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Exploring COIL as an authentic learning pedagogy
No full textBackgroundCollaborative online international learning (COIL) has become popular within universities to internationalise the curriculum and enable students’ development as global citizens. It facilitates the coconstruction of disciplinary knowledge across cultures. This authentic learning experience is characterised by an authentic context, authentic tasks, access to experts and the incorporation of multiple roles and perspectives. By emphasising collaborative knowledge construction, reflection, articulation, coaching and scaffolding, COIL can potentially enhance engagement and improve educational outcomes, especially when designed to reflect the complex tasks performed by professionals in the field.
ObjectiveTo explore the learning experiences of undergraduate clinical technology students participating in a COIL project and to determine whether COIL could provide an authentic learning environment.
MethodsA qualitative approach, sampling 2nd-year clinical technology students (n=16) registered for a Research Methodology I module at a university of technology, was employed. After ethics approval was obtained, we conducted focus group discussions, lasting approximately 45 - 60 minutes, using a semi-structured interview guide. Data were examined using thematic analysis.
ResultsFive themes emerged: Participant experiences, communication, cultural perceptions, the development of graduate attributes and translating theory to practice. Despite the challenges, such as time zones, delays in peer responses and poor connectivity, students reported a positive experience. Language was a challenge, but they overcame this by adopting innovative digital tools. Students were exposed to the lifestyles of their Mexican peers, and work-balance strategies were shared. Being exposed to peers from a different lingua-culture, having the same demands and a common purpose was a catalyst for the exchange of cultural knowledge. This also created a platform for intercultural sensitivities. Students were able to work as a team, were motivated by their peers and adapted to the challenges. The theme translation of theory into practice enabled students to conceptualise theoretical content in a practical manner, which ultimately enhanced their learning.
ConclusionCOIL is a useful pedagogy to offer an authentic learning experience for research methods; it satisfies all nine constructs of authentic learning
A bibliometric analysis review: the emerging technology of artificial intelligence for non-bio inspired and bio-inspired algorithm of wireless sensor network from 2005–2022
No full textRapid developments in technology, business, and social norms have been observed in the twenty-first century. The fourth industrial revolution has been brought about by most industries moving toward automation and reducing human intervention. Wireless sensor networks are incredibly important to the fourth industrial revolution since they help with modernization. WSNs are networks of sensor and routing nodes that can be integrated into a variety of control systems, such as those used for home automation, electric-power automation, and environmental monitoring. A key problem that typically afflicts wireless sensor networks is node localization (WSNs). As a result, several algorithms, to ameliorate the challenges WSNs confront, both bio-inspired and non-bio-inspired solutions have been presented. From 2005 through 2022, the Scopus database was searched for publications. WSNs are used in published research paper statistical analysis, Microsoft Excel 365, VOSviewer, RStudio, and Biblioshiny packages were used. For this seventeen-year study period, a total of 36,377 published documents were in the Scopus database. 765 papers in all were examined following the implementation of the exclusion criteria. This study highlights the global research production of bio-inspired and non-bioinspired algorithms in wireless sensor networks, together with their status and tendencies. It can assist IoT and wireless sensor network researchers in gaining a thorough understanding of the most advanced algorithms in this are
Ethical investment and financial sustainability among resource extraction companies in South Africa : the moderating role of disclosure quality
No full textDissertation submitted in fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Master of Accounting, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2025.The objective of this study is to investigate the moderating role of disclosure quality in the
relationship between ethical investment strategies and financial sustainability among resource
extraction companies in South Africa. In recent years, ethical considerations have become
increasingly central to the investment landscape, as investors and stakeholders place greater
emphasis on aligning financial activities with broader societal values and sustainable development
goals. This has led to the emergence of ethical responsible investment, which seeks not only
financial returns but also positive environmental, social, and governance outcomes. While existing
literature has explored the broad association between ethical investment and financial
sustainability, the specific mechanisms through which disclosure quality moderates this
relationship remain underexplored. This study is relevant because historical inequalities,
regulatory changes, and evolving stakeholder expectations in South African have created a
complex environment for resource extraction companies. The country has been a global hub for
mineral resources, playing a pivotal role in the mining and extraction industries. This study used
ethical investment, disclosure quality, and financial sustainability performance data from 2013 to
2022. Ethical investment and disclosure quality data were collected from the integrated reports of
the firms and financial sustainability data was sourced from Bloomberg and McGregor BFA
databases. This study used a multiple regression estimating method based on the benefits from
panel data analysis. The system generalized method of moments; a dynamic estimating
methodology was used in the study to estimate the model's parameters. The findings showed that
institutional ownership, ownership type, research and development, profitability, size, age,
leverage, book to market ratio and liquidity influences the adoption of ethical investment. The
study further found that ethical investment has a positive relationship with profitability and firm
value. According to the finding, disclosure quality influences the relationship between ethical
investment and financial sustainability. The implication of this result is that transparency and
accountability in companies lead to decision-making certainties among investors which creates
lower perceived risks and higher expected returns, thus increasing stock prices. Therefore, ethical
investment disclosure can result in decreased information asymmetry and increased trust from
investors in ethically responsible companies. The study recommends that companies should
provide transparent and accurate information for stakeholders to gain trust, this will attract more
ethical investments, thus resulting in more financial sustainability. The study contributes to the
advancement of ethical investment research by establishing the connection between ethical
investment and financial sustainability with the disclosure quality as a moderator.
