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Item ޅަދަރިންގެ ތަރުބިއްޔަތު(ދިވެހިބަހާއި ތާރީޚަށް ޚިދުމަތްކުރާ ޤައުމީ މަރުކަޒު, 1989-04) މުޙައްމަދު ޖަމީލު; Jameel, MohamedItem ހއ.އުތީމާއި ހއ.ދިއްދުއާ ހުރިގުޅުން(ދިވެހިބަހާ ތާރީޚަށް ޚިދުމަތްކުރާ ޤައުމީ މަރުކަޒު, 1992-04-01) Luthfee, Mohamed Ibrahim; މުޙައްމަދު އިބްރާހީމް ލުޠުފީItem އިނގިރޭސި ދައުލަތާ ދިވެހި ދައުލަތާ ދެމެދު ކުރެވެނު ޙިމާޔަތުގެ އެގްރިމެންޓް(ދިވެހިބަހާއި ތާރީޚަށް ޚިދުމަތްކުރާ ޤައުމީ މަރުކަޒު, 2005-04-01) ނަސީމާ މުޙައްމަދު; Mohamed, NaseemItem ދިވެހިރާއްޖޭގައި ދުރުންދޭ ތަޢުލީމުގެ ތަޖްރިބާ : މައްސަލަތަކާއި ކާމިޔާބުތައް(Postgraduate Research Centre, MNU, 2013-06-01) AbdulRaheem, Ismail Habeeb; އިސްމާއީލް ހަބީބު ޢަބްދުއްރަހީމްThe purpose of this study has been to examine the achievements and challenges of several distance mode courses run by two State-funded institutions in the Maldives in the opinion of students, tutors and other course administrators. Thirty-seven students studying or have studied one of the courses offered by the institutions and 24 course administrators were interviwed face-to-face or by telephone and other means to find out their perceptions of factors of success and shortcomings of the courses. As shortcomings students noted: (1) transport issues, (2) communication difficulties and (3) lack of trained tutors and administrators among others.Over 70% of the students were, however, satisfied by the course experience. Students as well as course administrators noted that once the constraints are addressed this mode of education holds great promise for the Maldives. A limitation of the study was that the data were collected in 2009 and since then a Moodle-based course management systems is in place for one institution and the courses offered have greatly improved.Item Maldivian secondary teachers’ reflections on their first year of teaching : enabling factors, perceived problems and proposed solutions(Postgraduate Research Centre, MNU, 2013-06-01) Ali, AishathThis study investigated the reflections on the first year teaching of 10 beginning secondary teachers with a Bachelor of Teaching Secondary qualification through open ended questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. The participants identified the high levels of student motivation and good student performance in their classes, constructive feedback from the school management and establishment of positive relationships with colleagues as enabling factors. The problems these beginning teachers faced include classroom management issues, time management problems, dealing with special needs students, being under-prepared for real classroom situations, high workload and low salary, dealing with parents, lack of status in the school, lack of resources, dealing with their own emotions and being subject to internal and external policies. Implications for teachers training include establishing support groups to help beginning teachers make the transition from pre-service to in-service teachers, evaluating the teacher preparation curriculum to incorporate coping strategies, improving some school related factors and providing them with more practice before they become fully fledged teachers.Item Editorial(Postgraduate Research Centre, MNU, 2013-06-01) ޙަސަން ޙަމީދު; Hameed, HassanItem Automatic assessment of Java code(Postgraduate Research Centre, MNU, 2013-06-01) Khalid, AdamIn this study a tool was developed which marks automatically computer programs written by novices in Java. Existing open source static analysers were evaluated in the development. Metrics and marking schemes were developed to mark and grade the programming assignments automatically. A sample of 59 first-year programming students’ projects was selected for marking. The projects were marked manually and automatically. The results showed that there is a high correlation between manual and automatic marking for all criteria. The mean Kendall’s tau is over 0.75 indicating a very high level of correlation between manual and automatic marking. However, depending on the marking criteria, non-systemic variations were found.Item Demystifying international education : concepts, ideas and ideologies(Postgraduate Research Centre, MNU, 2013-06-01) Umar, MohamedInternational education is an ambiguous term often used interchangeably as comparative education, development education and multicultural education. However, research shows that little attempt has so far been made to demarcate