Balancing broad learning outcomes in graduate programs with detailed classroom learning outcomes is increasingly crucial in education systems. This study employs a qualitative paradigm through a case study method to address the gap between learning outcomes at the graduate program level and those at the course level. Using the ESSENTIA CURRICULUM framework—a curriculum design methodology derived from software engineering practices—we propose an innovative and adaptable approach for aligning program-wide and course-specific learning outcomes. The ESSENTIA CURRICULUM, named for its focus on the “essence of the curriculum”, is applied to the ICT for Research course within the M.Sc. program in University Teaching at the University of Nariño. This framework fosters a consistent educational journey centered on learning achievements and demonstrates its effectiveness through a comprehensive self-assessment process and stakeholder feedback. The implications of this research are twofold: it highlights the potential of adopting interdisciplinary methodologies for curriculum design and provides a scalable and alternative strategy for harmonizing learning outcomes across diverse educational contexts. By bridging principles from software engineering into education, this novel approach offers new avenues for improving curriculum coherence and applicability.
The objective of this article is to present the analysis we conducted regarding interdisciplinarity in the training of legal professionals in the Law program at UNAD, focusing on emerging anthropocentric and biocentric perspectives that offer a different view in the training process from territorial and environmental approaches. The program, which has been in existence for three years and being the first virtual modality program authorized in Colombia, is a pioneer in its field. In consequence, we ask ourselves: What are the relevant aspects in the training of legal professionals in the face of the environmental challenges of the 21st century? For this purpose, we used a qualitative methodology with semi-structured interviews, surveys and literature review, highlighting the holistic and hermeneutic methods. We found five key aspects: a) interdisciplinary perspective in legal training; b) development of skills and competencies; c) paradigmatic changes from anthropocentrism to biocentrism from a pedagogical perspective in law; d) training of legal professionals with an environmental humanistic sense; and e) the territorial and environmental approach of the UNAD Law program. Furthermore, in the discussion, we analyzed the aspects identified above, based on complex thinking, professional skills and competences, environmental humanism and ethics in the exercise of the legal profession from a formative approach. We conclude by highlighting the importance of interdisciplinarity, critical thinking and the territorial approach as positive aspects with an opportunity for strengthening, particularly related with emerging paradigms and environmental humanism in law.
Nigeria’s palm oil processing industry poses significant environmental pollution risks, jeopardizing the country’s ability to meet the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. Traditional processing methods generate palm oil mill effluent (POME), contaminating soil and shallow wells. This study investigated water samples from five locations (Edo, Akwa-Ibom, Cross River, Delta, and Imo states) with high effluent release. While some parameters met international and national standards (WHO guidelines, ASCE, NIS, and NSDWQ) others exceeded acceptable limits, detrimental to improved water quality. Results showed, pH values within acceptable ranges (6.5–8.5), high total conductivity and salinity (800–1150 µS/cm), acceptable hardness values (200–300 mg/L), nitrite concentrations (10–45 mg/L), excessive magnesium absorption (> 50 mg/L), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) indicating significant pollution (75–290 mg/L), total dissolved solids (TDS) exceeding safe limits in four locations, total solids (TS) exceeding allowable limits for drinking water (310–845 mg/L), water quality index (WQI) values ranged from “poor” to “very poor”. POME contamination by metals like magnesium, nitrite, chloride, and sodium compromised shallow well water quality. Correlation analysis confirmed robust results, indicating strong positive correlations between conductivity and TDS (r = 0.85, p < 0.01) and pH and total hardness (r = 0.65, p < 0.05). The study emphasizes the need for environmentally friendly palm oil processing methods to mitigate pollution, ensure safe drinking water, and achieve Nigeria’s SDGs. Implementation of sustainable practices is crucial to protect public health and the environment.
