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Ethnographic lens: Understanding managerial and operational level perspectives on ESP teachers roles
Get PDFThis study investigates the managerial level (the deans of the faculties and the director of ESP) perspectives and ESP teachers’ perspectives (operational level) on how they assume their roles in teaching ESP. This study used an ethnographic approach. The phenomena of an ethnography are commonly examined from a collective perspective. This suggests analyzing the culture under investigation from an insider's viewpoint by emphasizing the significance that the members of that society attribute to it. The findings show that sociocultural factors are assumed to influence the deans’ expectations of what teachers must do in comparison to what teachers themselves should be doing. ESP teachers at the operational level assume their roles in teaching and learning ESP as motivation builders, classroom controllers, teaching strategy innovators and lifelong learners. Meanwhile, the deans of the faculty’s (managerial level) expectations of ESP teacher roles entail a material developer, a curriculum contributor, a language trainer, a student mental safeguarding, a collaborator and a program evaluator. While deans and teachers share a common goal of educating students, their roles, responsibilities and perspectives differ significantly leading to different expectations. Both cohorts namely managerial level and ESP teachers should intensively discuss to obtain a satisfactory agreement in executing roles and responsibilities. Besides, when designing professional development, it is suggested to focus on two areas: enhancing and sustaining instructors' English proficiency and expanding language teaching knowledge and skills
The deterioration of current account balance in selected countries of MENA: Causes of concern
Get PDFThe purpose of this paper is to analyze the macroeconomic factors that influence the current account balance deterioration in the selected Middle East and North Africa MENA countries (Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Syria, Palestine, and Lebanon). Data from six MENA countries were analyzed using a panel-static approach. This study employs the Breusch-Pagan Lagrangian multiplier test, the pooled ordinary least squares model (OLS), and the random effect model (REM). The findings reveal that exchange rate (ER), interest rate (IR), and term of trade (ToT) are the main factors that influence the deterioration of the current account balance. The money supply (MS) and oil prices (OP) had negligible correlations with the current account balance. The study's findings suggest significant practical implications for policymakers and regulators in MENA countries. Given the significant influence of exchange rate (ER), interest rate (IR), and term of trade (ToT) on the current account balance, we recommend that the authorities in MENA countries implement policy reforms and macroeconomic adjustments to mitigate the current account balance deterioration. A deterioration in the current account balance began in 2018, sparking concerns in most MENA countries. The problem in the current account has led to various disadvantages in MENA countries, which will harm the economic health of the countries
Not all investors are the same: Evidence from investor holdings of local-currency debt in Indonesia
Get PDFThis paper examines the global and domestic factors driving different investor holdings of local currency (LC) sovereign debt in Indonesia. Using an autoregressive distributed lag co-integration approach, using monthly data for Indonesia over 2002M12-2022M12, we find that non-resident holdings of LC debt in Indonesia are mostly driven by global factors such as commodity prices and volatility in global bond markets, while domestic investors (such as domestic banks and institutional investors) are mostly driven by higher debt security issuances and Bank of Indonesia (BI) acts as a residual financier under adverse conditions. We also find evidence that foreign investors follow the "benchmark effect" and are attracted by higher domestic yields. Results are mostly robust to different specifications. These results call for a further deepening of the investor base, especially domestic nonbanks, to support market depth and reduce volatility
Exchange rate innovation, global pandemic and stock market returns: Empirical evidence from ECOWAS countries
