Search

The integration of research activities in universities of applied sciences (UASs) has led to the transformation of these universities into organisations with two primary processes: research and education. Although many believe in the benefits of combining research and education in one organisation, which is referred to as synergy in this study, research-education synergies have rarely been empirically investigated, particularly in the UAS context. Thus, this research investigates the intended synergy between the research and education of UASs by conducting a document analysis of their university-wide strategic policy. The findings show that UASs aim for synergies among people, UAS organisations and outside UAS organisations, with a focus on education-oriented synergies. This study provides an initial understanding of the strategic aims of UASs considering research--education synergy. The findings provide direction and a framework for future research and form a base for making explicit strategic choices for research--education connections in universities.

This literature review applies Wenger's community of practice framework as a theoretical lens to generate insight about the complex collaborative processes of living labs. The authors explore this model with insights from the literature on labs and then set out to understand higher educational living labs. The findings show that current research on lab practices is limited, the field is scattered, and there is little common perspective across disciplines. The authors advocate for more research on the actual social processes. Only then can living labs hold their promise of integrating learning and innovation in higher education.

Students and lecturers share educational experiences, each in their role: Students as part of their learning context and lecturers as part of their work environment. But how much of their experiences are similar? A questionnaire was developed to provide insight into the experiences of research integration of undergraduate students (N = 2336) and lecturers (N = 379). For measurements, the Research Attitudes in Vocational Education Questionnaire (RAVE-Q), and Experience in Research Integration scale were applied to the student survey design. For lecturers, all items of the student surveys were rephrased into items related to lecturers' perceptions of their students' attitudes and experiences. The findings show that students and lecturers share perceptions about the role of research in their related vocational field and about research integration. However, important cognitive and affective differences were found between students and lecturers regarding research practice. Implications for further research and educational design will be discussed.

In this article, we examine how policy documents from three European countries -- the Netherlands, Germany and England -- position a key outcome of higher education: the development of high-level professionals. Our findings show significant differences between the policies in the three countries in terms of in definitions of high-level professionals, the characterization of the education needed to produce high-level professionals, and the mechanisms identified as ensuring the production of high-level professionals. Our findings show that in order to develop a comparative understanding of higher education outcomes across the European Higher Education Area (EHEA), it is necessary to examine the strategic and visionary perspective of national policies in different EHEA countries. This is significant given that the EHEA's claim to ensure common outcomes across its higher education systems.

Integrating professional research into higher education is supposed to intellectually benefit students. However, the literature suggests that students in different academic disciplines experience differing research opportunities. Previous studies have shown how junior students of natural sciences have less opportunity to engage in research than students in 'soft' disciplines. To investigate research involvement, undergraduate students (N = 2192) of all seven faculties of a university filled out a survey that included the Research Experience Scale. This scale provides four types of potential research involvement comprised of passive involvement and three types of active research involvement. The categorisation of disciplines was based on the framework constructed by Anthony Biglan, with its distinction between hard/soft and life/nonlife criteria. All disciplines included in this study were applied, thereby excluding Biglan's pure/applied distinction. A betweengroup analysis showed that each of the types of research involvement yielded a different pattern for students from different study years. The 'students-as-researcher' type in particular showed that students of lower study years in the life disciplines were systematically less involved than more senior students. These findings highlight the importance of more precise definitions of research involvement, as well as clearer distinctions between disciplinary differences in research and curriculum design.

The main aim of vocationally oriented higher education is to train students to become future professionals in their chosen field. Therefore, the effectiveness of research education depends on students' intention to use their research competencies in their future professional practice. This survey study describes the relationships between undergraduate students' (N = 2192) intention to use their research competencies in their future professional practice and their perceptions of and attitudes towards research, students' research activities, and students' research context. To measure students' attitudes, the Research Attitudes in Vocational Education Questionnaire (RAVE-Q) was developed. The findings show that students' intention to use research in their future professional practice correlates highly with their perceptions of and attitudes toward research, whilst research activities and research context have less of an effect. Therefore, to increase the functionality of the integration of research into higher education pedagogies, students' research attitudes should be considered.

