Volume 13 Issue 8

Abstract: Inadequate Implementation of Green human resources Practices in tertiary institutions in South West Nigeria has made the higher institution of learning to face challenges in integrating environmental conservatives policy in their operations. The study therefore examined the effect of green human resources practices on organizational productivity of tertiary institutions in Nigeria. The study adopted a cross- sectional survey research design with the aid of structured questionnaire. The population for the study are the employees of the all the six (6) Federal polytechnics in South Nigeria, totaling 5028. From this population, an aggregate sample size of 371 participants were selected using Taro Yamane sample size calculator where proportional allocation was used to select participants for inclusion per tertiary institution. Structural equation modeling using Smart-PLS 4.0 was used for data analysis; as results indicated that GIO ( , T-statistic = 3.512, p < 0.05), GRCM ( , T-statistic = 8.385, p < 0.05), and GRS ( , T-statistic = 4.711, p < 0.05) have significant positive effects on organizational productivity. This highlights the importance of these green HR practices in enhancing productivity in the selected tertiary institutions in Southwest Nigeria. The study concluded that green human resources management practices is crucial in achieving optimal organizational productivity of the federal polytechnics in South West Nigeria. The study therefore recommended that the management of the federal Polytechnics in South West Nigeria should use environmental conservative employer branding to attract, select applicants and retain employees who have green orientation through a well-defined and circulated environmental sustainability human resources policy.  

Abstract: This study was conducted to formulate a Calabash fruit jam and evaluate the developed product's sensory characteristics and consumer acceptability. A 2k factorial design was used to measure224 g calabash pulp and sugar levels. There was no significant difference in the sensory attributes across different treatments in terms of color, aroma, and flavor. However, the Friedman test showed that there was a difference in the sensory characteristics across different treatments in terms of texture. Results reveal that Treatments 1 with -125 g. level of pulp and sugar, Treatment 3 with -125 g. and +224 g. levels of pulp and sugar and Treatment 4 with +224 g. levels of pulp and sugar have the same texture and Treatment 2 with +224 g. and -125 g. level of pulp and sugar is different from these three treatments. In terms of sensory acceptability, there was a   significant difference in the sensory acceptability across other treatments in terms of texture, aroma, color, and flavor.  Further, results reveal that Treatment 1 with -125 g. level of pulp and sugar, Treatment 3 with -125 g. and +224 g. levels of pulp and sugar and Treatment 4 with +224 g. levels of pulp and sugar have the same texture, aroma, color, and flavor, and Treatment 2 with +224 g. and -125 g. level of pulp and sugar is different from these treatments. Hence, considering the production cost of each treatment, the lowest production cost was considered, and Treatment 1 with -125 g. level of pulp and sugar got the lowest production cost among other treatments.

Abstract: The problem of plane elasticity for a doubly connected body with inner and outer boundaries in a regular polygonal form with common centre and parallel sides has been studied. The sides of the polygon were exposed to external forces. The nature of the force term was determined by application of complex variable theory. Kolosov’s method of solution was applied to obtain the biharmonic equation of the forcing term. The forces on the particle were studied under 2-dimensions from which the compatibility and equilibrium equations were derived. The compatibility and equilibrium equations were used to derive the force – stress relations. The results shows that there is a significant relationship between the angle of the force term on the plane of the particle and the stress state of the particle, which is in conformity with existing experimental results.

