INDUSTRY-ACADEMIA COLLABORATION: MEETING UNDERGRADUATE ENGINEERS’ EMPLOYMENT NEEDS

Purpose of the study: The aim of this study is to investigate undergraduate engineers’ perceptions on the industrial collaboration program. Methodology: This study used both quantitative and qualitative methods of analysis. Based on purposive sampling, 150 undergraduate engineers were selected and were required to complete a questionnaire and participate in focus group interviews. Numerical data obtained using the questionnaire were tabulated based on frequencies and percentages. Thematic analysis was performed to identify patterns that emerged from the focus group interview transcripts. Main findings: Study findings indicate a positive trend in students’ perceptions on the benefits of the program besides indicating a gap in their ability and competency. Thematic analysis based on the focus group interviews reveal three emerging themes which indicate that the respondents found the program to have boosted their confidence, besides being useful and meaningful. Applications of this study: This study contributes to the design of English for Specific Purposes (ESP) curriculum, specifically for engineers. ESP curriculum design as well as teaching and learning should include industry leaders’ intervention. Novelty/Originality of this study: This study will be the entry point for employer engagement in teaching and learning as well as in ESP curriculum development for engineers in the context of a technical university

ORAL COMMUNICATION APPREHENSION AMONG FRESHMEN: A CASE IN THE FACULTY OF MEDICINE

It is integral that future medical practitioners are adept with high communicative competence as they will be required to provide high levels of communication services to their profession. There are various factors that influence the development of oral communicative competence. One of the factors that hinder the development is oral communication apprehension (OCA). Although globally there is a wealth of research in the field of OCA, no studies have yet been conducted on the oral communication apprehension of medical undergraduates in the context of Sri Lanka. Therefore, this first ever study in Sri Lanka attempts to identify if oral communication apprehension exists among freshmen in the Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna. The study was conducted via a random selection of 24 freshmen (23% of the population) from the Faculty of Medicine. Based on a mixed method approach, a scale- Personal Report of Communication Apprehension (PRCA-24) as well as semi structured interviews were employed to collect data. Findings reveal that OCA exists at a moderate level.  Further, the study also indicates that OCA is higher among females in comparison to males and among Tamil L1 participants compared to Sinhala L1 participants. The findings would provide English language instructors with an understanding on how to design the curriculum, develop the freshmen’s confidence in oral communication and reduce their OCA. Keywords: oral communication apprehension, communicative competence, freshmen, medical undergraduates, pedagogical intervention

Hubungan Frekuensi Pemberantasan Sarang Nyamuk dan Angka Bebas Jentik dengan Kejadian Demam Berdarah Dengue pada Periode Januari-desember Tahun 2012 di Kota Medan

The relation of the frequency eradication of mosquito breeding place and larvae-free index with the incidence of dengue hemorrhagic fever in the period January to December 2012 in the city of Medan. Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) was a public health problem in Indonesia. Medan was dengue endemic area. DHF had not been able to be controlled optimally. Various ways of prevention and eradication done to tackle the occurrence of dengue fever, including Eradication of Mosquito Breeding Place (EMBP) and Larva Periodic Inspection. Research sites in Medan with the sample is the entire data 39 health centers. This study used a mixed ecological study design was based on place and time. Data analysis was performed using univariate and bivariate analysis using correlation test. The results based on bivariate analysis with a level of 95%, obtained statistical results that there is no significant relationship between the eradication of mosquito breeding with DHF based on the level of health centers (p=0,754) and in the period from January to December (p=0,754), and there is no significant relationship between larvae-free index with DHF based on the level of health centers (p=0,619) and the period of January to December (p=0,800). Based on the research results, it was concluded that there was no correlation between the frequency of eradication of mosquito breeding place and larvae-free index with the incidence of DHF. Eradication of mosquito breeding place and larva periodic inspection should be done continuously and need socialization to increase community participation

Pemanfaatan Serbuk Eceng Gondok untuk Menurunkan Kadar Kadmium (Cd) pada Air Sumur Gali Masyarakat di Desa Namo Bintang Kecamatan Pancur Batu Kabupaten Deli Serdang Tahun 2012