Experiences of nurses studying towards post-basic qualifications during COVID-19 in KwaZulu-Natal
No full textBackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic caused abrupt closure of schools including higher education institutions. The transition from in-person to virtual teaching platforms caused challenges for frontline nurses in post-basic programmes. Nurses were forced to divide their efforts between responding to the pandemic and their studies.AimThe study aims to describe the experiences of nurses studying post-basic qualifications during COVID-19 in KwaZulu-Natal.SettingThe setting comprised virtual platforms such as closed social media groups (nursing colleagues and South African Society of Occupational Health Nurses Facebook) and Microsoft Teams or WhatsApp calls.MethodsA qualitative descriptive design using individual virtual interviews with eight nurses working in healthcare settings while studying post-basic qualifications. The framework was Fullan's Change Theory in educational settings. Data were analysed using applied thematic analysis.ResultsFour themes were identified; transitioning from in-person to online teaching and learning, challenges in clinical placements, support to achieve educational goals, and unique aspects of studying and caring for infected patients and 10 sub-themes emerged.ConclusionParticipants found benefits of online learning despite challenges with the Internet network. There was a shortage of mentors, and personal protective equipment in clinical settings; however, participants were cognisant of the duty to care for infected patients notwithstanding personal risk of infection.ContributionNurses were at the frontline of the pandemic yet facing challenges in clinical facilities and their studies. The study could contribute to understanding participants' experiences, which might help with response planning in future pandemics
Spatial planning for electronic communication infrastructure in South African municipalities : a case of the eThekwini Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
No full textSubmitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of the Built Environment, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2024.The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4th IR) is marked by the convergence of digital,
biological, and physical technologies supported by Information and Communication
Technology (ICT). As societies increasingly rely on digital connectivity for economic
growth, social interaction, and technological advancement, robust spatial planning
frameworks to accommodate this infrastructure become paramount. Spatial planning for
electronic communication infrastructure, a component of ICT in the 4th IR, is essential
to shape a connected, resilient, and inclusive digital future. Despite the South African
regulatory framework’s recognition of ICT’s potential to address socio-economic issues,
electronic communication infrastructure delivery falls short due to financial constraints,
governance failures, and policy misalignment between the tiers of government.
This study focused on the eThekwini Municipality, South Africa's third-largest city, to
evaluate spatial planning and statutory processes’ responsiveness and effectiveness in
facilitating electronic communication infrastructure development. More specifically, it
examined the alignment of the municipality’s spatial plans, policies, and legislation with
the national regulatory framework and its goals for ICT development. The study
assessed the purpose and influence of statutory planning applications for infrastructure
development and drew lessons from international and local precedents to enhance
statutory procedures. By addressing these issues, it aimed to identify regulatory and
procedural shortfalls and provide recommendations to improve electronic
communication infrastructure development in the municipality. These include enhancing
alignment with regulatory frameworks originating from national government and
adaptive and flexible planning approaches to inform municipal planning and
development for ICT and electronic communication infrastructure.
Navigating trauma : analysing the lived experiences of journalists who suffered violence in the line of duty
No full textThrough the lens of the Coping Circumplex Model (CCM) and the phenomenological research approach, this study explores how Ghanaian journalists deal with trauma experienced in the line of duty. Participants reported experiencing a variety of traumas, including psychological, emotional, and physical. The data also revealed that the coping techniques adopted by participants fell within both the problem-coping and the emotion-coping dimensions. Some employed avoidance as an emotion-coping strategy and got triggered when they saw culprits, pointing to emotion-coping’s ineffectiveness in healing trauma. The trauma journalists experience also sometimes extends to the victims’ relations, calling for an exploration of coping strategies for victims of the cascading effects of trauma experienced by others in future studies
Flood risk management in urban settlements in the eThekwini area
No full textSubmitted in fulfilment of the requirement of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Management Sciences specializing in
Public Management (Disaster & Risk Management) at the Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2025.Floods have accounted for two-thirds of all natural hazards affecting millions of people
and resulting in damage amounting to billions of US dollars. Over the years, flood disasters
in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa have increased in severity, with eThekwini
municipality enduring the worst of most of the disasters. Floods in eThekwini (study area)
are very destructive, resulting in devastating and fatal consequences. Flood risk in the study
area was examined to identify the causes of vulnerability and the current flood risk
reduction practices employed by all stakeholders of disaster management, with a view to
developing an Integrated Flood Risk Management (IFRM) Framework that may be
employed to improve and enhance flood risk management effectiveness and disaster
management practices. To achieve this, the research adopted a mixed research approach,
in a case study of four strategically located cities, representing the entire eThekwini
Municipal Area. Questionnaires and semi-structured interviews were used to collect
information from purposively sampled community members and key role-players of
disaster management, respectively, in addition to a historical literature review of secondary
data within the period under review, to develop an IFRM framework. Development of the
framework is based on the principle of integrating flood risk and stormwater management,
building disaster resilience through Community-Based Disaster Risk Management
(CBDRM), aimed at reducing vulnerability and increasing coping strategies, along with
good practices and policies in disaster management.