The integration of research activities in universities of applied sciences (UASs) has led to the transformation of these universities into organisations with two primary processes: research and education. Although many believe in the benefits of combining research and education in one organisation, which is referred to as synergy in this study, research–education synergies have rarely been empirically investigated, particularly in the UAS context. Thus, this research investigates the intended synergy between the research and education of UASs by conducting a document analysis of their university‐wide strategic policy. The findings show that UASs aim for synergies among people, UAS organisations and outside UAS organisations, with a focus on education‐oriented synergies. This study provides an initial understanding of the strategic aims of UASs considering research–education synergy. The findings provide direction and a framework for future research and form a base for making explicit strategic choices for research–education connections in universities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is often assumed that students with a higher potential for excellence are less motivated to collaborate. So far, the question remains whether this is actually the case. This survey study investigated the influence of business students' (N = 389) potential for excellence on their motivation to collaborate on a business-related task. Different aspects of potential for excellence were taken into account, including intelligence, creativity, first-year grade point average (GPA), and personality. A structural equation modeling analysis was applied. The findings demonstrated that only GPA had a negative influence on students' collaborative values, indicating that the assumption that students with a higher potential for excellence are less motivated to collaborate receives limited support. In addition, the findings showed that different aspects of potential for excellence were related to different aspects of motivation to collaborate. This indicates that the relationship between potential for excellence and motivation is more complex than often considered.

During educational change, managers can contribute positively to the professional's sense of coping ability. The question remains as to whether the managers of lecturers can also influence the perception of lecturers on newly formulated organizational aims. Recently, the changes in many European institutes of higher professional education (HPE) have been considerable. The innovations at hand include the Dutch HPE institutes changing from teaching-only institutes toward hybrid organizations for teaching and research. The role of lecturers is central in implementing research into HPE, especially into the educational programmes. Hence, lecturers' view on the new organizational aims are crucial. Based on a quantitative design, lecturers' perceptions on the new organizational aims are measured. As part of a structural equation model, these perceptions are related to how lecturers perceive their direct executives' leadership style, directly as well as mediated by executive-imputed organizational structures as collaboration systems and decision-making processes. The results show that the direct influence of executives based on their leadership style is limited, while initiating lecturers' participation in decision-making processes is an important influence on lecturers' perceptions on new organizational aims. More empirical insight into leadership factors and organizational structures can enlarge the improvement of goal achievement during organizational change.

Higher professional education in Europe has changed from teaching-only institutes to hybrids of teaching and research. The purpose of this study was to examine factors that influence the judgements of lecturers about new organisational goals and perceptions of their new research-related competencies. Lecturers' judgements of new organisational goals and self-efficacy related to newly expected competencies were modelled in a bio-ecological model. Findings show that lecturers' perceptions of self-efficacy can be influenced by an open organisational culture, while lecturers' judgements of new organisational goals can be influenced by decision-making systems. The professional development of lecturers through formal education and participation in research influences both self-efficacy and judgements. Hence, direct executive managers have three steering mechanisms by which they can influence lecturers' perceptions during the implementation of new organisational activities: a) Educational Policy, b) Management Policy and c) Developmental Policy. Implications are discussed.

In the context of a European knowledge economy, the Dutch non-university institutions systematically develop research activities at a higher frequency than before. With this development, they have been accused of academic drift, of striving to receive a status comparable to traditional universities. This study considers the perceptions of both managers and lecturers in non-university higher education concerning the organisational aims for research activities. The intention is to add an empirical base to the debate of academic drift, especially to the potential of academic drift on the staff level. The results show a moderate indication of potential for academic drift on the staff level. In addition, managers have more positive perceptions regarding all aims for research than lecturers, but both groups prioritise that the results of research should, first and foremost, be directed towards improving the quality of education.

