Academic staff's responses to educational changes in a School of Engineering in a University in Singapore

There is a need to research the processes of educational change in Singapore as rapid changes can result in complex problems. This is a study on academic staffs responses to an educational change in an engineering School in a Singapore University. The theoretical framework of this study is based on Etzioni and Lehman's (1980) exposition that organizational factors are important in studying educational change and Blenkin's et. at. (1992) theory of beliefs about change. Perspectives of change in Singapore, particularly the academics', were analyzed, using Blenkin's et. al. (1992) description of the different attitudes towards change. Schon's (1971) model of dissemination of change was also used in the examination of how this change was implemented. Previously, students undertook one year of common engineering curriculum when they enrolled in a Bachelor of Engineering program in this University. This has, however, been expanded to a two-year common engineering program. This study examines the academic staff s responses to a change from one year to two years common engineering in a Bachelor of Engineering program. Along with this change is an attempt to broaden the engineering curriculum of the Bachelor program. This study investigates the organizational factors that influence the academics' responses to the curriculum change, and how they implemented the planned change in their teaching practices. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 10% of the academic staff in the Engineering School in this University. The interviewees concurred on the points that more channels should be provided for them to communicate their views on the curricular issues in the University, and that top-down decisions should be incorporated with bottom-up input. In addition, focus group discussions were carried out with 5% of the student population enrolled in the two- year common engineering program. Documentary analysis was also carried out in this study. A number of the University's publications on.the rationale of this change as well as newspaper articles were analyzed. This study discovers that more attention should be paid to students' learning, particularly in developing attitudes and skills that will help them adapt to a knowledge-based economy and rapid economic developments. In general, the academics in the present study held an attitude of change that is reflective of Blenkin's et. al. (1992) description, that change is inevitable, and survival entails adaptation to this change. They felt, however, that educational changes were too sporadic and frequent, consisting of reactions to external changes, particular in the area of economic changes. They desired a greater and deeper involvement in decisions on curriculum changes so that they could contribute their professional and pedagogical viewpoints. This study shows, therefore, the importance of examining the factors that influence academics to change and the stages they go through. It also shows the need to involve academics at every stage of a curriculum change

Academic staff's responses to educational changes in a School of Engineering in a university in Singapore

There is a need to research the processes of educational change in Singapore as rapid changes can result in complex problems. This is a study on academic staffs responses to an educational change in an engineering School in a Singapore University. The theoretical framework of this study is based on Etzioni and Lehman's (1980) exposition that organizational factors are important in studying educational change and Blenkin's et. at. (1992) theory of beliefs about change. Perspectives of change in Singapore, particularly the academics', were analyzed, using Blenkin's et. al. (1992) description of the different attitudes towards change. Schon's (1971) model of dissemination of change was also used in the examination of how this change was implemented. Previously, students undertook one year of common engineering curriculum when they enrolled in a Bachelor of Engineering program in this University. This has, however, been expanded to a two-year common engineering program. This study examines the academic staff s responses to a change from one year to two years common engineering in a Bachelor of Engineering program. Along with this change is an attempt to broaden the engineering curriculum of the Bachelor program. This study investigates the organizational factors that influence the academics' responses to the curriculum change, and how they implemented the planned change in their teaching practices. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 10% of the academic staff in the Engineering School in this University. The interviewees concurred on the points that more channels should be provided for them to communicate their views on the curricular issues in the University, and that top-down decisions should be incorporated with bottom-up input. In addition, focus group discussions were carried out with 5% of the student population enrolled in the two- year common engineering program. Documentary analysis was also carried out in this study. A number of the University's publications on.the rationale of this change as well as newspaper articles were analyzed. This study discovers that more attention should be paid to students' learning, particularly in developing attitudes and skills that will help them adapt to a knowledge-based economy and rapid economic developments. In general, the academics in the present study held an attitude of change that is reflective of Blenkin's et. al. (1992) description, that change is inevitable, and survival entails adaptation to this change. They felt, however, that educational changes were too sporadic and frequent, consisting of reactions to external changes, particular in the area of economic changes. They desired a greater and deeper involvement in decisions on curriculum changes so that they could contribute their professional and pedagogical viewpoints. This study shows, therefore, the importance of examining the factors that influence academics to change and the stages they go through. It also shows the need to involve academics at every stage of a curriculum change.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

ECOLOGICAL STUDIES OF DROSOPHILA ANANASSAE AND DROSOPHILA BIPECTINATA ON THE BUKIT TIMAH CAMPUS

Bachelor'sBACHELOR OF SCIENCE (HONOURS

Case study : Cybercure - a project by KK Women's and Children's Hospital.

