Maldives National Journal of Research
The Maldives National Journal of Research (MNJR) is a research journal of the Maldives National University published by the Postgraduate Research Centre. MNJR is a multidisciplinary journal of research in all disciplines relevant to the Maldives. Although in the coming years, it is expected that this journal will evolve into specialist journals in various disciplines, the first one is generalist in nature. The journal publishes research articles, literature reviews, book reviews, comments, opinion and perspectives.
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Item The antibacterial properties of stingless bee honey in Malaysia and its effects as food preservative(Research Development Office, The Maldives National University, 2022-12) Julika, W. N.; Ajit, A.; Naila, A.; Nabilah, N.F.; Aliyah, N. A.; Sulaiman, A. Z.; ވ. ނ. ޖުލިކާ; އ. އަޖިތު; އ. ނާއިލާ; ނ. ފ. ނަބީލާ; ނ. އ. އާލިޔާ; އ. ޒ. ސުލައިމާންNowadays consumers are more anxious about the usage of artificial preservatives as it poses a number of serious health risks. Thus, the demands of using natural preservatives in food are on the rise. The knowledge on the preservative effect of Malaysian stingless bee honey is limited. Hence, the objectives of this research are to evaluate the ability of stingless bee honey to inhibit the growth of bacteria and to investigate the effectiveness of stingless bee honey as a natural food preservative. This research was conducted by characterizing honey based on physicochemical analysis including pH, moisture content and sugar profile (glucose, fructose and sucrose), and examining the antimicrobial properties of stingless bee honey. The antibacterial property of stingless bee honey and commercial honey was examined by agar well diffusion where the commercial honey demonstrated a lower antibacterial property [Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus)] due to processing and storage conditions. Three samples of food which are milk, bread and commercial sambal hitam (spicy black sauce mainly made from bilimbi, Averrhoa bilimbi) were selected to evaluate the preservative nature of honey by comparing the microbial growth in all food samples with and without the presence of honey. By evaluating the turbidity of food samples at 550nm, the result showed that microbial growth count of samples with stingless bee honey is lower compared to samples with commercial honey and without honey. Besides that, stingless bee honey successfully inhibited 53% of bacterial growth and it was discovered that stingless bee honey was more effective against the gram - negative bacteria. Thus, due to the antibacterial properties, stingless bee honey can be used as a natural food preservative.Item Workforce localization in the resort sector of the Maldives(Research Development Office, The Maldives National University, 2023) Shiyar, Ismail; Adnan, Hashma; Mukhtar, Aminath Afrah; Naseer, Hussain; Sabah, Hussain; Shirmeen, Aishath; Solih, Zeenath; Rasheed, Mohamed Shafy; އިސްމާއިލް ޝިޔާރް; ހަޝްމާ އަދުނާން; އާމިނަތު އަފްރާހު މުޚްތަރު; ހުސެއިން ނަސީރު; ހުސެއިން ޞަބާހު; އާއިޝަތު ޝިރްމީން; ޒީނަތު ޞޯލިހު; މުހައްމަދު ޝަފީ ރަޝީދުThe resort sector of the Maldives has played a vital role in the development of the Maldives, influencing the economy, culture, environment, society, and governance. The resort sector is predominantly staffed by expatriate workers. Therefore, achieving the proper equilibrium between local and expatriate forces with a priority on increasing local employment opportunities is vital. Creating relevant and proactive policies and action plans to build human capital is essential. This study aims to evaluate the current challenges concerned with workforce localisation in the resort sector of the Maldives. This research adopts an exploratory case study approach with the target population being the managers and human resource managers of resorts in the Maldives. The sample population was selected using non-probability purposive sampling. Data was collected using semi structured, open-ended interviews with 12 participants. The interviews were transcribed and coded, and themes were generated using content analysis. The overarching themes indicate the need for national-level strategies and collective effort from the industry, the regulatory authorities, and educational institutions. The key findings suggest conflicting opinions on striking a balance between expatriate and