the boundaries of international education and clarify the concept. Consequently, most international schools who claim to provide international education all too often end up in providing just the same ‘education’ as any other school, because they fail to focus on the key components of international education which originally inspired the very concept. Therefore, in this paper, various paradigms for defining ‘international education’ and its original aspirations are explored in the light of historical accounts of international education and contemporary literature. The review showed that the concept was initially inspired by the need to promote mutual understanding among different countries, and the desire to enable socioeconomic mobility in the face of increasing globalization. Based on these concepts, ‘international education’ has been defined as education geared towards developing global citizenship by promoting internationalism and international-mindedness, and facilitating mobility of human resources in an increasingly global world by enhancing the competence and confidence of students. It is concluded that any educational programme or system that claims to be international must concentrate on the ideology of internationalism and the pragmatics of globalization.Item ޫމަގު ކޮނުމާއި މަގުގައި އެއްޗެތި ވަޅުލުމާބެހޭ ގަވާއިދު : އދ.ކުނބުރުދ(ރައީސުލްޖުމްހޫރިއްޔާގެ އޮފީސް, 2013-12-12) ރައީސުލްޖުމްހޫރިއްޔާގެ އޮފީސް; Raeesuljumhooriyyage OfficeItem ރާއްޖޭގައި މަސައްކަތްކުރާ ބަގްލަދޭޝް މީހުން ވާހަކަ ދެއްކުމަށް ބޭނުންކުރާ ބަހުގައި ޕިޖިންއެއްގެ ސިފަތައް ހިމެނޭ ހެއްޔެވެ؟(ފެކަލްޓީ އޮފް އާރޓްސް، ދިވެހިރާއްޖޭގެ ޤައުމީ ޔުނިވަރސިޓީ, 2014) އަންވަރު އިބްރާހީމް; Ibrahim, AnwarItem Knowledge is wisdom? : observations from primary classrooms in the Maldives(Postgraduate Research Centre, MNU, 2014-06-01) Fittell, DavidItem ދިވެހި ބަހާ މެދު ދިވެހި ޒުވާނުންގެ ވިސްނުން ހުރީ ކިހިނެއްތޯ(Postgraduate Research Centre, MNU, 2014-06-01) AbdulRaheem, Ismail Habeeb; އިސްމާއީލް ހަބީބު ޢަބްދުއްރަހީމްThe aim of this research is to understand how Maldivian youth view Dhivehi language. This research used a mix of qualitative and quantitative methods. A survey questionnaire was administered to 200 youth under 35 years. In addition, focus group interviews were used to obtain in-depth perceptions. The questions used explore the usage of Dhivehi and external influences on the language, importance given and the general attitudes of youth towards Dhivehi. The findings show that the usage of Dhivehi is declining with more people opting to use English. Some of the identified factors influencing this change were economy and trade, local policies on language use and globalization. It is recommended that changes need to be brought out in education policies to promote Dhivehi language. In addition, local policies on language use need to be strengthened and the use of Dhivehi language needs to be promoted, especially using today’s technological advances.Item Historical institutionalism in the Maldives : a case of governance failure(Dhivehi Bahaai Thareekhah Khidhumaikuraa Qaumee Marukazu, 2014-06-01) Rasheed, Athaulla A.; އަތައުﷲ އ. ރަޝީދްThis article explains the problem of governance in the Maldives in terms of how weak historical institutions embedded in the present political system have limited the government’s capacity to govern for the development of the broader society. This is done in light of the argument that the Maldives has experienced problems with development, especially within key socio-economic areas including health, education and community-based economic activities, despite the development achieved with its booming tourism industry during the 1980s–2000s. Using the present literature on development and governance, the article shows that this underdevelopment has been caused by a failure to achieve good governance of economic resources. Through a historical-institutional evaluation of the politico-institutional developments during the 1880s–1960s, this article explains that the Maldives acquired weak historical institutions that may have been transmitted through time to become embedded in the present political system and reduced the government’s capacity to govern efficiently. It is argued that the institutional foundations were based on undemocratic constitutional rules, created and shaped by the past monarchical political practice, and that these historically transmitted rules have reduced the government’s capacity