The major goal of decisions made by a business organization is to enhance business performance. These days, owners, managers and other stakeholders are seeking for opportunities of modelling and automating decisions by analysing the most recent data with the help of artificial intelligence (AI). This study outlines a simple theoretical model framework using internal and external information on current and potential clients and performing calculations followed by immediate updating of contracting probabilities after each sales attempt. This can help increase sales efficiency, revenues, and profits in an easily programmable way and serve as a basis for focusing on the most promising deals customising personal offers of best-selling products for each potential client. The search for new customers is supported by the continuous and systematic collection and analysis of external and internal statistical data, organising them into a unified database, and using a decision support model based on it. As an illustration, the paper presents a fictitious model setup and simulations for an insurance company considering different regions, age groups and genders of clients when analysing probabilities of contracting, average sales and profits per contract. The elements of the model, however, can be generalised or adjusted to any sector. Results show that dynamic targeting strategies based on model calculations and most current information outperform static or non-targeted actions. The process from data to decision-making to improve business performance and the decision itself can be easily algorithmised. The feedback of the results into the model carries the potential for automated self-learning and self-correction. The proposed framework can serve as a basis for a self-sustaining artificial business intelligence system.
The objectives of this qualitative research are to study problems and factors promoting success in the career path of government officials in the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation (MHESI) in Thailand. The study also finds out career path model to opinions between executives and government officials. This qualitative employed in-depth interview and focus group discussion with executives, academics, and civil servants. It found that the problem was the planning and management of career path due to lacking of standard pattern. Also, it found that the model of career path provides practitioners with career advancement opportunities and job titles from the very beginning to the very top where they can advance and can plan their career progression. The model also provides an opportunity to explore officers’ competencies, aptitudes, and interests that are appropriate for any type of work in the organization and able to prepare them to perform the job, which will affect the success of civil servants’ work and human resource management to create career path and develop oneself to be able to compete for academic and professional excellence, as well as prepare the government officers for appropriate positions in the future.
The global Testing, Inspection, and Certification (TIC) service market is experiencing significant growth, driven by rising demand for high-quality and safety-related TIC services across various industries. This research aims to redesign a position map and strategy for Indonesian TIC State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) in the Red Ocean competition. This systematic literature review analyzed 17 journals. The results show that the Indonesian TIC SOEs are intensively competing in the Red Ocean competition. In designing the position map in the Red Ocean competition, the SOEs must use technology in their operational activities to implement good corporate governance, collaborative strategies, resource management, and leadership styles aligned with the organizational culture.
It is possible to provide green, ecological, and innovative products and services through green and sustainable public procurement. This study analyzes the opportunity offered to public contracting authorities in the Republic of Croatia (RH) in transformation from existing economy to a sustainable one through the inclusion of small and medium sized (SME) companies and inclusion of selection criteria that promote all three sustainable goals. The study employed a qualitative method and empirical analysis of public procurement procedures for eggs in the period from 2013 to 2021 in RH. The product was procured in many social institutions, hospitals, schools, student canteens and by procuring a sustainable product, added value could be created for the entire community. Data from the Electronic Public Procurement Classifieds of the Republic of Croatia (EOJN RH) and Data from the State and European Union (EU) Statistical Office were used. The research showed that sustainable procurement criteria were used for the first time in 2021, and that public contracting authorities put a stronger focus on the environmental pillar of sustainability and less or almost none on the economic and social pillar. The volume of demand and production was also calculated. The study found that the first contractor for sustainable product was SME company, producer of food, who adapted to the green conditions of public procurement in a short period of time. The paper empirically demonstrated that public procurement can be a powerful tool, but it was not used enough in the observed period for the observed products in RH.
Economic growth is a pressing issue facing the global community transitioning to sustainable development. Sustainable development is impossible without rapid economic growth limited by imperfect technologies and social structure. Most often, the limit of economic growth is related not so much to the amount of natural resources as to the possibilities of the environment. The atmosphere, water reservoirs, and the earth are already at the limit of their capabilities. This forces us to look for ways to develop production in combination with the economic and environmental spheres. Advanced companies are the first environmentally oriented enterprises, because reducing the amount of primary raw and other materials and energy, switching to secondary raw materials, and processing them reduces the cost of production, and, most often, brings additional profit. This study evaluates socioeconomic approaches to the development of the environmental management system. The creation of an environmentally friendly enterprise’s field of activity is not only a solution to many economic and environmental issues but also one of the ways to transition to a normally functioning market system, given the financial capabilities of enterprises and the understanding of the necessity of state sustainable development by the company management and the population.
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