International Journal of Higher Education Management

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has created quality enhancement cells (QECs) in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). This study aims to examine the actions taken by Quality Enhancement Cells in implementing the components of the quality management trilogy, identify the challenges encountered by QECs in implementing the quality management trilogy, and assess the endeavours of QECs in enhancing university rankings. The sample for the research included Directors from five Quality Enhancement Cells, twenty-five Heads of Departments (HODs), and twenty-five QEC representatives. The QEC directors were chosen using a procedure called universal sampling. Data was collected from representatives of the heads of departments and quality enhancement cell using a stratified random sampling approach. Data was collected from heads of departments and quality enhancement cell representatives using a close-ended questionnaire, and the directors of QECs were interviewed. Thematic analysis was employed to examine the qualitative data, while the quantitative data were analyzed by computing percentages. The study's results indicate that QECs are executing the quality management triad. However, they still need a comprehensive emphasis on all quality elements owing to resource constraints and communication gaps between QECs and the departments. This study examines the practical application of the quality management trilogy in HEIs within a developing country. It highlights the actions, challenges, and operational dynamics of QECs that need to be well-documented in existing literature. The results indicate the need for improved allocation of resources and communication to strengthen quality management. This can assist policymakers in enhancing university performance and rankings

Children are among the most vulnerable members of society, necessitating strong protections, especially regarding their online presence. Although laws have been enacted to safeguard their physical well-being, many online companies, including TikTok, have failed to ensure proper handling of children’s data. TikTok, a popular social media platform, has been repeatedly flagged for security risks, including inadequate parental consent, unreasonable data collection, and unauthorized data transference. This paper examines these discrepancies within TikTok’s data privacy practices concerning US and UK regulations, with a focus on the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

This research follows a comparative analysis of regulatory frameworks that highlights TikTok’s repeated failures of compliance, while discussing the broader implications for online child data protection. A comprehensive review of TikTok’s practices offers insights into how companies can improve their compliance with child data protection laws while highlighting the importance of regulatory enforcement.

Purpose: The overriding prominence of any education system invigorates learners to become more independent, curious, open-minded, and think freely. Over the centuries education philosophy has evolved throughout the world. Various concepts, models and ideologies have been developed and tested. These educational principles have shaped educators, education, society and more importantly teaching and learning methods. The current study is to illustrate the optimal education system, drawing from the philosophies of ancient Greeks. The study addresses the research question: How can ancient Greek philosophies be utilised to create the best education system in modern world?

Methodology: The research was conducted using systematic literature reviews. The sources that are published in English are identified using scholarly academic journals. By comprehending the historical value of some old literature, this research also makes use of it.

Findings: The optimal education system would nurture an individual's passion for learning and emphasise the significance of individual moral development and wellbeing of the community. Ancient Greeks viewed philosophy as a means to better the individual and the community. Additionally, the ideal education system would highlight the significance of character formation and ethics. Some of the principles of Ancient Greek philosophy underpins one of the best educational systems in the world in relation to character building and create a better and fair society. An example of this is the Socratic Method. The Socratic Method is a method of instruction based on asking questions.

Conclusion: The ancient Greeks believed that education should be based on philosophical principles and the purpose of education to help children become good people. The findings conclude that the current education system could incorporate some of the core values from ancient Greek education philosophy to better fulfil its purpose to provide improved moral education to the learners.

Study originality: The study contributes to the body of knowledge by incorporating some of the key principles of Greek Education system especially, the Socratic Method and character education into modern education practices. This approach offers a road map for moral development of learners and the wellbeing of the community. The originality of this study lies in this approach which provides a unique perspective for assessing and restructuring current educational system.

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to contribute to sustainable development in higher education by exploring the online information behaviour (OIB) of first-year full-time PhD students. In the case of first year PhD students, there is a high demand for information to complete their tasks and to finalise their studies. The quality of the education these postgraduate students acquire is dependent on their ability to access quality information devoid of barriers. In other words, there seems to be a lack of research on the online information behaviour of postgraduates in their first year of doctoral studies.

Design/methodology – The study examined this phenomenon through the case study method, using the interpretivism paradigm and the quantitative approach. Using convenient and purposive sampling methods, 10 first-year PhD students were sampled from the University of Ghana's student population for 2023.  A structured interview schedule was used as the instrument for data collection from the participants of the study.

Findings – First-year PhD students are faced with online information-seeking barriers such as poor internet connectivity, limited access to online databases and resources, inability to access the needed paid online resources due to financial constraints, information overload, difficulty in acquiring requisite information and lack of information literacy skills and financial resources. These challenges tend to influence the quality of education they receive negatively given the inequalities in their information literacy skills against the literacy skills of second to final-year PhD students. 

Practical Implications and Conclusion –   The study will contribute to literature on the information-seeking behaviour of first-year PhD students. The lack of information on the subject in Ghana is an issue this study seeks to address. The study has shown that postgraduate students at the University of Ghana do not understand their information needs, although they depend heavily on information for their work and survival.

Technology and innovation have impacted all industries and education is not exempt from this change. Organizations in different industries are constantly re-inventing their competencies and capabilities based on the technological upgrades that are being introduced into the markets; however, the change in education has not seen a drastic shift as it should. The current generation of scholars are exposed to technology from an early age (Manchanda, & Arora, 2023) and are equipped with tech-savvy devices that they are capable of using efficiently; can education leverage this skill in students to impart knowledge and improve their capabilities.  This study aims to understand the gap in digitalization of education and propose various mediums and methods to adapt curriculum to engage students. Recent literature will also be reviewed as part of the study to gather evidence regarding empirical studies that have identified the need for technological adaptations, the benefits derived, and process followed to accomplish the same. There are a multitude of factors that must be considered to transform the education system through digitalization; as it certainly is not a simple process; the need to implement technology, students’ expectations, alignment between course content and technology, instructors’ ability to adapt to the change are some key factors that will impact this digital evolution in education. A vital purpose for conducting the study is also to evaluate the need for the suggested changes in education as current students are the future workforce who must be aware of technology, as it makes them employable in organizations; a digitally enables study environment trains students to utilize their technological skills so they can be transferred to organizations when they graduate and seek job opportunities (Murniarti, Simbolon, Purwoko, Fatmawati, & Hariyanto, 2023).