to govern effectively leading to the problems with development experienced by the Maldives today.Item The impact of theory and research on three ESL teachers’ beliefs and practices(Postgraduate Research Centre, MNU, 2014-06-01) Mohamed, NaashiaAn increasing number of research studies report on improved and alternative approaches to the various practices of teaching. However, there often exists a gap between such research findings and any real transformations in pedagogical practices of teachers. This paper reports on a study that examined the impact of theory and research on the beliefs and practices of three English as a second language (ESL) teachers. The study aimed to evaluate possible factors that influence teachers’ resistance to change in pedagogies supported by educational research by taking form focused instruction (FFI) as a model approach for testing. Based on interview and observation data, the results indicate that teachers’ responses to the literature were framed by their existing beliefs about FFI. Teachers were seen to generally agree with theories and research findings that supported their own beliefs while rejecting the pedagogical usefulness of findings that differed from their own beliefs. The study suggests that to reduce the gap between research and pedagogy, it may be useful for professional development providers to use publications that report on current theory and research when working closely with practising teachers so as to make the findings more accessible and relevant to teachers’ own contexts and needs.Item Online journalism : a case study of interactivity of mainstream online news websites of the Maldives(Postgraduate Research Centre, MNU, 2014-06-01) Rafeeq, AliInternet has emerged as a hybrid-publishing platform. Thus, communication technologies are challenging the linear print journalism format with interactive devices turning online journalism into a rich media environment. While communication technologies have enabled publishers and media producers to use numerous interactive features in the constructed presentation of online news, few news websites in the Maldives are maximizing such features. This study, based on a content analysis of three mainstream news websites, develops an interactivity index and examines the interactive features of the news websites and analyses how news is presented and to what extent the various publications differ in their application of interactive devices in online journalism. The findings show that the news websites did not fully utilize and enhance interactive features in online journalism.Item Editorial(Postgraduate Research Centre, MNU, 2014-06-01) Mohamed, MiznaItem ޔުނިވަރސިޓީ ދުވެލި ނަންބަރު 1(2015-02-01)Item އެޑިޓޯރިއަލް(Postgraduate Research Centre, MNU, 2015-03-01) Hussain, Mohamed Zahir; މުޙައްމަދު ޒާހިރު ޙުސައިންItem Professional development for enhancing technology-integrated pedagogical practice : an ethnographic study in a Maldivian teacher education context(Postgraduate Research Centre, MNU, 2015-03-01) Adam, Aminath S.A substantial body of literature discusses the complexity of integrating technology into teachers’ early established pedagogical practices. This paper examines technology-related professional development and its impact on teacher educators’ technological and pedagogical practices. The data were gathered from eleven teacher educators through an ethnographic approach that took place during two visits to the research site. With respect to the first visit, the researcher spent six weeks “hanging out” with the participants, interviewed them individually, and observed six participants’ classroom teaching. Then, with the second visit, the researcher spent five weeks “hanging out”, and organised focus group discussions with ten participants. Lastly, she had follow-up interviews to clarify and validate the main understandings. The findings were generated through various strategies adhering to grounded theory. Key findings identified two types of professional learning: one is formally designed by the institution and the other is which occurred informally between colleagues. The findings also suggest that teacher educators continued using digital technologies in their early established pedagogical practices without necessarily bringing a change to their approaches to teaching. This paper argues that the professional development does not help teacher educators change their pedagogical practices unless