Cloud Computing based Learning Management System (CC-LMS) implementation model in Malaysia Higher Education Institutions

In the education arena, cloud computing is more apparent in technology to ensure the availability and sharing of resources through virtualization. Despite its attractiveness and benefits, the Higher Education Institution (HEIs) are still hesitant to implement cloud computing services due to insufficient details on issues and priorities in implementing cloud computing services. Therefore, this study aims to explore the potential benefits and obstacles of cloud computing in Learning Management System (LMS) and determine the key success factors of cloud computing implementation for LMS (CC-LMS) operations in HEIs. By synthesizing literature from various industries, this study proposes a conceptual model of Critical Success Factors (CSFs) based cloud computing implementation for HEIs. This framework was extracted from the various aspects of the industry and integrated into the Technological, Organizational, and Environmental (TOE) framework. The research methodology consists of rigorous data collection and quantitative and qualitative data analysis that allows for more substantive conclusions to enable viable CC-LMS operation. The Delphi technique was adapted to assist in the data collection and judgment process. The two-round Delphi survey has been conducted with 18 (1st round) and 13 (2nd round) cloud computing technology and LMS experts from local HEIs and service vendors to assist in the judgment process. This analysis resulted in a consensus after the second round of Delphi survey with the suggestions on the high importance of several factors in implementing a cloud computing system for LMS in HEIs. As a result, on the benefit of this technology, most participants agreed that this technology enhances the technology infrastructure and maintenance, which is synchronized with the main obstacle of CC-LMS implementation, poor infrastructure performance. Finally, the study is expected to provide HEIs decision-makers with a better understanding and guidelines of cloud computing implementation characteristics with the relevant perception of current services

The Evolution of Cas A at Low Radio Frequencies

We have used archival 74 MHz VLA data spanning the last 15 years in combination with new data from the Long Wavelength Demonstrator Array (LWDA) and data from the literature covering the last 50 years to explore the evolution of Cas A at low radio frequencies. We find that the secular decrease of the flux density of Cas A at ~80 MHz is rather stable over five decades of time, decreasing at a rate of 0.7-0.8% yr^-1. This is entirely consistent with previous estimates at frequencies as low as 38 MHz, indicating that the secular decrease is roughly the same at low frequencies, at least between 38 and 80 MHz. We also find strong evidence for as many as four modes of flux density oscillation about the slower secular decrease with periods of 3.10+/-0.02$ yr, 5.1+/-0.3 yr, 9.0+/-0.2 yr, and 24+/-2 yr. These are also consistent with fluctuations seen previously to occur on scales of a few years. These results provide compelling motivation for a thorough low frequency monitoring campaign of Cas A to constrain the nature and physical origins of these fluctuations, and to be able to better predict the flux density of Cas A at any given epoch so that it may be used as a reliable low frequency calibrator.Comment: accepted for publication in A

Malay language as a foreign language and the Singapore’s education system

The paper highlights the impact of the Singapore’s bilingual education policy on the Malay language and how the language has been regarded a foreign language in the Singapore context given the interest of policy makers in the implementation of a new third language policy. The growth can be hampered, however, to some concerns arising from the bilingual policy namely inadequate manpower, teaching materials, lack of resources and opportunities for using the language

Bank level stability factors and consumer confidence – a comparative study of Islamic and conventional banks’ product mix

This study examines the behaviour of key bank level stability factors of liquidity, capital, risk-taking and consumer confidence in Islamic and conventional banks which operate in the same market. Using fixed effect sample of 194 banks of Gulf Cooperating Countries between 2000 and 2007, we found that liquidity is not determined by bank’s product mix but rather attributed to systematic factors. However, non performing assets (representing loans to sub prime borrowers) have positive and significant relationship with liquidity implying that during the crisis, Islamic banks tend to take stringent risk strategies compared to conventional banks. Furthermore, Islamic banks generally tend to provide higher consumer confidence levels as they were more capitalized than conventional banks, although conventional banks had carried higher averages of liquidity compared to Islamic banks. Consumer confidence levels or depositors’ discipline as proxied by deposits and customer funding over liabilities generally appear to be higher in Islamic banks than conventional banks.Bank stability, consumer confidence, depositors’ discipline, Islamic banks, Gulf Cooperating Countries

Tahap kesediaan pelajar menghadapi dunia pekerjaan dalam bidang perakaunan : kajian ke atas pelajar semester akhir Diploma Perakaunan di 5 buah politeknik

Objektif kajian kes ini adalah untuk mengenalpasti tahap kesediaan pelajar dalam usaha memasuki dunia pekeijaan, Borang soal selidik ini telah diedarkan kepada 169 orang pelajar semester akhir Diploma Perakaunan. Analisis data dibuat dengan menggunakan perisian SPSS untuk membuat pengiraan peratusan dan min. Keputusan yang diperolehi menunjukkan pelajar-pelajar perakaunan di Politeknik kurang bersedia menghadapi dunia pekeijaan dari segi pengalaman dan kemahiran berbahasa Inggeris. Walaubagaimanapun bagi perisian komputer seperti Words dan Excel dapatan menunjukkan pelajar mahir menggendalikannya disebabkan penggunaannya secara intensif dan kerap. Dapatan yang tidak kurang pentingnya yang diperolehi juga adalah bagi perisian Powerpoint, pakej perakaunan seperti ACCPAC dan UBS di manamereka masih kurang mahir menggunakannya kerana kurang pendedahan dan penggunaannya dalam kursus ini. Dari segi akademik pula pelajar secara keseluruhannya mahir dalam subjek perakaunan kewangan dan percukaian kerana kedua-dua subjek ini bersifat pengiraan dan praktikal. Namun begitu, mereka kurang bersedia dalam subjek perakaunan kos dan pengauditan

