Determination of competency framework for technical and vocational education and training (TVET) educators in Nigerian tertiary institutions

Lack of competent TVET Educators in Nigerian institutions has led to several problems such as low quality graduates and unemployment. Competency is a vital element for assessing the quality of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) Educators. Therefore, this research investigated the TVET Educators ’ perceptions on competency needs in Nigerian tertiary institutions based on Malaysian Human Resource Development Practitioners (MHRDP) competency model for workplace learning and performance (WLP). Apart from that, this study also aimed at investigating the perception differences on competency elements among difference TVET tertiary institutions in order to enhance their quality. The study was fully quantitative and 218 questionnaires were systematically distributed to the TVET educators from five tertiary institutions based on the stratified sampling technique. A total of 205 questionnaires were returned. Descriptive and inferential statistical methods such as mean, EFA and ANOVA were used to analyse the data. The research found that Nigerian TVET educators perceived all the competency elements (25 constituents) as important; 19 out 25 constituents of competency framework were significantly related to Nigerian tertiary institutions. The research findings also revealed that there was no statistically significant differences among the TVET educators perception on competency elements across different types of TVET tertiary institutions. The developed competency framework for Nigerian TVET tertiary institutions contributes originally to the body of knowledge. The research recommends that government and other relevant authorities should emphasize on the implementation of the framework to tertiary institutions in Nigeria. A similar research should be undertaken to extend the result to reflect other Non-TVET educators in Nigeria

The relationship between corporate governance attributes and firm performance

A number of studies, particularly in developed countries, had been carried out to explore the relationship between corporate governance and firm performance. Since, the value creation of corporate governance can be measured through the firm performance, corporate governance act as a mechanism to align management's goals with the stakeholders especially to increase firm performance. Despite extensive study of corporate governance there are still inconsistencies in the link between corporate governance and firm performance. Therefore, the aim of this research is to explore the relationship between corporate governance attributes and firm performance in Malaysia Public Listed Companies. To do so five corporate governance components was used as independent variables include: Independent director, board size, audit committee, leadership structure and board meeting. While the dependent variables are two firm performance measurements; return on equity (ROE) and earning per share (EPS). Based on a random stratified sampling eight hundred thirty one (831) listed companies from main board of Bursa Malaysia for the year 2009, 2010 and 2011 were selected as samples of the study. The data gathered from Annual Reports of the companies have been entered into Excel Spread Sheet, then were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) program. Three types of data analyses have been performed; descriptive, T-test and Spearman correlation. The study discovered that, independent non-executive directors has an influence on earnings per share, board size has an influence on return on equity and earnings per share and also audit committee has an influence on earnings per share, leadership structure has an influence on return on equity and board meeting also has an influence on earnings per share. The results on the relationship between the firm performance and corporate governance mechanism suggest a positive relationship between return on equity and earnings per share as per the hypothesis testing. Therefore, the results also show that good corporate governance enforcement influence firm performance. Finally, no single theory offers a complete explanation of board characteristics-firm performance relationship, but rather rudiments of each theory can be seen to apply in different situations

Confinement of fermions in tachyon matter

In this paper we develop a phenomenological model inspired by QCD that mimics QCD theory. We use gauge theory in color dielectric medium ($G(\phi)$) coupled with fermion fields to produce scalar and vector confinement in chromoelectric flux tube scenario. Abelian theory will be used to approximate the non-Abelian QCD theory in a consistent manner. We will calculate vector and scalar glueballs and compare the result to the existing simulation and experimental results and projections. The QCD-like vacuum associated with the model will be calculated and its behavior studied relative to changing quark masses. We will also comment on the relationship between tachyon condensation, dual Higgs mechanism, QCD monopole condensation and their association with confinement. The behavior of the QCD string tension obtained from the vector potential of the model will be studied to establish vector dominance in confinement theories.Comment: 20 pages, 8 figures. Version published in AHE

The (de)-confinement transition in tachyonic matter at finite temperature

In this paper we present a QCD motivated model that mimics QCD theory. We examine the characteristics of the gauge field coupled with the color dielectric function ($G$) in the presence of temperature ($T$). The aim is to achieve confinement at low temperatures $T<T_{c}$, ($T_{c}$, is the critical temperature), similar to what occurs among quarks and gluons in hadrons at low energies. Also, we investigate scalar glueballs and QCD string tension and effect of temperature on them. To achieve this, we use the phenomenon of color dielectric function in gauge fields in a slowly varying tachyon medium. This method is suitable for analytically computing the resulting potential, glueball masses and the string tension associated with the confinement at a finite temperature. We demonstrate that the color dielectric function changes Maxwell's equation as a function of the tachyon fields and induces the electric field in a way that brings about confinement during the tachyon condensation below the critical temperature.Comment: 12 pages, 3 figures; version published in AHE