it is connected with their backgrounds and the context of practice.Item ބަހަވީޢިލްމުގެ ހަމަތަކުން ބަލާ އިރު، ދިވެހިބަހުގައި ހުރި ކަމުގެ ޒަމާނާއި އެސްޕެކްޓް (ޙާލަތް ދެމިންގެންދާ ކަންތައްތައް )(Postgraduate Research Centre, MNU, 2015-03-01) Zahir, Aminath; އާމިނަތު ޒާހިރުThis paper reports on a study undertaken in 2013 that aimed to identify the tense and aspect system in the Dhivehi language. As such an analysis of Dhivehi has never before been conducted, the significance of this study lies in the original contribution it makes to advancing the knowledge of the language, following rigorous linguistic methods of inquiry. Based on a qualitative research methodology, the study utilized a sample of 1835 sentences. The results indicate that there are two tenses and three aspects currently in use in Dhivehi. The two tenses include Future Tense and Past Tense. The three aspects are Habitual Aspect, Present Progressive Aspect, and Perfect Aspect.Item The adoption of PV systems in the Maldives : a technological review(Postgraduate Research Centre, MNU, 2015-03-01) ޙަސަން ޙަމީދު; Hameed, HassanThis review begins with a brief outline of PV usage in the Maldives followed by a discussion of PV systems in general with a special emphasis on grid-tied systems. Irradiation levels in the Maldives are then outlined. A short review of the components of grid-tied PV systems and their technical requirements are then presented. The review concludes briefly noting the findings of studies carried out to evaluate reliability, modes of failure, trends and recommendations for research in grid-tied PV systems.Item Development, development policy and governance in the Maldives : a political economy perspective(Postgraduate Research Centre, MNU, 2015-03-01) Rasheed, Athaulla A.This article discusses the problems with development experienced by the Maldives through a political economy lens. It claims that key socio-economic areas like health, education and community-based activities such as local fishing have not developed to an extent it should have considering the success of national development achieved through the growth of the tourism industry since the early 1970s. Using theories of governance, development and inequality, this article forms a methodologically feasible theoretical framework to explain the phenomenon of unbalanced development or underdevelopment in the Maldives. It claims that development can coexist with underdevelopment in a society. This phenomenon of underdevelopment in the Maldives is assessed by observing economic performance of the tourism industry against the performances of other sectors including health, education and local fishing. Using a historical institutionalist method to political economy analysis, this article shows that the empirical evidence of underdevelopment in the Maldives, during the 1970s–2000s, can be equated to policy shortfalls associated with a weak governance system. It asserts that there is a notable connection between developmental problems and the system of governance in the Maldives that policy makers should take into account in the decision-making processItem ޔުނިވަރސިޓީ ދުވެލި ނަންބަރު 2(ދިވެހިރާއްޖޭގެ ޤައުމީ ޔުނިވާރަސިޓީ, 2015-05-01)Item Countering terror in South Asia : beyong statist approaches(Research Centre, MNU, 2016-11-01) Ahmed, ImtiazWhile social and communal factors influence motivations, less attention is often paid to the environment in which individuals are either radicalized or deradicalized and the role that families and communities might play in this regard. The question of communities tends to come into the equation of strategies to counter terrorism, violent extremism and radicalization under two different lenses: One secrutiny, based on a negative narrative, focuses on how the community creates conditions for its members to become radicalized. These often happen in places where members of religious communities where unforgiving versions of religion is being taught including places like prisons which are notorious hotbeds of radicalization through exchanges among prisoners; and even within families which help recruit brothers, wives etc. into so-called Jihad, such as is often the case in Central Asia. This paper will focus on certain misconceptions of Islam.Item Fostering community resilience for preventing violent extremism : perspectives from Central Asia(Research Centre, MNU, 2016-11-01) Tadjbakhsh, ShahrbanouCommunity resilience refers