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Analysing the Impact of Education Policies and Their Implementation on the School Education System in Punjab, Pakistan
Full text linkIn Punjab, Pakistan, a province whose educational outcomes are pivotal to national development, the school system continues to struggle with significant challenges in access, quality, and equity. Despite a long history of ambitious education policies, a persistent and critical gap exists between policy intentions and their practical implementation, leaving many students without quality learning opportunities and teachers without adequate support. This narrative review analyzes the landscape of education policy and reform since 2001, synthesizing a wide body of evidence from policy documents, peer-reviewed academic research, and government reports to diagnose the root causes of this systemic implementation failure. The findings reveal several interconnected bottlenecks that consistently stall improvement. Chronic policy inconsistency, driven by volatile political cycles, prevents long-term strategies from taking root. Weak monitoring and evaluation systems render it nearly impossible to track progress or make evidence-based adjustments, while deep-seated urban-rural disparities in funding and resources perpetuate cycles of inequality. These issues are compounded by systemic corruption and administrative inefficiency that divert critical funds and erode public trust. Crucially, the review highlights a pervasive lack of meaningful stakeholder engagement in the policy process, which undermines local ownership and the sustainability of reforms. The paper argues that breaking this cycle requires a fundamental shift away from top-down reforms towards more adaptive and participatory strategies. This involves a concerted effort to strengthen policy coherence, invest in teacher capacity through continuous professional development, leverage technology for transparency, and empower communities through participatory monitoring to finally bridge the policy-practice gap.
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Full text linkSkill-based education is a key driver of economic development and empowerment in developing countries like Pakistan. This study examines crucial determinants enabling the practical application of skill-based educational programs in Pakistani schools from the perspective of 384 students, purposively sampled across diverse geographic, institutional, and socioeconomic backgrounds to capture comprehensive insights. Quantitative research was conducted via structured surveys, with data analyzed through weighted scores, mean values, and standard deviations. Three analytical tables reveal critical patterns: (1) demographic distributions showing urban dominance and public-private imbalances, (2) strong correlations between institutional planning and employment outcomes, and (3) significant performance gaps between school types in resource allocation and industry linkages. Organizational, administrative, and community-based factors were prioritized, with strategic planning, student counselling, and local job opportunities emerging as most impactful.
The study proposes the "Motivation-Opportunity-Structure (MOS)" model, which aligns institutional frameworks with labor market needs through three pillars: motivated administration, community-created opportunities, and robust structural support. By addressing prior gaps through student-centered analysis, this research provides actionable strategies for policymakers, emphasizing equitable funding, teacher training, and public-private collaboration. The inclusion of comparative and correlational data tables strengthens evidence-based recommendations for systemic reform. Future research should employ longitudinal methods to assess the MOS model\u27s long-term effectiveness in reducing skill gaps and unemployment.
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Human Nature and Divine Purpose: Contrasting Ontologies in Islamic and Western Philosophy
Full text linkThis paper provides a comparative analysis of Islamic and Western philosophies, exploring their perspectives on human nature, the universe, society, and the relationship between the individual and society. Islamic philosophy, rooted in the Quran and influenced by Greek, Persian, and Indian traditions, integrates theological and metaphysical thought, emphasizing divine purpose and moral responsibility. In contrast, Western philosophy, evolving from ancient Greek rationalism to modern existentialism, adopts diverse epistemological and ethical paradigms, often prioritizing empirical inquiry and human autonomy. Using a qualitative approach, this study examines key philosophical frameworks, drawing insights from influential scholars such as Al-Farabi, Ibn Sina, Al-Ghazali, Plato, Aristotle, Kant, and Nietzsche. The analysis highlights areas of convergence and divergence, demonstrating how these traditions have shaped intellectual discourse and societal development. The findings suggest that while both traditions address fundamental philosophical questions, their distinct ontological and epistemological orientations reflect broader theological and cultural influences. This study contributes to the ongoing discourse on intercultural philosophy and its implications for contemporary thought.
