Browsing by Author | މުސައްނިފުން "Najeeb, Fazeel"
Now showing 1 - 10 of 10
- Results Per Page
- Sort Options
Item Completion in higher education : limited prospective students effecting the quality ?(Economic review, 2021-09) Najeeb, FazeelItem Editorial(The Research Centre, Maldives National University, 2020-08) Najeeb, FazeelItem Growth Potential of Tourism Taxation in Maldives(Maldives National Library, 2011-09-10) Najeeb, Fazeel; Serkan Tosun, MehmetItem The impact of covid-19 on the construction sector : phase 1 : initial assessment : August 2020(The Maldives National University, 2020-08) Adam, Aishath Shehenaz; Afeef, Abdulla; Hassan, Rifaath; Ibrahim, Mohamed Haikal; Mauroof, Jameel; Mohamed, Shazla; Ibrahim, Nadheem; Najeeb, Fazeel; Abdul Raheem, Raheema; Shareef, MohamedItem The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the higher education sector of the Maldives: responses and challenges(Maldives National University, 2020-12) Maldives National University; Research Team:; Ismail, Aishath Shaheen; Haleem, Hussain; Raheem, Raheema Abdul; Riyaz, Aminath; Nishan, Fathmath; Shakeeb, Shimna; Ali, Sheeza; Naila, Aishath; Rasheed, Mariyam Fizana; Ahmed, Nadhiya; Musthafa, Hawwa Shiuna; Sattar, Asim Abdul; Najeeb, FazeelThis study was based on the objective of assessing the impact of COVID-19 on all aspects of higher education country-wide, including policy, academic affairs, management and financial responses, and psychological fitness of stakeholders within the higher education sector of the Maldives. The emergency response of the higher education institutions (HEIs) to the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact of their response on students, staff and the institutions were analysed by collecting data both quantitatively (stakeholder survey questionnaires) and qualitatively (stakeholder interviews). In total, 12 stakeholder interviews were conducted with higher education stakeholders, and 1187 survey questionnaires were filled by students and academic & non-academic staff of HEIs. The findings show adjustments that were made by HEIs and the challenges faced by the students, staff, and the institutions in transitioning to remote online teaching and learning. The HEIs in this study responded to the COVID-19 pandemic in three phases which were: 1) evaluating the impact of the pandemic on teaching and learning of the HEIs; 2) planning for continuity of education during the pandemic; and 3) resuming teaching and learning virtually. To facilitate the remote online teaching and learning virtually, HEIs provided various support to their students; namely, technical support, academic support, and psychological support. Further, the COVID-19 pandemic impacted all HEIs and their stakeholders financially. The main challenges faced by stakeholders during the remote online teaching and learning were found to be issues in internet connectivity, unsuitable home environment, and limited preparedness in the use of information communication technologies in teaching and learning. The findings of this study have implications for higher education institutions in continuing their teaching and learning activities during emergency situations and in future educational programs offered. Further, the findings are significant for higher education policy makers in the Maldives, namely the Ministry of Higher Education and the Maldives Qualification Authority, in the need for emergency preparedness and quick responses to ensure quality of higher education even in the face of a pandemic. 1. BACKGROUND Since December 2019, SARS-COV-2 VIRUS (COVID-19), a highly infectious disease caused by a new virus, has become a major disruption to universities around the world including the Maldives, with most institutions suspending in-person classes and moving to online-only instruction in the wake of this deadly virus. One recommendation made by the health authorities of governments across the world to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, was to maintain an appropriate physical distance between individuals. As a result, to minimize exposure of the students and staff to the COVID-19 virus, several educational institutions across 144 countries were temporarily closed impacting almost 68 percent of the world’s enrolled student population (UNESCO, 2020). The disease imposing mobility restrictions has particularly affected the tertiary education sector. The pandemic has significantly altered nearly every aspect of university operation including teaching and learning, admissions and enrolment to student support service, raising concerns over the quality of higher education provision during the emergency teaching period. According to the International Association of Universities, the total number of students and youth affected are more than 1.5 billion (IAU, 2020). In South Asia Region alone, over 42 million students in 50,000 Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) of 8 countries are affected by the pandemic (South Asia: Higher Education, 2020). These concerns further extend to the financial future of higher education institutions in a time of financial instability, both in the form of unforeseen costs and potential drops in