Self-access learning programme: analysing students' language learning needs and evaluating learning metarials

Today's job market does not only demand for graduates who are knowledgeable but who are also skilful and versatile. To help students to be equipped with the necessary skills, the Department of Modern Languages has incorporated Self-Access Learning(SAL) programme into its English proficiency courses. Since the Self-Access Learning programme is still quite new to the Malaysian student, a research was carried out to: i) to investigate and gauge students attitude towards Self-Access learning programme, materials used and Self-Access Learning laboratories, including the ways in which it affects students learning, and ii) to identify areas where the programmes’ design and execution can be improved. About 1200 participants who took part in the programme were asked to fill up the questionnaires, needs analysis and learning contract for the self-access learning programme that they went through. Analysis on the feedbacks received from the students showed that the self-access programme was beneficial and have helped them developed interests in learning English and encouraged them to be active learners. The feedback also revealed several areas which need further improvement. With regard to the self-access learning materials, the feedback given was not very positive as they suggested that the materials should be more attractive and interesting with more attractive designs for the future. These feedbacks were essential because they provide useful information that reflect i) the overall quality of the programme, ii) the effectiveness of the Self-Access Learning, and iii) the areas that need improvement as well as loopholes or weaknesses. Besides that, it also proved the students readiness for autonomous learning and this readiness can be optimised for the benefit of both the students and lecturers

Student workbook : proficiency in enterprise communication

This workbook was written as a reference guide for students interested in taking the Proficiency in Enterprise Communication (PEC) Test offered by Prestariang Systems Sdn Bhd. It explains four language components assessed in the test, namely Listening, Speaking, Language and Reading, and Writing

Mapping Integration of Sustainable Development Goals for Engineering Programmes at International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM)

The International Islamic University Malaysia embarked on the initiative to incorporate the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in its curriculum in 2018 with the aim of concretizing its vision and mission statements. The main objective of this study is to examine the integration of SDGs in the curriculum of the Kulliyah (Faculty) of Engineering. Based on 9 Engineering programmes offered by the Kulliyyah (Faculty), students are required to register for 57 to 61 courses or 134 to 139 credits in order to graduate. All 9 Engineering programmes have incorporated 330 contents related to the 17 SDGs. The findings of the study indicate that BEng (Hons) Chemical Engineering Programme has the most number of SDGs contents with 55 occurrences of 39%, followed by BEng (Hons) Aerospace Engineering Programme with 51 (36%) and BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering Programme with 49.occurance or 13%. As far as specific SDGs are concerned, a total of 116 (35.1%) of the 330 SDGs activities are associated with SDG 9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, followed SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities (59 occurrences or 17.9%), and SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production (39 occurrences or 11.8%)

Digital hacking and cyber-attacks: cyber security from Islamic perspective

As the number of devices connected to the Internet increase and the amount of data available online grow, the cyber-attacks will keep increasing in number and their severity. For Malaysia specifically, as of the second quarter of 2022, a total of 44.2 million accounts have been breached putting the security, privacy, and confidentiality of the account owners’ data in danger. Cyber hacking can become a strong power which can be harmful if the necessary skills are learned without ethical standards. On the other hand, learning the skills for ethical hacking became a necessity to protect digital systems, discover vulnerabilities and mitigate them. An Islamic approach to cyber security issues is presented in this paper. As Islam is a revealed religion from Allah SWT to be guidance to the Muslims in all matters, we can derive many ethical standards in any field following the holy Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet (Peace be upon him)

Analyzing the features of mughal garden design: case of Taj Mahal, Agra, India

Islamic garden is a place for rest and reflection, and a reminder to paradise. The themes of an Islamic garden are shade and water element. The Islamic Gardens are influenced by the historic Islamic Garden that majority from Spain, Iran, and Mughal India. Those are among the recognized gardens design during Islamic Civilization and remain as a legacy of the influential era of Islamic rulers. However the gardens have different culture influences that make each of the gardens are different in their design. This paper is to analyzing the features used in the garden design of Mughal Garden: Taj Mahal, Agra, India. The study used a content analysis and observation of features used in the design for the garden. The outcome of this study will enhance the understanding and appreciation towards Islamic garden design as an Islamic cultural heritage for the next generation

Oligomeric composition of polyols from fatty acid methyl ester: the effect of ring‐opening reactants of epoxide groups

Commercial availability of fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) from palm oil targeted for biodiesel offers a good feedstock for the production of structurally well‐defined polyols for polyurethane applications. The effect of molecular weight (MW), odd and even carbon numbers, and the linear and branched structure reactants used in the ring‐opening reaction of epoxidized fatty acid methyl ester (E‐FAME) on the properties of polyols was investigated. Conversions of E‐FAME to PolyFAME polyols were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared analysis, oxirane oxygen content, and hydroxyl number. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) calibrated against polyether polyols as a standard and vapor pressure osmometry were used for MW determination. GPC chromatograms of PolyFAME polyols clearly demonstrated the formation of oligomers during ring‐opening reactions. MW, and odd and even carbon numbers in a structure of linear diols and branched diol used in the syntheses of PolyFAME polyols did not have an effect on crystallinity, glass transition, or melt temperatures measured using Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). PolyFAME polyols ring‐opened with water, methanol, and 1,2‐propanediol contained secondary hydroxyl groups, whereas PolyFAME polyols ring‐opened with linear diols contained a mixture of primary and secondary hydroxyl groups. It was found that the concentration of primary hydroxyl groups increased significantly by increasing the number of carbons from C2 to C3 in the linear diols. The viscosity of PolyFAME polyols also increased with the MW of linear diols used in the E‐FAME ring‐opening reaction. These findings would be beneficial for formulators in choosing the most cost effective polyols for polyurethane formulations

