Exploring the Impact of Hostel Life of Students on Academic Performance: Sohar University – a case study

Purpose The objective of the study is to critically investigate the facilities and the communication services required in the hostel; to critically investigate the safety services prevailing in the hostel. Design/Methodology/approach For this study, 219 respondents were chosen on a simple random sampling basis among the students both girls and boys from Sohar University who were living in the hostel outside side the campus. Using a well-defined questionnaire, the data was collected data and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) to derive at the conclusion. Findings The empirical study shows that the students are satisfied with the Room Facilities and the Safety Services provided in the hostel. However, they are not satisfied with the Communication Services. The study also reveals that there is an impact of Communication Services and Family Support on Study Convenience for the students living in a hostel. Practical Implications The hostel authorities/administration should pay more attention to the communication facilities provided in the hostel especially speedy internet connection could be made available through Wi-Fi so as to convene the students. Social Implications Hostel life is a principal component in the academic life of students who leave their home and live for the purpose of learning. The factors which create an impact of hostel life on academic performance need to be paid attention by the educational authorities so that the ultimate purpose of students joining the institutions viz. learning can be achieved. Originality/value No study has investigated before the impact of hostel life on academic performance, and this study will help the College / University Administration to plan and provide the necessary facilities for the students

Buddhist and Muslim interaction in the post-war of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is a small pluralistic state. This is a multi-racial social environment, members of all communities lived in peace and harmony with social integration with one another. Each community practised and its own religious cultural values. This situation has changed aftermath of the government’s victory in the war (1983-2009) against the Liberation Tigers Tamil Elam (LTTE). Now there is a series of tense between the Buddhist and Muslim communities in Sri Lanka. The Buddhist Nationalist Groups (BNGs) have been questioned the social and religious features of the Muslims, and their religious obligations were heavily and unduly questioned via provocations from these respective groups. On this background, the study attempts to explore the religious interaction between Muslims and Buddhists in Sri Lanka. The questionnaire survey used as a key tool, and the semi-structured interview conducted among the Buddhists and Muslims in Sri Lanka. The findings of the study show that the relationship between the two communities is generally seen to be in a healthy state. However, the few notable features have exacerbated the tension between the two communities

Natural convection in a square cavity with uniformly heated and/or insulated walls using marker-and-cell method

In this study, a numerical investigation has been performed using the computational Harlow-Welch MAC (Marker and Cell) finite difference method to analyse the unsteady state two-dimensional natural convection in lid-driven square cavity with left wall maintained at constant heat flux and remaining walls kept thermally insulated. The significant parameters in the present study are Reynolds number (Re), thermal Grashof number (Gr) and Prandtl number (Pr) and Peclét number (Pe =PrRe). The structure of thermal convection patterns is analysed via streamline, vorticity, pressure and temperature contour plots. The influence of the thermophysical parameters on these distributions is described in detail. Validation of solutions with earlier studies is included. Mesh independence is also conducted. It is observed that an increase in Prandtl number intensifies the primary circulation whereas it reduces the heat transfer rate. Increasing thermal Grashof number also decreases heat transfer rates. Furthermore the isotherms are significantly compressed towards the left (constant flux) wall with a variation in Grashof number while Peclét number is fixed. The study is relevant to solar collector heat transfer simulations and also crystal growth technologies

Effectiveness of online peer-assisted learning session in fostering the knowledge on breast cancer and breast self-examination among undergraduate medical students

Introduction: Peer-assisted learning (PAL) is a student-centered active learning process which provides a flexible approach for students to prepare and organize their learning prospectus and gives opportunity for collaboration among peers. Aims: The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness and impact of online PAL session in enhancing the knowledge of breast cancer and breast self-examination (BSE) among medical students. Settings and Design: This was a cross-sectional, quasi-experimental study done using mixed-method design. Subjects and Methods: Online PAL session was conducted for premedical and preclinical students by the peer tutors for 93 medical students in March 2020. Knowledge of breast cancer and BSE was compared with the pretest and posttest scores. Feedback survey from tutees, tutors, and faculties was taken to evaluate conduct and satisfaction of the workshop for improvements in future. Statistical Analysis Used: Data were analyzed using SPSS 22. Descriptive data were presented as frequency and percentage. Continuous data were presented as mean and standard deviation. Paired sample t-test was applied for statistical significance of pretest and posttest data. Results: Significant improvements were observed in the posttest scores of knowledge on breast cancer and BSE. The mean satisfaction score was high among the tutees, tutors, and faculties, indicating that PAL session had significant impact on students. Conclusions: PAL sessions can be a dynamic tool to create a safe and successful learning environment for students to learn on sensitive health issues such as breast cancer and BSE