revenue. Students attending universities and other higher education institutions create a dense network through which infectious diseases can easily spread (Weeden & Benjamin, 2020). As such several measures were put in place by higher education institutions across the globe to secure the wellbeing of their students and staff and to make the disruption to their functions as minimal as possible. These measures were revised multiple times by many institutions as the situation unfolded, for health and safety of staff and students were their priority. Accordingly, the two main changes suggested by the European Association for International Higher Education include the offering of the courses on an online mode or deferring enrolment or the programme to a later term for student affected by the pandemic (EAIE, 2020). To prevent the spread of COVID-19 through their institutions, several HIEs chose to change the vast majority of their courses from face-to-face teaching to remote teaching mostly done online through digital technology. In the United States alone, more than 200 colleges and universities suspended classes and moved online (EAIE, 2020). Some universities that lacked the necessary Information Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure had to postpone teaching-learning activities until further notice (Policy Brief, 2020). In other universities, facilities such as libraries that closed initially, were later permitted to open with instructions to operate in a COVID-secure way (Higher Education, 2020). The sudden switch to digital technology was not easy. It also induced a lot of stress for the educators and students and made some feel overloaded with work. To ease them, some institutions suspended exams and strengthened the support services to students. Protocols and guiding documents to steer the students and educators through the process of the change were made (South Asia: Higher Education, 2020). The switch to remote education after closing campuses was to ensure educational and research activities were carried on during the pandemic with minimal disruption. This step exposed not only the “digital inequity” of the community but also the shortcomings of the education systems. While access to digital technology and its devices were an issue to some, access to a reliable internet network was an issue to the others. The digital divide was huge even within communities and HEIs were faced with facilitating the means through which digital equipment for the needy staff and students can be arranged (South Asia: Higher Education, 2020). Training of educators in adapting to the use of technology and getting them acquainted with the new mode of teaching came with hurdles. These challenges required immediate attention so as to successfully conduct the remote learning sessions. HEIs had to formulate and run training modules for the educators on online teaching and assessing (Rashid & Yadav, 2020).Item Preliminary Report : Study on socio-economic aspects of Covid-19 in the Maldives (Round One - May 2020)(Maldives National University, 2020-08) Moosa, Shehenaz; Suzana, Mariyam; Najeeb, Fazeel; Abdul Raheem, Raheema; Ibrahim, Athifa; Riyaza, Fathmath; Usman, Sofoora KawsarItem Preliminary report : survey on socio-economic aspects of COVID-19 in the Maldives : (round two June 2020)(Maldives National University, 2020-10) Moosa, Sheena; Suzana, Mariyam; Najeeb, Fazeel; Raheem, Raheema Abdul; Ibrahim, Athifa; Riyaza, Fathimath; Usman, Sofoora KawsarThe first community case of Covid-19 in the Maldives was reported on the 15th April 2020 which triggered the lockdown of Greater Male’ area with travel restrictions between islands, closure of businesses, government offices, schools and other movement of the people was restricted. The lockdown lasted about 45 days before any ease of movement was given. This report presents the preliminary results of the second round of online survey launched on the 12th of June 2020 to explore the extent of exposure to Covid-19, prevention practices, perceptions on easing the restrictions imposed to contain Covid-19, quality of life, access to essential services and the impact on work and income during lockdown. A quantitative online survey methodology was adopted targeting the whole population. To reach the population, the survey team partnered with the two main telecommunication providers in the country and survey link was sent to all registered mobile phones registered with the two providers. The response rate was 94%, with 2368 people completing the study out of 2517 who responded to the study invitation. The study was registered at the Maldives National University (RR/2020/S-02) and ethics approval was obtained from the National Health Research Council (NHRC/2020/006). The response distribution by gender was quite similar with 53.4% females and 46.6% males but the response rate from the atolls was lower than Male’. Testing for Covid-19 was found to be considerable with 14.3% of the sampled population having tested for the disease. Exposure to the disease was low with 0.4% testing positive for the disease. A large proportion complied with HPA’s advice on the prevention measures of Covid-19 such as hand hygiene (72.9%), wearing