Abstract: Some optimum conditions (Incubation time, pH and Temperature) were studied for selected fungal isolates – Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Fusarium chlamydosporium, Trichoderma sp. Mucour indicus, Rhizopus miehei, Basidobolus ranarum, and Microsporum nanum, to biodegrade low-density polyethylene (LDPE) waste by using Mineral Salts Medium (MSM) containing 0.500g LDPE strips (1cm by 5cm each) using changes in pH of the media and weight loss of the strips as indicators for ability of these microorganisms to degrade LDPE. The results revealed that four of the eight fungal isolates, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Fusarium chlamydosporium and Trichoderma sp. showed high ability to degrade the LDPE strips after 8 weeks of incubation in Mineral Salts Medium at pH7.05 and 30oC.  There was noticeable variation in pH of the media with time of incubation with the highest change recorded for Aspergillus flavus (3.00±0.01), Aspergillus niger (3.02±0.01) and Rhizopus miehei (3.10±0.01) when compared with the control (without fungi) which remained at PH 7.05±0.02 during the 8-week incubation period.  The weight loss of the LDPE recorded for Aspergillus flavus was 19.40±0.14 %, Aspergillus niger 19.40±0.18%, Fusarium chlamydosporium, 12.60±0.10% and 10.60±0.02% for Trichoderma sp. respectively. The weight loss of the LDPE strips was time dependent with the highest weight loss recorded after 8 weeks for all isolates. The optimum pH of 7.5 was recorded for LDPE degradation by Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Fusarium chlamydosporium and Basidobolus ranarum while optimum pH of 6.5 was recorded for Trichoderma sp., Mucour indicus, Rhizopus miehei and Microsporum nanum.  All the fungal isolates showed optimum LDPE degradation activity at 34oC except Fusarium chlamydosporium, Trichoderma sp., Mucour indicus and Rhizopus miehei which optimized activity at 32oC.

Abstract: This paper investigates the gap between software engineering education and the industry needs by suggesting solutions to close that gap. The implication is that classrooms agendas are to be more flexible in nature to meet the dynamism in technology needs by the tech sector, focusing on the inclusion of current data science technologies in education programs. This study is backed by data-driven inferences which help to identify the linkage between academia and industry, and with the use of the predictive model of the regression one can estimate the graduation success. The results have proved the importance of practical skills such as research abilities, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills over traditional metrics like GPA. Thus it should be the need of the hour to develop the industry-relevant training in order to provide vocational education to students. The coordination between academia and industry fields by merging student-centric projects that have modern technologies would aid improving adapting software engineering education to the variable industrial sector. The research results emphasize the significance of an active learning process and practical application of the learned concepts that should be employed to get students ready for the challenges awaiting them at the workplace. Finally, a paper that proposes permanent developing of the engineering curriculum and close collaboration between industry and academic institutions, so that the students receive key competences to be prosperous in software engineering. Python has been implemented to analyse the skills of the software engineering curriculum for achieving the requirements of the industry. Data visualisation, data pre-processing, and predictive models have been implemented to gather data based on industrial requirements. 

Abstract: Community empowerment is a process that becomes the starting point for community independence in order to improve their own lives by using and accessing local resources as best as possible. This research aims to determine efforts to empower coconut farmers in increasing the income of coconut farmers in. The research was conducted in Selayar Regency, South Sulawesi Province. The population in this study were all coconut farmers in Selayar Regency. Data collection was carried out by means of observation, in-depth interviews with coconut farmers who were selected as respondents. Data analysis was carried out using descriptive analysis. The steps involved start from data collection, data reduction, data presentation and drawing conclusions. The results of the research show that the forms of empowerment carried out by farmers include counseling and training, but the results have not been optimal in increasing the income of coconut farmers in Selayar Regency. There are several things that are obstacles in empowering coconut farmers, one of which is the lack of awareness of coconut farmers to innovate processed coconut products, namely from processing ordinary copra into white copra. This is due to the limited competencies possessed by farmers such as education level and business group.

Abstract: This research was aims to determining the Effect of the Ratio of Rice Bran Flour (RBF) and Wheat Flour (WHF) on some quality component and sensory of Cup Cake.  This research used a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with a single factor, namely the combination of the proportion of rice bran and wheat, consisting of 6 treatments are as follows: b0 (RBF 0% : WHF 100%); b1 (5% RBF: WHF 95%); b2 (RBF 10% : WHF 90%); b3 (RBF 15% : WHF 85%); b4 (RBF 20% : WHF 80%); and b5 (RBF 25% : WHF 75%). The research data were analyzed using ANOVA at a 5% real level and further tests using Orthogonal Polynomials at a 5% real level. Also, a high percentage of fat (29.10%) was recorded for cake with RBF at 20% significant increase in the protein content compared to control cake (7.65%). With increasing the ratio of RBF to all cupcake samples at different proportions, some physical properties of the cupcake such as volume and specific volume were decreased, while others such as weight and specific weight were increased compared to the control cupcake. In the higher storage period, the higher staling of cupcake samples appeared, and thus, the moisture content of the fortified cupcake decreases with different proportions of RBF.  It could be concluded that the RBF has a functional property higher than those of WHF. Finally, high-fiber cupcake can be prepared with substituted WHF up to 25% with RBF without any negative effects on the quality properties and sensory acceptability of the product