Introduction The quality of medicines and healthcare products is a significant challenge these days, with counterfeiting accounting for at least 10% of all products in circulation worldwide, including in Africa. In the specific case of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), which is the second-largest country on the continent and faces serious challenges in frontier control, the country has become a major hub for this scourge. Counterfeit medicines circulating within its territory account for over 20% of the pharmaceutical market. Purpose This research aimed to provide a simple, reliable, and economical method for quality control of drugs and healthcare products in the Congolese pharmaceutical market. This was achieved by developing and validating an ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectrophotometric method for the simultaneous determination of paracetamol and ibuprofen in dosage forms. Methods From stock solutions, 0.65 ml of paracetamol and 0.8 ml of ibuprofen were transferred into volumetric flasks to prepare 10 ml of each solution. These solutions were separately scanned between 200-400 nm to observe the absorption maxima of each compound in UV-vis spectra against the blank (ethanol). Subsequently, individual solutions were prepared to obtain calibration and validation standards for the method validation, using the total error strategy and studying various validation criteria (specificity, precision, accuracy, linearity, robustness). After evaluating all the criteria, the developed and validated method was applied for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of dosage forms containing both paracetamol and ibuprofen. Results When solubilized in ethanol, paracetamol and ibuprofen exhibited absorption maxima at 249 nm and 219 nm, respectively. The method demonstrated strong correlation over the concentration ranges used (2.6–9.1 µg/ml for paracetamol and 3.2–9.6 µg/ml for ibuprofen). The correlation coefficients and regression lines determined at selected wavelengths were: y = 0.0924 x (R2 = 0.999) and y = 0.0228x (R2 = 0.9996) for paracetamol at 249 nm and 219 nm respectively, and y = 0.0429 x (R2 = 0.9993) for ibuprofen at 219 nm. The committed bias and the coefficient of variation in the precision study were within ±2% and less than 2%, respectively. Furthermore, the application of the method to dosage forms produced appropriate active ingredient rates, which ranged between 98% and 102%. Conclusion The developed method showed no interference between the active ingredients and the usual excipients used in tablet manufacturing. The recovery rates obtained in the selectivity and accuracy studies were consistently between 98% and 102%. Active ingredient contents determined by applying the method to pharmaceutical dosage forms ranged between 95% and 105%.

Purpose: This study addresses the question of how the relation between self-rated health (SRH) and mortality differs between genders. In addition to the general question, four specific concepts of SRH are distinguished: SRH in comparison with age peers, SRH in comparison with one's own health 10 years ago, and current and future health perceptions. For these concepts, the gender-specific risks of mortality were evaluated for a short and a longer follow-up period. Design and Methods: Baseline and mortality data from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (N = 1917, initial ages 55-85 years) were used. Mortality risks were evaluated in Cox regression models at 3 and 7.5 years of follow-up, both adjusted for age and for sociodemographic characteristics, indicators of functional and mental health, lifestyle, and social involvement. All SRH measures were scaled from 1 (positive) to 5 (negative). Results: Baseline correlations between SRH concepts were similar for men and women. After 3 years, 12% of the men and 7% of the women had died; after 7.5 years, these percentages were 27 and 15, respectively. In fully adjusted models, current health perceptions predicted 3-year mortality in men (risk ratio of 1.33). At 7.5 years, mortality in men was predicted by current health perceptions and by SRH compared with age peers (risk ratios of 1.25 and 1.23, respectively). In women, no SRH concept predicted either 3-year or 7.5-year mortality. Implications: SRH was a predictor of mortality only in men, not in women. The gender difference showed most clearly at longer follow-up, in the SRH concept "comparison with age peers."

