Exploring and expanding stakeholders’ perspectives on the management of Cerebral Palsy, using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) and Knowledge Translation framework

Introduction: Cerebral Palsy (CP) is the most common cause of disability in children. Healthcare providers aim to facilitate optimal function and participation by working with children and their families. The success of this endeavor depends on shared understanding, collaboration, and contextual factors that affect resource availability. The aim of this thesis was to understand parents’ perspectives in Indian and North American cultures towards management of CP using an ICF lens, to evaluate the extent to which this lens is evident in literature conducted in an Indian context and to evaluate a Knowledge Translation (KT) resource to inform parents and healthcare professionals (HCP). Methods: In the five thesis papers: study 1 explored parents’ perspectives towards the management of their children with CP (qualitative design); study 2 described the contextual factors shaping parents’ perspective in India (reflective design); study 3 and 4, described the research trends in the management of CP in India (scoping review); and study 5 describes the development and evaluation of a KT resource created to inform parents about incorporating the ICFconcepts into management of CP. Results: The qualitative study identified that Indian parents focus more on Body Structure and Function (BSF) challenges and have more resource limitations, as compared to the Canadian context. The scoping review identified that research also focuses on BSF, with less research addressing activity and participation, or its environmental determinants. KT resources showing the application of the ICF concepts into CP management received widespread uptake and were perceived as helpful by parents and HCP. Discussion and Conclusion: ICF was useful for understanding and informing parents and HCP about management of CP. Despite the importance of environmental considerations and contextual factors, these were insufficiently addressed in the literature and in stakeholder perspectives. To optimize CP management across contexts, further research and KT is needed.ThesisDoctor of Philosophy (PhD)Cerebral Palsy (CP) is the most common cause of physical disability in children. Parents and professionals from multiple disciplines work together to provide developmental support for children with CP. This thesis explored parents’ views about management of CP in India and Canada; assessed the scope of the scientific literature from India addressing CP; and developed and evaluated educational videos to inform parents and professionals about the use of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) in the management of CP. Parents’ views towards their children in both countries are influenced by the availability of resources, professional attitudes, and cultural beliefs. Research in India focuses on ‘fixing’ the child’s impairments. The videos developed to encourage parents and doctors to focus on increasing activity and participation in children, were judged to be useful in creating awareness about the use of the ICF in the management of CP

The Practitioner King - A Study of Legal Education and Practice in Pakistan

This dissertation is a study of legal education and practice in Pakistan and investigates the rise of the legal practitioner through a socio-historical examination. It seeks to determine the extent to which legal education in Pakistan is bound by colonial norms of practice through a genealogy of the legal practitioner in South Asia where the practitioner emerges as a dominant actor in the legal field. This dissertation argues that the fields of legal education and practice cannot be studied separately because the two are intimately connected for three main reasons: firstly, the law degree serves as an entry requirement to legal practice, secondly, practitioners are preferred as faculty to teach law at universities and law colleges, and thirdly, the Pakistan Bar Council shares regulation of legal education with the Higher Education Commission. The curriculum for the LLB degree is decided by the Bar and Commission and has historically been pulled towards a practice-focus, which is reflected in the 2018 reforms. The methodology adopted draws from the three disciplines of law, history and sociology. Archival sources at the British Library in London, UK, the Library of Congress in Washington DC, US, and the Sindh Archives in Karachi, Pakistan, provide the historical frame upon which this work based (1800 – 1947). Legal method allows for a detailed study of the Supreme Court cases on legal education and statutory context (1998-2018). Focus groups and interviews with key members in the reform process help inform the current context in Pakistan and the Bourdieusian theoretical framing on fields and habitus serves as the glue that brings these seemingly separate components together. During and following Independence in 1947, the fields of practice and politics have also been interconnected through the gains made by the practitioner in the national political field. These gains have continued in Pakistan where the practitioner has emerged as a King in the twenty-first century in the fields of education, practice, and politics. This study aims to fill the gap in the existing literature in the area in Pakistan and can help guide the reforms in the area

Strategies for Strengthening the Technical Workforce: A Review of International Evidence

Numerous countries suffer from a shortage of technicians and skilled workers, particularly in the STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), due to a mismatch between the skills and interests of the students graduating from or leaving the current education system and the needs of the labor market. Often, parents and students place a high priority on entering and completing university, and as a consequence, many students pursue academic education in secondary schools in order to gain entrance to university, only to find themselves entering the job market lacking the skills they need for employment and advancement. Further, in some countries, the vocational school system is not well-respected by the public and focuses heavily on preparation of youth for specific jobs in one firm rather than preparing them for careers within an industry as a whole. This literature review aims to synthesize the research evidence about the effectiveness of various strategies used by national governments, non-governmental organizations, technical schools, and industries to strengthen both the quality of the technical workforce, as well as the avenues through which individuals can access career and technical programming

Perceptions of students’ study habits and academic performance: a case study of African students at Memorial University

This study explores the perceptions of study habits and their impact on academic performance among African students at Memorial University. The study employed a case study design and qualitative methods, utilizing semi-structured interviews with fifteen participants who were international students from Africa. Data were analyzed to know perceptions of students’ study habits and academic performance. The research seeks to understand how these students perceive their own study habits and their correlation with their academic success. The findings reveal a complex relationship influenced by factors such as time management skills, school environment, and socialization. While some students attribute their success to disciplined study routines, others highlight challenges such as time management and balancing academic demands with other responsibilities. This case study provides insights into the unique experiences of African students at Memorial University and offers recommendations for academic support

Ford Foundation - 2001 Annual Report

Contains mission statement, president's message, program information, grants list, financial statements, list of board members and staff