Abstract: The integrity and fairness of examinations are continually compromised by deceptive practices such as whispering, head movements, and unauthorized hand contacts. These unethical activities pose a serious threat to the credibility of examinations, necessitating the development of a robust model for real-time supervision and control. This research aims to introduce an innovative model designed to detect and prevent such unethical behaviour during examinations, there by upholding the principles of fairness and impartiality. The suggested monitoring system can be used in colleges, universities, and schools to identify and observe students engaging in suspicious activities. By implementing this monitoring system, we aim to stop and address cheating issues since it goes against ethical standards. The proposed invigilation model can be implemented in colleges, universities, and schools to detect and monitor student suspicious activities. Hopefully, through the implementation of the proposed invigilation system, we can prevent and solve the problem of cheating because it is unethical. Each exam room needs a head invigilator to make sure the exams are honest and address any issues that may arise. That’s why   we implement the AI Base Smart Supervision System.

Abstract: Helicobacter pylori are known to cause chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, gastric adenocarcinoma and mucosa associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma. There is limited knowledge about the prevalence and associations of H. Pylori among students of colleges of education in Nigeria. This study determined the current prevalence and associated factors in apparently healthy Nigeria Colleges of education students. A multistage sampling technique was used to recruit five hundred and fifty three (543) apparently healthy male and female students. The investigation used descriptive cross-sectional study for H. pylori infection using a monoclonal serum antigen test. Students were interviewed with guided structured questions. The information on the socio-demographic factors, locality, level, nutritional status and ulcer history were obtained. From the total subjected screened 9% were H. pylori seropositive and out of which 7% were female while 2% were male. The sero-prevalence among age group showed higher prevalence between 18 to 22 years. It is recommended that awareness be raised about good hygiene practices and provision of access to proper and continuous screening and treatment for infected individuals associated with H. pylori infection.

Abstract: The paper examines the impact of capital structure on financial performance and risk for the listed manufacturing companies in Bangladesh. The study considers the relationships of capital structure with different measures of performance based on accounting, hybrid, and risk factors by applying six multivariate Ordinary Least Squares regression models based on data extracted from 120 firms listed on the Dhaka Stock Exchange for the period from 2017 to 2023. The results indicate that Earnings per Share are significantly driven by the Debt to Market Value of Equity ratio and market capitalization, mostly emphasizing the role of market valuation metrics. In addition, Return on Equity is highly influenced by total assets and market capitalization, further stressing the impact of firm size and valuation. In addition, Return on Assets is influenced by these factors as well, with larger firms usually showing a lower ROA. Finally, Tobin's Q is influenced by multiple financial ratios, reflecting the importance of such metrics. Overall, the study thus offers valuable insight into how capital structure affects firm performance and risk in the Bangladeshi manufacturing sector, whereby this information would be of great help to investors and policy makers.

Abstract— In this paper, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for monitoring and surveillance within aquaculture farms situated in Iloilo, Philippines are investigated. The principal aim is to create a framework that can provide guidance on how to use UAVs for effective monitoring, data collection, and regulatory control within the aquaculture sector under the supervision of – Department of Agriculture in the Municipality of Barotac and Dumangas, Iloilo. The study examines the performance of UAVs in real-time surveillance mapping as well as geotagging and geo- referencing that would help in observing fish behavior and environmental settings. The research assesses the precision of UAVs in executing these assignments and compares various models based on their effectiveness in monitoring perimeters environmental data collecting and following changes in fish behavior. Findings reveal that UAVs especially those with high detection precision levels and advanced mapping capabilities may be good tools for improving management practices on aquaculture farms. The paper suggests some ways we may adopt UAV technology within aquaculture emphasizing its potential to minimize operational costs while at the same time increasing productivity. With the help of these findings, it is possible to develop initial guidelines for UAV use in the aquaculture industry that will serve as a basis for a regulatory framework ensuring the sustainable and efficient functioning of aquaculture farms. This framework seeks to support local government initiatives in enhancing farm monitoring, protecting the environment and managing resources by using advanced UAV technology.

