Journals National University of Science and Technology (NUST)
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EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND LEARNER ACHIEVEMENT: CONTEMPORARY ISSUES.
Get PDFThe context of school leadership in Africa has been changing, which is reflected particularly in numerous past and ongoing educational reforms and school restructuring movements. At the macro level, the main trend of educational reforms include re-establishment of new national vision and new educational aims for schools, restructuring educational systems at different levels for new educational aims and market driving, privatizing, cost sharing, greater self management and self governance and diversifying school education throughout the world. At the meso level, there is increased parental and community involvement in school leadership. At the school site level, the major trends consist of ensuring educational quality, standards and accountability. At the operational level, the main trends include the use of Information and Technology (ICT) in learning and teaching and applying new technologies in management, and making a paradigm shift in learning, teaching and assessment. This paper examines educational leadership and learner achievement in schools. In this article I argue that, in many parts of the world, including both developed and developing countries, there is increasing recognition that schools require effective leadership schools are to provide the best possible education for learners. I conclude that the combined direct and indirect effects of school leadership on learner achievement may be small but educationally significant
CLIMATE VARIABILITY FORECASTING USING BAT ALGORITHM OPTIMISED ARTIFICIAL NEURAL NETWORK
Get PDFThis paper presents a summary and results of a study that was conducted in an attempt to forecast climate variability in Zimbabwe using the BAT Algorithm optimised Artificial Neural Network (BAT-ANN) analysis technique. Forecasts of climate ahead of time can potentially allow governments, farmers and other players in private and/or public sectors to make decisions to reduce unwanted impacts or take advantage of expected favourable climate. However, potential benefits of climate forecasts vary considerably because of many physical, biological, economic, social, and political factors. In a developing country, like Zimbabwe where agriculture is the base of the national economy, climate conditions play leading role for progressive and sustainable development, therefore climate variability forecasts are very important. The BAT-ANN was adapted and tested using the Zimbabwean meteorological dataset and results confirm that our proposed model has the potential for reliable climate forecasting for a 25 year period. The mean percentage accuracy was used to evaluate the performance of the trained climate forecasting neural network and proved sufficient. Therefore, in this paper, we present a new technique to climate variability assessment namely; the BAT-ANN. In this study, the approach employed to achieve objectives was; collecting quantitative data, adapting a BAT-ANN for analysis, and developing a Java program that employs the BAT-ANN for forecasting. The objectives of the study were met
ETHICAL DILEMMAS CONFRONTING INFORMATION PROFESSIONALS IN THE 21ST CENTURY: A ZIMBABWEAN PERSPECTIVE
Get PDFLibrary and information professionals the world over are confronted by ethical issues that affect the way they execute their duties. The digital revolution of the 21st century has brought new ethical dilemmas for information professionals. Whilst the issue of information ethics is becoming more complex and elusive, little attention has been made on ethical issues affecting Library and Information Science (LIS) professionals in Zimbabwe. Since ethics are context specific. This study sought to understand ethical issues affecting LIS professionals in Zimbabwe today. The study also looked at the challenges affecting LIS professionals in enforcing ethical principles. A descriptive survey methodology was used to gather data from LIS professionals across Zimbabwe. Snowball sampling was used and 58 practising LIS professionals participated in the study. An online questionnaire was used to collect data. The findings reveal that the issue of privacy and access to resources were the major ethical issues affecting LIS professionals. Other ethical issues emanate from accuracy of information and protection of privacy. LIS professionals generally supported all the ethical principles that relate to information provision. However, the major challenges stifling the application of ethical principles include lack of resources, lack of locally drafted ethical codes, conflict of interest, and complexity of certain ethical codes. Therefore, there is need for locally relevant ethical codes, marketing of the codes and training on professional ethic
THE VOLVING USE OF COMPETITIVE INTELLIGENCE AS A STRATEGIC BUSINESS MANAGEMENT TOOL: THE ZIMBABWEAN EXPERIENCE
Get PDFThis study employed a descriptive survey design to explore the difficulties manufacturing companies in Zimbabwe encounter in the application and practice of competitive intelligence (CI). This was done with full knowledge that adopting and implementing competitive intelligence concepts is a voluntary process as it is not enshrined in law and therefore there are no legal penalties imposed on those companies which do not apply any one of its tenets .The manufacturing sector was chosen because it is one of the sectors which is heavily threatened by globalization and technological advances. The exposure of the Zimbabwean manufacturing companies to both domestic and foreign competition means that these companies have to adopt and apply business survival strategies which include among others implementation of CI to counter this threat. The primary objective of this research was to explore the application and practice of CI in Zimbabwe. A sample of 100 Chief Executive