First-Generation Students in Higher Education: Issues of Employability in a Knowledge Based Economy

This paper explores the issues around the transition of first-generation students in higher education into the knowledge based economy. It discusses how the lack of parental education deprives first-generation students of the cultural capital that is transmitted through the family and how this influences the acquisition of the “soft currencies” that employers expect them to demonstrate in this economy. The article stresses the need for focused research on understanding the problems faced by these students with regard to their employability and actual employment, specifically in the context of mass higher education. It highlights the need for research that could inform policies, systems, programs and funding patterns regarding first-generation students; and influence government and institutions of higher education to look beyond creating access to enabling the transition into the world of work

The Ecology And Biology Of Aedes Aegypti (L.) And Aedes Albopictus (Skuse) (Diptera: Culicidae) And The Resistance Status Of Aedes Albopictus (Field Strain) Against Organophosphates In Penang, Malaysia

Penyampelan populasi telur (luar kediaman) dijalankan di dua lokasi pinggir kota di Pulau Pinang iaitu di Paya Terubong Outdoor Ovitrap surveys were carried out in two suburban locations in Penang; Paya Terubong (Air Itam) and Bagan Dalam (Butterworth)

Teachers’ perceptions of lessons using computer assisted language learning

The present study was designed to investigate the teachers’ perceptions of CALL lessons. The objectives of this study are to find out the problems faced by the teachers when conducting CALL lessons, to identify the perceptions teachers have on such lessons and also to investigate teachers’ perceptions of the effectiveness of the lessons using CALL on students. Questionnaires were distributed to 16 teachers who are currently teaching English at secondary schools in Johor Bahru. The data collected were analyzed using qualitative data. The problems identified in using CALL lessons were problems with facilities and problems with teachers’ attitudes. However, teachers had positive perceptions of CALL lessons as it helps teachers to attract students’ attention in the classroom and CALL lessons promote enhanced language acquisition

In electronic education, does total quality exist in the experiences of the customer rather than the aspirations of the supplier?

Total Quality Management (TQM) is a systems approach to management that aims to continuously increase value to customers by designing and constantly improving organizational processes and systems. However, TQM has been so slow to migrate from industry to the campus mainly because many academics still see TQM as a fad or buzzword. This paper looks at whether total quality exists in the experiences of the customer rather than the aspirations of the supplier and how far this is true in electronic education. E-education is a generic concept embracing e-learning, e-management and e-administration. It is in this holistic context that institutions should address the issues if there is to be a coherent transition from traditional practice to one that exploits the potential of e-business. It is therefore imperative that the culture of most universities and technological universities will have to be transformed if quality improvement efforts are to be successful. Following will be a discussion of the role of TQM in education, the identification of customers and suppliers in e-education, and whether culture might pose a problem to TQM in e-learning

Teaching Professional Networking: Students Building Contacts Outside the Classroom

This pilot study implemented a method for teaching professional networking to college business communication students. The method introduced students to data on new college graduate unemployment and underemployment, research on methods for filling open positions, and the concept of six degrees of separation. Where most examples of professional networking instruction in prior research took place exclusively in the classroom, this method required students to make and track contacts in their chosen professional fields. Student reactions were captured in reflection papers and an open response survey and analyzed qualitatively using coding and similarity comparison (Boeije, 2010). Responses were not overly surprising as students indicated learning about their career field, the importance of utilizing connections, challenges in networking, and the benefits that can come from networking. The hands-on nature of the instruction and need for networking as a skill among CTE students creates opportunities for future research

The perception of viewers on female role portrayals in Malaysian television advertisements

The purpose of the study is to examine the extent to which there are gender differences in advertisements in Malaysia. Primary data for the study was based on questionnaires that were completed by 200 university undergraduates from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). The study found that there were significant differences, in general perceptions of female role portrayals in advertisements, among the male and female viewers. The study also found that the differences in gender and race could have caused different perceptions, on female role portrayals in television advertisements. The study further found that certain portrayals of women in television advertisements were considered offensive, particularly by female viewers and they further felt that there is a need for a change in such portrayals

Analysis of genetic variation of inducible nitric oxide synthase and natural resistance-associated macrophage protein 1 loci in Malaysian native chickens

The genetic diversity of 100 Malaysian native chickens was investigated using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) for two candidate genes: inducible nitric oxide synthase (INOS) and natural resistance-associated macrophage protein 1 (NRAMP1). The two genes were selected because of their important role in chicken's immune system. INOS and NRAMP1 PCR products were digested by AluI and SacI restriction enzymes, respectively. The restriction digests produced fragment sizes of 322 and 173 bp for INOS and 722 and 79 bp for NRAMP1 as one allele and an undigested PCR product as the other allele. Both loci were polymorph, however only INOS gene showed Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Average heterozygosity and the Shannon information index (I) was 0.43 and 0.62 for INOS and 0.48 and 0.68 for NRAMP1 genes, respectively. The observed polymorphism in this study shows the ability of these candidate genes in marker assisted selection and introgression programs to increase resistance to diseases in both Malaysian native and commercial chickens