Society in Desa Namo Bintang using water wells that contains high levels of Cd that exceeded the quality standard due to groundwater contamination from landfill waste, so that it was required a method to reduce levels of Cd in water wells in the village. This study aimed to know determine levels of Cd in water wells and to utilize the hyacinth powder for reducing levels of Cd in water wells. The type of this research was Quasi Experiment with the Completely Randomized Design as study design. Object of this research was the water wells with higher levels of Cd was more than 0,005 mg/L, the treatment was by adding10 mg, 20 mg and 30 mg hyacinth powder with three repetitions in an effort to reduce the levels of Cd in water wells. The results showed that the initial levels of Cd in water wells was0,00685 mg/L, the levels of Cd in water wells which did not receive additional of hyacinth powder (as control) did not show any reduction, meanwhile by adding 10 mg, 20 mg and 30 mg hyacinth powder respectively reduce for 28,8%, 33,72%, 26,28%. The test results of Two Way Anova showed there were significant differences in the treatment of various Cd levels decrease (p=0,000< 0,005). The test result of Bonferroni indicated that the addition of 20 mg hyacinth powder was the most effective between the others for reducing the levels of Cd in water wells in the village. Therefore for the people in the Namo Bintang village expected to utilize the hyacinth powder to reduce levels of Cd so that the water that used become more clean and accordance with standards estabilished

THE EFFECTIVENESS OF A TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION COURSE IN A MALAYSIAN TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY: ENGINEERS’ PERSPECTIVES

Communication has become a crucial requirement for all engineers. The global engineering world has created demands on engineers to be able to collaborate on cross-functional teams, manage virtual-project teams and write for multiple complex audiences. This study investigates on the engineering undergraduates’ perceptions about the effectiveness of the Technical Communication course in terms of course content as well as viable suggestions to improve on the course. The instruments that were used for data collection in the study are survey questionnaires and recorded interviews. The findings of the evaluation by the undergraduates reveal that on the overall the effectiveness of the course content is at a moderate level. Thus, this is indicative of the fact that the Technical Communication course needs to be revised in terms of the course content. The respondents have also provided viable solutions to improve on the course. Keywords: technical communication, assessment, course content, teaching material, engineers’ perspectives

MANAGING ENGINEERING UNDERGRADUATES’ LANGUAGE ANXIETY: INSTRUCTOR ROLE IN ONLINE THREADED DISCUSSIONS

The advancement of communication technologies has revolutionized language classrooms via the instrumentality of computer networks and its text-based nature has brought about applications such as online threaded discussions. This paper firstly aims to determine whether the engineering undergraduates of Limited English Proficiency (LEP) are affected by the psychological aspects of language learning as well as explore how they interact in online threaded discussions. Besides, it also investigates the instructor’s point of view on instructor intervention in the activity. The Language Profile Forms and the focused group interviews indicate that they lack confidence and are affected by language anxiety. The postings of the 15 LEP undergraduates which were analyzed for emerging themes reveal that they mainly asked questions. Even though their discussions lacked substance and were akin to ‘educationally less valuable talk’ (ELVT), the activity has provided them with the motivation and autonomy to socialize and interact, thus reducing their anxiety. The instructor being the main content provider in the discussion has played an important role in facilitating and enhancing cognitive processing besides keeping the learners engaged

Developing “Leadership Intelligence (CI2) Framework” Inside Social Media to Develop An Ethical Leader using the Johari Window Method

At this time, leadership and social media are two things that cannot be separated. Social media becomes an information technology media for leaders to be able to communicate about their vision and purpose. Therefore, leaders must be able to use social media effectively in order to influence the community with what they think. There are three problems caused by leaders in social media which are classified into three types such as narcissistic, compulsive and paranoid. These three things become big problems in leadership on social media and therefore, we need the formula to solve the problems. The Johari Window method is a method that has four perspectives in developing four leadership classifications such as open leaders, blind leaders, hidden leadership, and unknown leaders. If these three types and four classifications are put together, a framework will be produced called "Leadership Intelligence (CI2) Framework", the next one will produce a formula S = W.L2, where this formula will produce wise leaders on social media. This journal is the development of the journal Developing "Framework Intelligence (CI3)" Inside Social Media Using Johari Window Methods and The Development and Implementation of Wise Netizen (E-Comment) In Indonesia. As a result, this journal will give an answer and solve the problem of an ethical leader on social media and how to decrease a hoax that can affect the leader on social media. This research will continue until it produces a CI1 formula that will combine culture and leadership into a social media formula in generating positive communication, creating a positive culture and making a big impact on society