Officers was chosen from a population of 350 manufacturing companies who are members of the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI). This sample was selected using stratified random sampling. Data was collected through the use of a self-administered questionnaire which was supplemented by the use of the structured and unstructured interview schedules. The data collection instruments used, were designed such that they were able to generate both qualitative and quantitative data. The major findings from the study were that lack of financial resources dedicated to CI activities and lack of expertise to conduct CI processes were major barriers faced by companies in the application and practice of CI. It was therefore recommended that in order to boost and build expertise in the field of CI major Business Schools in the country should consider introducing compulsory core courses on CI
DEVELOPMENT OF A COMPRESSIONAL BANDAGE FOR PROSPECTIVE USE BY PATIENTS
Get PDFThe purpose of this research was to develop a short stretch weft knitted compression bandage that increases the venous flow of blood through the venous system without causing discomfort to the patient. Data collected showed that bandagesin the Zimbabwean market for treating varicose veins exert high resting pressure and low working pressure resulting in an increase in the healing time. The bandages used for treatment of varicose veins must exert high working pressure in order to provide enough compression to reduce the diameter of the veins, thereby increasing the blood flow velocity reducing oedema. The bandage should also be comfortably when worn by patients in a resting position. A short stretch bandage with a blend of lycra and cotton yarns was developed on a V-bed weft knitting machine. The stitch notation was varied by use of full factorial experimental design to give optimum bandage pressure profile.Tests were carried out using a Tensometric machine to measure the pressure profile of the bandage. The tests showed that the compression bandage had the desired pressure profile for reducing oedema. The compression bandage was put on trial with selected patients and their healing process monitored. Questionnaires and assessment of patients during their regular check-up was made to track effectiveness of the bandage. Based on these trials it was concluded that the proposed bandage accelerates the healing process and had improved comfort properties
IMPLEMENTATION OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN TEACHERS’ COLLEGES IMPLICATIONS FOR TEACHER EDUCATORS AND CAPTAINS OF INDUSTRY IN ZIMBABWE
Get PDFThe study was conducted to find out whether selected teachers’ colleges are equipping educators with Entrepreneurship education so as to enable them to impart relevant knowledge and skills to the learners. A case study design was adopted which used focus group interviews and semi-structured face to face interviews for data collection. The researchers chose Bulawayo Metropolitan Province because of the diversity of its institutions. Lecturers, students and captains of industry were purposively selected because of their in depth knowledge on the issue being studied. Findings revealed that Entrepreneurship is not taught as a stand-alone subject but is infused in National and Strategic Studies (NASS) and Commercial subjects. Further revelations were that the selected institutions did not have specialists to teach Entrepreneurship and captains of industry were not consulted in the development of programmes. The study concluded that teachers’ colleges in Bulawayo Metropolitan Province lack the capacity to teach practising teachers Entrepreneurship. Recommendations are that Entrepreneurship as a course be introduced and taught by specialists who should consult captains of industry so that relevant knowledge and skills on successful and sustainable businesses are imparted
TEACHING OF ‘ENTREPRENEURSHIP’ AS A SUBJECT IN ZIMBABWEAN SCHOOLS- WHAT ARE THE APPROPRIATE TEACHING METHODS? – A CASE STUDY OF BULAWAYO METROPOLITAN SCHOOLS
Get PDFThe study sought to find out the appropriateness of the teaching methods used in selected Bulawayo Metropolitan schools, to enable learners to be entrepreneurs. The qualitative approach comprising the case study design was employed in this study. Cluster and purposive sampling techniques were used to select 20 government primary school teachers; 30 government high school teachers teaching practical subjects; 20 government high school students doing practical subjects and 10 captains of industry. Semi-structured interviews with respondents split into focus groups were used to collect data from schools, while captains of industry were individually interviewed. The study found out that Entrepreneurship as a ‘stand-alone’ subject is not taught in government schools. The study revealed that learners are taught practical subjects in a bid to equip them with entrepreneurship skills. The lecture method is mainly used in conjunction with practical sessions for lesson delivery. The study also established that learners are not taught how to convert practical skills they acquire in class into setting up businesses which is what entrepreneurship should ultimately achieve. Learners have no input in the way they are taught. The teacher determines how the lessons are conducted thus rendering the teaching methods not fully appropriate. Furthermore, there is no collaboration with industry when developing these lessons. The study recommends the establishment of entrepreneurial centres to allow learners to identify business ideas, incubate these ideas and implement them into businesses with the mentorship of captains of industry. Such centres will not only equip learners with relevant entrepreneurship skills but also allow for flexibility, creativity and innovation in learning
USING ADVANCED MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES AS A COMPETITIVE WEAPON TO ACHIEVE WORLD CLASS STATUS: A CASE STUDY OF ZIMBABWEAN COMPANIES.
