Proposed Integrated System for Library Services and Online Education: A Pakistani Perspective

Purpose: Education is the basic need of each community member and educational institutions play a vital role in the development of any community and country as a whole. Also, libraries plays significant role in educating people or fulfilling educational needs of the society members. COVID-19 pandemic affects all sectors of life including educational institutes. However, libraries play dramatic role in the delivery of electronic services like e-thesis, e-books, e-research articles and virtual reference. The proposed study will provide a step-by-step guideline to individual researchers, research organizations, educational assessments organizations, government departments and policy development departments to plan and execute such innovative projects for the betterment of the educational system in the country. Similarly, libraries will get benefit to engage officially in providing e-services to community members. Through this proposed proposal the researchers may be able to identify the current status of educational institutions and their libraries in Pakistan in terms of educational institutions\u27 and their libraries strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats for the delivery of online educational programs and e-services of libraries during COVID-19 pandemic or in such other accidental situations. Research Methodology: The proposed study will be conducted through Explanatory Sequential Mixed Method Research to meet study objectives. Practical Implications: The proposed study will help in identifying strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats to online educational programs and e-services of libraries. Also, propose suggestions to educational institutions and libraries on the basis of identified strengths and opportunities for their better utilization. Similarly, it will identify the issues like weaknesses and threats to online educational programs and libraries in universities and will propose strategies for covering such deficiencies for the smooth delivery of online education and library online services while utilizing the existing resources. Also, benchmarking other developed organizations and may introduce resource sharing modules among the different organizations to overcome less developed organizations\u27 deficiencies while utilizing developed organizations existing resources

SME contributions for diversification and stability in emerging economies – An empirical study of the SME segment in the Qatar economy

Diversity has a significant influence on economic output, productivity and growth’ (Marra, Carlei & Crociata 2011). A healthy SME sector is vital to the sustainability and growth of an economy, especially in emerging economies as their business composition is mostly dominated by the SME segment. Similar to most economies in the MENA (Middle Eastern and North Africa) region, Qatar’s economy predominantly depends on the gas and oil industry. This paper discusses the challenges faced by SME’s in Qatar and financial institutions’ and the perception of barriers to SMEs in terms of lending and support. The research involved a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the research data. A preliminary assessment of secondary data was conducted to establish the current standing of Qatar’s SMEs and compare this with similar emerging markets and more developed economies. Data was obtained for the qualitative element of the study through structured interviews with banking professionals and questionnaires completed by SME entrepreneurs in Qatar. The paper also revealed that there are differences between stakeholders of the SME segment which present further challenges and recommends solutions to these challenges

Investigating Perceptions of Teachers Towards Teaching of English Language Using Short Fiction

The objective of this research study was to unfold the efficacy of literature in general and short story in particular in teaching and learning English language skills at higher secondary level. The populations of this study are twenty higher secondary schools of Swat KPK, while 10 were chosen as a sample for the study. Data were collected thorough semi structured interview from20 teachers from the selected schools on purposive sampling basis. The study found that teaching English language through short stories is effective and interesting for both teachers and students. In addition, teaching English language through short stories enables learners to learn the language in proper contexts and empowers them to use it creatively. Besides, it develops high order thinking and exposes learners to specific socio-cultural expressions, which facilitates and expedites language learning process. Based on these findings, the study suggests to revisit the prevalent practice of teaching in order to design a syllabus that meets the needs, level and interest of the students. The study further suggests that teachers should adopt teaching strategies and methodologies in accordance with the prevailing teaching practices. Moreover, the study recommends that teaching of L2 can effectively be taught through integration of Short Stories (SS). &nbsp

ATTITUDE OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS TOWARDS POETRY IN ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE CLASSROOM

Several factors affect second language learning process including motivation, attitude, intelligence, age, gender and personality. However, attitude towards language teaching text carries vital importance in an ESL classroom(Garinger, 2002). This research paper attempts to measure the attitude of English as a second language (ESL) learners towards the text of poetry and its effect on the English-speaking skill of the learners. This was an experimental study employing a one-group Pretest-posttest research design.The respondents of the study were forty students from the faculty of social sciences, University of Malakand, Pakistan. An attitude questionnaire was circulated amongst the respondents after the intervention. The responses of the learners were analysed through statistical tests to find out their attitude towards poetry as language teaching materials. The results of the questionnaire showed that the students had a positive attitude towards the text of poetry as language teaching materials. The study also attempted to investigate the effect of the students’ attitude on their speaking skill while using poetry as teaching materials. To this effect, the scores of the students on the pretest and posttest were analysed through paired samples t-test andthe results indicated that the students performed significantly better on the posttest. Based on the results of the study, it is recommended that poetry be utilized in ESL classrooms

EXPLORING THE ROLE OF LITERATURE IN DEVELOPING SPEAKING AND WRITING SKILLS OF LEARNERS

This paper investigated the role of literature in developing speaking and writing skills among students at higher secondary school level in district Swat Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Pakistan. Literature reveals that current practice of teaching English at higher secondary schools uses GTM, Grammar Translation Method (GTM), in which word to word translation is done and language is taught through first language. Studies have revealed that literature plays a key role in developing speaking and writing skills of students. Most of the previous research is reported on primary school level. There is a dearth of studies on how literature plays a role in developing speaking and writing skills of students at higher secondary level. Moreover, in the current literature, the role of literature especially short fictions and other similar content has been overlooked and underestimated related to developing speaking and writing skills of students. For this purpose, the researcher conducted a survey to find out the role of literature in developing writing and speaking skills of students at higher secondary school level. To collect data, the researcher designed and administered a structured questionnaire to 302 students.  The students were selected through random sampling method. The findings of the study testify that teaching of English language through literature helps them develop speaking and writing skills. The study also found that there was a significant difference in the perceptions of female versus male students towards the role of literature in developing speaking and writing skills. Based on the results, the paper suggests that literature (short fictions) may be used as source text for developing speaking and writing skills of students

