New Era College

The integration of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) into the curricula of higher education institutions (HEIs) is critical for advancing global sustainability objectives. This study assessed the extent of ESD integration in the curricula of HEIs in Botswana, examined current practices and challenges, and identified areas for improvement. Guided by constructivist, and transformative learning theories, the study was conducted on a sample of four out of ten registered HEIs in Botswana. A stratified random sampling method was used to select academic staff from various faculties, and data were collected through a structured and semi-structured survey. The quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, while the qualitative data underwent thematic analysis. The findings revealed that ESD integration in Botswana’s HEIs is inconsistent and limited. While most of the respondents indicated that their institutions have sustainability related initiatives, only a few of them reported that their HEIs offer specialised ESD courses, highlighting a limited integration of ESD across the sampled HEIs. Key challenges identified include limited resources, insufficient institutional policies, and a lack of ongoing professional development for staff. The absence of a unified ESD policy framework and low student engagement in sustainability initiatives further hinder integration efforts. This study recommends the development of a comprehensive, institution-wide ESD policy, the integration of sustainability principles across all curricula, and strengthened faculty development programmes to support this transition. Due to the use of a survey-based research approach, there is potential for alternative interpretations and limited generalisability of the findings of the study.

The rapid globalization of the new-style tea beverage industry has brought growing academic and practical interest in the overseas expansion of Chinese brands. Mixue has gained remarkable success in Malaysia by offering affordable products and standardized operations. However, in a market characterized by ethnic and cultural diversity, success depends not only on price competitiveness but also on consumers’ evaluations of value perception, product diversity, and cultural adaptability. This study focuses on Mixue’s Malaysian market to examine how perceived value, product diversity, and localization adaptation influence consumers’ purchase intention, aiming to identify the key factors shaping consumer decision-making in cross-cultural contexts. A quantitative research design was adopted, using a structured questionnaire distributed to Malaysian consumers who had previously purchased Mixue products. A total of 250 questionnaires were issued, including 40 pilot surveys and 210 valid responses for final analysis. The five-point Likert-scale questionnaire measured four main constructs: perceived value, product diversity, localization adaptation, and purchase intention. Data were analyzed using SPSS 26.0 through reliability, validity, correlation, and multiple regression tests. The results showed Cronbach’s α coefficients above 0.77 for all variables and a KMO value of 0.879, indicating strong internal consistency and validity. Findings revealed that perceived value, product diversity, and localization adaptation each have significant positive effects on purchase intention, with perceived value exerting the greatest impact. These results suggest that consumers’ purchase decisions are driven by an integrated perception of costeffectiveness, product richness, and cultural relevance. The study extends the application of the theory of planned behavior and perceived value theory to the cross-cultural consumer context and provides practical insights for Chinese tea brands. To achieve sustainable international growth, brands should balance standardization with localized innovation and cultural sensitivity to strengthen consumer connection and market competitiveness.

Purpose The study aims to explore cultural dimensions in higher education institutions through a bibliometric analysis, focusing on co-citation and co-word analyses. It aims to (1) evaluate notable past research and current trends and (2) identify emerging themes and trends to provide a comprehensive overview of this evolving field. Design/methodology/approach The research employed a bibliometric analysis using the Web of Science database. Co-citation analysis identified influential publications and foundational theories, while co-word analysis examined recurring themes and future directions. VOSviewer software was utilized to visualize bibliometric networks, and searches were conducted using specific terms related to cultural dimensions and higher education institutions. Findings The study identified 1,338 documents published between 2014 and 2023, with a rising trend in publications and citations since 2019. Co-citation analysis revealed five clusters, including themes on psychometric and behavioral foundations, cultural identity, cultural intelligence, value dimensions and cultural psychology. Co-word analysis uncovered four clusters emphasizing diversity, cross-cultural perspectives, mental health and acculturation challenges. Key trends included the growing importance of intercultural competence, mental health and inclusive practices to address challenges in globalized educational environments. Originality/value This study bridges a significant gap in the literature by systematically mapping the theoretical and practical developments of cultural dimensions in higher education. The bibliometric approach provides a detailed understanding of the field’s intellectual foundations and highlights future research directions.