Exploring rater judging behaviour using the many-facet rasch model

Performance assessment, unlike the traditional fixed-response assessment, has features peculiar to its assessment setting (the task choice, the task processing conditions, the raters,the rating scale, and the rating procedures) that make it much more vulnerable to construct irrelevant variance (McNamara, 1997; Upshur & Turner, 1999). Of these potential sources of variability, those associated with raters are considered to be extensive and pose serious threats to the validity of ratings (Linacre, 1989; McNamara, 1996).For performance assessment to yield valid and reliable results, it is essential that these sources of variability are eliminated or minimized. This paper illustrates how sources of rater-related variability or rater effects can be identified and controlled for using the Many-facet Rasch Model.It also illustrates how the idiosyncratic rating behaviour of individual raters can be explicated through the use of this measurement model. In this illustration, the ratings of thirty-five English language instructors on 12 paragraphs written by new intake students at the Centre for Foundation Studies, IIUM were analysed using FACETS (Linacre, 2003), a computer application which implements the Many-facet Rasch Model. The results of the analysis indicate substantial differences in rater severity, and the presence of other rater effects

Herd behaviour in Malaysian capital market: An empirical analysis

This study examines the existence of herd behavior among foreign investors in the Malaysian capital market. In methodology, the study analyzes the herd behavior by estimating vector error correction (VECM) model of FPI inflows as well as FPI outflows from/to major investors such as the United States, United Kingdom, Singapore and Hong Kong using quarterly data covering the period of Q1:1991 to Q3:2007. Additionally, we adopt an innovation accounting by simulating variance decompositions (VDC) and impulse response functions (IRF) for further inferences. The findings support the belief that there is a strong herd instinct prevailing among foreign investors in the Malaysian capital market

Harnessing data flow and modelling potentials for sustainable development

Tackling some of the global challenges relating to health, poverty, business and the environment is known to be heavily dependent on the flow and utilisation of data. However, while enhancements in data generation, storage, modelling, dissemination and the related integration of global economies and societies are fast transforming the way we live and interact, the resulting dynamic, globalised and information society remains digitally divided. On the African continent, in particular, the division has resulted into a gap between knowledge generation and its transformation into tangible products and services which Kirsop and Chan (2005) attribute to a broken information flow. This paper proposes some fundamental approaches for a sustainable transformation of data into knowledge for the purpose of improving the peoples' quality of life. Its main strategy is based on a generic data sharing model providing access to data utilising and generating entities in a multi disciplinary environment. It highlights the great potentials in using unsupervised and supervised modelling in tackling the typically predictive-in-nature challenges we face. Using both simulated and real data, the paper demonstrates how some of the key parameters may be generated and embedded in models to enhance their predictive power and reliability. Its main outcomes include a proposed implementation framework setting the scene for the creation of decision support systems capable of addressing the key issues in society. It is expected that a sustainable data flow will forge synergies between the private sector, academic and research institutions within and between countries. It is also expected that the paper's findings will help in the design and development of knowledge extraction from data in the wake of cloud computing and, hence, contribute towards the improvement in the peoples' overall quality of life. To void running high implementation costs, selected open source tools are recommended for developing and sustaining the system. Key words: Cloud Computing, Data Mining, Digital Divide, Globalisation, Grid Computing, Information Society, KTP, Predictive Modelling and STI

Mekanisme penentuan hak anak dalam perwarisan harta pusaka Islam di Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur

Anak merupakan salah satu waris utama dalam perwarisan harta Islam. Penentuan hak anak dalam pewarisan memerlukan mekanisme khusus iaitu melalui keabsahan nasab dan keabsahan jantina yang seringkali menjadi pertikaian dalam perwarisan harta pusaka. Kajian ini bertujuan untuk mengenalpasti mekanisme penentuan hak anak dalam perwarisan harta pusaka Islam, menjelaskan setiap kategori anak, situasi pembahagian, hukum dan hak anak dalam mewarisi harta pusaka, menentukan mekanisme yang sesuai bagi membolehkan anak yang dikategorikan sebagai bukan ahli waris dan ahli waris untuk turut sama mendapat dan menambah baik perwarisan perwarisan harta pusaka dan menganalisis kajian kes melibatkan hak anak dalam perwarisan harta pusaka di Mahkamah Syariah Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur. Kajian ini adalah kajian kualitatif dengan menggunakan kaedah analisis dokumen, temubual, dan kajian kes sebagai sumber data utama. Hasil kajian dapat mengenalpasti dua belas (12) jenis anak beserta hukum perwarisan sama ada berhak mewarisi atau tidak berhak mewarisi. Bagi anak yang tidak berhak mewarisi dan berhak mewarisi satu mekanisme menambah baik perwarisan melalui hibah, wasiat, wasiat wajibah, dan takharuj telah dicadangkan dalam kajian ini. Hasil analisis kajian kes menunjukkan empat (4) kes berkaitan hibah dan wasiat yang melibatkan anak sahaja dibicarakan di Mahkamah Syariah Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur yang menunjukkan masyarakat tidak terdedah dengan kaedah perwarisan harta si mati selain daripada faraid. Implikasi kajian menunjukkan mekanisme penentuan hak anak dalam perwarisan ini dapat memberi peluang kepada anak dalam mewarisi harta si mati dan seterusnya dapat menjaga kebajikan mereka