The Mediating Impact of Self-Confidence on Relationship of Perceived Formal Support and Entrepreneurial Intention in the Education Sector of Pakistan: Dr. Kashif Rathore, Saba Shaukat, Kashif Ali, Arshad Haroon

The purpose of this study is to find out the mediating influence of selfconfidence level (SC) on the relationship of perceived formal support (PFS) and students‟ entrepreneurial intention (EI). There are few studies that investigated the influence of mediator (self confidence level). As a result, this study contributes to the area of entrepreneurship. The study used a crosssectional research design. The population of this study consists of final year undergraduates of University of the Punjab, Lahore. Sample consists of 250 students from three departments. Zero-order correlation, multiple regression analysis and t-test are used for data analysis. The multiple regression analysis shows that self-confidence level (SC) significantly mediates the relationship of perceived formal support (PFS) and entrepreneurial intentions (EI) of students. Furthermore, t-test shows that male and female students significantly different in terms of perceived formal support (PFS) but there is no difference between male and female students in terms of their entrepreneurial intentions (EI).&nbsp

Outcome of Surgical Site Infection Following Inguinal Hernia Closure

<p>Objective: This study's goal is to look into how inguinal hernia surgery patients respond to surgical site infections (SSIs). The purpose of the study is to examine the association between the prevalence of SSIs and demographic factors such as age, body mass index (BMI), habitation type (urban/rural), presence of diabetes mellitus and hypertension, degree of education, length of hospital stay, and length of surgery. Methods: Patients who underwent inguinal hernia closure surgeries were included in this retrospective analysis, which was carried out in a medical facility. A patient's demographics, BMI, type of habitation, diabetes and hypertension status, education level, length of hospital stay, length of operation, and presence or absence of surgical site infections were all collected from their medical records from feb to aug 2023. To evaluate the patient population's characteristics and the prevalence of SSIs, data analytic techniques included frequency distribution and percentage calculation. In order to identify correlations between factors and the occurrence of SSI, statistical tests were run. Results: The study involved all of the patients. The age distribution displayed 35.1% in the 20–30 age, 21.1% in the 40–50 age, and 43.9 % in the 40–50 age. BMI categories were revealed with BMIs of 20–23, 23–25, and 25–28. Participants who lived in cities made up 22(29.7%) of the group, whereas participants who lived in rural areas made up 35.1 %. Diabetes mellitus was more common than hypertension 23 (20.2%) vs. 17(14.9%). The distribution of  education levels was as follows: 17(14.9 %) with no education, 46 (40.4%) with SSC-level education and 51(44.7%) with HSSC or higher education. Hospital stays lasting 1-3 days in 55 (48.2%) of cases and 3-6 days in 59 (51.8%) of cases, respectively. There were two categories for operation length: 1-3 months 59(51.8%) and 3-6 months 55 (48.2%). 22 (19.3%) of cases had surgical site infections, while 92 (80.7%) of cases had no infections at all. Conclusion: The results of surgical site infections after inguinal hernia closure are clarified by this investigation. The frequency of SSIs highlights the significance of strict infection control procedures. Further investigation is required to determine the association between demographic factors and the prevalence of SSI. These findings have implications for post-operative care plans and surgical protocols that aim to reduce the risk of SSIs and improve patient outcomes. To fully comprehend the multifactorial nature of SSIs in inguinal hernia closure surgeries, additional study is required.</p><p>Inguinal Hernia, Surgical Site Infection, Diabetes, Hypertension, Age.</p&gt

www.pjms.com.pk 107 Pak

Manuscripts from any country can have deficiencies. Those received from Iran have had their share of discrepancies. These discrepancies have ranged from problems with poor English, to inconsistency of format and quality of references and disregard for the 'instruction to authors'. Significant delays occur in the processing of articles due to too much time taken by the authors to give the feedback to the queries of reviewers and the return of proof-read articles, amongst many other elements. Conclusions: We feel that online edition of a journal not only helps to increase the visibility of the journal but also proves to be a great source of manuscripts, even without indexing by Medline, provided the regularity and standard of the journal is maintained. In addition, it is an important potential source of coordination between the regional countries to work together for the training of writers, reviewers and editors to improve the standard of medical journalism, and thus improve the standards of medical journals in the region

Sustainable Rural Development though Women Participation in SMEs Business Growth in Sindh

The present research paper is focused is focused on the sustainable development through women participation in SMEs business growth in Sindh. The main objective of current research is to examine the sustainable development through women participation in Small and medium enterprises in upper Sindh. The data were collected from 300 respondents from five Districts Dadu, Nawabshah, Shikarpur, Jacobabad and Kashmore district by using simple random technique. It was further revealed that the rural women is less confident and their husbands were always given them hard time once they are exposing themselves to out side the boundaries of the house. It was revealed the rural women is innovate designs of toppi (Sindhi Caps) as well as other SMEs products which are the only source of earning. They are also paid 60% less value of their products because of lack of marketing and other facilities. The biggest challenges which they were facing they were doing all business in house, lack of marketing facilities, Karo Kari criminal activities and they were deprived from the basic rights. This study contributes and explores the Rural Women challenges in SMEs business and how these critical unethical problems we can overcome like KARO KARI, and other various social issues growth