to the “capacity of a community to withstand, respond to and recover from a wide range of adverse events, either natural or caused by an individual or a group”. It is a measure of the sustained ability of a community to utilize available resources to respond to, withstand, and recover from adverse situations and to learn from past disasters to strengthen future response and recovery efforts. Community resilience is a term often associated with disaster risk reductions, preparedness to mitigate environment disasters, emergency response and the ability to recover in a way that restores normal functioning in society. Although resilience is a term most often used for development in risky environments (such as a natural disasters), it is increasingly used for a broader set of adversity: economic downturn, a pandemic, crime, conflicts and terrorism. This paper will focus on how community resilience can help prevent terrorism.Item Islam and radicalism : a brief history(Research Centre, MNU, 2016-11-01) Ismail, Mohamed M. M.This article explains the nature of of Islam and its tolerance. It sheds light on Medina constitution as one nation in order to understand the relation between Muslims and non-Muslims in the state of Medina. Jihad has long proven to be one of the most controversial terms therefore, the study sheds light on the violent interpretations of jihad by two radical Islamic scholars Abul A’la Al-Maududi and Seyyid Qutub. Their call for unrestricted war against the enemies of Islam has had a direct influence on extremist militant groups like Al Qaeda and ISIS who have carried out terrorist attacks on an international scale, delegitimized the existing Muslim governments, and called for the restoration of the caliphate throughout the Islamic world. The understanding of jihad should be conducted with an awareness of the controversial nature and the ambiguity surrounding the concept in the modern context of terrorism and religious extremism. In response to the propagators of the offensive theory of jihad who keep feeding the already circulating misconceptions about Islam as a violent and intolerant religion, I provide scholarly evidence to the centrality of peace and tolerance in IslamItem Editorial(Research Centre, MNU, 2016-11-01) Shareef, Ali FawazItem އުމުރުން 3 އަހަރާއި 5 އަހަރާއި ދެމެދުގެ ކުދިން، ވާހަކަ ދެއްކުމުގައި ދިބެހިބަސް ނޫން އެހެން ބަހެއް ބޭނުންކުރަނީ ކިހާމިންވަރަކަށް ހެއްޔެވެ؟ އެއީ ކީއްވެހެއްޔެވެ؟(ފެކަލްޓީ އޮފް އާޓްސް، ދިވެހިރާއްޖޭގެ ޤައުމީ ޔުނިވަރސިޓީ, 2017-05-14) މަރްޔަމް އިބްރާހިމް; Ibrahim, Maryamމި ދިރާސާއަކީ އުމުރުން 3 އަހަރާއި 5 އަހަރާއި ދެމެދުގެ ކުދިންގެ ވާހަކަދެއްކުމުގައި ދިވެހިބަސް ނޫން އެހެން ބަހެއް ބޭނުންކުރަނީ ކިހާމިންވަރަކަށްތޯއާއި އަދި މި އުމުރުގެ ކުދިންގެ ވާހަކަދެއްކުމުގައި އެހެން ބަހެއް ބޭނުންކުރާ ސަބަބުތައް ދެނެގަތުމަށްޓަކައި ކުރެވުނު ދިރާސާއެކެވެ. އެހެންކަމުން މިދިރާސާ ބައްޓަންކޮށްފައިވާނީ މިކްސްޑް މެތަޑަށެވެ. އެހެނީ މި ދިރާސާގެ ނަތީޖާ ކަ ނޑައެޅުމުގައި ކްއެންޓީޓޭޓިވްއާއި ކޮލިޓޭޓިވް މެތަޑް ބޭނުންކުރަން ޖެހުނެވެ. ދިރާސާގެ ސުވާލު ބައްޓަންކުރެވިފައިވާ ގޮތުން މި ދިރާސާގެ ސުވާލުގައި ކަ ނޑައެޅިފައިވާ އުމުރުގެ ކުދިންގެ ވާހަކަދެއްކުމުގައި ދިވެހިބަސް ނޫން އެހެންބަހެއް ބޭނުންކޮށްފައިވާ ނިސްބަތް ވަޒަންކޮށްފައިވާނީ ކްއެންޓިޓޭޓިވްކޮށެވެ. އަދި މިކަމުގެ ސަބަބުތައް ކަ ނޑައެޅީ ދިރާސާގެ ބައިވެރިންގެ ހިޔާލު ހޯދުމުގެ ގޮތުން ދެވުނު ސުވާލު ކަރުދާހަކާއި ދިރާސާގެ ބައިވެރިންނާއި ކުރެވުނު އިންޓަރވިއުއިން ލިބުނު ޚިޔާލުތަކުގެ މައްޗަށް ރިޢާޔަތްކޮށް ކޮލިޓޭޓިވް މެތަޑުގެ އެހީގައެވެ. މިދިރާސާއިން ހާމަވި ގޮތުގައި އުމުރުން 3 އަހަރު، 1 އަހަރު އަދި 5 އަހަރުގެ ކުދިންގެ ވާހަކަދެއްކުމުގައިވެސް ދިވެހިބަސް ނޫން އެހެން ބަހެއް ބޭނުން ކުރެއެވެ. އެގޮތުން ފާހަގަ ކުރެވުނީ ދިވެހި ބަހާއި އެކު މި އުމުރުގެ ކުދިންގެ ވާހަކަ ދެއްކުމުގައި ބޭނުންކުރަނީ އިނގިރޭސި ބަސްކަމެވެ. އެހެނީ ދިރާސާއިން ހާމަވި ގޮތުގައި ދިރާސާގެ 31 ބައިވެރިންގެ ތެރެއިން އެންމެ ކުއްޖެއް ފިޔަވާ ހުރިހާ ކުދިންވެސް އެކުދިންގެ ވާހަކަދެއްކުމުގައި އިނގިރޭސި ބަސް ބޭނުންކުރެއެވެ. ދިރާސާއިން ފާހަގަކުރެވުނު ގޮތުގައި އުމުރުން 3 އަހަރުގެ 41 ކުދިންގެ ވާހަކަ ދެއްކުމުގައި ފާހަގަ ކުރެވުނު 411 ލަފްޒުގެ ތެރެއިން ދިވެހި ލަފްޒުގެ ގޮތުގައި ބޭނުން ކޮށްފައިވަނީ 74 ލަފްޒެވެ. އިނގިރޭސި ލަފްޒުގެ ގޮތުގައި ބޭނުންކޮށްފައިވަނީ 79 ލަފްޒެވެ. އުމުރުން 1 އަހަރުގެ ކުދިންގެ ވާހަކަދެއްކުމުން ފާހަގަ ކުރެވުނު ގޮތުގައި އެކުދިން ބޭނުންކުރި 411 ލަފްޒުގެ ތެރެއިން ދިވެހި ލަފްޒުގެ ގޮތުގައި ބޭނުންކުރީ 67 ލަފްޒެވެ. އަދި އިނގިރޭސި ލަފްޒުގެ ގޮތުގައި އެކުދިން ބޭނުންކުރީ 33 ލަފްޒެވެ. 