DYNAMICS OF STRATEGIC IMPLEMENTATION IN HIGHER EDUCATION IN KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA (PAKISTAN) WITH FOCUS ON THE ROLE OF MIDDLE MANAGEMENT

This study looks into various aspects of strategy execution in the context of higher education institutions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (Pakistan). Most studies on this subject have been conducted in developed countries leaving much room for understanding in a context characterized by a weak regulatory framework, unique socio-cultural traditions, and a complex political environment in a country like Pakistan. A standardized questionnaire was used to collect data from respondents selected through stratified random sampling technique in both academic and administrative sections of universities. The Structure Equation Modeling (SEM) was employed for exploratory and confirmatory factory analyses while Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM 3.0) was used for the measurement of path models of the study. The results show that the role of middle management was significant in terms of championing alternative strategic options, synthesizing information, and executing deliberate strategy whereas it was insignificant in facilitating adaptability. The results of this study have theoretical significance in that it looks at strategy implementation from the perspective of a developing country. Practically, the results suggest giving more power to middle management in all aspects of strategic management. The results, however, have to be understood with some of the study’s limitations that have been discussed later at length

Graduate Students’ Perceptions of Written Feedback at a Private University in Pakistan

Excellence in academic performance at the graduate level requires good command of writing skills. Teachers’ written feedback can help students to develop their writing skills. However, several personal and contextual factors may influence feedback processes and its utilization by students. Therefore, understanding these factors is essential to improve the practice of written feedback. This study aimed to appraise the quality of written feedback in the graduate programmes and to ascertain students’ perceptions about it at a private university in Pakistan. A purposive sample of 15 participants comprised the study. The data were collected through in-depth students’ interviews and the teachers’ written comments on students’ assignments. Data were coded and cat egorized to assess the pattern of similarities and dissimilarities. The analysis of comments on students’ assignments indicated that the amount of feedback varied greatly. Although some feedback focused on form and style, most comments focused on the content. Moreover, the tone of comments lacked a balance of praise, criticism and suggestions. The data from students’ interviews were categorized as: variations in experiences, functions of written feedback, effectiveness of feedback and utilization of feedback. With some exceptions students’ perceptions about the quality feedback corroborated with the teachers’ comment analysis. The study highlights several factors that impact the receptivity and utilization of feedback by students. Therefore, teachers need to be aware and trained to enhance the quality of their feedback

Finding influentials in decision making process of local government: A study of two union councils in Peshawar district of Pakistan

My study is about elites influence in the decision making process of local government ofPakistan. In 2000 Pakistan introduced a new local government system under devolutionof power plan, which promising to devolve the power to grass roots. The new system wasimplemented in 2001 after holding of non party based elections. Though people ingeneral seem to be happy with the system, the critics have charged the system for notfulfilling the promise, rather having empowered the local economic and political elitesmore than before.This study attempted to find who, with what background, have influence in the decisionmaking process of Local Government in Pakistan. The study is operationalized on thetheoretical concepts of elite school of thought, applying its positional and reputationalmethods to identify elites. It aimed at finding the positions, gender, socio-economic,cultural, political and expertise of the Councillors. Two Union Councils, University townand Karimpura of Peshawar District, were selected as sample of the study.The data were gathered about 31 councillors through a comprehensive questionnaireembedding interview, case study and group discussion while SPSS was used for analysesand interpretation. The study analyzed 21 variables, among which 7 had direct andpositive relationship and 7 had none in both Union Councils, while the rest 7 aresignificant in only one Union Council. Overall position, gender, education, income,leadership roles and political factors to varying extent, seem important attributes of theCouncilors assessed highly influential by their peer Councilors. However, both UnionCouncils, show different results about seven variables, which could be due to theirdemographic, socio-economic and cultural differences, and Councillors functions as wellas smaller number of respondents in Karimpura Union Council than the University TownUnion Council.However, the findings of the study reveal elites influence in decision making of UnionCouncils, but do not indicate their mal handling of the power; rather most of them havecompleted successfully many development works for the uplift of their community

