Post-pandemic student engagement: Towards techno-humanistic reflexivity

This opinion piece examines how student engagement is understood and practised in contemporary higher education, where technological innovation and humanistic values increasingly intersect (see Bond et al., 2020). It approaches the concept through a techno humanistic lens, arguing that recent conceptualisations of engagement, grounded in socio-cultural perspectives, draw on humanistic principles, such as self-actualisation, creativity, and personal growth, realised through relational interactions and collaborative learning. In contemporary educational environments, these principles are enacted and mediated through digital technologies, enabling students to engage both collaboratively and independently. Noddings (2013) illustrates how human-centred principles of care and responsibility can guide educational relationships, providing an ethical framework that can be extended to digitally mediated learning. This framework resonates with UNESCO’s (2021, 2022) framing of education as a public good, linking individual development to broader social responsibility. Viewed through this techno-humanistic lens, engagement can be understood as a reflexive, contextually mediated practice in which human agency and technological mediation interact to shape meaningful learning that supports individual development while fostering broader social responsibility. This perspective highlights that prevailing understandings remain incomplete without recognising the intertwined humanistic, technological, and ethical conditions shaping post-pandemic student engagement

The Impact of Hypertension on Mental Health Among Older People in South Asia: A Systematic Literature Review

Background: Hypertension is a highly prevalent chronic condition among older adults and represents a major public health challenge in South Asia. Beyond its well-established cardiovascular consequences, growing evidence suggests that hypertension is closely associated with adverse mental health outcomes, including depression, anxiety, and cognitive impairment. However, existing evidence remains fragmented and insufficiently synthesised within the unique sociocultural, economic, and healthcare contexts of South Asia. Aim: This systematic literature review aimed to synthesise and critically evaluate empirical evidence on the impact of hypertension on mental health outcomes among older adults in South Asian countries. Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Searches were performed through PubMed/MEDLINE and ScienceDirect databases for peer-reviewed studies published between 2010 and 2025. Eligibility criteria included quantitative and qualitative studies examining hypertension and mental health outcomes (depression, anxiety, cognitive impairment, or psychological wellbeing) among adults aged ≥35 years residing in South Asia. Ten studies met the inclusion criteria. Methodological quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal tools and the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) checklists. Data were synthesised using thematic analysis guided by Braun and Clarke’s framework. Results: The review identified a consistent association between hypertension and increased psychological distress among older adults in South Asia. Five overarching themes emerged: (1) heightened prevalence of depression, anxiety, and emotional distress among hypertensive individuals; (2) hypertension-related cognitive decline mediated by vascular and lifestyle mechanisms; (3) socioeconomic disadvantage and demographic factors influencing both hypertension control and mental health outcomes; (4) gender and sociocultural norms shaping illness experience, symptom reporting, and help-seeking behaviours; and (5) the moderating role of coping strategies, family support, and health-system responsiveness. Despite methodological heterogeneity, findings were largely consistent across countries. Conclusion: Hypertension exerts a significant negative impact on mental health among older adults in South Asia, amplified by social inequities, cultural stigma, and fragmented healthcare systems. The findings highlight the urgent need for integrated, culturally sensitive models of care that address both cardiovascular and mental health needs within primary healthcare settings. Future research should prioritise longitudinal designs and intervention studies to inform evidence-based policy and practice in resource-limited contexts

Histories of sport in central and southern Africa: an introduction

This introduction sets up the special issue on sport history topics in Kenya, Uganda, Cameroon, Zambia, and South Africa. This research raises new questions in sports history in the region, explores and extends topics, opens up issues for further exploration, and productively engages with a rich if scattered body of scholarly work. Trends in the field of sport history across the African continent point to a persistent, critically engaged field of study, unpacking the pasts and meanings of sport, ubiquitous in its presence and contested in its meanings

Translanguaging as Scaffolding in Collaborative Learning: A Research in the Context of Chinese EFL Classrooms