face masks (71%) and social distancing (60.4%). Many wanted ease of restrictions but felt the need for increased testing, monitoring of compliance, appropriate guidelines and community empowerment to reduce risk of contracting Covid-19. Findings on the exposure to covid-19 and prevention practices reflected the country’s strategy of early detection, high level of testing capacity, peoples’ health seeking behaviours and acceptance of the interventions adopted in the country. The quality of life during the Covid-19 pandemic indicated a high level of health and wellbeing with an average self-reported score of health during the lockdown at 78.2 out of 100. Except for anxiety and depression suffered by 50% of the population, the other four dimensions of quality of life showed that more than 90% had no problem with mobility and self-care, 71% had no problem with usual activities and 66% had no problem of bodily pain or discomfort during the lockdown. The discrepancy observed between the proportion of population suffering from mental health issues (50%) and the demand for mental health services (9.8%) highlights the need to extend mental health education across the country, proactive screening and treatment for the people in need. Access to essential services during the lockdown demonstrated that 29.8% of the sample needed health services, 9.8% required mental health services, 6.8% needed sexual and reproductive services, 1.4% needed child protection services and 34% needed financial support. The small proportion of people who needed essential services were able to access these services, but majority of those who did access the services felt that their needs were not met. Despite the efforts to enable access to essential services during lockdown, it has highlighted that the quality of services was not adequate, which may be partly driven by the narrow focus of the pandemic planning to respond to the disease specific interventions, overlooking the wider social implications. The lockdown measures put in place was found to have disrupted economic activity for many. Amongst the working population it was common to work both at home and outside but majority were working less hours. People earning income from home-based activities were more vulnerable with earning less than MVR 5000 per month (<$10 per day). Majority who earn from home-based activities were women and were not able to continue their income activities during lockdown, mainly due to increased responsibility of domestic work and care of dependents while isolated at home. While only a third of the people were concerned about exposure to COVID-19 on return to work, majority were concerned about getting back their job, reduced pay, and social aspects such as no social support to look after dependents when they return to work. This suggests that economic concerns outweighed the risk of infection for a large segment of the working population which needs to be taken into account when planning risk communication as it poses significant risk of a resurgence of infection in the community. While the government pandemic response is contemplating the ease of restriction, the risk of a second wave is real, and is heavily reliant on the compliance to the guidelines set out by the Health Protection Agency. The lessons from this pandemic needs to be incorporated into the pandemic preparedness plans and national emergency operational plan with innovative modalities to ensure that pandemic response does not leave the vulnerable behind. Stimulus packages will be helpful in the short run, but in the long term, sustainable safety nets, skill development and avenues for alternative income generating activities needs to be introduced, with a special focus on the informal sector and the women in the working population. Risk communications needs to target empowerment of the businesses and community to take actions on their own for successful suppression of the epidemic.Item Self-sufficiency in food : prospects on the island of Fuwahmulah, Maldives(The Research Centre, Maldives National University, 2020-08) Najeeb, Fazeel; Hassan, RifaathThis article presents the findings of a study aimed at assessing prospects for self-sufficiency in food on the island of Fuwahmulah, Maldives. A mixed research methodology combining a survey on a representative sample and key informant interviews was used to elicit responses from households and crop growers respectively on their existing staple food items, perceptional suitability of locally grown crops as staple food and key issues affecting the cultivation of crops on the island. The research finds that the top three items consumed as staple foods in households are imported produce and items. Responses also indicate that locally-grown crops are perceived as suitable staple food for the island folks. The research concludes that prospects exist for a significant level of self-sufficiency which may be achievable with needed support.Item The TRIPS agreement : ready or not, Maldives went for it(Research Development Office, The Maldives National University, 2022-12-01) Najeeb, Fazeel; ފަޒީލް ނަޖީބްItem When foreign exchange reserves aren't in reserve(Economic review, 2021-12) Najeeb, Fazeel