2828 research outputs found
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Protecting Smart Homes: A study on AI approaches to Detect Malwares and Developing a Two Factor Authentication System Based on SRAM PUF For Smart Home Users in UAE
No full textThe UAE vision towards sustainability is increasingly promoting the adoption of smart home technology for its residents and is expected to grow over 10% on a yearly basis until 2029, while smart technology offers convenience and efficiency to smart home inhabitants. However, at the same time smart home users are vulnerable to cyber incidents if these devices are not secured against the cyber-attacks. Due to the rapid adoption of smart technologies in smart homes, the Open Web Application Security Project has identified weak or easily guessable passwords as a significant vulnerability in IoT devices, based on real-world incidents. The current research seizes this research gap as an opportunity to address unauthorized access threats in smart homes by proposing a dual approach: one component emphasizes malware detection via machine learning, while the other incorporates a two-factor authentication system which integrates a hardware-based security feature, the static random-access memory (SRAM) Physical Unclonable Function (PUF), with a user-created password, providing enhanced protection against unauthorized access. Numerous existing methods, such as multi-factor authentication, frequently proved inadequate in practical scenarios, failing to resolve problems like weak passwords and insecure connections. The current research consists of two phases. During Phase 1, the current research employs DC and Random Forest models to detect malware in network traffic, with an exceptional accuracy of 99.99% and an AUC-ROC score above 0.9999. Whereas in Phase 2, the SRAM PUF was implemented and validated in controlled laboratory settings. The experimental findings of the current research report successfully mitigation of unauthorized access through internal and external networks thus enhancing the user’s security in smart homes environment. Although the proposed approaches in current research, i.e., Machine Learning and SRAM PUF function independently, machine learning concentrates on malware detection, while SRAM PUF guarantees device authenticity, they together mitigate any un-authorized access. The findings of the current research were analyzed in a controlled environment to comply with ethical considerations and results were validated using thematic analysis. Thus, enhancing the security of smart home users
Analysing the State of Inclusive Education in China: Challenges and Perspectives
No full textThe global focus on inclusive education has intensified, with countries working to ensure equal school access for all, including those with disabilities. China has made significant legislative advancements to support inclusive education in line with international standards. However, challenges remain in implementing inclusive practices and delivering quality education to children with special needs. This study analyses China’s inclusive education system, examining its policy framework, social and cultural context, historical evolution, and implementation challenges. It highlights the need for comprehensive reforms to address gaps and foster true inclusion. Key recommendations include ongoing monitoring, clear policy directives, increased family involvement, and enhanced teacher training. The study calls for a holistic approach to ensure social inclusion and equity, aiming to build a more inclusive society for individuals with disabilities in China
Effect of Teachers’ Attitude Towards Students with Dyslexia Learning in Public and Private Secondary Schools in Benin City
No full textThis study investigated the effect of teachers’ attitudes on the learning of students with dyslexia in public and private secondary schools in Benin City, Edo State. A descriptive survey research design was adopted, involving 120 teachers (60 from public schools and 60 from private schools) selected through stratified random sampling. Data were collected using the Teachers’ Attitude and Dyslexia Questionnaire (TADQ) with a reliability coefficient of .82. Descriptive statistics, independent samples t-test, and linear regression were employed for data analysis. Findings revealed that teachers’ overall attitudes toward students with dyslexia were moderate (M = 3.12, SD = 0.54), with private school teachers exhibiting more positive attitudes (M = 3.34, SD = 0.48) compared to public school teachers (M = 2.90, SD = 0.59). The independent t-test showed a significant difference between the two groups, t(118) = 4.21, p < .01. Regression analysis further indicated that teachers’ attitudes significantly predicted students’ learning outcomes, F(1, 118) = 32.13, p < .001, accounting for 21% of the variance (β = .46, p < .001). The study concludes that teachers’ attitudes substantially influence the learning experiences of dyslexic students, with systemic disparities between public and private schools shaping these perceptions. It is recommended that regular teacher training, policy interventions, resource provision, and awareness campaigns be prioritized to promote inclusive education and reduce stigma surrounding dyslexia in Nigeria
Energy Efficiency Based on Passive Design Solutions in UAE