local workers. The challenge lies in attracting the required workforce from the local population, leading to a reliance on expatriates. The lack of local skills, experience and qualifications adds to the burden of local recruitment. However, findings indicate that areas and roles in the resort sector can be easily localised, thus benefiting the local population. Currently, the government and the resort sector facilitate local development by aiming to close the linguistic proficiency gap, internships, and graduate management programs. The research findings highlight the importance of creating job value, combatting misconceptions and stereotyping, cultivating a work-oriented mindset, and having an inclusive policy paving part-time employment for students. Furthermore, career counselling, real-world learning experiences and training facilities are integral to the success of workforce localisation in the Maldives.Item Temporal Variation of Indoor (a residential space) and Outdoor PM 2.5 in Male’, Maldives(The Maldives National Journal of Research, 2023) Noora Khaleel, Md Firoz Khan and Siti Jariani Mohd Jani; ނޫރާ ޚަލީލް، މޑ ފީރޯޒް ޚާން އަދި ސިތި ޖަރިއާނީ މޮހޮދް ޖާނީThis study aims to assess the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) inside a one-room apartment of about 240 square feet in the Henveiru district in Male', Maldives. Concentrations of Particulate Matter (PM 2.5), one of the most detrimental air pollutants, were measured every 15 minutes from 10-09-2021 to 18-12-2021 using low-cost PM BlueSky sensors inside the building (indoor) and simultaneously outdoor, about 300m away from the indoor sensor. The BlueSky monitors were co-located and harmonized before starting the monitoring. The mean concentrations observed indoor and outdoor for 93 days were 10.1±13.1 µg/m 3 and 6.5±4.9 µg/m 3 , respectively. Both results surpass the annual average of 5 µg/m3 guideline of World Health Organization (WHO). The number of days that surpassed the 24-hour WHO limit was 9 for indoor and 7 for outdoors. The diurnal pattern of PM 2.5 shows a drastic accumulation of the pollutant inside the building when the only available ventilation (the window) was closed, which was identified at night and also during the daytime. The recorded PM 2.5 levels also aligned with household activities like cooking, cleaning, and dusting. There was a significant moderate correlation (r= 0.48) between outdoor and indoor PM 2.5. The I/O ratio was 1.95±3.01 indicating the presence of more indoor sources. This study serves as a preliminary assessment of indoor air quality in Male', Maldives. Based on its findings, efforts should be directed towards ensuring proper ventilation in residential spaces and continuously monitoring air quality in more location for longer periods to ensure healthy IAQ.Item Forest fires in Cyprus(Research Development Office, The Maldives National University, 2023-12) Georgiou, Kyriakos E.; ކައިރިއަކޮސް އީ. ޖޯރޖިއުAccording to a recent report by OECD (2023) the frequency and severity of forest fires and wildfires as well as the duration of the fire season, are increasing in many regions of the world. Wildfires, forest fires for the most part, in recent years have been severely affecting the Mediterranean region during the summer period from June to August, having severe and direct effect on the environment, local economies, livelihoods and societies. A good example of this Cyprus an island state in the north east of the region. The major issues that are responsible for this is climate change, the poor management of forests and the surrounding areas and socioeconomic factors that relate to the abandonment of the rural areas. All these factors lead to the increase of the available fuel.Item Validating meyer and allen’s three component model employee commitment survey in the context of the resort sector of the maldives(Zikura International College, 2023-12) Azdha, Aishath., Jusoh, Mazuki and Tham, Jacquline; އައިސަތު އަޒްދާ، ޖަސޯހް މަޒްކީ އަދި ތަމް ޖަކްލިންThis research aims to analyse the validity and reliability of the Three- Component Model (TCM) Employee Commitment Survey and discover the components of Organisational Commitment (OC) in the context of the Maldives resort sector. This research used the revised version of the TCM by Meyer et al. (1993). The literature reports many issues related to its theory and construct validity. The fact that TCM was developed in Western culture and lacks validation in the Maldivian context reveals the necessity to conduct this study. Towards this, the current study employed 250 employees from the resorts of the Maldives. The results of CFA revealed affective commitment is the only component that constitutes OC. This study contributes to the body of knowledge in OC from different cultural perspectivesItem Parent-child attachment and romantic relationship : is there a relationship between parent-child attachment and young adults’ romantic relationships?