Malaysian Sandwich Generation Issues and Challenges in Elderly Parents Care

Ageing is a growing concern all around the world. It is the biggest challenge for developing and developed countries, including Malaysia. Malaysia is a country, where ageing care centre runs under the government, NGOs and public sector, and recently few of the religious centres and entrepreneurs are working in this regard. However, still the facilities are lacking ; therefore; all across Malaysia Sandwich Generation families are still providing support to the elderly by themselves. Hence, this paper aims to highlight the concept of Sandwich Generation under the perspective of ageing issues in Malaysia. The “Sandwich Generation” is still an unknown term for Malaysian Society. It practically focuses on the new inclinations in a familial responsibility in the form of support and care for elderly parents along with children. This paper discusses the issues and challenges confronted by the sandwich generation (who are taking care of family and supporting elderly) residing in the leading states of Malaysia. This study adopts the qualitative research strategy, and the population consists of five sandwich generation families living in main states of Malaysia (Johor, Penang, Kedah, Selangor and Klang Valley area). The results highlight that issues such as financial, emotional, dim future, stress, fewer savings and time management are main issues confronting sandwich generation while they perform their role as a caregiver in Malaysia. A recommendation plan is being produced by keeping in view the problems facing by the sandwich generation

Online Learning Challenges Faced by SSC-Level Learners During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Case of Pakistan

Background/purpose – The pandemic threatened education through two significant shocks: the closing of educational institutions across all levels and the financial recession. This overnight shift from face-to-face to an online mode of education became the reason for various physical, mental, and financial challenges faced by both learners and educators alike. This study investigates the perception of Secondary School Certificate (SSC-level) learners in Pakistan regarding online teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials/methods – A qualitative research strategy was adopted, with semi-structured interviews conducted via Zoom with 15 SSC learners from renowned schools in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Pakistan. Structured inductive data analysis technique was adopted in the analysis of the collected data.Results – The study’s results highlighted problems experienced by SSC-level learners in online classes via Zoom and Google Classroom. These related to technology, personal, and educator issues such as technical problems, adaptability struggles, computer literacy, lack of motivation, poor grades, inability to focus, homesickness, disorganization, skipping classes, failure to dedicate appropriate time to studies, technology shortages, poor sleep habits, lack of routine, power failures due to extreme weather, and uncertainty about the future and fear of SSC final exams.Conclusion – This study will help policymakers from Pakistan’s Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education System to focus more on development, technology, communication, and support programs, especially for high school learners

Role of artificial intelligence on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMES) management in southwest, Nigeria

he study examined the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Southwest Nigeria. Specifically, the study assessed the level of awareness and understanding of Artificial Intelligence (AI) among the SMEs operators including the factors hindering the adoption and implementation of AI technologies in SMEs operations in the study area. Primary data was used for the study with the aid of a questionnaire on 355 respondents. The data gathered was analyzed using percentage, mean and standard deviation, while hypothesis was tested using t-test inferential statistics. The findings revealed that 75% of respondents are aware of AI technologies, but only 55-63% deeply understands industry-specific applications. Also revealed are the major barriers to the adoption, which include financial constraints, inadequate technological infrastructure, insufficient technical manpower skills, cultural and organizational resistance, regulatory challenges, data privacy and security concerns. The study recommended among others that targeted educational initiatives, financial support, and improved infrastructure to bridge the knowledge gap and enhance AI integration are key. Also that organizational culture, leadership openness, and employee readiness are crucial for successful AI adoption. Therefore the creation and implementation of comprehensive educational programs, financial incentives and policies to create a supportive environment for AI technologies should highly encouraged by all stakeholders

Role of artificial intelligence on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMES) management in southwest, Nigeria

he study examined the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Southwest Nigeria. Specifically, the study assessed the level of awareness and understanding of Artificial Intelligence (AI) among the SMEs operators including the factors hindering the adoption and implementation of AI technologies in SMEs operations in the study area. Primary data was used for the study with the aid of a questionnaire on 355 respondents. The data gathered was analyzed using percentage, mean and standard deviation, while hypothesis was tested using t-test inferential statistics. The findings revealed that 75% of respondents are aware of AI technologies, but only 55-63% deeply understands industry-specific applications. Also revealed are the major barriers to the adoption, which include financial constraints, inadequate technological infrastructure, insufficient technical manpower skills, cultural and organizational resistance, regulatory challenges, data privacy and security concerns. The study recommended among others that targeted educational initiatives, financial support, and improved infrastructure to bridge the knowledge gap and enhance AI integration are key. Also that organizational culture, leadership openness, and employee readiness are crucial for successful AI adoption. Therefore the creation and implementation of comprehensive educational programs, financial incentives and policies to create a supportive environment for AI technologies should highly encouraged by all stakeholders