Get PDFThis study used the panel VAR impulse response function model and high-frequency monthly data from 2020M1 to 2021M12 to examine the response of innovations in the exchange rate and stock market returns to the COVID-19 pandemic in Economic Communities of West African States (ECOWAS). The study found that the effect of shocks of COVID-19 today on future exchange rate innovation worsens the real conditions of exchange rate innovation in ECOWAS countries. Again, the impact of the shocks of COVID-19 today on future stock market returns encourages the real conditions of stock market returns in ECOWAS countries. It was recommended that instead of lockdown, ECOWAS governments should explore other policy options peculiar to the region in COVID-19 containment and also strive harder to deepen the stock market and encourage increased utilization of information and communication technology in stock market trading to cut costs, raise returns and connect trade with the rest of the world’s stock markets
Research on the effect of digital economy on new agricultural productivity
Get PDFThis article comprehensively explores the impact of the digital economy on the new quality of agricultural productivity. Leveraging the panel data of 31 provincial-level regions in China from 2011 to 2022, a series of advanced econometric models, such as bidirectional fixed-effect, intermediary effect, threshold effect, and spatial Durbin models, are established for in-depth empirical analysis. The results are multi-faceted. Firstly, the digital economy significantly elevates the new quality of agricultural productivity, yet with temporal and regional variances. Secondly, it acts as a catalyst for productivity growth by augmenting government revenue, spurring technological innovation, and enriching human capital. Thirdly, rural education, the urban-rural information chasm, and information infrastructure construction exert distinctive threshold effects on this promotional process. Notably, a significant spatial spillover effect exists. Consequently, based on these findings, suggestions for bolstering the new quality agricultural productivity are proffered from four perspectives: government governance, policy formulation, digital infrastructure construction, and human capital enhancement
Evaluation of physico-chemical properties of unripe plantain peels as affected by different drying temperature regimes
Get PDFThis study is aimed at evaluating the physico-chemical properties of unripe plantain peel, as affected by different drying temperature regimes. The plantain peels were subjected to different drying temperatures of 60, 75, 90 and 105 oC for 12 hours, using a laboratory Oven to produce flour samples. Standard analytical methods were used in evaluating the flour sample parameters. Results of the physico-chemical analysis of the flour samples showed that samples dried at 60, 75, 90 and 105 oC had moisture contents of 2.67, 2.00, 1.38 and 0.66%, respectively; ash contents of 15.83, 15.35, 15.08 and 14.97%, respectively; fibre contents of 12.84, 13.34, 13.68 and 14.10%, respectively; protein contents of 9.80, 8.40, 7.35 and 7.00%, respectively; lipid contents of 77.43, 7.55, 7.80 and 7.94%, respectively; carbohydrate contents of 54.09, 55.02, 56.32 and 56.43%, respectively; caloric values of 321.47, 322.63, 324.32 and 325.74 kcal, respectively. There was a significant difference (p < 0.05) in moisture, ash, fibre, protein, lipid and carbohydrate contents, as well as the caloric value of the unripe plantain peel flour samples. The different drying temperature regimes had significant effect on the physico-chemical properties of the unripe plantain peel. Moisture, ash, fibre and protein contents decreased with corresponding increase in drying temperature, while lipid content, carbohydrate content and caloric value increased with increase in drying temperature
Effect of salt stress on the growth and development of six species of turf grasses in the eastern region of Morocco
Get PDFThe turfgrass plays a crucial role in landscaped ecosystems, including sports fields, golf courses, residential lawns, and parks. However, various turfgrass species face diverse abiotic stresses, including salinity as irrigation with fresh water becomes unavailable. These challenging environmental conditions can result in growth inhibition, damage to cellular structure, and metabolic disturbances. Therefore, the use of salt-tolerant turfgrass species or varieties proves to be one of the most effective methods to mitigate salinity issues. With this aim, a greenhouse experiment was conducted at the experimental station of the Faculty of Sciences in Oujda. The objective was to investigate the impact of saline stress on the morphological and physiological behavior of six grass species widely used in green spaces in Morocco, particularly in the eastern region irrigated with 3 concentrations of saline water. The results revealed that the species A. stolonifera, F. arundinacea, and C. dactylon exhibited some tolerance to salinity, especially at a dose of 3 g/l of NaCl, while the species L. perenne was found to be the most sensitive to saline stress, regardless of the applied dose. Concentrations of 6 g/l and 9 g/l of NaCl led to the decline of all studied species six months after application
Bio-geotextiles based acrylonitrile and their evaluation on radish plants (Raphanus sativus)
