Employability skills in engineering: towards a broader redefinition of professional identities

© 2024, IEEE. This is an open access accepted manuscript distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY), https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/This paper undertakes a comprehensive examination of the multifaceted challenges and opportunities intrinsic to the integration of employability skills, particularly those of a non-technical nature, into the knowledge framework of engineering disciplines. Leveraging insights gleaned from Winberg et al.’s (2020) systematic literature review, the intricate process of transferring predominantly non-technical proficiencies into the specialized domain of engineering knowledge is not only acknowledged but also thoroughly discussed and critically assessed. Although numerous academic institutions across the globe have already adopted integrated and cohesive strategies to align technical and employability skills within their engineering degree programs, this paper posits that a more expansive and concerted effort is imperative. The argument presented herein contends that for employability skills to truly ascend to the status of a foundational element in a renewed and enriched professional identity for engineers, a broader societal commitment is requisite. While existing initiatives are commendable, this paper advocates for a scale-up of efforts, positing that such endeavours will accrue substantial benefits for learners, employers, and the broader societal fabric. Employing a Social Learning Theory approach and delving into the socio-technical intricacies of the engineering profession, the discourse underscores the necessity of expanding the current cadre of main stakeholders. In addition to higher education institutions, employers, professional bodies, learners, and practitioners in training, the paper contends that media, schools from early educational stages, and other relevant components of society should assume a more proactive and co-responsible role in reshaping societal perceptions of engineers' professional identities. This expansion of stakeholder involvement is posited as a vital step towards fostering a comprehensive paradigm shift in how engineers are perceived within society.Peer reviewe

A patient presenting with intact sensory modalities in acute spinal cord ischemia syndrome: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Acute spinal cord ischemia syndrome is a rare condition comprising a small fraction of neurovascular accidents, the majority of which occur within the cerebral circulation. The circulation of the spinal cord has several unique features that determine the clinical presentation.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>In this case of a 67-year-old Caucasian man who came to our emergency department with sudden-onset, severe right-sided pain and bilateral upper limb weakness, an atypical pattern of sensory deficit was observed. In this case report, we review acute spinal cord ischemia syndrome and consider the pathophysiology, diagnostic measures and prognostic factors associated with patient recovery.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Acute spinal cord ischemia syndrome with atypical patterns of sensory deficit is uncommon. Clinicians must consider acute spinal cord ischemia syndrome when assessing all patients with acute neck pain and focal neurological deficits; atypical presentations can present a diagnostic challenge. Current knowledge of the long-term outcome in patients with spinal cord ischemia is based on only a few small studies, some of which are discussed here.</p

Determinants of Strategic Factors for Digital Transformation in Micro and Small Enterprises in Makassar City

The Indonesian government aims to promote information and communication technology (ICT) among micro and small enterprises to enhance their competitiveness in the global market. A survey was conducted among 180 micro and small enterprise owners in Makassar City using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model. The results showed that Performance Expectancy (PE) and Effort Expectancy (EE) insignificantly affect the Behavioral Intentions (BI) of the enterprise owners. It also indicated that Social Influence (SI) and Facilitating Conditions (FC) positively influence the adoption of ICT in micro and small enterprises. This study is novel and significant as it addresses a gap in the literature on digital transformation strategies, particularly in Makassar City, where such investigations are rare. Consequently, this study presents an original contribution to the field.JEL Classification: M2, O3, R2How to Cite:Tajuddin, I., Mahmud, A., & Syahnur, M. H. (2023). Determinants of Strategic Factors for Digital Transformation in Micro and Small Enterprise in Makasar City. Signifikan: Jurnal Ilmu Ekonomi, 12(1), 131-144. https://doi.org/10.15408/sjie.v12i1.31070

Food and feeding habit of chapila (Gudusia chapra)