(Research Development Office, The Maldives National University, 2023) Shanoora, Aishath; Halimatusaadiah, Hanina; Abdullah, Haslinda Binti; Khir, Azlina Mohd; އައިޝަތު ޝަނޫރާ; ހަނީނާ ހަލީމަތުސާދިއްޔާ; ހަސްލިންދާ ބިންތި އަބްދުﷲ; އަޒްލިނާ މޮހްދު ޚިރުMany researchers have found that the key to future adaptations or maladaptations of children is the attachment they form with their parents (Davies & Sturge-Apple, 2007; Marvin & Britner, 2008). Early research on attachment has highlighted the impact of parent-child attachment continuing across life (Bowlby, 1982). Recent research has shown that insecure attachment during childhood impacts young adults’ attachment with their parents and in turn, impacts different aspects of their lives. However, no or limited studies have explored the direct relationship between attachment styles and young adults’ romantic relationships among Maldivian young adults. This study aimed to fill this gap by assessing the relationship between young adult’s parent child attachment, and the quality of romantic relationships among young adults in Higher Education Institutions in the Maldives. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 463 students aged 18 to 28 in higher education institutions in the Maldives. The data were collected using the Perceived Relationship Quality Scale by Fletcher et al. (2000) and the Attachment to Parent/Caregiver Inventory by Hu (2009). The data were analyzed using IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and PLS SEM software. The results showed high levels of avoidant attachment with both mother and father among the participants, which was negatively associated with their current romantic relationship quality. In addition, it also showed an association between mother child anxious attachment, father-child anxious attachment, and the romantic relationship quality of young adults. Hence, a direct connection between insecure attachment styles (avoidant attachment and anxious attachment) and low levels of relationship quality was established.Item Post-angioplasty patients’ early experiences after treatment at the National Cardiac Centre of Maldives at the Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital(Research Development Office, The Maldives National University, 2025-07) Ahmed, Agleema; އަގްލީމާ އަހްމަދް; Rasheed, Ashiyath; އާޝިޔަތު ރަޝީދްCoronary angioplasty has been performed widely all over the world and is effective in reducing complications and shortening the length of hospital stay. Post- angioplasty patients undergo both positive and negative experiences in the early recovery period, which significantly affects their overall well-being. However, little is known about patients’ post-angioplasty experiences in the Maldivian context. Therefore, this research study aimed to explore post-angioplasty patients’ experiences related to changes in their lives within two to six weeks after angioplasty from the National Cardiac Centre NCC of Maldives. Using a qualitative phenomenological study design, a purposive sample of six patients who were within two to six weeks after coronary angioplasty participated in individual face-to-face semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed by using the Colaizzi (1978) process of data analysis. Six themes emerged from the analysis, which reflects the recovery experiences of patients after angioplasty. Themes included support from family and co-workers, seeking self-control and attempting to adjust to the current situation, adapting to lifestyle changes for a better quality of living, looking for specific information, fear of resuming physical activities, and feeling vulnerable/traumatized after angioplasty. The study’s findings provided insight into the recovery period after angioplasty, unveiling unique knowledge related to patients’ experience during the early post-angioplasty period and will subsequently help nurses and other healthcare professionals plan