An analytical study of recognition and enforcement of foreign arbitral awards in the GCC states

This study is concerned with the recognition and enforcement of foreign arbitral awards under the relevant regimes in the GCC states, both local law and international conventions. The easy enforceability of arbitral awards is considered one of the main factors in the success of international commercial arbitration. Thus this thesis not only attempts a comprehensive analysis of the requirements of and procedures for recognition and enforcement of foreign awards in the GCC States, but also evaluates whether the GCC’s laws and practices comply with best international practice standards, especially as embodied in the 1958 New York Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards. The thesis comprises of seven chapters. The first chapter examines the legal framework of the GCC States, and provides a brief history of the rules governing arbitration and the recognition and enforcement of foreign arbitral awards. Chapter two looks at general principles regarding recognition and enforcement of foreign arbitral awards. Chapter three covers jurisdictional elements in the recognition and enforcement of arbitral awards in the GCC States. Chapter four examines the procedural steps demanded by each state for the enforcement of an award, looking particularly at the impact of relevant international conventions on these issues. Chapter five deals with the evidence which must be tendered and the conditions that must be satisfied in order to obtain the recognition and enforcement of foreign arbitral awards in the GCC States. Chapter six examines the grounds on which a respondent may apply to dismiss an application for recognition and enforcement of a foreign arbitral award. Chapter seven then deals with the grounds on which a foreign arbitral award must be refused enforcement. The concluding chapter summarises the problems thrown up by the study, and suggests a common way forward for the legal systems of the states of the Arabian Gulf in dealing with these issues

Addressing Cybersecurity and Privacy Concerns in E-Learning: Evidence from Kuwaiti Educational Sector

This study explored cybersecurity and privacy concerns within e-learning in the Kuwaiti educational sector. This is done through adopting a mixed-methods approach that incorporates an online questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. Quantitative data from 384 participants indicated moderate to high cybersecurity and privacy concerns. In order to explore further about such concerns, qualitative data were collected from 16 interviewees and highlighted key issues such as lack of awareness, platform security deficiencies, privacy worries and regulatory needs. To address these concerns, the study proposed a comprehensive "Kuwaiti Educational Cybersecurity and Privacy Assurance Framework" (KECPAF) centred around cybersecurity education, platform security enhancement, clear policy development and robust enforcement. The research calls for collective effort among stakeholders and collaboration with cybersecurity experts to effectively implement the framework, adapt to evolving threats and improve the security of e-learning platforms in Kuwait's educational sector. Keywords: Kuwait, Education, e-learning, Cybersecurity, Privacy, Confidentiality, Framework. DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/16-1-01 Publication date: January 31st 202

Exploring Factors that Effect on M-Government Adoption Amongst Users: Evidence From Kuwait

Technological development has significantly influenced the application of mobile technologies, and currently, government agencies are intensely focusing on encouraging citizens to adopt and use mobile government, or M-government, services. However, it is quite clear that in order to motivate citizens, it is important for the government to increase their engagement by enhancing the efficiency of government services. Several governments, including the government of Kuwait, have already begun to move towards developing and implementing mobile government projects, with the primary aim of increasing interaction with citizens to improve service quality and delivery processes. This research has critically developed and analysed existing technology acceptance theories and models to establish an evaluation framework. Furthermore, this paper introduces an effective conceptual model for the citizens of Kuwait to adopt M-government services, promoting national growth. In order to collect data for this research, Kuwaiti citizens were targeted, and a survey was conducted using questionnaires. Moreover, the proposed framework has been empirically tested through structural equation modelling, with data collected directly from the structured questionnaire. The findings primarily address perceived usefulness, awareness, compatibility, face-to-face interaction, and social influence in a significant manner. This research contributes to predicting the main intention behind using M-government services. Keywords: Mobile Government, Kuwait, Adoption, UTAUT DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/15-10-05 Publication date:May 31st 202

Framework to assess the maturity level of learning analytics in higher education and drive learning services improvement

This research was aimed at developing a framework that could be utilised to assess the maturity level of learning analytics (LA) in virtual learning environment (VLE) in higher education institutions (HEI). The assessment of the maturity level of LA in VLE in HEI contributes to enhancing the educational learning programmes and academic services offering to the learners. The successful implementation of LA in an HEI could help improve teaching and learning processes, thereby improving students’ learning experiences (Larrabee Sønderlund et al., 2019; Sclater et al., 2016; Waheed et al., 2020). However, most HEIs often do not know where to start from in implementing programmes for using VLE and LA; thus, the contribution of this study to offer guidance for HEIs. In order to develop the LA maturity assessment framework, a multi-phases methodological approach was adopted which involved 6 key phases (understanding the literature, a field study to gain a high-level perspective of VLE and LA, development of LA maturity model, development of a performance measurement tool, formulation of road map recommendations, and case study validation and expert judgment). The developed LA maturity model comprises of five levels: basic (level 1), developing (level 2), functional (level 3), advanced (level 4) and optimised (level 5). In determining these LA maturity level, the performance measurement tool has to be applied. This performance measurement tool assesses an HEI’s performance in four key components of LA: process, infrastructure, data and human resources and skills. The LA maturity model and performance measurement tool facilitate the road map recommendations. Based on an HEI’s assessed LA maturity level, recommendations are suggested on how progress can be made in LA implementation. The developed LA assessment framework was validated through case studies (PAAET and Cranfield University) and expert judgement that proved its validity and application to different educational contexts. The case study validation showed the differences in performance scores and maturity levels of the two HEIs with specific recommendations relevant to each context being made. Expert judgements highlighted the contribution of the framework to LA which is a relatively new area of research.Manufacturin