Challenges of higher education institutions students in the United Kingdom and Nepal during COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative comparative exploration. Management in Education

The present study is a comparative qualitative exploration of challenges faced by higher education institutions (HEIs) indeveloped (United Kingdom) and developing (Nepal) nations during the COVID-19 pandemic. A qualitative researchstrategy was used, and interviews were conducted via zoom to collect data from undergraduate and graduate students of both countries. The study’s findings indicated that students in Nepal and the United Kingdom faced nearly similar challenges. Moreover, the pandemic significantly impacted students’ academic performance and well-being. The students face disparities in accessing the quality of education, and the gap has been widening among privileged and unprivileged students.The crucial issues focusing on academic, psychological, and socioeconomic challenges during online learning aretechnical problems, limited access to resources, mental health concerns and social isolation. The results clearly showthat U.K. students have better technology access than Nepal students, who face multiple infrastructure and economic constraints. These disparities affect students’ ability to engage in online classes and access academic resources. Hence, based on the study’s findings, strategies are proposed as a way forward. The study’s findings are able to help policymakers,HEIs and the government focus more on flexible assessment policies, mental health support and innovative teaching methodologies for any unforeseen circumstances such as COVID-19

Silent Scream of Malaysian Elderly: A Case Study in Noble Care Ageing Centres

Ageing is a normal biotic process, which ultimately reaches to every human being. The transitioning of young adult to older people may result as reduction of social, physiological and psychological capacities that bring social and health threats for the older population. The rich tradition of dignified ageing is exceedingly wearied away in developing countries, including Malaysia. The primary purpose of this research is to provide a snapshot of what it means to be living with chronic disease in Malaysia. This study was conducted in Klang Valley, Malaysia, due to the paucity of research in this area. The present study demonstrates the true stories of elderly associated with their physical, psychological and social experiences regarding immediate surroundings, friends, family and the society residing in Noble Care Malaysia, which is an established welfare and human services organisation, helping the deserving members of society. The qualitative research methodology is adopted, and an in-depth life history technique has been used for a deeper picture of the elderly’s memories and experience. The data is collected through five in-depth life history’s narrative of the elderly with chronic diseases. The study explains the true stories of the elderly in connection to familial neglection and abandonment for social awareness about ageing and older citizen feelings. Thus, it is imperative to keep the senior citizen self-esteem positive, along with the mental and physical activity. However, most importantly, the respect and mutual understanding between older citizen and the younger generation are getting worsen which need to be sustained harmoniously. This paper proposes some necessary measures to be addressed for graceful, proactive and gracious ageing

Knowledge creating capabilities and academic entrepreneurship

Knowledge management (KM) needs a systematic approach to develop capabilities that accelerate the evolution of knowledge as a key organizational resource. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of knowledge creating capabilities on academic entrepreneurial motivation in universities and mediating effect of self-esteem in this relationship. Motivational level of academic entrepreneurs is a strong predictor of commercialization initiatives and performance. The cultural and structural differences between universities and industry enforce to devise specific capability frame works to ensure successful completion of entrepreneurial activities. Data was collected from 8 universities in Pakistan. The purposive sampling was used to collect data from academic researchers and various statistical tools applied to the collected data. The results indicated that support of organizational structural, technological and cultural capabilities plays a remarkable role to boost up the academic entrepreneurs' self esteem

Effects of Adult Literacy Program on Women’s Lives in the Rural Areas of Islamabad Capital Territory: A Case of National Commission for Human Development

Literacy is a life transformation process especially for women in the developing countries like Pakistan. Various organizations are working in the said area however, their efforts need proper exploration. Seeking to this, the present research study was conducted to assess the effects of adult literacy program launched by National Commission for Human Development (NCHD) on women’s lives in the rural areas of Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT). The effects were assessed in family life, socio-economic/trade activities, and community development. For this, data were collected from a sample size of 164 women adult learners using questionnaire through face to face interview. A five-point Likert scale (i.e. Strongly Agree, Agree, Strongly Disagree, Disagree and Don’t Know) was used to record the responses of the respondents. It was found that program has positive effects on most of the women’s lives. After the program, most women became able to assist their children in academic work, home and child management, good relationships with children and husband, child health care, financial support to families and utility bills’ checking. Similarly, after the program, most of the women were aware of their trade worth, investments, profit maximization through resource and modern technique utilization, and of good customer relationships. The program affected women’s role in their communities as the majority of women helped others in imparting skills, mobilization, and organization, girls’ marriages, politics, peace promotion, decision-making in the home, decrease domestic violence and make empower their own selves. The study concluded that Adult Literacy Program improved the majority of women’s lives with respect to their family life, socio-economic activities and role in community development. The study recommends for the replication of such programs to the other areas of the country as well where the female literacy rate is low and expanding the curricula and in-depth studies to achieve a good response rate