Articles
Educational Reforms and Development in Japan: Language and Culture Education for Global Competitiveness
-
Due to an increase in globalization, international business, and the Tokyo Olympics being held in 2020, Japan faces a growing need to develop a population with the English language skills and cultural awareness needed for global success. The need to address these goals has been noted by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) who is spending large amounts of money on various initiatives in schools, universities, and businesses across Japan. This papers outlines some of the key policy changes and educational initiatives that are being spearheaded by MEXT in order to develop the Japanese populason’s English language proficiency and to create a more international higher education system in order for Japan to remain competitive on the global arena. These initiatives will then be framed within the concept of English as a Lingua Franca (ELF) or English as an international language (EIL). Finally, this paper specifically describes a number of programs, all of which have received considerable funding from MEXT, that have been developed at one university in Tokyo to develop globally minded bilingual individuals capable of performing in international academic or business contexts. Results of some of these programs are described in terms of language gains, study abroad placement, and post-graduation employment statistics.
- View article
The efficiency of a University Teaching and Learning Training Program (UTL ) on Developing the Teaching Competencies of the Teaching Staff at AlImam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University
-
This study aimed at presenting the University Teaching and Learning training program UTL and determining the efficiency of the UTL on developing the teaching competencies of the teaching staff at Al Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University in Saudi Arabia. The study subjects were (30) female university instructors from AL Imam University. A training group of university instructors was studied at the beginning of their training and one year later. Evidence is reported of changes over time relating to the teaching competencies performance scale improved by the researchers focusing on six competencies; Lecture Planning, Lecture Orientation, Teaching the Lecture, Asking Questions, Course Materials, and Classroom Management. The current study reports evidence of a range of positive changes in instructors' teaching competencies in the training group. The results revealed that there were statistically significant differences between the performance of the training group before and after training on the pre and post-observation scale, favoring to the post –observation in improving the teaching competencies. The study recommends adopting the UTL training program used in this study to develop the teaching competencies of instructors in Saudi Universities. It also recommends organizing the content of the university text books to cope with the creative learning forms.
- View article
Teaching Market Segmentation: The Eight Step Process
-
Although market segmentation is one of the most important strategic management tools available for business managers, and has been part of the marketing/business curriculum for years, it is commonly taught from a theoretical perspective leaving students ill-prepared to tackle this challenge in the real world. This paper seeks to bridge the gap between segmentation as practiced by marketers and as commonly taught in the classroom. An eight step process that was developed, refined, and has been successfully implemented in multiple live case/consulting projects during the past ten years at the undergraduate, graduate, and executive education level is presented.
- View article
Financial Management of Higher Educational Institutions - with reference to Financing, Pricing, Accounting Standards and Gaps in Practices in Universities and Colleges
-
This paper critically evaluates the role and development of higher education vis-à -vis the role and responsibility, obligations of Central and State Governments, Higher educational institutions, etc. This paper argues that the higher education is a public service and a ‘good’. This paper analyses current status and various patterns of financing, pricing the higher education. This paper highlights the current status of and gaps in practices of higher educational institutions in financial management and disclosure of accounting information to their stakeholders. This paper points out that in the fast changing socio-economic context, the higher education system will be exposed to greater pressure for expansion, which needs effective pricing of the higher education so as to provide comprehensive finances to university & colleges. This paper argues that the utilization of finance & funds must be strictly in accordance with the set terms and conditions, rules and regulations, and hence, the accounting standards must be widely accepted in practice in which the statutory obligation should be increased and ensured in consultations with the professional and regulatory bodies. The paper concludes that the gaps in practices should be seriously detected and checked so as to safeguard the interests of the persons and bodies financing the higher education, and for that the effective information system should be ensured to satisfy the aforesaid users of accounting information.