Abundance of diatom (Bacillariophyceae) in the plankton population and the dietary role of it in chapila (Gudusia chapra) in pond were studied. A total of 25 genera of phytoplankton belonging to Bacillariophyceae (7), Chlorophyceae (11), Cyanophyceae (5) and Euglenophyceae (2) and 9 genera of zooplankton belonging to Crustacea (3) and Rotifera (6) were recorded from the water. Among the phytoplankton, highest abundance of Chlorophyceae was observed, and Bacillariophyceae, Cyanophyceae and Euglenophyceae ranked the second, third and fourth position in the planktonic population, respectively. Among the zooplankton, Rotifera was recorded as the most dominant group and Crustacea as the least one. From the gut content analysis, 4 groups of phytoplankton consisting of 33 genera of plankton were identified and recoded [sic] of which 25 belonging to phytoplankton and 8 belonging to zooplankton. This study reveals that the Chlorophyceae and Cyanophyceae were the most dominant food items of chapila. Bacillariophyceae (diatom) and Euglenophyceae were less important and Crustacea and Rotifera were the least important in the diet of Chapila. The present investigation showed that chapila appeared to be a plankton feeder with a preference for phytoplankton to zooplankton. Electivity analysis showed that the fish avoided zooplankton and strongly selected phytoplankton. In the gut contents of fish, Chlorophyceae was positively and Bacillariophyceae (diatom) was negatively selected throughout the experimental period, in the pond water

Modelling turn away intention of information technology professionals in Bangladesh: a partial least squares approach

Despite, Bangladesh produces many IT graduates each year but only one tenth of total graduates contribute in IT development sector. In order to keep the contribution to economy through IT development, it is crucial for IT industry to know the factors that influence turn away of IT graduates. In this paper, building upon role stress theory, we develop a research model to explore the influence of workplace exhaustion and threat of professional obsolescence (TPO). Data were gathered from 185 IT professionals from 15 different IT companies through survey questionnaire. The structural equation modelling technique was used to test the paths. The results suggests that strong influence of TPO on turn-away intentions. Result also suggests significant roles of work overload, family-career conflict and control over career and workplace exhaustion on turn away intention. This paper contributes to the body of work dedicated to helping us better understand the turn away behaviour from the workplace exhaustion and TPO perspectives. From the viewpoint of practice, this research sheds light on some of the challenges that the IT industry might face when making strategy and policy to control turn away from IT profession in Banglades

Arsenic detoxification by phytoremediation

Heavy metals pollution is amongst the commonest form of environmental pollution. These metals have accumulated over time from the smelting and mining activities of man, from poor waste disposal practices and from modernization. Recently the impact of heavy metal pollution of the environment is stirring up serious concerns since the discovery that some edible plants accumulate these metals to a level, toxic to both themselves and to the animals that consumes them. Common features of heavily polluted soil include barrenness, desertification, erosion, and this usually result in developmental stagnation in areas with such pollution. More researches have recently been stepped up in the field of remediating soils polluted with heavy metals. Traditional method includes excavation of the top soil, capping of the soil, stabilization of the polluting heavy metals, soil washing. In recent time, emphases have been drawn to the use of plants that has high metal accumulating and tolerating capacity to remediate metal-contaminated soil. This mini-review highlights the different conventional and recent practices in the control of heavy metal pollution

An investigation of the drivers of social commerce and e-word-of-mouth intentions: Elucidating the role of social commerce in E-business

Building on social commerce (s-commerce) perspectives and the trust transfer theory, this study develops a theoretical model that explains the indirect effects of two types of s-commerce attributes (community and platform) on behavioral outcomes (s-commerce intentions and e-Word-of-Mouth (e-WOM) intentions) through trust in community and platform. We analyze data collected from s-commerce users on travel booking websites using structural equation modeling technique. Results confirm that s-commerce intentions and e-WOM intentions are contingent upon s-commerce community and platform attributes. Moreover, the results provide evidence for the mediating effects of trust in community and platform on the relationship between s-commerce attributes and behavioral outcomes. The study provides further insights about the impact of s-commerce experience on s-commerce intention and e-WOM intention. Moreover, this study contributes to s-commerce research and practice by developing and validating the role of s-commerce community and platform attributes in forming consumers’ s-commerce behavioral outcomes