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Integrating Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) into Traditional Classrooms: Impact on Student Engagement, Learning Outcomes, and Educator Perspectives
Full text linkThis research investigates the integration of MOOCs as a supplement to traditional classroom instruction, particularly in enhancing student learning outcomes and engagement as well as the efficacy of educators. A mixed-methods design using quantitative and qualitative data, via surveys and semi-structured interviews with educators in Bahawalpur, Pakistan. The research shows that MOOCs help to increase student engagement, support individualized learning, and improve student performance. Key areas for the integration of MOOCs include promoting a sense of community among learners and enhancing learner motivation, but challenges in using MOOCs in an academic course have included issues about time to integrate including aligning with curriculum content and student learning outcomes. It was mentioned in the study that MOOCs are useful as an ancillary resource, but there were issues of whether they would fit modern educational goals. It was also concluded that various demographic variables like age, gender, and professional experience did not significantly affect perception of MOOC integration. The results highlight the need for better integration in formal curricula, for quality control, and educator support. This work adds to the literature on MOOCs and, in particular, offers practical measures for using them in traditional classrooms and suggestions for future improvement of their integration and effectiveness as tools used to enhance the educative process. Future research should investigate the longer-term effects of MOOCs and their educational role in a number of contexts.
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Environmental Sustainability in Emerging Countries: The Role of Green Energy, Green Finance and Digitalization
Full text linkThis study examines the interplay between green energy, green finance, and digitalization in fostering environmental sustainability across a panel of emerging economies from 2000 to 2024. Utilizing advanced panel econometric techniques, including Cross-Sectional Augmented IPS (CIPS) and CADF unit root tests, Pedroni and Westerlund cointegration methods, and a CS-ARDL model, the analysis reveals that renewable energy adoption, green financial mechanisms, and digital transformation significantly mitigate CO₂ emissions in both the short and long term. Conversely, GDP per capita demonstrates a positive correlation with emissions, underscoring the ecological trade-offs of economic growth. Trade openness exhibits a modest negative link with CO₂ emissions, implying that its environmental effects may vary based on trade structure and policy frameworks. Robustness checks via FMOLS and DOLS estimators validate the reliability of these results, while the Dumitrescu–Hurlin Granger causality test confirms unidirectional causality from renewable energy, green finance, and digitalization to emissions reduction.
The findings emphasize the critical need for holistic policy strategies that simultaneously scale up renewable energy infrastructure, strengthen green financing instruments, and promote digital innovation to drive sustainable decarbonization. Additionally, sector-specific regulations, public-private partnerships, and international cooperation are vital to maximizing synergies among these drivers. By offering empirical evidence across multiple emerging economies, this study enriches the discourse on low-carbon transitions and provides actionable insights for policymakers seeking to balance economic development with ecological preservation. The research also highlights the importance of technology transfer and capacity-building in ensuring equitable green growth, particularly for developing nations. Ultimately, this work contributes to a deeper understanding of the pathways toward achieving global climate targets while fostering inclusive and sustainable development.
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Digital Surveillance, Migration Control, and Human Rights: Ethical Dilemmas in the Use of Technology to Govern Human Mobility
Full text linkThe use of digital surveillance technologies in the migration control has received more and more of a second wave of popularity that does not only provide chances of strengthening border security but also harbours attitudes towards the breach of human rights. This paper examines the controversial use of digital surveillance technology, referred to as biometric identification, artificial intelligence in surveillance, and computer-based decision-making, and is applied in migration control. The study consists of several elements of case analysis, document examination, interviews with stakeholders, and the utilization of a thematic examination; thus, the research pinpoints the most crucial ethical issues, such as information privacy breaches, racial profiling, AI-based bias, and the undermining of asylum procedures. The paper recommends a close imbalance between humans play a key role in technological change and the aspect of human rights since this paper contends that stringent control measures, transparency, and accountability are required in the deployment of surveillance technologies. The overall results indicate that although the stakeholders recognize that digital surveillance has a lot to offer in improving security, there is much opposition based on the effects it has on the rights of the individuals, especially to the marginalized migrant communities. To prevent the use of technology in order to preserve dignity, fairness, and equality toward all migrants, the research proposes the introduction of human rights-based approach to digital surveillance in migration that takes place during the control of migration.
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FinTech 5.0 and the Future of Global Finance: Harnessing Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, and Big Data to Build Inclusive, Sustainable, and Resilient Financial Ecosystems
Full text linkThe rapid evolution of financial technologies (FinTech) has transformed global financial systems by reshaping transaction models, risk management practices, and financial inclusion strategies. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and big data in advancing financial sustainability, risk mitigation, and inclusion. The research employed a quantitative methodology, collecting primary data through structured surveys distributed to finance professionals, technology experts, and banking stakeholders across developing economies. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression models to capture the impact of technological adoption on financial performance, inclusion, and resilience. The results demonstrated that artificial intelligence significantly enhanced predictive analytics and risk assessment processes, blockchain improved transparency and security in transactions, and big data supported decision-making and customer profiling. These technologies collectively showed strong positive associations with sustainable finance and greater access to financial services. Findings further revealed that financial technology adoption reduced systemic vulnerabilities and promoted resilience in volatile economic environments. In conclusion, the study confirmed that integrating advanced financial technologies fosters long-term financial stability, broadens inclusion, and mitigates systemic risks. Recommendations emphasized the need for regulatory frameworks, cross-sector collaboration, and capacity-building initiatives to maximize technological benefits. Future directions call for longitudinal studies exploring evolving FinTech adoption patterns and comparative cross-country analyses to strengthen evidence-based policymaking.
