Assessing Students' Perceived Engagement and Perceived Performance for E-learning in East Coast Malaysia: A Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) Approach

Perceived Engagement is defined as the extensive use of learning management system services, features, and capabilities. In the wake of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), studies show that there is an increase in user engagement level towards learning management systems, especially among tertiary education. Perceived engagement extends the previous concept of information system usage by incorporating several dimensions: cognitive, affective, and behavioural perspectives. However, most of the research on user engagement are focusing on the level of the engagement, with the scarcity of research on its impacts. Thus, the aim of this study is twofold: first, to revisit and determine the level of user engagement with the learning management system. Second, to determine the relationship between perceived engagement and perceived performance. To find the answer for the purpose of the study, a quantitative research methodology was adopted using convenience sampling. The instrument was developed by adapting and adopting previous research instruments. The instrument was expert reviewed and a pilot test was performed before the actual data collection. Data collection took 2 weeks involving students in one of the public universities in Malaysia. A total of 206 valid responses were received. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26 for descriptive analysis and SmartPLS version 3.3.3 for inferential analysis. Findings show that: (1) the current level of user engagement in using learning management system is moderate;(2) perceived engagement has a predictive power on perceived performance;(3) perceived engagement has a large effect size on perceived performance;and (4) there is a moderate level of perceived performance among respondents. IEEE

OIL PALM ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE IN MALAYSIA AND R&D PROGRESS IN 2021

The palm oil industry fared better in 2021 compared to 2020, despite lower crude palm oil (CPO) production due to labour shortage and a restricted supply of CPO during the COVID-19 pandemic. As the industry recovers, research and development (R&D) activities remain dedicated towards ensuring the industry is sustainable and competitive. In the upstream sector, efforts continue to be focused in increasing the CPO yield per hectare through precision agriculture, advanced genomic technologies and improved breeding programmes, control of pest and diseases, as well as farm mechanisation. In the midstream sector, there were some improvements in mill productivity, that reduce the environmental impact of the milling operations. Intensification of R&D related to palm-based biomass has the potential to contribute to higher income for the industry. In the downstream sector, food safety and the nutrition-rich value of palm oil offer the best quality for this versatile and productive oil crop, to the world. Additionally, non-food products such as biofuels, biopolymers and bio-lubricants are also gaining research traction due to global movement towards a circular economy and sustainability.

Comparative Advantage and Competitiveness of COVID-19-Related Medical Products Exporters

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic generated an upsurge in demand for medical products. Trade policy changes, including export restrictions and import reforms, have led to a shortage of medical products. The World Health Organization has recommended countries to encourage local production and identify various import sources for medical products to ensure sustainable healthcare capacity to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and any similar events in the future. This study aims to examine the comparative advantages and competitiveness in producing medical products among top exporters. The contribution of this study is the ability to identify various import sources specific to developing countries. From the exporter's perspective, this study allows countries to recognize their existing competitive strengths in the medical products trade, allowing them to strategize and compete in the international markets of medical products. Using Balassa's revealed comparative advantage index, this study analyzes 25 primary medical product exporters, identifying several countries with a comparative advantage in producing medical products. Medicines are primarily dominated by high-income countries, including Switzerland and Germany, whereas middle-income countries, such as China and Malaysia, are more specialized in medical supplies, medical equipment, and personal protective products. This finding provides a basis for policy formulation that can facilitate the process of building a sustainable healthcare capacity.

Managing Individual Online Learning Experience: The Roles of Perceived Engagement and Perceived Performance

The pandemic of Novel Coronavirus 2020 has shifted and transformed several industries: including educational institutions. Universities and schools were forced to turn into online education to continue the learning process. Several information systems were adopted such as a learning management system, video conferencing, google classroom, etc. However, sudden changes from face-to-face education to online distance learning raise user engagement towards the usage of the online platform, vice versa its impact on individual performance. Therefore, the purpose of this study is twofold;first, to investigate the individual’s learning experience from the context of perceived engagement with the LMS and second, to investigate the impact of perceived engagement (user involvement and user participation) on perceived performance in the context of adopting a learning management system among the students from one of the local universities in Kelantan. A quantitative research instrument was developed, and data was collected. The study’s findings were described in terms of descriptive and inferential analysis using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 26. The results indicated that user involvement and user participation have a positive and significant relationship with the perceived performance. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

KNOWLEDGE, RISK PERCEPTION AND PREVENTIVE PRACTICES OF COVID-19 AMONG STAFF OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