more patient- centered care to produce better patient outcomes.Item Internationalization of curriculum (IoC) in higher education: A global cooperative strategy(ރިސާރޗް ޑެވެލޮޕްމަންޓް އޮފީސް، ދިވެހިރާއްޖޭގެ ޤައުމީ ޔުނިވަރސިޓީ Research Development Office, The Maldives National University, 2024-07) AIishath Sana Shareef; އާއިޝަތު ސަނާ ޝަރީފްResearch indicates that recent advancements in information and communication technologies have introduced new implications for the internationalization of higher education institutions. The aim of this review is to study the extent of the Internationalization of Curriculum (IoC) in higher education from a global perspective. Databases including ERIC, Academic Search Premier, and HINARI were used to search for relevant literature. The search was conducted with combinations of the search terms: Internationalization, Curriculum, Higher education, and graduate attributes. The review identified extensive references to the internationalization of curriculum in higher education across the globe including American, African, European, Middle Eastern and Asian countries. The analysis of the findings has indicated IoC implementation as a complex process involving various actors stakeholders such as teachers, students, and other institutional leaders. Findings have also highlighted that implementation of IoC accompanies several challenges, which the stakeholders need to address during the process of selecting the contents, ways of teaching, and evaluating, also including institutional, social, and political support from within and outside the institutions. The aspect of graduate attributes has been minimally explored in terms of IoC. There is a great deal of available literature which emphasizes the need for Internationalization in Higher Education Institutions (HIEs) to extend beyond the mobility of students, staff, and faculty through international affiliations and global partnerships. The findings have raised questions for further research to include a wider cohort from various disciplines in higher education. Students’ and teachers’ perspectives and attitudes towards IoC must be studied to further understand the need for its development.Item ދިވެހި ތުއްތުކުދީން ދިވެހިބަހަށް ބީރައްޓެހިވުން : މަސްލަހަތުވެރިންގެ ނަޒަރުން(ރިސާރޗް ޑެވެލޮޕްމަންޓް އޮފީސް، ދިވެހިރާއްޖޭގެ ޤައުމީ ޔުނިވަރސިޓީ Research Development Office, The Maldives National University, 2023) އައިމިނަތު ޒާހިރު، އައިމިނަތު ރިޔާޒު އަދި ދީބާ މޫސާ; Aminath Zahir, Aminath Riyaz, & Dheeba MoosaItem Evaluation of effectiveness of cleaning-in-place of membranes and optimum period of membrane replacement on a seawater reverse osmosis plant(ރިސާރޗް ޑެވެލޮޕްމަންޓް އޮފީސް، ދިވެހިރާއްޖޭގެ ޤައުމީ ޔުނިވަރސިޓީ Research Development Office, The Maldives National University, 2024) Affan Ali Najeeb, Hassan Waheed, Ahmed Amjad Ismail, & Dr. Furugaan Ibrahim; އައްފާން ޢަލީ ނަޖީބް، ހަސަން ވަޙީދު، އަޙްމަދު އަމްޖަދު އިސްމާޢިލް، އަދި ޑރ.ފުރުޤާން އިބްރާހިމްFouling reduces the performance of seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) membranes by causing blockage, which leads to increased differential pressure across the membrane vessels. Over time, this can reduce efficiency and the quality of permeate. The lifespan of an RO membrane depends on the quality of the feed water, the flux the membranes are subjected to (which is influenced by the percentage recovery), and the extent of scaling/fouling the membranes accumulate. Cleaning-in-place (CIP) is a commonly carried-out practice on RO plants to counteract fouling within the membranes. This study evaluates the financial impact of membrane fouling by comparing the effect of membrane replacement and CIP on the specific energy consumption (SEC) of a SWRO plant operated in the Maldives by using operational data collected between January 2018 and January 2024. The water production and energy consumption of the plant were used to calculate the SEC. A life cycle cost analysis was carried out to determine the optimum membrane replacement period. The breakeven point for replacing every 4 years as compared to replacing them in every 5 years is 5 years. The breakeven of 4-year- period membrane replacement against a scenario where only CIP is done is 6.08 years. It was found that the SEC improves by 0.07 kWh/m3 on average after CIP. Replacing the membrane every 4 years results in the lowest energy consumption and consequently the lowest cumulative cost over a 12-year period.