This paper examines the viability of the CyberCure project that is currently being developed by the KK Women's and Children's Hospital. It also reviews the aims of the CyberCure project and the direction that the project has taken so far. In so doing, this paper provides an evaluation of the project as it currently stands, and will attempt to make recommendations for changes to the project in order to maximise the returns for the hospital. The paper starts by laying out the directions leading to the rationale of the case-study. It also reviews various literatures, tracing the growth of Internet and telemedicine, as proof to how emerging technologies have changed communications in the healthcare industry. A multi-case study approach is taken to compare two similar projects, CyberCure and Starbright World. An analysis of each project is made and a final assessment of the CyberCure project is included in the concluding section of this paper, together with a recommendation for changes to the project. This paper affirms the researcher's belief that communications in the healthcare industry going through a metamorphosis, and that emerging technologies in telecommunications can positively impact the quality of life of patients, and their care-givers.Bachelor of Communication Studie

Clinical spectrum of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in patients with diabetes mellitus.

BackgroundNon-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is increasingly widespread with an overall global estimated prevalence of 25%. Type 2 diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a key contributor to NAFLD progression and predicts moderate-severe liver fibrosis and mortality. However, there is currently no uniform consensus on routine NAFLD screening among T2DM patients, and the risk factors of NAFLD and advanced fibrosis among T2DM patients remain to be clarified fully.AimWe explored the prevalence, clinical spectrum, and risk factors of NAFLD and liver fibrosis among T2DM patients.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional study that enrolled subjects from a primary care clinic and a diabetes centre in Singapore. Subjects aged 21 to 70 years of all ethnic groups with an established T2DM diagnosis were included. Subjects with chronic liver diseases of other aetiologies were excluded. All subjects underwent transient elastography for hepatic steatosis and fibrosis assessment. Their demographics, anthropometric measurements and clinical parameters were collected. Statistical analysis was performed using STATA/SE16.0 software.ResultsAmong 449 enrolled T2DM subjects, 436 with complete data and valid transient elastography results were analysed. Overall, 78.72% (344/436) of the T2DM subjects had NAFLD, of which 13.08% (45/344) had increased liver stiffness. Higher ALT level (OR = 1.08; 95% CI: 1.03-1.14; p = 0.004), obesity (BMI ≥ 27.5 kg/m2, OR = 2.64; 95% CI: 1.28-5.44; p = 0.008) and metabolic syndrome (OR = 4.36; 95% CI 1.40-13.58; p = 0.011) were independent factors associated with increased CAP (NAFLD). Higher AST level (OR = 1.06; 95% CI: 1.02-1.11; p = 0.008), CAP value (OR = 1.02; 95% CI: 1.00-1.03; p = 0.003), lower platelet count (OR = 0.99; 95% CI: 0.98-1.00; p = 0.009) and concomitant hypertension (OR = 4.56; 95% CI: 1.18-17.62; p = 0.028) were independent factors associated with increased liver stiffness.ConclusionsOur study demonstrated a considerably high prevalence of NAFLD among T2DM patients, with the proportion of advanced liver fibrosis among T2DM NAFLD patients much higher than the general population. Given that NAFLD is largely asymptomatic, increased awareness and vigilance for identifying NAFLD and increased liver stiffness among T2DM patients should be advocated

Role of Asymptomatic Children in Community Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Transmission

10.1093/infdis/jiab138JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES223101834-183

Factors influencing protective behaviours during haze episodes in Singapore: a population-based study

Haze is a recurrent problem in Southeast Asia. Exposure to haze is linked to ophthalmic, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, and mortality. In this study, we investigated the role of demographic factors, knowledge and perceived risk in influencing protective behaviours during the 2013 haze in Singapore.Published versio