This research aims to analyze program factors, implementation, evaluation and barriers to curriculum integration between Ma'had Abu Ubaidah bin Al-Jarrah and the Faculty of Islamic Religion (FAI) Muhammadiyah University of North Sumatra (UMSU) in the Integrated Undergraduate Program. This research method uses a qualitative approach with a descriptive type. Data collection techniques include interviews, observation and documentation studies. Data analysis techniques include data collection, data reduction, data presentation, and drawing conclusions. Research findings show; 1) The curriculum integration program between Ma'had Abu Ubaidah bin Al-Jarrah and FAI UMSU in the Integrated Undergraduate Program is a strategic collaboration to provide service diplomas to students, as well as facilitate students to continue higher education and improve the quality of Islamic education. 2) Implementation of curriculum integration between Ma'had Abu Ubaidah bin Al-Jarrah and FAI UMSU in the Integrated Undergraduate Program is carried out through three aspects, namely integration of lecture schedules, integration of courses, and integration of assessments. 3) Evaluation of curriculum integration between Ma'had Abu Ubaidah bin Al-Jarrah and FAI UMSU in the Integrated Undergraduate Program is carried out every semester. This program is able to provide positive impacts such as stability in student numbers, increasing student interest in learning, increasing the number of students with various abilities. 4) Obstacles in implementing curriculum integration between Ma'had Abu Ubaidah bin Al-Jarrah include; lack of communication and coordination, time and cost constraints, delays and division of focus, curriculum changes, and students' perceptions of the value of knowledge.

Introduction Malaria is one of the leading causes of mortality in developing countries and remains a major public health problem globally. Purpose This retrospective cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate prescribers' adherence to the national malaria management policy in Kinshasa, DRC. Eight publicly accessible community pharmacies were randomly selected to collect malaria prescriptions in the Tshangu district. Methods The study surveyed authorized pharmacies and patients who agreed to participate through a simple, easy-to-understand questionnaire. A total of 1,088 prescriptions were collected. Of the 448 (41.2%) for treating severe malaria, 388 (86.6%) contained injectable Artesunate, 36 (8.04%) injectable Artemether, 24 (5.36%) injectable quinine, and 428 (95.5%) antibiotics. Of the 640 (58.8%) prescriptions for treating simple malaria, 488 (76.25%) contained Artemether-Lumefantrine tablets, 68 (10.625%) quinine tablets, 36 (5.625%) other antimalarials outside the recommended therapeutic combinations, and 552 (86.2%) antibiotics. Results The rate of adherence to the national malaria treatment policy was 18.75% for the treatment of severe malaria and 76.25% for the treatment of simple malaria. Conclusion Ongoing training for prescribers on national malaria management guidelines and increased public awareness of the activities of the National Malaria Control Program (PNLP) are necessary to improve adherence to the national malaria management policy. Additionally, we recommend that authorities ensure the guidelines are enforced by conducting periodic investigations in regional medical centers, with a focus on adherence to prescription rules.

A magnetic nanocomposite synthesized by co-precipitation of bentonite and iron oxide was used for the selective removal of cationic and anionic azo-dyes from water samples. The structural and morphological characteristics of this composite adsorbent were studied by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) experiment and point of zero charge pH (pHpzc) analysis. Batch adsorption experiments were carried out for the removal of Bemacid Red dye (BR) and Janus Green dye (JG) from aqueous solutions using Fe3O4 Intercalated Bentonite nanocomposite (Fe3O4-Bt). Effect of contact time, pH, initial dye concentration, temperature and mass of the adsorbent on the adsorption efficiency were investigated. The results showed that the adsorption capacities of BR and JG on Fe3O4-Bt were 59.88 and 30.30 mg. g-1 respectively, and that the adsorption capacities decreased with increasing adsorbent mass. The extraction efficiency reaches the maximum in the range of pHi = 2.5 for the anionic dye BR and pHi = 5.5 for the cationic dye JG. Adsorption kinetics and adsorption isotherms were in good agreement with the pseudo 2nd order kinetic equation and Langmuir equation. Increasing the temperature leads to a decrease in the adsorption capacity of both dyes. Also, the thermodynamic study showed that the sorption of dyes is a spontaneous and exothermic process. From all these results, it was deduced that the dual function of the Fe3O4-Bt nanocomposite at different pH values allowed it to remove both anionic and cationic dyes. These nano-magnetically modified bentonites with super performance would be used to treat dye-laden wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: (1) To assess the value of cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans in the investigation of girls with central precocious puberty (CPP); and (2) to determine the clinical predictors […]