INTRODUCTION: Kaduna State is among the three States with the highest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases. The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge, risk perception and practices of staff towards prevention and control of COVID-19 infection in schools to provide policy makers, education and health managers required information to manage the epidemic as the schools prepare to re-open. METHODS: This was a school-based survey conducted using purposive sampling of 55 schools located in nine LGAs with the highest number of reported COVID-19 cases as at October 2020. Five schools with the highest students'/pupils' enrollment in each of the LGA were selected and all staff were interviewed. Information on knowledge, risk perception and practices of prevention was collected. Descriptive statistics were generated using Stata v14 software. RESULTS: A total of 1065 staff in 55 schools completed the interview. Major sources of information are television (73%), radio (61%), and social media (57%);and 76% indicated that a virus is the causative agent of COVID-19. Overall, 70%, 19%, 7%, 9.3% and 0% respectively had adequate knowledge of cause, preventive measures, respiratory hygiene, modes of transmission and symptoms of COVID-19;however only 14% ever attended a workshop on COVID-19. Eighty-two percent and 89% respectively believed in the efficacy of face masks and handwashing as means of prevention;39% thought that they are likely to contract COVID-19. Ninety-nine percent and 90% have ever used face mask and hand sanitizer to prevent COVID-19;96% and 85% respectively have use these methods in previous 24hours. Between 42% and 73% of schools needed additional commodities/requirements/supplies to comply fully with COVID-19 prevention protocols. CONCLUSION: While knowledge of COVID-19 is suboptimal, perception is positive and practice is high. Thus, teachers need to be well informed and encouraged to sustain current levels of preventive measures. Government needs to provide schools with adequate preventive commodities to ensure compliance.

OIL PALM ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE IN MALAYSIA AND R&D PROGRESS IN 2020

The year 2020 faced unprecedented challenge for most of the global economic growth due to the outbreak of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Despite a downward trend performance of the Malaysian oil palm industry, particularly for the first half of 2020, the impact is less severe due to the encouraging palm oil export revenue through the National Economic Recovery Plan (PENJANA) which nurtures a notable increase in crude palm oil (CPO) price. In honouring the Malaysian pledge on forest conservation, land expansion for the oil palm cultivation remains stagnant over the years. The effort is now shifting towards enhancing the oil palm yield performance through new planting materials and good agricultural practices, coupled with systematic pest and disease management. Sustainability continues to be the key agenda of the oil palm industry, in moving forward to sustain the industry ecosystem. The industry is now open for innovative palm oil processes to comply with the dynamic and stringent food safety and quality standards and trade regulations. Owing to the distinction in food and feed applicability together with health prospects, translating the information into consumer-friendly language is becoming crucial for effective communication. Valorisation via the concept of 'waste to wealth' has compelled series of innovations in capitalising oil palm co-products for greener bioenergy and oleochemicals, and source of phytonutrients to generate higher earnings without having to heavily rely on palm oil trade as commodity. Mandatory enactment of the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification scheme has portrayed a success story of showing the utmost commitment towards sustainability. With persistent dedication, the oil palm industry is envisaged to be self-sustaining, amidst the never-ending challenges surrounding economy, well-being and environment.

Positioning Malaysia in the Realm of Global Uncertainty: Analysing Its Concern and Struggles of Pakatan Harapan Government

The US-China trade war has shackled the political, economic and social landscapes of many nations globally at varying degrees. While trade talks are still ongoing and President Trump has hinted at the possibility of an interim agreement, the prospects of an agreement between the two sides on a comprehensive US-China trade deal in the near-term remains uncertain. Several factors have placed Malaysia to be in a favorable position. One of these factors is that Malaysia continues to be an important geopolitical trading route. In addition to being considered an integral component to the production house of the global supply chain for finished products, Malaysia's economy is highly dependent on the movement of goods and global currency. Furthermore, Malaysia is also predominantly reliant on its trades with China. It is suggested that the trade protectionism in the U.S. has resulted into a slowdown of China's growth, whereby this has created a domino effect on the Malaysian economy. Moreover, the economic prospects of many countries have worsened due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has led to a shutdown of major operations around the world that has disrupted global supply chains. Countries have employed inward strategies to alleviate national security and domestic economies, at the expense of the globalization process. Although the first wave of the virus has passed and world economies have started to recover, the global economy trajectory is still deemed ambiguous. China, which is a major hub for manufacturing, was heavily affected, and struggles to increase its GDP from 6.1 percent since the end of 2019. Due to the uncertainty on future prospects, the seventh Prime Minister, Dr. Mahathir Mohammed, had established three frameworks that would guide Malaysian foreign policy. Firstly, Malaysia will remain an active participant in all international organizations and treaties that it is a member of. Secondly, Malaysia will communicate its influence towards any decision-making processes in platforms where it is not a member. Thirdly, Malaysia will align its aims to the Industrial Revolution 4.0 and the blue economy. Should this be the way forward from 2020 onwards, or would new strategies need to be crafted? What are the contemporary indicators that Malaysia should consider? Finally, what would be the ultimate message that would be delivered when Malaysia positions itself for its increasing potential in the near future? These questions will help guide this study in its examination of the feasibility of change in Continuity, as a strategy for Malaysian foreign policy in the near future. © 2020. All Rights Reserved.