seven cases of vector-borne parasitic diseases were registered in the country: imported malaria was diagnosed in 5 patients (4 Bulgarian citizens and one foreigner), and autochthonous visceral leishmaniasis - in two persons. CONCLUSIONS: The analysis shows that, in spite of a trend of declining morbidityfor some socially significant protozoan and helminth infections, human parasitic diseases still represent a significant problem with social and medical consequences for the population of our country. Therefore, it is necessary to preserve and strengthen the surveillance and control network by including new personnel in the medical parasitology structures.

Community strategies for health promotion and prevention of chronic non-communicable diseases with a focus on physical activity and nutrition: the URO/FOCOS study protocol.

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) account for 71% of all annual deaths, totaling 41 million people worldwide. The development and progression of these diseases are highly related to the environment and lifestyle choices, among which physical inactivity and excess malnutrition stand out. Currently, in Chile, there is no evidence at the regional and local level on the impact of physical activity and healthy nutrition plans and interventions on health promotion, prevention, and timely treatment of NCDs. The following protocol delineates the URO/FOCOS (Universidad Regional de O'Higgins/FOrtaleciendo COmunidades Saludables- Regional University of O'Higgins/Strengthening Healthy Communities) study, which will assess pilot community intervention strategies using a participatory action research approach by identifying barriers and facilitators on the practice of physical activity and healthy eating habits. In this project, the community from the O'Higgins region will be involved throughout the entire research process to develop strategies that promote regular physical activity and healthy eating practices. We propose three interrelated strategies: (1) Participatory Action Research, (2) Community interventions for promoting physical activity and healthy nutrition practices, and (3) health education. The URO/FOCOS study offers a unique opportunity in the O'Higgins region to develop participatory strategies and interventions based on the community's needs and motivations with regard to physical activity and healthy eating habits. We believe these strategies will help to improve the community's overall health through effective changes in their decision and preferences toward a more active lifestyle and healthier nutrition practices.

Students’ evaluation of professional experience placement quality in a pre-registration nursing programme: A cross-sectional survey

AimTo evaluate the quality of student nurses' experiences and overall satisfaction with professional experience placements at a regional Australian University. BackgroundProfessional experience placements are a crucial component of pre-registration nursing programs. However, the absence of standardised approaches to assess placement quality has created uncertainty on what constitutes a high-quality placement from a student’s perspective. DesignCross-sectional survey. MethodsA descriptive cross-sectional survey was administered online to 800 second and third year undergraduate nursing students at an Australian university. The survey contains demographic questions (e.g., year of study, placement specialty, duration, setting and geographic location), a validated Placement Evaluation Tool and free-text comments. The Placement Evaluation Tool is a 20-item questionnaire that measures two key factors: clinical environment (factor 1), learning support (factor 2) and overall satisfaction of students’ learning experiences during a professional experience placement. A descriptive analysis was conducted to evaluate the student’s overall experience and satisfaction. Multivariate linear regression was used to assess the relationship between the quality of the student experience and demographics and presented as beta coefficient (β) and confidence interval (CI). Free-text comments were thematically analysed. ResultsA total of 1104 survey responses were received (as students may rate more than one placement), with an estimated 71% response rate. Most responses (60.3%) were third-year students. Most students experienced high-quality placements, reflected in the overall positive placement experience (PET item 1–19 score: mean 85.9 out of 95) and high student satisfaction (PET item 20: mean 8.53 out of 10). Multiple linear regression analyses revealed that the third year of study and public facilities were independent predictors of positive student experiences (β: 2.61, 95% CI: 0.75, 4.47 and β: 3.72, CI: 0.90, 6.55, respectively). Further analysis of PET items related to factor 1 and factor 2 revealed that high positive experiences in public facilities may be due to the higher learning support (β: 2.54, CI: 0.80, 4.27). Three main themes were perceived to be important to students' professional experience: (i) staff and facilitator attitudes, (ii) learning opportunities and (iii) a team-based learning environment. ConclusionsMost students reported high-quality placement experience and high satisfaction; however, a lack of learning support may contribute to less positive student experiences. This finding emphasises the importance of collaboration between clinical facilities and educational institutions to enhance the student’s placement experience.

Urban Intellectual Property Strategy and University Innovation: A Quasi-Natural Experiment Based on the Intellectual Property Model City of China

Colleges and universities play a crucial role in fostering innovation, making it essential to explore effective strategies for promoting innovation at the institutional policy level. This paper focuses on the establishment of intellectual property model cities as a starting point and conducts an empirical analysis using innovation data from 234 cities and 942 colleges and universities between 2007 and 2017. By constructing a multi-temporal double-difference model, this study reveals that the establishment of intellectual property model cities effectively fosters innovation in colleges and universities. Further analysis demonstrates that this promotional effect is particularly significant in the western region, key cities, and key colleges and universities, as well as in the fields of invention and utility model patents. These conclusions withstand a series of robustness tests, confirming their validity. This study reveals that the national intellectual property pilot city policy has a significant influence on university innovation. It achieves this by encouraging investment in research and development and enhancing collaboration in innovation. The findings of this study provide important policy suggestions for maximizing the innovation potential of the intellectual property model city policy. This, in turn, can contribute to economic transformation, upgrading, and the promotion of innovation development in China.

Pharmacist and student evaluation of a preceptor training program in a regional Australian University: a multi-method study

BackgroundIncreased emphasis on workplace-based learning within pharmacy curricula has led to a focus on the quality of preceptors and the provision of preceptor training, with a diverse range of training programs for preceptors being developed across the globe. To ensure that preceptors are trained appropriately and deemed to be competent in their role, it is essential that all training programs are suitably evaluated. This research aimed to evaluate an online preceptor training program at a regional Australian University.MethodsKirkpatrick’s four level model for assessment of training was used to evaluate this program. A multi method approach included a preceptor post training survey and interviews and a student survey evaluating the preceptor. Preceptor survey data were analysed using descriptive statistics and content analysis, while inductive thematic analysis was used to analyse the interviews. Student evaluations of trained and untrained preceptors were compared to determine whether training had impacted on student-rated preceptor effectiveness.ResultsTwenty-eight preceptor post-training surveys were received, ten preceptor post-training interviews were conducted, and 35 student surveys were completed. The program was rated positively overall, with notable mention by preceptors of the interactive networking session. Following their first post-training student placement, preceptors found that their overall confidence levels had improved, particularly in relation to student management, evaluating students and providing feedback. Student evaluations of preceptors revealed improved ratings of trained versus untrained preceptors, especially as effective communicators.ConclusionsThis study demonstrated that training had a positive impact on preceptor attitudes, behaviour and confidence levels. From the perspective of the student, training was also found to improve preceptor performance. These results highlight the beneficial effects of training for preceptors, to optimize the student placement experience and their preparation for future practice.