5 އަހަރުގެ ކުދިންގެ ވާހަކަދެއްކުމުން ހާމަވި ގޮތުގައި އެކުދިންގެ ވާހަކަދެއްކުމުގައި 64 ދިވެހި ލަފްޒު ބޭނުންކުރިއިރު އިނގިރޭސި ލަފްޒުގެ ގޮތުގައި ބޭނުންކުރީ 39 ލަފްޒެވެ. މިއުމުރުގެ ކުދިންގެ ވާހަކަދެއްކުމުގައި ދިވެހިބަސް ނޫން އެހެންބަހެއް ބޭނުންކުރާކަމަށް މި ދިރާސާގެ އަލީގައި ހޯދުނު ސަބަބުތަކަކީ ސްކޫލުގައި އިނގިރޭސި ބަސް ކިޔަވައިދިނުމާއި، ކުދިން ކާރޓޫން ބަލާތީއާއި ދިވެހިބަސްދެކެ ކުދިން ފޫހިވުމާއި އަދި އެކުދިންނަށް ރަނގަޅު ނަތީޖާއެއް ހޯދައިދިނުމަށްޓަކައި އިނގިރޭސިބަސް ކިޔެވުމަށް ބެލެނިވެރިން ބާރުއަޅާތީ ކަމަށް ދިރާސާގެ ބައިވެރިން ގަބޫލު ކުރައްވައެވItem Challenges in clinical learning : experiences of Maldivian nursing students(The Research Centre, Maldives National University, 2017-06) Hassan, Salma; Ibrahim, Asiya; Hussain, Fathimath MunaClinical practice is an essential part of nursing education. It provides opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge, and develop skills. Nursing faculty need to identify ways to improve clinical learning for students. The aim of this paper was to obtain an understanding of experiences of clinical learning environment for Maldivian nursing students. A qualitative descriptive design was used and informed consent was obtained from all students. Data was collected from 20 students of Maldives National University, using four focus group discussions. Focus group interviews that lasted approximately one hour were conducted. The interviews were audio taped and transcribed verbatim. The transcripts were red multiple times to gain an understanding of students experiences. Discussions that related to students clinical experiences were extracted and coded under different themes. Mentors, clinical learning opportunities, clinical evaluation, and student feelings were found to be important components of clinical learning. Interpersonal relationships and communication with mentors were found to be important for motivation of students. Factors in the CLE enabled students to make good use of learning opportunities while other factors hindered their learning. Students felt that clinical evaluation was unfair and not reflective of their achievements. Students experienced a number of positive and negative feelings due to their experiences in the CLE. A number of factors present in the CLE could prevent it from becoming an effective learning environment for student nurses. It is important that nurse educators identify these and find ways to improve the effectiveness of the CLE.Item Characterisation of okra (abelmoschus [medik.]) accessions using dehydrogenase isozymes and protein(Research Centre, MNU, 2017-06-01) Ogwu, Mathew Chidozie; Osawaru, Moses Edwin; Onosigbere-Ohwo, UruemuOkra (Abelmoschus [Medik.]) is cultivated in distant farms and home gardens on a commercial or subsistence scale in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Several diverse cultivars exist but they all possess a characteristic mucilaginous substance. Isozymes are enzymes composed of different structural amino acid sequence but may catalyse similar chemical reaction. In chemosystematics isozymes and other phytochemicals may be used to characterize plant germplasm. This study employed dehydrogenase isozymes and total protein to characterize Abelmoschus accessions. Five Abelmoschus accessions including 2 A. esculentus (NG/OA/03/12/157 and NG/OA/05/12/159) and 3 A. caillei (NG/OA/03/12/158, NG/SA/DEC/07/0475 and NG/SA/DEC/07/0482) species were collected from the National Center for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology Ibadan and cultivated at the Experimental fields of University of Benin, Nigeria. At maturity, fruits were harvested for analysis at the Biochemistry Division, Nigeria Institute of Medical Research, Lagos. Results showed that variation exist in the quantity of total protein in the five accessions with accessions, NG/SA/DEC/07/0475, NG/SA/DEC/07/0482 and NG/OA/03/12/158 having higher values (33.076 g, 31.210 g and 28.992 g respectively) compared to NG/OA/03/12/157 and NG/OA/05/12/159, which had low values of total protein content (21.227 g and 9.429 g respectively). Isozyme activities of alcohol, malate and isocitrate dehydrogenases showed distinctive results. Significance results (at P < 0.05) were obtained with accessions NG/OA/03/12/157 and NG/OA/05/12/159 having higher values when compared with accessions NG/SA/DEC/07/0482, NG/OA/03/12/158and NG/SA/DEC/07/0475. When homogeneity was compared accessions NG/SA/DEC/07/0482, NG/OA/03/12/158 and NG/SA/DEC/07/0475 were found to be in the same category, while accessions NG/OA/03/12/157 and NG/OA/05/12/159 