LEGAL FRAMEWORKS FOR CLIMATE REFUGEES: ADDRESSING THE GLOBAL CRISIS

The Primary Objective Of This Scholarly Article Is To Investigate The Changing Legal Structures Surrounding Individuals Impacted By Displacement Caused By Climate Change, Considering The Escalating Global Climate Challenges. The Urgent Concern Of Displacement Triggered By Climate Change Demands The Development Of Thorough Legal Tactics. This Article Aims To Explore The Current State Of Legal Frameworks At Both Global And Local Levels, Assess Their Strengths And Weaknesses, And Propose Strategies To Enhance The Protection And Assistance Provided To Individuals Affected By Displacement Caused By Climate Change

Experiences and Perceptions of Patients Living With Hepatitis C in Karachi, Pakistan

Purpose: Hepatitis C (HCV) is a chronic disease that affects an individual’s physical, financial, social, and emotional well-being throughout the illness. Although extensive literature is available on experiences of patients with hepatitis C in developed countries, very little exists in developing countries, particularly in Pakistan. This article describes experiences of patients living with HCV in Karachi, Pakistan. Method: Using descriptive exploratory design, data were collected through semistructured interviews from 10 patients with HCV. The interviews were tape recorded and transcribed verbatim. Findings: The three categories—perceptions and misperceptions, challenges and sufferings, support and shortcomings—were subsumed under the theme “deadly, dangerous, and devastating.” Conclusion and implications for practice: Patients with HCV experience profound challenges that are influenced by their level of education, financial capacity, cultural norms, family support, and the sensitivity of health care professionals. Several cultural practices existing in Pakistan identify the need for public awareness. The findings on health care professionals have implications for nursing and allied health continuing education

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients with paediatric cancer in low-income, middle-income and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, observational cohort study

OBJECTIVES: Paediatric cancer is a leading cause of death for children. Children in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) were four times more likely to die than children in high-income countries (HICs). This study aimed to test the hypothesis that the COVID-19 pandemic had affected the delivery of healthcare services worldwide, and exacerbated the disparity in paediatric cancer outcomes between LMICs and HICs. DESIGN: A multicentre, international, collaborative cohort study. SETTING: 91 hospitals and cancer centres in 39 countries providing cancer treatment to paediatric patients between March and December 2020. PARTICIPANTS: Patients were included if they were under the age of 18 years, and newly diagnosed with or undergoing active cancer treatment for Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, Wilms' tumour, sarcoma, retinoblastoma, gliomas, medulloblastomas or neuroblastomas, in keeping with the WHO Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: All-cause mortality at 30 days and 90 days. RESULTS: 1660 patients were recruited. 219 children had changes to their treatment due to the pandemic. Patients in LMICs were primarily affected (n=182/219, 83.1%). Relative to patients with paediatric cancer in HICs, patients with paediatric cancer in LMICs had 12.1 (95% CI 2.93 to 50.3) and 7.9 (95% CI 3.2 to 19.7) times the odds of death at 30 days and 90 days, respectively, after presentation during the COVID-19 pandemic (p<0.001). After adjusting for confounders, patients with paediatric cancer in LMICs had 15.6 (95% CI 3.7 to 65.8) times the odds of death at 30 days (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected paediatric oncology service provision. It has disproportionately affected patients in LMICs, highlighting and compounding existing disparities in healthcare systems globally that need addressing urgently. However, many patients with paediatric cancer continued to receive their normal standard of care. This speaks to the adaptability and resilience of healthcare systems and healthcare workers globally

Twelve-month observational study of children with cancer in 41 countries during the COVID-19 pandemic

Childhood cancer is a leading cause of death. It is unclear whether the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted childhood cancer mortality. In this study, we aimed to establish all-cause mortality rates for childhood cancers during the COVID-19 pandemic and determine the factors associated with mortality