Translanguaging has emerged as a transformative pedagogical approach, but its application in multilingual classrooms has produced complex and context-specific outcomes. This dissertation investigates the role of translanguaging in Chinese EFL classrooms by focusing on its cognitive, academic, and pedagogical implications. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the study integrates qualitative data from classroom observations and interviews with quantitative analysis from standardised tests and surveys of 211 university students and 10 teachers. The study addresses research questions concerning translanguaging’s impact on cognitive flexibility, academic performance, and educational outcomes. The findings challenge the conventional view of translanguaging as universally beneficial, suggesting that while translanguaging was found to enhance collaborative dynamics and reduce cognitive overload, it also surfaced challenges related to institutional constraints and persistent monolingual biases. Quantitative results reveal a negative correlation between students' second language (L2) proficiency and positive attitudes towards translanguaging, which suggest that higher-proficiency learners perceive less need for translanguaging as an educational strategy. Since such a pattern is derived from a context-specific sample, it reflects localised classroom norms and should be interpreted with caution to avoid over-generalisation. Qualitative insights further reveal that students who support translanguaging emphasise its role in reducing cognitive load, enhancing comprehension, and facilitating more precise articulation during challenging tasks such as continuation writing. However, this group also faced challenges, particularly during collaborative tasks, where differing levels of linguistic proficiency among peers occasionally led to inefficiencies. Conversely, students preferring a monolingual approach highlighted linguistic immersion and cognitive clarity, driven by beliefs that exclusive use of L2 fosters deeper, more instant engagement. Yet, these preferences were often context-dependent, with monolingual approaches favoured in formal assessments, while translanguaging was valued in exploratory classroom tasks. As a contribution to the growing body of knowledge on translanguaging by addressing its limitations and potential, the study discusses the proper contexts for translanguaging implementation. It also advocates for tailored strategies that align with students' linguistic repertoires, task demands, and educational contexts

Putting Sustainable Human Resource Management and Workplace Eudaimonic Wellbeing into Cross-Cultural Context

This study examines how sustainable human resource management (HRM) impacts employee work engagement and eudaimonic well-being across cultural contexts that differ on individualism-collectivism dimension. Theoretically, the study draws from Self-Determination Theory (SDT; Ryan & Deci, 2017) and the model of culture fit (Aycan et al., 1999). Using data from 14,502 employees nested in 54 countries working in a variety of positions across different sectors, we found support for our hypothesized model—that is, sustainable HRM was positively related to employee eudaimonic well-being via enhanced work engagement. The study found that one moderating effect—the relationship between work engagement and eudaimonic well-being—was stronger in countries that are more individualistic rather than collectivistic. The findings provide support for the universality of the SDT-based approach to understanding employee experiences based on sustainable HRM and cultural variations that inform work-related eudaimonic well-being. Our study advances existing cross-cultural research on sustainable HRM and employee well-being

A Quasi-Experimental, School-Based Intervention Study with Pre-Test, Post-Test and Retention Measures

Rationale: This dissertation investigated the effectiveness of an eight-week SKIP (Successful Kinesthetic Instruction for Pre-schoolers) intervention on the development of fundamental motor skills (FMS) in Year 1 secondary pupils aged 11–12. The study aimed to address three main research questions: firstly, whether pre-test differences existed by group and sex across TGMD-2 and TGMD-3 assessment tools. Secondly, what was the influence of the SKIP intervention on FMS (Fundamental Motor Skills) total, Locomotor (LM), and Object Control (OC) skills? Lastly, to what extent the intervention effects were retained. Four hypotheses (H1a-d) were tested. Design: Using a quasi-experimental design, pupils were allocated to either the SKIP intervention or a wait group. FMS competence was assessed at pre, post, and retention stages using both TGMD-2 and TGMD-3. The data were analysed to compare baseline similarity, group differences, and changes over time. Findings: Findings supported both H1a and H1b: the intervention and wait groups did not differ at the pre-test, and boys outperformed girls in object control but not in locomotor skills. H1c was strongly supported, with the SKIP group showing significant improvements in FMS, particularly locomotor skills, compared to the wait group. H1d received partial support: although some gains were maintained, regression was observed, particularly in object control skills. Conclusion: The study concludes that the SKIP programme can produce meaningful short-term improvements in FMS. However, the gains made during intervention may not be sustained without reinforcement. The findings contribute to theoretical debates surrounding Seefeldt’s proficiency barrier, schema theory, and physical literacy, while highlighting the need for age-appropriate measurement tools. Practical implications emphasise that embedding FMS practice into the everyday Physical Education curriculum, addressing sex disparities, and supporting long-term sustainability through teacher training and school policy would further support FMS in the long term