in separate categories. The degree of intra specific variation differ for the five accessions. Grouping of the A. caillei accessions in one cluster suggest a within species similarity. Nevertheless, the separation of a single cluster for A. esculentus accessions may suggest a considerable degree of total protein content and isozymatic variation within the species. The isozyme characterization has proven effective in the identification and characterization of these Okra accessions but activities of these isozymes only cannot be used as an indication of evolutionary advancement and classification at the generic and species level.Item Editorial(Research Centre, MNU, 2017-06-01) Shareef, Ali FawazItem Using qualitative data analysis tools ‘fit for purpose’ for making sense of teacher educators’ use of digital technologies in their pedagogical practices(Maldives National Journal of Research, 2017-06-01) Adam, Aminath Shafiya; Falloon, GarryThis article describes the analysis process associated with an ethnographic study in which data were generated through interviews, observations, focus groups and hanging out techniques. The purpose of the study was to make sense of how teacher educators’ specific technological and pedagogical practices were formed, with particular focus on the possible influence of their culture. The researcher used various analysis strategies involving the integration of a number of digital data tools (NVivo-10, Mindjet, Inspiration-8-IE, and Microsoft applications) that served different purposes at different times. The article argues that researchers should consider using an integration of different digital tools, applying them as ‘fit for purpose’ at various times during data analysis. It suggests doing this will assist researchers to seek a deeper understanding of qualitative data and manage the ‘messiness’ of analysis, while assisting with the complexity of the meaning making processItem Graduates perspectives on blended learning in the Maldives(Research Centre, MNU, 2017-06-01) Ibrahim, Roza; Shihab, MohamedBlended learning is the combination of both the advantages of online learning as well as face-to-face learning. This mode of education is increasing around the world today due to the advantages it offers. Prominent features including flexibility, collaboration, interaction and accessibility which make it possible for educators to create positive learning environments in order to meet the demands of students. As the Maldives strives to modernise and develop its higher education sector to meet the rising demand, blended learning is a very appropriate strategy. Centre for Open Learning of the Maldives National University, uses blended learning to create a flexible and interactive learning environment. This qualitative research investigated 10 graduates’ perspectives on blended learning conducted at COL, aiming at three areas; content, tutorials and Learning Management System named as Gateway to E-Learning at MNU (GEM). It also explored the reasons for students joining blended mode of learning. From the data, it concludes that students are satisfied with the content, tutorials and GEM, yet there are few aspects which need improvements. Also, it is found that students prefer blended courses due to its flexibility and convenience since it allows being with their families and working, while completing their studies. The study also suggests that self- directed learning in this mode of studies also motivates students to blended learningItem Relationships between bullies, victims and mental health issues among adolescents(Research Centre, MNU, 2017-06-01) Nasheeda, Aishath; Hassan, Norlizah C.; Hassan, Siti AishathThe main purpose of this research is to examine the relationships between bullies, victims and mental health among adolescents in Maldives. The study investigates the types of bullying and victimization common among adolescent boys and girls. The study also investigate the types of mental health among adolescents in Maldives. Furthermore, this study investigates the moderating effects of gender and age on the relationship between bullies, victims and mental health among adolescents in Maldives. The research adopts a cross sectional quantitative survey method. Adolescents Peer Relation Inventory (APRI) for bullying and Mental Health Index (MHI38) were used as research instruments. A total of 460 survey questionnaires were analyzed in this study. The target