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Competency-Based Learning for Future-Ready Governance: Functionaland Behavioural Skills in Sarawak Local Councils
No full textThe purpose of this study is to examine workforce competencies within Sarawak’s local councils and to explore how competency assessment can serve as an educational tool for Human Resource Development (HRD). Guided by Human Capital Theory, Strategic HRD, and Adult Learning principles, a mixed-methods design was employed combining survey data from 208 officers with four focus-group discussions and twelve semi-structured interviews. The principal results revealed a clear competency duality: behavioural competencies such as teamwork, cultural
sensitivity, and communication scored higher (mean = 77.1%) than functional competencies (mean = 65.8%), where gaps were most pronounced in digital governance, crisis management, sustainability, and innovation. Qualitative findings elaborated on this disparity, identifying three recurring themes uneven digital and strategic proficiency,systemic barriers to continuous learning, and cautious optimism regarding future readiness and adaptability. The study concludes that integrating competency-based learning (CBL) within HRD frameworks is vital to cultivating a digitally literate, ethical, and future-ready workforce. Embedding CBL into HRD policy aligned with Malaysia’s Twelfth Plan (2021–2025), Sarawak’s PCDS 2030, and OECD’s Future-Ready Workforce recommendations can transform local councils into learning organisations capable of sustaining innovation and effective governance.
Keywords: adult and lifelong learning, competency-based learning, governance education, human resource
development, workforce readines
Subjective Well-Being Index for Person with Visual Impairment across Five Regions in Malaysia
No full textThis study creates a Subjective Well-Being (SWB) Index specifically for person with visual impairments (PVI) in Malaysia, a group that has not been studied much in terms of well-being. While SWB encompasses life satisfaction, emotional responses, and psychological well-being,
existing research has primarily focused on the general population, with limited measures specifically for PVI. This study fills that gap by evaluating SWB across eight key domains (independence, social relationships, psychological health, physical health, environment, religiosity, self-belief, and culture) based on survey data from 145 visually impaired individuals across five Malaysian regions (Northern, Southern, Eastern, Central, and Borneo).
The results show that religiosity (M = 9.27, SD= 1.12) and self-belief (M = 7.83, SD=1.47) are the most highly rated areas, while culture (M = 6.04, SD=1.98) and environment (M = 6.32, SD=1.87) are the least highly rated. The Southern region had the highest overall SWB, which could mean that local policies or community support systems are helping people feel better. The findings emphasise the need for targeted interventions to improve cultural inclusion and
environmental accessibility for PVI in Malaysia
Leptospira and Leptospirosis: A Review of Species Classifications, Genomes, Morphological Structures, Antimicrobial Resistances, Transmissions, and Clinical Manifestation
No full textLeptospirosis, also known as “rat-urine disease”, is a neglected zoonotic and waterborne disease that is caused by Leptospira spp. This disease is transmitted by direct and indirect exposure to the urine and stool of infected animals. The current estimate has highlighted that leptospirosis has caused at least one million cases and 60,000 deaths, with high endemicity in tropical regions. With climate change, urbanisation, and increasing human-animal interaction, the threat of leptospirosis
and other zoonotic diseases will continue to emerge. Investing in multidisciplinary research, technology, and global collaboration is critical to anticipate, detect, and respond effectively to these evolving threats
Molecular mechanisms of CYP-13 function in C. elegans: insights into conserved P450 pathways
No full textCytochrome P450 enzymes (CYPs) are central to metabolism and stress adaptation. In Caenorhabditis elegans, the CYP13 family performs diverse and conserved functions beyond xenobiotic detoxification. cyp-13 links lifespan regulation to the APP ortholog apl-1 and the heterochronic factor lin-14, integrating with DAF-16/FOXO, HSF-1, and DAF-12 pathways. In apoptosis, cyp-13 contributes to the degradosome complex with CPS-6/EndoG and WAH-1, facilitating DNA degradation. Several isoforms are inducible by aflatoxin B1 and PCB1254, underscoring roles in toxicant metabolism.