PROGRAM PEMULIHAN AKHLAK REMAJA DELINKUEN DI PUSAT PEMULIHAN AKHLAK DI MALAYSIA (Moral Rehabilitation Program for Delinquent Adolescents at Moral Rehabilitation Centers in Malaysia)

ABSTRAK Pelbagai program dilaksanakan di pusat-pusat pemulihan bertujuan memulihkan akhlak remaja yang terlibat dengan perlakuan delinkuen. Trend peningkatan bilangan kemasukan para pelatih dalam kalangan remaja ke pusat-pusat pemulihan akhlak memberi indikator keperluan tumpuan diberikan terhadap usaha pemulihan akhlak. Artikel ini bertujuan mengemukakan program-program pemulihan akhlak remaja delinkuen yang dilaksanakan di pusat-pusat pemulihan akhlak di Malaysia. Reka bentuk kajian ini ialah kajian tinjauan eksploratori. Pengumpulan data dilakukan melalui temu bual separa struktur. Seramai empat orang informan dipilih dari tiga kategori pusat pemulihan akhlak iaitu pusat pemulihan kelolaan Jabatan Penjara Malaysia (JPM), pusat pemulihan kelolaan Majlis Agama Islam Negeri dan pusat pemulihan kelolaan Jabaran Kebajikan Masyarakat (JKM). Mereka dipilih menggunakan persampelan bertujuan. Data yang diperoleh daripada temu bual dianalisis menggunakan pendekatan tematik. Hasil kajian mendapati program-program pemulihan akhlak yang dilaksanakan di pusat-pusat pemulihan akhlak memberi penekanan terhadap aspek pemantapan kerohanian dan keagamaan, penyediaan slot bimbingan kaunseling dan motivasi serta kelas kemahiran dan akademik. Program yang dijalankan ini memberi implikasi positif khususnya dalam usaha pemulihan akhlak remaja delinkuen di pusat-pusat pemulihan akhlak di Malaysia. Kata Kunci: Program Pemulihan Akhlak, Remaja Delinkuen, Pusat Pemulihan Akhlak MalaysiaABSTRACT Various programs are implemented in rehabilitation centers aimed at restoring the morals of teenagers involved in delinquent behavior. The trend of increasing the number of trainees among teenagers entering moral rehabilitation centers indicates the need to focus on moral rehabilitation efforts. This article aims to present the moral rehabilitation programs for delinquent teenagers implemented in moral rehabilitation centers in Malaysia. The design of this study is an exploratory survey study. Data collection was done through semistructured interviews. A total of four informants were selected from three categories of moral rehabilitation centers which are rehabilitation centers managed by the Malaysian Prisons Department (JPM), rehabilitation centers managed by the State Islamic Religious Council and rehabilitation centers managed by Jabaran Kebajikan Masyarakat (JKM). They were selected using purposive sampling. The data obtained from the interviews were analyzed using a thematic approach. The results of the study found that moral rehabilitation programs carried out in moral rehabilitation centers emphasize the aspects of spiritual and religious strengthening, the provision of counseling and motivational guidance slots as well as skills and academic classes. The program carried out has positive implications, especially in the moral rehabilitation of delinquent teenagers in moral rehabilitation centers in Malaysia. Keywords: Moral Rehabilitation Program, Delinquent Youth, Moral Rehabilitation Center Malaysi

Learning Assessment

This chapter discusses learning assessment practices among academicians in Malaysian higher education institutions

Palladium nanoparticles supported on fluorine-doped tin oxide as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for Suzuki coupling and 4-nitrophenol reduction

Immobilization of palladium nanoparticles onto the fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) as support Pd/FTO, resulted in a highly active heterogeneous catalyst for Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reactions and 4-nitrophenol reduction. The Pd/FTO catalyst has been synthesized by immobilization of palladium nanoparticles onto FTO via a simple impregnation method. ICP-MS analysis confirmed that there is 0.11 mmol/g of palladium was loaded successfully on FTO support. The crystallinity, morphologies, compositions and surface properties of Pd/FTO were fully characterized by various techniques. It was further examined for its catalytic activity and robustness in Suzuki coupling reaction with different aryl halides and solvents. The yields obtained from Suzuki coupling reactions were basically over 80%. The prepared catalyst was also tested on mild reaction such as reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) to 4-aminophenol (4-AP). Pd/FTO catalyst exhibited high catalytic activity towards 4-NP reduction with a rate constant of 1.776 min(-1) and turnover frequency (TOF) value of 29.1 hr(-1). The findings revealed that Pd/FTO also maintained its high stability for five consecutive runs in Suzuki reactions and 4-NP reductions. The catalyst showed excellent catalytic activities by using a small amount of Pd/FTO for the Suzuki coupling reaction and 4-NP reduction

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London