Purpose This study conducted a comprehensive bibliometric analysis to map the intellectual landscape and emerging research trends in the employment of postgraduate students. It identifies influential studies, dominant themes, and evolving areas of inquiry within a given domain. Design/methodology/approach Using data from the Web of Science Core Collection, this study applied co-citation and co-word analyses to examine the development and conceptual structure of scholarly work on postgraduate student employment. A sensemaking framework guides the interpretation of bibliometric patterns. Findings Co-citation analysis revealed five major clusters: (1) graduate employability and socio-psychological resources, (2) doctoral career transitions and workforce integration, (3) biomedical research career pathways, (4) academic socialization and mentorship cultures, and (5) structural challenges in doctoral education. Co-word analysis uncovered five thematic domains: skill development, diversity and gender dynamics, mental health disruptions, employment transition barriers, and motivational drivers among international postgraduates. The thematic map positioned “skills and perceptions,” “mental health,” and “labor market returns” as motor themes, while trend topic analysis revealed a shift from discipline-specific focus toward policy-relevant constructs such as transition, entrepreneurship, and employability. Originality/value This study enriches the theoretical discourse by integrating Human Capital Theory with Career Construction Theory, psychological empowerment, and sociocultural capital frameworks. It contributes to a multidimensional roadmap to guide curriculum reform, enhance mental health strategies, and strengthen cross-sector collaboration. By unpacking both enduring and emerging issues, this analysis offers actionable insights for universities, employers, and policymakers aiming to better align postgraduate education with labor-market realities.

Mosques hold significant reverence as places of worship for Muslims worldwide, serving as focal points for religious activities such as sermons and meetings.Each country exhibits distinct designs for mosque minbars, reflecting its cultural and ethnic diversity.Terengganu, a Malaysian state, showcases a plethora of unique and captivating carving motifs adorning its mosque minbars.This study aims to elucidate the carving motifs and their meanings on the minbar of the Ulul Albab Mosque in Terengganu.Employing qualitative research methodology, including interviews, observations, and analysis of primary and secondary sources, this research unveils the intricate details behind the wood carvings.The findings reveal that the minbar of the Ulul Albab Mosque in Terengganu encompasses various motifs inspired by flora and fauna, aiming to convey messages rooted in the pure values of Malay culture.These wood carvings serve as exemplars of Malay craftsmanship worthy of preservation.It is anticipated that this research will foster greater awareness among the public regarding the imperative of safeguarding cultural heritage, which epitomizes ethnic identity.

This paper discusses a series of problems in the construction of an application-oriented undergraduate curriculum system. The paper first defines and analyzes the concept and characteristics of the applied curriculum system, then analyzes the problems existing in the current curriculum system, and puts forward solutions such as strengthening practical teaching, cooperating with the industry, and innovating teaching methods to make beneficial exploration of the applied undergraduate curriculum teaching.

The YouTube Kids platform serves as an educational tool designed for children under the age of 12, allowing parents to exercise control over the educational content accessed by their children. Through YouTube Kids, children can engage in creative arts and crafts activities, enjoying both the process and achieving more effective learning outcomes. This paper aims to focus on 5 children, aged between 5 and 8 years. The study will employ observational data collection methods and open-ended interviews to gather valuable insights. This research explores the intricate relationship between various aspects of art and craft videos, encompassing content type, video duration, and audio-visual elements, and their impact on children's learning outcomes. Learning through video content entails a multimodal approach, engaging the visual, auditory, and kinaesthetic senses simultaneously. This method is expected to yield substantial learning benefits. The findings of this research are anticipated to provide valuable recommendations for video creators, particularly educators, to enhance the quality of arts and crafts education for children on YouTube Kids. Simultaneously, the insights derived from this study will contribute to improving the overall effectiveness of art and craft learning for children on the YouTube Kids platform.

Abstract The Communist Party of Malaya (cpm) evolved under the impact of the Cold War. Considering that the cpm was a left-wing political party that had a significant impact on many areas of Malaysia, this study tries to identify and investigate the causes of the cpm’s inability to win the political fight from 1948 to 1989. Both domestic and internal party issues, along with the Cold War scenario, were a significant component that could not be neglected by the researchers.

Information monitoring is vital in information management because it enables the continuous maintenance of accountability and compliance. While the majority of information in police forces is typically associated with secrecy and non-disclosure, it has raised other concerns regarding investigation process accountability and police integrity. To avoid this, an investigation information monitoring framework (IIMF) is supposed to aid the monitoring team in carrying out their responsibilities and maintain the integrity. This study is monitoring the procedures of developing (input), utilizing (process) and the result of utilizing (output) investigation information. This paper discusses investigation information monitoring techniques used to identify anomalies in the investigation information, which will then be used to create the IIMF. The IIMF is expected to improve the efficiency of police investigative information management hence increasing police accountability through compliance.