- View article
The Use of Education Management Information Systems in Higher Education Institutions: An Empirical Investigation of the Effect of Degree of Interactivity
-
Technology is capable of revolutionizing the management of higher education institutions and improving services they provide. However, this does not happen in many cases because, either the appropriate technology is not available, or because technology is simply not used. The last decade has seen substantial investments in technology infrastructure for higher education enterprises. Resource constrains and accreditations requirements oblige higher education institutions to set their technology priority and select the most appropriate systems. This paper suggests and empirically evaluates a predicting Higher Education Management Information Systems (HEMIS) use model. Built on well-established information systems user’s behavioural models, the model suggested by this research hypothesizes that degree of interactivity have significant effect on HEMIS use, where user’s attitude and intension to use are mediator factors. The paper reports the findings of an experiential survey study, conducted over 110 higher education administration staff of different managerial levels, in 7 different higher education entities, looking at their use of three types of HEMIS. Structural Equation Modelling is employed to evaluate the goodness-to-fit of the suggested model. The results provide empirical evidence on how interactivity affects user behaviour in HEMIS context. Furthermore, the study reports some interesting findings concerning the use of HEMIS highly interactive tools within the enviro
- View article
Computer Self Efficacy, Computer-related Technology Dependence and On-line Learning Readiness of Undergraduate Students
-
The study investigated undergraduates’ computer self-efficacy, computer-related technology dependence and their online learning readiness. It adopted a correlational study and using simple random sampling technique 129 first year undergraduates were sampled. Major findings indicated that male undergraduates have higher mean scores in computer self-efficacy and online readiness than female students, while females had slightly higher mean scores in computer related technology dependence. Gender significant differences occurred only in computer self-efficacy. Self-efficacy increased significantly with years of experience. However, students’ years of use of computer did not account for significant differences in computer-related technology dependence and their online learning readiness. There was significant relationship between computer self-efficacy, and computer-related technology dependence of undergraduates (r=.323, p<.05). Computer self-efficacy also significantly correlated with students online-readiness (r=.330, p<.05). Positive correlation occurred between students’ computer-related technology dependence and their online readiness (r=.273, p<.05). Computer self-efficacy and computer-related technology dependence predicted students’ online learning readiness. It was recommended that stakeholders should endeavour to provide the computer facilities; train students; build up their computer self-efficacies; and to motivate female undergraduate students in the use o
- View article
Nexus Between Quality of Higher Education and Economic Development: The Indian story
-
The higher education system in India has a definite bearing on the economy. The nexus although has been researched considerably, this research enquiry points to disparity within the economy as well as the countryas economic performance in comparison with the Chinese economy in the framework of shortfalls in the higher education system. For higher education to contribute constructively to the economy, the systemic lacunae must be isolated and rectified. The paper examines the concern by delving into a chronological survey of the evolution of higher education and economic growth in the country since independence up to the present period wherein the privatization of higher education has occupied centre stage. Further, the study takes stock of the present Government initiatives that have been undertaken in this regard and makes inquiries into the scope of their application and assessment of their merit.
- View article
The Effect of Emotional Intelligence on Students' Achievement from Faculty Members' Perspectives at the World Islamic Sciences &Education University
-
This study aimed to know the viewpoint of faculty members at the World Islamic Sciences & Education University on the effect of emotional intelligence on students' achievement, and also aimed to investigate the effect of gender, experience, qualification, academic rank on the point of view of faculty members. The study sample consisted of 45 faculty members 21 males and 24 females from the World Islamic Sciences & Education University. Means and standard deviations and t-test were used to analyze the results. The results showed that there were statistically significant differences in the views of the faculty members on the effect of emotional intelligence on students' achievement, also showed a statistically significant differences at the level of significance (α ≥ 0,05) in their views attributed to the experience, as there are statistically significant differences at the level of significance (α ≥ 0,05) in their views attributed to gender, and results also showed the existence of clear statistically significant differences in the views of the faculty members on the effect of emotional intelligence on students' achievement due to the Qualification variable.
- View article
Effective Management of Teaching-Learning and Working Conditions in Vocational Education in Nigeria
-
This paper reviewed the influence of effective management of teaching and learning and working conditions as relating to the quality of vocational education. In Nigeria, working conditions in teaching and learning are variables that can positively and or negatively influence the performance of teachers and students productivity and performances respectively. Variables herein considered are associated with poor quality remunerations, inadequate planning at the national and state government level, insufficient resources for programme implementations. The findings of the work quality of effective management of education have been greatly jeopardized consequent upon poor supervisory personnel, means and methods adopted by the good or agents involved. The paper recommends conducive working environment, sufficient funds and adequate materials should be provided for teaching and learning activities. A well drawn out action Plan and time frame should be clearly stated to assist in assessing the level of implementation of the programme for national development.
- View article
Previous Issue
- Volume 10 Issue 02
- Volume 10 Issue 01
- Volume 09 Issue 02
- Volume 09 Issue 01
- Volume 08 Issue 02
- Volume 08 Issue 01
- Volume 07 Issue 02
- Volume 07 Issue 01
- Volume 06 Issue 02
- Volume 06 Issue 01
- Volume 05 Issue 1
- Volume 04 Issue 2
- Volume 04 Issue 1
- Volume 03 Issue 2
- Volume 03 Issue 1
- Volume 02 Issue 2
- Volume 02 Issue 1
- Volume 01 Issue 2
- Volume 01 Issue 1