Nollywood: Challenges, Heritage Practice and Storytelling

This thesis investigates Nollywood’s role in preserving and promoting Nigerian heritage through storytelling. It is approached as a heritage study with elements of film studies. Specifically, the research examines how Nollywood’s narratives, production practices, and institutional structures contribute to the preservation, representation, and transmission of Nigerian cultural heritage. The central research question guiding this study is: To what extent has Nollywood storytelling contributed to Nigerian heritage? The research examines Nollywood’s evolution as a cultural institution, highlighting its impact on African heritage narratives and its potential as a global ambassador for Nigerian heritage. Despite challenges such as piracy, censorship, inadequate funding, and the recurring debate about implementing the Motion Picture Practitioners Council of Nigeria (MOPICON) Bill, Nollywood has shown resilience. Issues like gender inequality and sexual harassment further highlight the need for stronger governance and ethical standards, as confirmed through interviews with industry stakeholders. The study examines Nollywood’s funding mechanisms, with a particular focus on the significant role played by the Bank of Industry in financing productions. It also examines the incorporation of oral literature, from seminal works to recent adaptations, in Nollywood films. Historical analysis contextualises films such as Things Fall Apart (1987) and Living in Bondage (1992) alongside representations of Nigerian cultures and contemporary values. Film analysis and reviews offer more apparent nuances on Nollywood’s contents and relevance to studies, and audience responses indicate that 85.4% of respondents recognise Nollywood’s role in shaping perceptions of Nigerian culture. This research contributes to heritage studies by addressing gaps in understanding Nollywood’s potential for cultural preservation, especially in the context of globalisation and commercialisation. Drawing on frameworks like collective memory, which emphasises the role of shared memories in cultural preservation, and Afrocentricity, a perspective that places African culture and history at the centre, the study demonstrates how Nollywood preserves cultural integrity while adapting to modern challenges. Other theoretical underpinnings include decolonisation, which involves dismantling colonial ideologies and reclaiming indigenous knowledge and traditions, and cultural appropriation, which refers to the adoption of cultural elements without permission, often leading to distortion and commodification. By positioning Nollywood as a dynamic tool for cultural transmission, this study advances heritage discourse. It highlights its impact on Nigerian cultural identity, as well as its capacity to influence global perceptions of African heritage, albeit in ways that reflect particular rather than universal traditions

AI-based model for maintaining good healthcare quality against cybersecurity risks

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has strong potential in health monitoring systems to support high-quality healthcare while mitigating cybersecurity risks. AI-based solutions for health and wellness applications, particularly for cardiovascular disease monitoring, are being explored to address complex healthcare challenges and improve patient outcomes. The integration of quantum and AI-based techniques is also gaining attention for enhancing future healthcare applications and communication technologies. Purpose: The primary objective is to improve cardiac care by accurately predicting symptoms and mitigating cyber-risks that threaten digital health integrity. By leveraging Integrated Quantum Networks (IQNs) and AI-driven protocols, this research aims to reduce the prevalence/incidence of non-communicable diseases by 50% by 2035 through proactive prevention and superior treatment management. Method: The framework utilizes AI-based techniques and AI-quantum-enhanced sensors and IQN to build a secure, proactive monitoring system. This theoretical framework integrates high-precision data collection with robust risk management systems to protect against vulnerabilities in digital health infrastructure. These components work in tandem to ensure that sensitive medical data remain resilient against emerging cyber threats. Anticipated Results and Conclusions: The system is expected to improve cybersecurity resilience, system performance, and energy efficiency (EE), supporting the development of secure and advanced future healthcare applications