No full textEnergy consumption in the building sector accounts for over 30% of global final energy consumption. This figure is much higher in developed countries like the UAE, where energy consumption by the built sector can reach up to 80%. Thus, developing appropriate future energy and climate change strategies requires alternative methods for the reduction of energy consumption in buildings. Passive design techniques, such as shading devices and courtyards, are used in sustainable architecture to create structures that harness sunlight and wind for lighting and ventilation while keeping away heat gain and glare. This research aims to investigate and create a comparison between the effects of two passive design solutions on a villa housing project in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, through the use of Revit software. The study concluded that courtyards significantly outperformed shading devices in reducing energy costs, providing a greater overall impact on energy consumption. In this research, a comparative study was done between three building types in the same area: a villa without any passive design solution, a villa with the introduction of shading devices, and a villa with a courtyard. The research shows that courtyards, by enhancing natural ventilation and air circulation, lowered HVAC costs to approximately 14.69 AED/m2 per year, compared to 33.06 AED/m2 per year for louvers. While louvers improved lighting efficiency and reduced lighting needs, they led to slightly higher costs for window shades. Overall, courtyards achieved a cost reduction of 24.24 AED/m2 per year versus 6.61 AED/m2 per year for shading devices, emphasizing the importance of integrating passive design strategies for sustainable building practices and climate change mitigation
Exporting Roadblocks: Understanding why SMEs in Pakistan are Unable to Compete in Global Markets
No full textThe research examines the export obstacles that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) encounter in Pakistan. While this sector remains essential for economic growth, Pakistani SMEs continue to have a limited presence in international markets. The study investigates external institutional barriers such as ineffective regulations, unstable currency, and inadequate infrastructure in terms of the Resource-Based View (RBV) and Institutional Theory, while analysing their impact on internal issues including export expertise limitations, financial constraints, and outdated technology usage. The introduction of various legislative initiatives has not resolved the ongoing difficulties that prevent Pakistani small and medium-sized businesses from successful global trade participation. The research employs eight semi-structured interviews to develop context-specific knowledge about these challenges through qualitative methodology. The research shows that weak institutional environments directly lead to internal resource deficiencies which prevent export preparation. The research delivers targeted recommendations to help Pakistani SMEs engage internationally, while providing practical insights that benefit both business operations and export-driven policy development.N/
Upgrading and Contextualising the Higher Educational Curriculum to Optimise Learning: An Exploratory Study of Mass Media Courses in A Selected Higher Educational Institution in the UAE
No full textCurriculum standardisation, involving the adoption of similar curricula across universities in different countries, is a major debate for nations. The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of upgrading and contextualising higher educational curricula in optimising learning in mass media courses in the UAE. A mixed-method study was conducted involving students' surveys, students' focus groups, and instructors' interviews as the main data collection methods. The sample size used was 259 students in the survey, 5 focus groups with 10 students in each group, and 10 interviews with instructors. The survey data were analysed through cross-tabulation and descriptive studies. The data from the interviews and focus groups were evaluated using the coding and thematic analysis approach. The qualitative data obtained from the focus groups were then compared with the qualitative data gathered from the instructors' interviews through triangulation to identify differences and similarities. The key findings from the study indicate that the UAE media curriculum faces contextualisation and optimisation challenges that may affect its applicability in the market. Students indicated they were learning about their own UAE media in the courses, and were generally satisfied with what they were taught. However, the teachers reported a need to retrain and update the curriculum continuously to enhance its relevance since curriculum modifications are scheduled so far apart that they are not sufficient to accommodate the fast technological changes in the industry. The study offers recommendations for policymakers and stakeholders to optimise learning through curriculum improvement and contextualisation.Non
تأثير نماذج التعليم ثنائي اللغة على الكفاءة اللغوية في مرحلة تعليم الطفولة المبكرة: دراسة مقارنة
No full textThis study explores how dual, separate, and parallel language immersion bilingual models affect language proficiency and learning in early childhood education. Carried out in two nurseries and one school in the UAE, the study compares instructional strategies, student engagement, and language development outcomes between the three concerned models. Data collection included classroom observations and interviews conducted with educators, focusing on key variables, such as teaching strategies, student engagement, comprehension, instructional effectiveness, and bilingual model-specific features. Findings reveal that the Separate Language Instruction model (Nursery A) was effective in fostering strong proficiency in the first language but limited second-language acquisition due to insufficient exposure. The Dual-Language Immersion model (Nursery B) promoted bilingual learning through structured transitions in the same classroom, though the initial confusion with language switching presented a challenge. The Parallel Language Immersion model (School C) offered the most balanced bilingual instruction and ensured reinforced exposure to both languages through well-structured lesson alignment and teacher collaboration.