Abstract: The study investigated the effect of Academic Brain-Drain on sustainability of higher education in Public Tertiary Institutions in Ogun State, Nigeria. The target population for the study was the entire academic staff members of the selected Public Tertiary Institutions from three (3) Senatorial Districts in the State which consisted of 2058 Academic Staff members. The study selected a sample of 450 Academic Staff members through the use of purposive sampling technique. Cross-sectional survey was employed for the study to retrieve the expected data through a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics with the aid of tables were utilised to summarize the data obtained while multiple regression analysis was adopted for inferential purpose using SPSS version 26. Component factor analysis and Cronbach Alpha statistics were used to examine the validity and reliability of the instruments which yielded 80% and .767 respectively. The study found that Academic Brain Drain has a positive significant effect on Sustainability of Higher Education as emphasized by the t-statistic {f (3/446), t = 389.344, P< 0.05}. According to the model summary, R2=.803 suggests that the three factors: Poor Working Condition, Poor Pay Package and Inadequate Research Facilities together accounted for more than 80% of the variance in Sustainability of Higher Education. The study concluded that sustainability of higher education and Academic Brain-Drain have a strong, favorable, and significant relationship. The study recommended that good working conditions and better pay package be provided in public institutions in order to motivate the Academic Staff members and discourage them from migrating to where greener pasture can be found.

A key challenge in any organizations today is staff/employee retention and these organizations made strategies to retain their employees to become the best staff. A common and significant problem in most human capital management systems in education, whether any type of schools or districts, is their incapacity to lessen high teacher turnover as stated by Odden (2011), and prominent in certain urban districts these high rates of teacher movement.  Ingersoll (2001) states that the first step to understand why teachers leave is also the first step in getting them to stay. In order for teachers to stay, they need eenvironments that give important professional support from school leadership, to encounter organizational structures that value respect and workforce conditions for induction and mentoring programs for new and experienced teachers. Teacher attrition is teachers who are inside or outside of education, to experience and encounter other professional responsibilities, but give priority time with their families (Macdonald, 1999, Miller & Chait, 2008).  

Abstract: The foundation of teaching strategies in school environments is feedback. Nonetheless, it needs to be communicated clearly because it is frequently misinterpreted. Due to the negative comments, they gained through their actual internships, students lacked confidence and felt unable to practice their talents. They also felt that receiving comments made it difficult for them to finish their useful exercises. In the western Zambian region of Nkeyema, AYO Secondary School was the site of this investigation. An interpretivist approach was used in an exploratory qualitative design. Eleven (11) secondary school pupils in total and each student was questioned separately. With the participants' consent, all interviews were audio recorded using a digital voice recorder and then verbatim transcriptions were made. After that, qualitative content analysis was used to analyse the data thematically.

Abstract — This mixed method research study sought to assess the English learning strategies vis-à-vis proficiency level of Grade 11 students of a public high school for S.Y. 2023-2024. This research made use of a survey questionnaire and interview guide in a form of open-ended questions in gathering the necessary data. There were 21 respondents who participated in the 1st part of the data gathering and 10 were selected to participate in the interview session for the 2nd part. Statistical tools for data analysis included weighted mean, percentage distribution, and frequency count. Results revealed that most respondents were on their appropriate age to be admitted in the grade level in accordance to the K-12 program and majority were females. In terms of English learning strategies, it was found out that respondents had an acceptable result to both cognitive and metacognitive and when taken as a whole garnering a weighted mean verbally interpreted as agree. Meanwhile, students’ level of English proficiency in terms of Synonyms, Antonyms, Single-Word Analogy, Double-Word Analogy, Identifying Errors, Correct Usage, and Reading Comprehension and when taken as a whole obtained a mean score verbally interpreted as did not meet expectation. The findings highlighted the dynamic and evolving nature of language acquisition, where strategies employed by learners play a crucial role in shaping their journey towards linguistic mastery. Thus, it is recommended that teachers must look on the other factors regardless of being internal or external that may influence students’ capacity in learning English.