Get PDFHuman capital is the single most critical pillar in a manufacturing environment. Without people in an organisation manufacturing becomes impossible. Even in the environment of complex machinery there is still need for human interface with machinery. This paper seeks to identify the human management techniques in the manufacturing sector which are being used by Zimbabwean companies in their effort to resuscitate an ailing industrial sector. A survey of fifty manufacturing companies was conducted throughout the major towns in Zimbabwe. Management training was found to have a prevalence of 85.7% and lean six sigma manufacturing (LSSM) is the lowest applied technique at 24.50%. Total quality control is the highest quality control technique with prevalence at 61.2%. Online electronic control is the lowest at 42.9%. Companies that aspire to achieve world class manufacturing status should seriously consider online electronic quality control
Gender Policy Implementation In The Promotion Of Women Leadership In Universities: A Case Of Midlands State University, Zimbabwe.
Get PDFThis paper is an assessment of gender policy implementation in the promotion of women leadership in universities. The paper is based on the study that assessed the effectiveness of the gender policy in the promotion of women leaders at Midlands State University, Zimbabwe in 2013. The study examined: strategies employed by the institution to increase women in leadership, female representation in various structures of the university, limitations and challenges in policy implementation. The study adopted both qualitative and quantitative research approaches. Data were collected through key informants’ interviews, focus group discussions, questionnaires and document analysis. A comparative analysis of female representation in various university structures and committees before and after the policy was done. A total of one hundred and thirty- four respondents participated in the study. The study identified a number of challenges to policy implementation which include: culture, patriarchy, stereotyping and male resistance; lack of pool to select women from; Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education (ZIMCHE) standards, lack of policy sensitization, lack of funding and lack of monitoring and evaluation. The study recommends that the university should reaffirm and implement the provisions of affirmative action policies to address gender inequalities in leadership. The university should increase the pre-existing incremental rate of 8% per year to a higher percentage of 20% so that more women are appointed to leadership positions. The university should establish a scholarship fund strictly reserved for women to enable them to pursue further studies and attain higher qualifications. The women should be mobilised to take up initiatives to acquire higherqualifications and be able to compete with men for leadership positions
Knowledge, Attitudes And Practices Of University Students On Web 2.0 Tools: Implications For Academic Libraries In Zimbabwe
Get PDFWeb 2.0 technologies have provided both opportunities and challenges for academic libraries. These socio-technological innovations have enabled interactivity and gathering of knowledge through experience and practice on a global scale. The concept of collaborative work, social networking and the ease in the usage of these applications has brought a significant change in the internet usage by university students. Many academic libraries are beginning to leverage the power of these services to provide better and more relevant services to their patrons. The use of web 2.0 tools in academic libraries and has begun to take shape recently in Zimbabwe. However, studies reveal that utilisation these tools is still low in Zimbabwean academic libraries. Understanding knowledge, attitudes and practices of university students on web 2.0 tools paves the way for the efficient and effective use of these tools in Zimbabwean libraries. This study aimed at determining the knowledge, attitudes and practices of university students on web 2.0 tools. The survey method was used to gather data. A self administered questionnaire was used to gather data from 280 undergraduate students who were conveniently selected to participate in the study. The findings reveal that most students have excellent knowledge of specific web 2.0 tools such as Instant Messaging and Social networking. Most tools were used mainly for communication purposes. A small percentage of respondents indicated that they use the tools for educational purposes. Students displayed lack of knowledge and use on mashups, social bookmarks, and relatively simple syndication (RSS) feeds. The fact that most of these tools are already being widely used by students entail that academic libraries can utilise these technologies in developing user services. However, the issues of awareness, access, , confidentiality, and accuracy of these tools need to be addressed to ensure their successful implementation and use