A major problem the municipality faces regarding flood risk was identified and verified as
the habitation of people on “at-risk” land. Relocation policies have proved very expensive,
extremely slow and mostly unachievable. The research further identified a yearly pattern
of flood disasters resulting in the loss of property and life, attributed to weak flood disaster
response plans. It was also uncovered that vulnerability of community members was due
to the lack of adequate capacity to manage the flood disasters, as well as the absence of
clear strategies in place to reduce vulnerability, and weak implementation strategies to
integrate all stakeholders of disaster risk management. In such cases, the most appropriate strategy to reduce vulnerability would be through flood disaster preparedness and efficient
emergency flood response.
The IFRM model, therefore, instigates risk reduction through appropriate flood disaster
response plans, supported by reliable and accurate flood forecasts, advocating for the
application of a risk management approach. This provides measures for preventing a hazard
from becoming a disaster, where the major focus is to reduce vulnerability. Effective
implementation of the IFRM components requires an enabling environment in terms of
policy and practice, including clear roles, functions and effective regulation and
enforcement. The nature of flood disaster in the eThekwini municipality creates a situation
that needs immediate action to fulfil the aspirations of people in the municipality. Thus,
political commitment to principles and practice is critical.
The framework for integrated risk management in flood disasters offers a guideline for the
holistic management of floods through inclusion of all stakeholders viz-a-vis the
government, the actors of disaster management and the general public. It also emphasises
the interconnectedness between the three components: flood disaster management, disaster
resilience and disaster management good practices and policies.
Optimal placement of large-scale electric vehicle and distributed generation in power system to enhance power quality
No full textThesis submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Engineering: Electrical Power Engineering, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2024.The widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable distributed generators
(REDGs), including photovoltaic (PV) systems and wind turbine generators, has garnered
significant attention in global power systems. These energy sources are recognized as
environmentally friendly. However, substantial integration of EVs and REDGs can lead to
voltage fluctuations that exceed acceptable limits and result in reverse power flows at
interconnection points within the power grid. Such excessive voltage variations can adversely
affect consumer electric loads, while reverse power flows can disrupt the overall power
transmission system. Consequently, the extensive integration of EVs and REDGs poses
challenges for both consumers and power utilities. To address these issues, previous studies
have suggested reactive power control strategies, such as employing power electronic
converters linked to distributed generations (DGs) to mitigate voltage deviations. This research
proposes a method for the optimal integration of EVs through bidirectional charging and
REDGs within power systems, aiming to effectively manage voltage, active power, and
reactive power flows at interconnection points. Additionally, it involves identifying suitable
locations and sizes for electric vehicle charging stations and calculating associated system
costs. The control objectives are framed as an optimization problem, which is addressed using
a hybrid genetic algorithm combined with an improved particle swarm optimization algorithm
(HGAIPSO).
The research was structured into three distinct sections, with the efficacy of the proposed
methodology illustrated through numerical simulations conducted in MATLAB. The initial
section focused on identifying the optimal location for the charging station and the appropriate
number of electric vehicles (EVs) per charging station within the power system, utilizing the
GA, PSO, IPSO, and HGAIPSO algorithms. This analysis was performed on an IEEE-30 bus
system. The simulation outcomes from this initial case revealed that the strategic placement
and coordination of EV charging stations, as facilitated by the HGAIPSO algorithm, led to a
reduction in power losses, an enhancement of voltage profiles, and an overall improvement in
power quality. Specifically, the results indicated a decrease in real power loss of 40.70%,
36.24%, and 42.94% for types 1, 2, and 3 of EV allocation, respectively, while the voltage
profile at the buses improved to approximately 1.01 pu. The second section involved the allocation of EVs to function as loads in a grid-to-vehicle
(G2V) system and as generators in a vehicle-to-grid (V2G) system, in conjunction with
renewable energy distributed generators (REDGs). This was tested on a more advanced
distribution network, specifically the IEEE-118 bus test system, employing the HGAIPSO
algorithm. The simulation results indicated that the proposed HGAIPSO method significantly
improves power quality and reduces the overall installation costs when compared to the
baseline scenario.