Abstract: Humanity is at the precipice of a profound transformation, propelled by the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI). Once confined to the realm of science fiction, AI now permeates every aspect of daily life, promising significant changes to our social, economic, and personal spheres. As AI systems continue to advance and surpass human capabilities in various domains, they present unparalleled opportunities as well as formidable challenges. This composition explores the dualistic nature of AI, acknowledging its capacity to either augment or disrupt our existence. By examining AI's current state, potential risks, and ethical considerations, we emphasize the pressing need for a comprehensive framework to govern its development and integration. We propose a multifaceted framework built on five fundamental principles: human centered design, transparency and interpretability, accountability and governance, education and upskilling, and inclusive and equitable access. These principles are designed to ensure that AI systems enhance human capabilities, promote transparency, uphold ethical standards, and provide equitable access to the benefits of technology. Through in-depth case studies, we illustrate the practical application of this framework, showcasing AI's impact across various industries while emphasizing the importance of addressing ethical and societal challenges. This composition calls for a collective effort among governments, corporations, and individuals to navigate the rapid expansion of AI responsibly, fostering a future where AI and humanity coexist harmoniously. The ultimate goal is to harness the potential of AI to revitalize society, ensuring that technological progress elevates human dignity and collective well-being instead of rendering us obsolete.

Abstract: The International Association of Geodesy (IAG) has established the International GNSS Service-Real Time Service (IGS-RTS) as a service provider, offering real-time access to precise products like orbits, clock corrections, and code biases regarding satellite navigation and positioning system. These products serve as an alternative to ultra-rapid products in real-time applications. The performance of these products is assessed through daily statistics from Analysis Centres, which compare them to IGS rapid products. However, the accuracy of GPS real-time corrections for satellites during eclipsing periods was slightly reduced, attributed to the impact of environmental factors on the services. The speed of GNSS signals can be impacted by various atmospheric factors, including troposphere, temperature, pressure, and humidity, resulting in positioning inaccuracies and even giving rooms for signal jamming and hijacking. However, the unique weather conditions prevalent in the African continent are often overlooked during the development of error mitigation parameters and algorithms, which can lead to reduced accuracy in GNSS positioning in a region like Nigeria. The purpose of this study is to estimate the tropospheric impact on positioning with IGS02 Real Time Service data compared to long convergence Static-PPP in Gwagwalada Area Council, Abuja, Nigeria. The study adopts the determination of the GNSS Static observations (minimum of two hours per session) on the chosen stations as standard, determination of the IGS-RTS data observations using RTKLIB software; observations were done with IGS-RTS data stream of IGS02 and statistical tests were performed. The GNSS Static coordinates and IGS-RTS coordinates were validated from error due to troposphere, temperature, pressure, etc., with the computation of their mean horizontal and vertical uncertainties which have a similar level of accuracy but slightly differ at centimeter levels. The result shows the Root Mean Square (RMS) Error discrepancy of IGS02 at the Wet and Dry season, as compared with the Static-PPP was within 0.065(m) and 0.046(m) respectively.

Abstract: The Virtual Platform for Oman across Ages Museum (VPOAAM) is a project initiated in 2015 in Manah, Al Dakhiliyah Governorate, aiming to highlight the unique qualities of the Sultanate of Oman and its features, ancient history, and Renaissance. The project, designed in the shape of mountains, was initiated by His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq the Great. The project is situated on a 300,000 square meter land area with a building area of 66,591 square meters, designed in the shape of mountains. The late Sultan Qaboos bin Said laid the foundation stone for the project, which inspires architectural innovation and showcases the Sultanate of Oman's qualitative transition from its historical splendors to its bright present. Visitors can explore the museum's art and historical collection online, with interactive virtual tours allowing them to interact and learn about art pieces and exhibits. The museum also contains a wide range of multimedia, including images, videos, written texts, and audio information, allowing visitors to interact with antiques and artistic exhibits. These are a glance of the museum we taken as case study to develop the platform with the approval and kind support from the competent authority of the museum. After successful completion of the research project; the output will be the same museum in a virtual platform. This research conducted with a number of items among thousands of physical items in the museum. And the result shows a significant remark to continue and complete the virtual museum platform for the stated museum.    