Data subject rights as a research methodology : a systematic literature review

This work is part of the first author's Ph.D., supported by the University of St Andrews’ School of Computer Science Handsel Scholarship and the Nigerian Government's Petroleum Technology Development Fund.Data subject rights provide data controllers with obligations that can help with transparency, giving data subjects some control over their personal data. To date, a growing number of researchers have used these data subject rights as a methodology for data collection in research studies. No one, however, has gathered and analysed different academic research studies that use data subject rights as a methodology for data collection. To this end, we conducted a systematic literature review that searched, compiled, and analysed 32 academic studies that use data subject rights as a data collection method. We find that the right of access is the most commonly-used data subject right by researchers, most studies are interested in measuring data subject rights compliance, and that a variety of difficulties exist in conducting research studies with data subject rights. We conclude that researchers should explore other data subject rights for alternative purposes, ease the process of exercising data subject rights, and improve the scalability of these studies.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Enhancing citizen participation through data subject right delegation

Data subject rights (DSRs) such as the right of access and the right to data portability can provide citizens with information about how their data are used in society. Researchers in academia and civil society alike have used such rights to investigate and improve transparency in democratic institutions. Researching with DSRs, however, is quite hard to conduct, requires some legal and technical knowledge, and suffers scalability limitations. One method to improve this is through delegation, where data subjects allow researchers to take the lead in exercising DSRs on their behalf. In this paper we present initial results from a user study investigating the acceptability of delegation of DSRs. We find that 86.67% of our 55 participants are willing to delegate their DSRs, and a cross three hypothetical research scenarios, the most acceptable delegate is a researcher conducting studies. Our findings can guide researchers in developing platforms that improve citizen participation in digital democracy studies that employ DSRs as a data collection tool

FDI and Economic Growth Nexus: Empirical Evidence from Nigeria (1970-2012)

The study has examined the impact of FDI on economic growth of Nigeria using time series data between 1970 and 2012. Secondary data were sourced from Central Bank Statistical Bulletin. An exploratory research design was conducted using OLS, ADF unit root test and Pair-wise Granger causality test. The major objective of this paper is to analyse the impact as well as direction of causality between FDI and economic growth in Nigeria. The result of the OLS shows a positive and significant relationship between FDI and real GDP proxy for economic growth. Also, granger causality test shows a unidirectional causality between the FDI and Nigerian economic growth. The existence of a positive relationship between FDI and economic growth necessitates the need to continue implementing policies that will attract FDI especially in the non-oil sectors of Nigeria. The study also recommends provision of adequate security especially in the North-eastern part of the country in order to control terrorist activities and pave way for more investment and as well domestic investment should also be encourage through providing necessary incentives to local businessmen. Key words: FDI, Economic growth, Granger causality and OLS.

Characterization of Doum Palm Seed Kernel as Natural Sorbent for Metal Ions Removal from Gombe Ternary Wastewater

Water pollution is one of the major challenges in cities and industrialized areas of the world. The effluent from Gombe ternary wastewater pollutes the surrounding waters thereby constituting health threat to the populace within its vicinity. In view of the above, a bio-sorption study of zinc and lead ions from Gombe ternary wastewater using doum palm seed kernel was carried out. The wastewater was characterized and was found to contain 0.03 mg/l lead metal ion and 0.81 mg/l zinc ion. The doum palm kernel bio-sorbent was obtained after oil extraction from the seed and processed as contained in the method mentioned in this paper. The kernel residue was characterized for functional groups using FTIR, surface morphology using SEM, surface area using BET, and elemental composition using XRF. The results indicated that the doum palm kernel is harmless, and possesses functional groups on its surface, which may be substituted with the metallic ions present in the wastewater. This gives the kernel the ability to adsorb positively charged ions on its surface by simple chemisorption. This mechanism is supported by the rough surface observed in the scanning electron microscopy. Adsorption and desorption of nitrogen was made at STP and the curve indicated very high correlation of close to unity. The surface area measured by multi BET method was recorded as 13.464 m2/g. This value is not high enough to adsorb metals by physical adsorption

Dividend policy and political uncertainty: Does firm maturity matter?

Previous evidence has shown that numerous factors influence dividend policy, but how political uncertainty affects a firm’s cash dividend policy remains blurry. This study examines the relationship between cash dividends and political uncertainty in Nigeria. More so, the study analyses whether this relationship prevails on matured and non-matured firms. The study employed ordinary least squares dummy variable (LSDV) approach with robust standard error on a data set of non-financial listed Nigerian firms. The results revealed that political uncertainty strongly influences firm’s cash dividend, and a matured firm tends to pay greater dividends than non-matured firms (firms with more growth options). Thus, this finding suggests that matured firms pay more dividends during period of political uncertainty. Consequently, the study supported the agency theory and the life cycle theory