Effect of Psychological Factors on the Learning Outcomes of Saudi University Students According to the Application of Online Learning During the Corona Pandemic

The study aimed to investigate some psychological factors such as the attitudes towards e-learning and coping strategies considering the continuing Corona pandemic on the cognitive learning outcomes of Saudi university students. The study relied on the descriptive correlative approach to verify the objectives of the study. An available sample of university students was used, with sample size was 128 male students. The fear of corona, attitude towards corona, and coping strategies scales were used, and the study prepared a cognitive learning outcomes scale. EFA and CFA techniques performed the structural validity of the scales. Then, structural equation modeling was performed to test the relationships between study variables. The results revealed positive causal pathways from the coping strategies and attitudes towards e-learning to the cognitive learning outcomes. In addition, a negative causal pathway from fear of corona to cognitive learning outcomes. The study suffers from some limitations, which conducted on males without females. The study recommends improving the learners attitudes towards e-learning and thus improving the technological self-efficacy of the academically poor, in addition to enhance the coping strategy based on problem-solving rather than focusing on those strategies based on actions

Knowledge management to support learning analytics in Higher Education

This paper argues based on evidence from the literature that learning analytics, when undertaken by higher education institutions, is not considered within a holistic knowledge management strategy, which could provide significant improvement to the outcomes of learning analytics. Particularly, a synthesis of knowledge extraction via learning analytics and appropriate handling of such knowledge via knowledge management is not typically implemented in higher education practices, but it constitutes a promising path to improving it, and eventually contributes to improving learning services. Essentially, knowledge management can support improvements and innovation in analytics tools, translate an organisation's strategic vision into action, and enable sharing of information among different actors. These are all necessary requirements for effective learning analytics

In vitro Evaluation of the Antimicrobial Activity of Aqueous and Ethanolic Extracts of Four Medicinal Plants from Saudi Arabia

Natural compounds derived from higher plants can serve as new sources of antibacterial drugs with potentially novel mechanisms of action. Traditional medicine uses plant extracts to treat a variety of infectious disorders, including those caused by bacteria and fungi. Currently, there is a great demand for plant extracts with significant antibacterial activity. In this study, extracts from four plants—Lantana camara, Withania somnifera, Cetrariais landica, and Tribulus terrestris—were subjected to phytochemical screening, and in vitro antibacterial activity was evaluated. Phytochemical investigations revealed the presence of saponins, alkaloids, phenolics, flavonoids, carbohydrates, proteins, amino acids, glycosides, tannins, and terpenoids. The antimicrobial activities of the plant extracts were assessed using the disc diffusion method. They exhibited varied antimicrobial activities against gram-negative bacteria (E. coli and P. aeruginosa), gram-positive bacteria (B. subtilis and S. aureus), and fungi (C. albicans, A. niger, F. oxisporium, and F. solani). Lantana camara extract showed the highest phytochemical content and antimicrobial activity. These findings can be used in the pharmaceutical and alternative medicine industries to create natural bioactive compounds that are beneficial to human health

Predictive Accuracy of Social Comparison, Five Big Factors of Personality on Mood Contagion among Social Networking Users of Universities students

The study aimed at Predictive Accuracy of Social Comparison, Five Big Factor of Personality in predicting of Mood Contagion among Social Networking Users of Universities students. The sample consisted of 288 students from volunteers' university stage students. The scales application was performed electronically by the google form platform. The study depended on a correlational approach. The paper used the Mood contagion, five big factors of personality in social networking scales, then the study produced the social comparison scale. The findings proved that two factors Neuroticism and Extraversion had positive effects on mood contagion. Finally, the social comparison had a positive effect on mood contagion

Evolution of Malware Threats and Techniques: a Review

The rapid development of technology, and its usage, in our everyday lives caused us to depend on many of the aspects it offers. The evolution of the Internet in recent decades has changed human life drastically as accessing knowledge, communication, and social interaction, became readily available. Nowadays, we have become dependent on our PCs and smart devices in accomplishing everyday tasks. People are using these devices to store valuable information. This information became the target of cybercriminals who are constantly creating new ways to gain unauthorized access to it. In the past few decades, cybercrime and the construction of malicious software (malware), have seen a significant rise. In this research, we present a literature review of the historical evolution of malware. We describe the common characteristics and propagation methods for the types of malware in each phase of its evolution. Furthermore, we illustrate the purpose of its creation and the damages it has caused. The purpose of this study is to provide researchers with background about malware and its evolution leading up to present day threats

Applied Radiation Protection Physics

Nuclear medicine is an area where both patients and occupational radiation doses are among the highest in diagnostic imaging modalities today. Therefore, a good understanding and proper application of radiation protection principles are of great importance. Such understanding will allow optimization of practice that will be translated into cost savings for health care administrations worldwide. This chapter will tackle: radiation protection in the routine practice of both diagnostic and therapy applications in nuclear medicine including PET, diagnostic facility design, safety aspects of the common radionuclides used in clinics, the safety of the pregnant and breast feeding patients, radiation effect of exposure to ionizing radiation, and risk estimates. The chapter will discuss the operational radiation safety program requirements applied to Conventional Nuclear Medicine using Gamma Cameras, SPECT/CT, PET/CT, and Radioiodine therapy facilities. The chapter will serve as a quick reference and as a guide to access more detailed information resources available in the scientific literature