Keywords: Bilingual Education, Early Childhood Education, Language Immersion, Dual-Language Learning, Parallel Immersion, Separate Language Instruction
Illegal Constitution of the Arbitral Tribunal as a Ground for Nullifying Arbitral Awards under the UAE Arbitration Law
No full textThis dissertation interrogates the “illegal constitution” of the arbitral tribunal as a self-standing ground for nullification under Article 53 of the UAE Arbitration Law (Federal Law No. 6 of 2018). Framed within the statute’s exhaustive nullification regime and the UAE’s adoption of the UNCITRAL Model Law framework and New York Convention standards, the study isolates Article 53(1)(f), conflict with the parties’ agreement or the governing arbitration law in constituting the tribunal, as the primary legal foundation for assessing the validity of arbitral awards. The study primarily employs a doctrinal methodology, complemented by a targeted comparative analysis of Model Law jurisdictions and international case law pursuant to the New York Convention. It looks at the laws that govern the appointment, qualifications, independence, disclosure, and number of arbitrators, as well as the rules for challenging and replacing them. The analysis subsequently examines the application of these rules by UAE courts in annulment and enforcement proceedings, encompassing both institutional and ad hoc arbitrations. The main point is that tribunal constitution defects are seen as structural. If the appointment process breaks mandatory rules or agreed-upon procedures that the law protects, the defect nullifies the award without any review of the merits. At the same time, the case law shows how to keep things from being too broad: allowing people to waive their right to object if they do so too late, allowing people to separate parts of a decision that are tainted, and using the public policy exception in a way that doesn't turn minor formalities into nullity triggers. The analysis demonstrates that illegality in the constitution is not merely a procedural anomaly; it affects due process (procedural equality and the right to be heard), party autonomy (the principle that agreements on appointments and institutional rules must be honoured), and the international enforceability of awards.
Keywords: Arbitration; UAE Arbitration Law; Arbitral Award; Article 53(1)(f); tribunal constitution; annulment; arbitrator appointment; UNCITRAL Model Law; New York Convention
The Role of School Leadership in Enhancing Teacher Well-being and Its Impact on Classroom Climate: A Case Study in a Private School in Dubai
No full textThis study was designed to explore how school leadership influences teacher well-being and classroom climate in a private school in Dubai. Employing an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design, the research began with a teacher survey followed by interviews with school leaders. Findings revealed that emotionally intelligent leadership, characterised by trust, recognition, and flexibility in workload management, positively impacts teacher well-being. However, barriers such as inconsistency in implementation and lack of institutional support were also noted. The results also show a strong connection between teacher well-being and classroom climate, as teachers who felt supported reported higher professional engagement and emotional responsiveness, contributing to a more positive learning environment. This study is grounded in Transformational Leadership Theory and the Job Demands-Resources Model, and it contributes to the limited body of research on leadership strategies and teacher well-being in Dubai’s private school sector. Given its complex context, marked by curriculum diversity, inspection demands, and multicultural staffing, the study offers insights to inform leadership practices across the UAE. It advocates embedding emotional support into leadership routines, empowering teachers in decision-making, and protecting time for planning and reflection. Emotionally supportive and structurally responsive leadership is essential to sustaining teacher well-being in high-demand settings.
Keywords: teacher well-being, school leadership, classroom climat