Abstract: Innovation became an utmost word to deal with in this hi-tech modern world. From a kitchen to parliament, agriculture to semiconductor industry, barbershop to superstore everywhere innovation taken place. Implementation of innovative idea in the relevant area or business field became a magnificent fashion. Therefore, the purpose of this paper shall be to build a solid on this issue. visionary technology advancement for Oman agriculture sector that will also benefit and when implemented, as an innovative solution to support agriculture as an icon for global development. The suggested Farm Management System utilize IoT to gather live information. related information of the soil, temperature and humidity conditions, crop yield, and stock so as to make a better. informed decision-making. Its user-friendly interface provides foolproof recommendations that assist farmers to enhance on production and sustainability. courses it comprises a transportation management, demand forecasting, production forecasting, inventory control, and inventory purchasing. module that help in tracking of the resources and also help in organizing the farm operations. This overall approach does not only enhance productivity but it also revamps the agriculture so much that it empowers the farmers. with the capabilities that will enable them to succeed in a dynamic environment within the sector.

Abstract: This paper presents the results of the analysis of Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machine components that result in decreased machine efficiency in the production system with the Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) approach. Utilized to improve the performance of machine components. The machine has not been maintained regularly so that at any time the machine can experience damage which results in losses to the company's income. so that an analysis is designed for maintenance planning management activities with the methodology of identifying and analyzing failure factors using the Failure Mode Effect Analysis (FMECA) worksheet, Logic Tree Analysis (LTA), and finally the Action Road Map. The results of the analysis carried out are divided into three categories of maintenance actions, namely, Condition Direction (CD) maintenance, Time Directed (TD) maintenance, Finding Failure (FF) maintenance with a periodic checking interval of 2 times within a period of 12 days.

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of financial accountability on performance of private universities in Uganda. The study is guided by a hypothesis, that financial accountability have a statistically significant effect on the performance of private universities. The study taps into the voices of university stakeholders seeking their opinion on how to address the university performance challenges and 162 sample units were selected and participated in the study.  The study follows the post-positivism philosophical stance which calls for the use of mixed techniques, while a descriptive, analytical and cross-sectional research design was utilized. Data was analyzed using two statistical software programs: Analysis of Moments of Structures (AMOS) for structural equation modeling (SEM), and SPSS was used for preliminary data analysis. In contrast, content analysis was employed in the qualitative approach. The results were presented using, Scatter plots, regression analysis, correlation coefficients and percentage tables while SEM was used to perform confirmatory factor analysis, principle component analysis, variance analysis, correlation coefficients and regression analysis. There was positive significant correlation between the financial accountability and the University performance (r = 0.641, P<0.01). The results further indicate that financial accountability individually explains 41.1% (R Square Change = .411) of the variations in University performance. The study found out that all dimensions of financial accountability exhibit a positive and significant relationship with performance. Hence value for money, financial reporting and audited accounts can ensure transparent financial transactions avoid diversion of funds, create robust strategies for mobilizing resources and save funds that can be utilized to improve financial sustainability and education quality in private universities. The study recommends that private universities should establish transparent financial reporting, promote active engagement of proprietors in financial decision making and resource mobilization, adherence to fiscal responsibilities, and effective financial governance as well as training proprietors in university financial management.

Abstract: As humans tend to be reliant on their sense of sight to gather information about their surroundings, this allows them to feel safe and connected. White canes have been a common solution to visual impairment concerns however it was shown that such tools are still unable to resolve problems pertaining to obstructions on height level. This paper aims to create a smart stick which is able to resolve such concerns while including an emergency button feature that will inform emergency contacts via SMS of the location of the user once pressed. The gathered results will answer the following (a) reliability of the smart stick’s detection of obstructions, (b) effect of the environment to the performance of the device, and (c) effect of the distance between the user and emergency contact to the speed of transmission if the emergency button is pressed. It was found that the smart still is reliable in terms of detection with a high accuracy percentage and is able to determine if stairs are going up or down, the environment has little effect on the performance of the smart stick, and if the distance is farther the speed of transmission is more consistent.