Get PDFIn this study, two innovative biopolymers (BioP) were investigated for bio-geotextile (BioG) fabrication: an acrylonitrile-2-hidroxyethyl methacrylate-starch terpolymer (ST-AN), and a composite of acrylonitrile-vinyl acetate-chitosan terpolymer (CS-AN) blended with acrylonitrile-methyl acrylate (AN-MA) copolymer. Using wet-spinning technique, bio-fiber (BioF) were produced, characterized and utilized in to construct BioG. BioF based on ST-AN and CS-AN exhibited linear densities of 10.7 and 19.8 denier, bulk densities of 1.21 and 1.16 g/cm³, tensile strengths of 74.7 MPa and 28.5 MPa, elongation of 10.7% and 11.2%, and moisture retention capacities of 88% and 65%, respectively. The BioG made with ST-AN improved soil moisture retention by up to 130%. Radish plants biometric measurement in pots with BioG revealed improvements in growth parameters: leaf length increased by 87%, leaf width by 45%, and stem thickness by 142% compared to controls. These findings highlight the potential of bio-based materials to advance sustainable engineering through innovative strategies in synthesis, processing, and application, offering a viable alternative for the partial or complete replacement of plastics associated with microplastic generation and persistent environmental pollution
Exploring high school students’ attitudes towards digital game-based learning: A perspective from Indonesia
Get PDFStudents’ attitudes towards Digital Game-Based Learning (DGBL) in developing countries such as Indonesia are rarely investigated despite the fact that digital games are being used in secondary education increasingly. This research aims to explore students’ attitudes towards DGBL in chemistry. We used a quantitative study method using a self-reported survey questionnaire. The study included 480 high school students (203 males and 277 females) from various public and private high schools in Indonesia. The present study employed a cross-sectional survey design to collect data in July and August 2023. The DGBL attitude scale was adapted to evaluate students’ attitudes. The questionnaire comprised 22 items assessing students’ attitudes towards digital game-based learning. The data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics as well as t-tests and a one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). As a result, students expressed a slightly positive attitude towards digital games in chemistry learning particularly for learning opportunities. The results also showed that there was a significant gap in students’ attitudes with regard to gender and the daily duration of smartphone use. However, there was no significant gap regarding students’ attitudes towards digital game-based learning. The findings provide valuable insights for game designers and teachers to design and implement educational games that meet student needs and expectations in order to improve learning outcomes. The results are also useful for educators and educational researchers on how demographic factors influence students’ DGBL attitudes in chemistry education in developing countries such as Indonesia
Subject-related communicative language competence: Exploring future information technology specialists' learning and teaching
Get PDFThe need for IT professionals with fluency in foreign languages becomes increasingly critical as the Kazakhstani government implements steps to foster IT innovation. However, there are structural, geographical and professional imbalances in the interaction of supply and demand for IT professionals who can speak a foreign language in the modern labour market which is the main problem that is currently hindering the growth of the IT sector in Kazakhstan. The aim of this study was to assess the development of subject communicative language competencies (a) in linguistic or grammatical ability and (b) in discourse ability in first-year students for the proposed author's innovative learning technique in the educational process as well as the appropriate technological and systematic procedures. A mixed-research method was used in this study. The study involved 365 learners in the "Informatics" direction at the International University of Information Technologies in Almaty, Kazakhstan during the school year 2021-2022. According to the findings, the experiment participants did not develop subject-related communicative language competencies. The results show that the degree of capability formation is not satisfactory. 52.8% is the basic level, 41.6% is the production point and only 5.8% is the high level. Positive dynamics shaping learners' subject-related language communication competencies were identified as a result of the implementation of innovative techniques. This paper contributes to the research on teaching IT students in developing countries and highlights the most important factors that contribute to improve the level of subject-related communicative language competencies of IT students