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Logistics Entrepreneurship in the Digital Era: Opportunities, Challenges, and Growth Models in Smart Warehousing and Last-Mile Delivery
Full text linkThe study explored the evolving dynamics of logistics entrepreneurship in the digital era, emphasizing how deep technological integration has fundamentally reshaped smart warehousing and last-mile delivery systems. The primary aim was to examine how digital technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, and automation, contributed to operational efficiency, innovation, and business growth among logistics enterprises. Using a mixed-method approach combining quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews, data were collected from a diverse sample of logistics firms and technology-driven entrepreneurs across multiple regions. The results revealed that digital transformation significantly enhanced productivity, supply chain transparency, and customer satisfaction, with predictive analytics enabling more proactive decision-making. Moreover, innovation capability and technology adoption served as key mediating factors linking robust digital infrastructure to superior entrepreneurial performance. However, significant challenges such as high implementation costs, data privacy risks, and limited technical expertise constrained widespread adoption, particularly among small and medium enterprises. The study concluded that successful logistics entrepreneurship in the digital era depended on a balanced strategy of targeted technological investment, continuous human capital development, and a strong sustainability orientation. Recommendations included promoting public-private partnerships for digital literacy, establishing robust cybersecurity frameworks, and incentivizing eco-efficient logistics practices. The findings provided critical theoretical and practical insights into how agile digital entrepreneurship models could guide the future growth and resilience of logistics industries globally.
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Impact of Collaborative Support of Teachers and Parents in Escalating Students’ Learning
Full text linkThis study investigates the impact of collaborative support between teachers and parents on escalating students\u27 learning at the secondary school level. Employing a qualitative-interpretive case study design, the research collected in-depth data through semi-structured interviews with a purposively selected sample of five teachers and five parents from a private high school in Swat, Pakistan. Thematic analysis of the responses revealed four central themes.
Firstly, consistent open communication and teachers\u27 home visits were found to be pivotal in creating a conducive learning environment, which significantly enhanced student motivation, empowerment, and participation in their academic journey. Secondly, the adaptation of technology, particularly the use of WhatsApp, emerged as a critical factor for enabling instant and reliable interaction, proving especially beneficial for parents with limited time. Thirdly, the study identified significant barriers to this partnership, including parents\u27 busy schedules, socio-cultural differences, and a lack of technological access or literacy.
The findings underscore that a synergistic and trusting relationship between teachers and parents is fundamental for the holistic development of students, leading to positive consequences both academically and emotionally. In light of these results, the study recommends establishing regular communication through accessible digital tools, clearly defining mutual expectations, actively involving parents in school events, and conducting strategic home visits to build rapport. It concludes by emphasizing the role of school administrations in fostering a collaborative ecosystem and calls for government support in addressing infrastructural gaps to facilitate these essential connections.
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Effat University Research Profile over Decades: A Bibliometric Analysis through Scopus Database
Full text linkPresent research aimed to analyze the research output from Scopus database of Effat University from 2006 to 2024. The main focus was to examine research focus, document types, annual publication trends and external collaboration with other researchers across the world. Using VOSviewer, MS Excel, and BiblioShiny, a total of 1539 publications were reviewed and examined through bibliometric analysis.
The study found that the year 2023 was the most productive in terms of research output. It also identifies that amongst all published material research articles were the highest, accentuating significance. Moreover, it also pinpoints widespread research collaboration with researchers across the globe especially, Saudi Arabian and Egyptian institutions. The Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK) in Lebanon emerged as a key international collaborator. Egypt was identified as the primary source of international research collaboration. The term "human" was most frequently used, and "Computer Science" was the leading research domain. The study provides valuable insights into Effat\u27s research performance in computer science, engineering, business science, and humanities.
This analysis provides important insights into Effat University\u27s research performance by highlighting important research fields, fruitful collaboration, and publishing trends. These results can guide activities to increase the effect of university research as well as strategic planning and allocation of resources. The study\u27s scope is limited by its focus on a single institution and its reliance solely on Scopus data. The findings are specific to Effat and may not be representative of other institutions. This study seeks to motivate library and information science professionals and researchers to explore bibliometric analysis as a tool for understanding their universities\u27 research impact.
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