Notably, cyp-13A12 regulates behavioral responses to reoxygenation via the EGL-9–HIF-1–PUFA–eicosanoid pathway,
paralleling mammalian ischemia–reperfusion responses. Epigenetic regulation adds another layer, as BRCA1/BARD1
homologs brc-1 and brd-1 repress distinct subsets of cyp-13A genes through H2A ubiquitylation. Collectively, CYP-13
emerges as a multifunctional hub linking developmental, apoptotic, metabolic, stress, and chromatin-level processes, with clear parallels to human CYPs, highlighting its translational relevance to aging, cancer, and toxicology
INSECT RACE 2.0: ENRICHING LEARNING EXPERIENCE USING A GAME-BASED LEARNING APPROACH INTEGRATED WITH ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TOOLS
No full textScience, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education is a significant platform to produce highly skilled workers and professionals to meet demands in the industrial and technological sectors in Malaysia. Despite the increasing efforts implemented by the government and the non-government organisations (NGOs) related to education system, the number of students enrolled in the STEM education from secondary schools to the higher-level institutions (college, matriculation, university) is quite worrying as many showed no interest to pursue further in this challenging field. However, not to feel discouraged by this situation, many educators are keen to initiate various efforts to provide enriched and inclusive methods in their teaching and learning to boost and uplift students’ motivation. As part of enriching students’ learning experience, we developed and implemented a game-based learning approach in one of our academic programme’s courses offered to the Zoological Technology’s undergraduates, namely, Entomology. In this course, students were exposed to the fundamental study about insects, covering topics related to their biology, physiology and ecology of these diverse animals. Hence, the Insect Race 2.0, a board game integrated with artificial intelligence (AI) tools is designed to cultivate students’ interest and enthusiasm in learning science, as well as to transform traditional pedagogical strategies of learning science into an enjoyable, engaging and interactive learning experience among learners. Based on a survey conducted among the players, majority of the respondents provided positive feedbacks and commendations, indicating the efficacy of the Insect Race 2.0 game. Overall, this board game serves as a valuable tool to diversify teaching and learning approaches in science subjects and useful to fill the knowledge gap in insect-themed educational games. In conclusion, teaching delivery of STEM education using AI integrated game-based learning approach could boost students’ interest and create a fun, interactive and cooperative learning more effectively
SUSTAINING TAKAFUL AGENTS: A STUDY OF MOTIVATION, RESILIENCE, AND ETHICAL CHALLENGES IN ISLAMIC INSURANCE
No full textThe Takaful industry in Malaysia continues to face a persistent challenge: high turnover rates among Takaful agents, which disrupt business continuity, weaken customer trust, and hinder long-term institutional growth. Despite the industry’s rapid expansion, many agents struggle to sustain their careers due to intense competition, emotional pressure, unstable income structures, and the increasing complexity of Shariah-compliant financial services. These issues highlight a critical gap in understanding what enables Takaful agents to remain resilient and committed in a demanding and evolving marketplace. To address this gap, this qualitative study explores the lived experiences, challenges, and coping strategies of industry practitioners through in-depth interviews with 12 participants from diverse levels of involvement in the Takaful ecosystem. The participants, aged between their late twenties and mid-forties with three to fifteen years of experience, provided rich insights into the social, psychological, and organisational factors that shape agent sustainability. Using an interpretive approach, the study moves beyond prior research that relied predominantly on quantitative surveys and offers a more nuanced understanding of the dynamics influencing long-term career continuity. The findings reveal that sustaining Takaful agents requires a multifaceted approach that includes continuous human capital development, a balanced system of intrinsic and extrinsic motivators, and the psychological resilience needed to manage workplace stress. Islamic Work Ethics, particularly honesty, accountability, social responsibility, and ethical commitment, emerge as essential pillars of long-term professional sustainability. Grounded in Human Capital Theory and Self-Determination Theory, this study contributes theoretical refinement and offers practical insights for agency managers, training academies, and policymakers seeking to strengthen workforce stability and retention in the Islamic insurance sector
Manuscript Preparation and Format for Borneo International Journal of Medicine and Health (BIJMH) – Case Report
No full textMicropile Design Parameter Validation in Tropical Karst: A Case Study
No full textMicropiles are widely used in karstic limestone formations due to their ability to penetrate heterogeneous ground and provide reliable foundation support. However, uncertainties in design parameters for tropical karst environments, such as those in the Bau region of Kuching, Sarawak, remain underexplored. This study addresses the gap by validating micropile design assumptions against field performance through a case study of three micropiles installed in karst limestone. The research combines geotechnical site investigations, uniaxial compressive strength tests on rock cores, high-strain dynamic load tests using Pile Driving Analyzer (PDA), static maintained load tests up to 1300 kN, and load-transfer simulations. Results show that unconfined compressive strengths vary erratically with depth (mean 34-46 MPa), reflecting karst heterogeneity. Static tests indicate settlements of about 9.5 mm at 1300 kN, with extrapolated ultimate capacities ranging from 2390 kN to 4686 kN using Chin's method, far exceeding the design value of 1300 kN. PDA estimates (1429-1724 kN) confirm capacities above design, while simulations reveal contributions from soil shaft friction (182-226 kN) and end bearing (63-179 kN), ignored in conservative design. Rock socket friction mobilized lower than expected (140-165 kPa), likely due to epikarst weathering, construction factors, and limited test mobilization. The findings validate conservative design practices but highlight load-sharing mechanisms in karst, including non-negligible soil and base resistance. This study recommends combining dynamic and static tests with simulations for optimized designs, filling local and global knowledge gaps in micropile performance
Transforming chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) infusion into a fermented beverage using sucrose and probiotic lactic acid bacteria
No full textAromatic and medicinal herbs have long been used worldwide as remedies
for a variety of ailments. Among these, chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) is
recognized for its analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant and
antiseptic properties and is commonly consumed as an herbal infusion. Lactic acid
fermentation with probiotic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) offers a practical approach
to developing functional beverages with improved sensory and physicochemical
properties. In this study, we aimed to evaluate whether chamomile infusion,
supplemented with sucrose, could serve as a suitable substrate for fermentation by
two well-established probiotic strains: Lacticaseibacillus casei Shirota (DN-114 001)
and Limosilactobacillus johnsonii NCC533. We focused on fermentation performance
(growth kinetics, acidity, polyphenol content and viable counts) and product stability
rather than the detailed nutritional or probiotic metabolite profiles of the strains.
Beverages were prepared with 10% and 15% (w/v) sucrose syrups and fermented
for 24 h. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences (p<0.05) between
treatments in viable counts (CFU/mL), growth rate (µ), and acidity percentage, with
the 10% treatment selected based on sensory evaluation. The viable count averaged
7.43±0.11 log CFU/mL, meeting probiotic criteria (>6 log CFU/mL). The average
growth rate was 0.18±0.006, pH 4.18±0.042, and acidity 0.285±0.0025%. Sanitary
quality was acceptable, with no fungi, yeasts, or coliforms detected. Fermentation
also significantly increased the total phenolic content. After four weeks at 4 °C,
beverages remained viable, with counts between 6.0 and 6.15 log CFU/mL. These
results demonstrate the feasibility of producing a refreshing probiotic beverage
based on chamomile infusion, with potential as both a functional and shelf-stable
product