The final section provided a comparative analysis regarding computation time and iterations
between the proposed HGAIPSO and various other optimization techniques, including GA,
PSO, and IPSO. This analysis was conducted on the IEEE-118 bus system with the allocation
of V2G, G2V, and REDGs. The simulation results demonstrated that the proposed HGAIPSO
method is faster and more effective in terms of computation time for complex networks,
achieving optimal solutions more efficiently
Consumer rights awareness among residents from low socio-economic areas in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
No full textSubmitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Business Administration, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2025.The research examined consumer rights awareness among residents off low socio-economic
areas in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. The budgets allocated to research on consumer protection
in South Africa remain low compared to the sizes of the industries. There is a lack of technical
knowledge within consumer protection authorities about the industries they oversee.
Bureaucracy within these bodies often hinders the enforcement of consumer laws, and
political interference can render these laws ineffective. Additionally, large businesses in South
Africa frequently have the financial power to lobby against consumer protection efforts.
Therefore, it is essential to understand legislative consumerism in South Africa, using Durban,
KwaZulu-Natal consumers as a case study. This will help to understand the awareness of
rights among consumers from lower socio-economic areas. This study aims to investigate
consumer rights awareness among residents from low socio-economic areas in Durban,
KwaZulu-Natal. The phenomenological research paradigm was used in this study to explore
and understand the lived experiences of consumers in low socio-economic status areas
regarding their awareness and exercise of consumer rights. To meet this study's objectives,
a qualitative research method was employed. This was deemed necessary as it provides
more detailed personal data or opinions that can be obtained by observing participants or
talking to them in person. A non-probability purposive sampling strategy enabled the
researcher to select 20 people from a low socio-economic area in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal,
for this study's purpose. The qualitative method used in this study required thematic analysis
to evaluate the data. Open-ended questions of a similar nature were grouped together to form
themes that describe consumer behaviour towards consumerism and rights in South Africa.
The study found that while some residents have a basic understanding of consumer rights,
the majority remain unaware, highlighting the need for comprehensive education and
awareness campaigns to empower consumers in asserting their rights effectively. The study
highlights the need for a more comprehensive education and awareness campaign to
empower consumers to assert their rights more effectively. The study further found that
although there is a basic understanding of consumer rights by some residents in low socioeconomic communities however, the majority are still not aware of their rights as consumers.
Consumer rights awareness in low socio-economic communities can only be increased by
applying a comprehensive and multifaceted strategy. By implementing strategies that include
education, technology integration, community involvement, and collaboration among
stakeholders. This will enable consumers to assert their rights effectively and contribute to the socio-economic development of their communities.
Mitigating structural violence against women leaders within political parties in Nairobi
No full textA thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the award of Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Public Management: Peace Studies at the Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2025.Political institutions in Kenya have long been criticised for insufficient efforts to
promote gender equity and enhance women's participation. Notably, patriarchy
continues to dominate decision-making processes, directly impacting women's
potential. This thesis focused on structural violence against women leaders within
Nairobi's main political parties, examining the concept of structural violence in the
political institutions. While direct violence, such as electoral intimidation and physical
attacks, has drawn attention, this study focuses on structural violence: the systemic
and institutional barriers that impair women’s political participation. These include
exclusion from political networks; male-dominated party hierarchies; financial barriers;
and the lack of internal policies addressing gender-based inequities. Unlike direct
violence, structural violence is often invisible but deeply embedded in party practices
and norms. The study explored through action research how harm, caused by these
institutions or social structures, can be mitigated. The study aimed to understand and
address structural violence against women leaders in political parties by engaging both
women and men, with the aim of exploring the basis, nature, and extent of this
violence. This thesis employed a mixed-method, explanatory sequential action
research design, incorporating quantitative, qualitative, and applied intervention
approaches. Findings examined the characteristics, prevalence, origins, and impacts
of structural violence against women leaders in Nairobi County's major political parties.
An evaluation of the effectiveness of past and current efforts to address this issue
within Kenya's major political parties followed. The study engaged 88 participants
quantitatively and 15 qualitatively. This study identified extensive structural violence
against women in Kenyan political leadership, including exclusion from political
networks, male dominance in parties and institutions, and electoral violence against
female candidates. It also highlighted financial constraints on female candidates,
contributing to disparities in political power and representation. The final objective
involved implementing and assessing short-term outcomes of interventions using
participatory action research (PAR) in collaboration with stakeholders. The study
identified that there are no policies or interventions within political parties or broader
structures to address the ongoing psychological and physical violence and structural
obstacles faced by women. The findings reveal persistent systemic barriers to gender
equity in Kenya’s political institutions.