The real exchange rate of an oil exporting economy: Empirical evidence from Nigeria

In this study the long-run relationship between real oil price, real effective exchange rate and productivity differentials is examined using annual data for Nigeria over the period 1980 to 2010. We aim to investigate whether oil price fluctuations and productivity differentials affect the real effective exchange rate. The empirical results suggest that whereas real oil price exercise a significant positive effect on the real exchange rate in the long run. Productivity differentials exercise a significant negative influence on the real exchange rate. The study noted that, the real exchange rate appreciation of 2000-2010 was driven by oil prices. The findings of this study have important implications for exchange rate policy and are relevant to many developing economies where oil exports constitute a significant share of their exports.Exchange rate, oil price, Nigerian economy

Portable treatment system to treat cafeteria sullage water using effective microorganism and biomedia

This study investigates portable water treatment in small scale size according to the design in the previous research that can solve the main problem of water pollution faced by UTHM Kampus Pagoh cafeteria. The objectives of this study are to design and produce a portable water treatment system using effective microbioorganism and biomedia to reduce contamination of sullage water and to analyze and make a comparative study with other designs to treat sullage water focusing on UTHM Kampus Pagoh cafeteria. To produce portable water treatment, a do-it-yourself (DIY) tank from polypropylene container box with volume of 151 L was designed, incorporating two types of biological treatments, namely effective microorganism and biomedia. This study also reviewed and compares the analysis results of biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD) and suspended solid of water treatment from previous studies. At the end of this study, the expected results obtained were comparable with results from the previous studies. As a recommendation, actual laboratory tests must be conducted for future work to obtain accurate data for the parameters analyzed

Cigarette Smoking Habits Among University Students: Prevalence and Associated Factors

Smoking is the main cause of morbidity and mortality in the world and is estimated to kill 5 million people each year worldwide. If current patterns of tobacco consumption continue, smoking will kill more than 8 million people each year globally by the year 2030, with 80% of these deaths in the developing countries. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of cigarette smoking among male university students in Muzaffarabad, Pakistan. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 542 male students at University of Azad Jammu & Kashmir in Muzaffarabad from July to December 2015. The socio-demographic characteristics and cigarette smoking behavior of the students were measured by using a standardized pre-tested self-administrated validated questionnaire in English. The overall prevalence of cigarette smoking among students was found to be 49.4%. The mean age of starting cigarette smoking was 19.2 2.73 years. Age, marital status and education were found significantly associted with cigarette smoking behavior (p-value<0.05). The most common reason for cigarette smoking was stress alleviation (35.0%) followed by peer pressure (24.5%). As cigarette smoking is considerably higher among students. There is a need to develop effective tobacco control measures among university students in Muzaffarabad

Skill Formation Strategies for Sustaining 'The Drive to Maturity' in Pakistan.

This paper outlines some problems in the articulation of a national skill formation strategy seeking to sustain ‘the drive to maturity’ of the Pakistan economy. We examine the thought of two economists—Adam Smith and Amartya Sen—to identify market-, society-, and state-related skills that they theorise as necessary for sustaining an economy’s ‘drive to maturity’. We then briefly outline Michel Foucault’s social theory to contextualise these skill formation paradigms within the institutional structure characteristic of mature capitalism. We argue that integration within global capitalist order leaves little room for the articulation of such a skill formation national strategy. Pakistan is therefore likely to share the fate of the majority of the under-developed countries which are experiencing de-skilling and detechonolgising

Exploring oil price – exchange rate nexus for Nigeria

This paper investigates the oil price – exchange rate nexus for Nigeria during the period 2007-2010 using daily data. The generalised autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity (GARCH) and exponential GARCH (EGARCH) models are employed to examine the impact of oil price changes on the nominal exchange rate .The outcome of this research indicates that a rise in oil prices leads to a depreciation of the Nigerian Naira vis-à-vis the US dollar over the study period.Exchange rate, oil price, Nigeria, GARCH/EGARCH

Teachers professional development for quality education

Quality is at the heart of education and teachers play crucial role to provide quality education. This belief encourages us to state that the quality in education depends on teachers’ role, which set scenario for the students. Every teacher has his / her own impact on his / her students. But what is it that enables the teachers to have the greatest impact? In this context there are several professional development programmes offered for the teachers in different parts of the world to build capacity of teachers so they can better serve the needs of the growing population. This paper attempts to share some of the experiences, acquired during implementation and monitoring the programme. The data provides evidences as how professional development cropped up as a result of these courses through mentors’ reflective journals, portfolios, classroom observations, group work, discussions and presentations. This paper specifically highlights the changes that took place in the school culture and pedagogical content knowledge due to the continuous guidance and support from the tutors and District Co-coordinators (DCs) through follow-up process and close monitoring system