Abstract: The nations with the best higher education systems will rule the world in the twenty-first century because, in addition to increasing social and personal wealth, education also has a direct or indirect bearing on all other facets of development, including intellectual, social, cultural, artistic, economic, moral, and human resources. In India, the number of universities, college campuses, and university-level institutions as well as the number of students enrolled has increased dramatically. Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA), a Centrally Sponsored Scheme launched by the Indian government in 2013, aims to improve the state of higher education. As a result, the current enrolment ratio is at 27.3% The nation has seen a notable gain in enrolment, but as of right now, concerns remain about the quality, which is crucial to meeting objectives and carrying out national policy. Higher education faces a number of challenges, including inadequate facilities, a curriculum focused on exams, memory-based exams, a lack of qualified faculty, subpar teaching techniques, a lack of funding, uneven government policies regarding education, political unrest, vested political interests, high demand from the youth, growing privatization, a lack of access and equity, etc. There exist numerous other comparable difficulties, all of which are rigorously analysed in this work along with potential answers.

Abstract: This study examines the pedagogical methods meant to improve soft skill acquisition and development in information technology undergraduates in the Nairobi Metropolitan Area. Utilizing a sequential mixed-methods design, the research adopted a two-stage cluster sampling where 10 universities were selected from a total of 31 within the region, representing 5 private and 5 public institutions. Thereafter, 1,143 undergraduate IT students were randomly sampled from an overall population of 3,814 enrolled students, while professors and IT technicians were purposively selected for qualitative interviews. Quantitative data in this respect were collected by using semi-structured questionnaires, capturing the points of view of stakeholders on perceived improvement in soft skills. Although the modern-day job markets require graduates with soft and non-cognitive skills, employers have nonetheless complained about the lack of such competencies among university graduates concerning aspects such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership. This study was based on Vygotsky's social constructivism theory and investigated the development of soft skills among students taking a Bachelor of Information Technology at selected universities within the Nairobi Metropolitan Area. The results have indicated that modern learning methods support the development and acquisition of soft skills aptly. The programs for soft-skill are adequate and frequent training which impacts performance in other disciplines. Signs were proving that there was significant enhancement regarding interpersonal and cognitive competencies of the students as a result of collaborative projects, problem-solving in real life, and reflective practices. It also stresses that educational institutions need to orient themselves more toward interactive and practical teaching methods to better prepare IT graduates for the challenges of a modern workforce.

Abstract: As a coursework requirement, this paper discusses issues in international security. It employs desk research, precisely external desk research as one of the qualitative methods to dissect the topic. Even though this paper did not exhaust all the thematic areas expected for issues in international security. However, it brings new knowledge that contributes to the discipline of security studies. It argues that the threats associated with international security are far different from the issues in international security. It further argues that the issues are a multiplicity of factors impeding or frustrating the fight against the threats posed to international security. Conclusively, the paper closed on the identification of the issues to be the main causes of the threats. Therefore, the paper calls upon the actors in the theater of international security to take serious cognizance of the issues obstructing the prevention, protection, alleviation, or mitigation of the threats in international security.

Abstract: The emergence of the COVID 19 pandemic called the attention of the public to the challenges that the healthcare system in the Philippines needs to overcome. Rural and remote areas that have geographical disadvantages were also affected due to limited access to healthcare services during the implementation of lockdown in the country. This paper focuses on the developed remote vital sign monitoring and telemedicine system called PaglauM. It is a device that measures a person’s heart and pulse rate, blood oxygen saturation, body temperature, heart rhythm, and heart’s electrical activity and comes with an application that can be used to monitor the user’s vitals and access telemedicine services. This study involved 30 participants for the testing and evaluation of PaglauM compared to available medical devices. The results of the conducted test showed promising output in delivering pre- diagnosis of health. With the use of PaglauM, rural areas that struggle in providing health care because of limited health care facilities and geographical disadvantages can be helped by this cost-effective vital monitoring device that implements the use of telemedicine, providing a way for rural areas to connect to tertiary hospitals regardless of their distance.