group of this study were adolescents between 11 to 16 years. Descriptive data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 22 and Structural Equation Modeling with AMOS were used to analysis the hypotheses. Findings suggest that verbal bullying is the most common type of bullying among males and females. Findings on victimization suggests that 85% of adolescents have been targets to all forms of bullying. The relationship between bullying others and mental health revealed a non-recursive relationship whereby, bullying others and mental health have significant negative relationship (-.96) and mental health and bullying others have a significant positive relationship (.96). Findings on moderating factors on the relationship revealed that age and gender does not moderate on this relationship. The study opens new doors for practitioners as well as policies makers on formulating positive interventions strategies such as engaging students in positive behaviours, peer counseling and nurturing empathy so that peers help each other in promoting healthy behaviour in school environment. The study looks through the lens of biopsychosocial model in order to provide insight into bullying. The study provides insight on understanding of the complexity of the life stressors that influence adolescents to engage as bullies and victimsItem Ethnobotanical survey of tomato in some cultivated regions in Southern Nigeria(Maldives National Journal of Research, 2018-06) Ogwu, Mathew Chidozie; Chime, Anthonia Odinita; Oseh, Mary O.Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum (Lin.) Con., Solanaceae) has a wide record of domestication and consumption although it is not cultivated all over the world. The field of ethnobotany enumerates how humans interact with indigenous plants. In this study, an ethnobotanical survey of tomato in key cultivation areas of Delta and Edo states, Nigeria was conducted to document associated cultural interactions. One hundred and twenty questionnaires were distributed within the study areas as well as structured interviews and animated visits were conducted to assess farming systems. Respondents were mainly farmers (73.87 %). Dominant ethnic group of respondents was Ika-Ibo (37.84 %) in Delta and Esan (47.75%) in Edo state. Male respondents were higher (82.88%) than female respondents (17.12 %) with the dominant age range been 41 – 61 years (75.68 %). Tomato is mainly cultivated on ridges and tilled soil (74.77 %). Most respondents knew two types of tomatoes. Cultivation and importance of the crop are mainly for commercial purpose than subsistence. Food use dominates nonfood use of the crop and is preferred fresh. Source of seeds include previous collections/harvest, nearby market and from friends and relatives. Local methods of preservation are mostly practised. The plant is known by several vernacular names. Results suggest government support is needed to boost production and preserve ethnobotanical knowledge.Item Editorial(MNU Research Centre, Maldives National University, 2018-06) Abdul Raheem, RaheemaItem ޓީވީ ޕުރޮގުރާމުތަކުގައި ވާހަކަ ދައްކާ އިރު މީހުން ބަސްމަސްހުނިުކުރާ މިންވަރާއި ބަސްމަސްހުނިކުރާ ގޮތްތައް(މޯލްޑިވްސް ނެޝަނަލް ޖާރނަލް އޮފް ރިސާރޗް, 2018-06) އާމިނަތު ޒާހިރު; Zahir, Aminathދެ ބައްސަ މުޖްތަމަޢުތަކުގައި ބަސް މަސްހުނިކުރުމަކީ ވަރަށް އާންމުކޮށް ކުރެވޭ ކަމެކެވެ. (ފްރެޑް ޖެނެސީ (2000). ދިވެހި މުޖުތަމަޢުގައި ވެސް ކަން މިހެން އޮތް އިރު، ދިވެހިރާއްޖޭގެ ޓީ.ވީ ޗެނެލްތަކުން ފޮނުވާ ޕުރޮގްރާމުތަކުގައި ވެސް ބަސްމަސްހުނިކޮށްގެންނާއި (ކޯޑް-މިކްސިންގ) ބަސްބަދަލުކޮށްގެން (ކޯޑް-ސްވިޗިންގ) ވާހަކަދައްކަމުންދާ ކަން ފާހަގަ ކުރެވެއެވެ. ނަމަވެސް ދިވެހިބަހުން މި ފަދަ އެއްވެސް ދިރާސާއެއް މިހައި ތަނަށް ކުރެވިފައި އޮތް ކަމަކަށް ފާހަގަކުރެވިފައެއް ނެތެވެ. އެހެންކަމުން މި ދިރާސާއަކީ ޓީވީ ޕުރޮގްރާމުތަކުގައި މީހުން ވާހަކަދައްކާ އިރު ދިވެހިބަހާއި އިނގިރޭސިބަސް އަދި ދިވެހިބަހާއި އަރަބިބަސް މަސްހުނިކޮށްގެން ވާހަކަދައްކާ މިންވަރާއި ބަސްމަސްހުނިކުރާ ގޮތްތައް (ޕެޓާންސް) ދެނެގަތުމަށް ކުރި ދިރާސާއެކެވެ. މިއީ ބައެއް ޓީވީ ޕްރޮގްރާމުތަކުގައި ދެްއްކި ވާހަކަ ތަހުލޫލުކޮށްގެން ހެދި ޑިސްކޯސް އެނަލިސިސެކެވެ. މި ދިރާސާގެ ސާމްޕަލްގެ ގޮތުގައި ކަނޑައެޅީ ދިވެހިރާއްޖޭގެނ ޓީވީ ޗެނަލަކުން ސިލްސިލާކޮށް ދެއްކި ތަފާތު 6 ޕްރޮގްރާމަކުން ރެންޑަމްކޮށް ހޮވެލެވުނު 12 އެޕިސޯޑެވެ. ދިރާސާއިން ފާހަގަކުރެވުނު އެންމެ މުހިންމު އެއް ކަމަކީ މި ޕްރޮގްރާމުތަކުގައި މީހުން ދިވެހިބަހާއި އިނގިރޭސިބަސް އަދި ދިވެހިބަހާއި އަރަބިބަސް އެކި މިންވަރަށް މަސްހުނިކޮށްފައިވާއިރު، އަރަބިބަހަށް ވުރެ ބޮޑަށް އިނގިރޭސިބަސް ދިވެހިބަހާ މަސްހުނިކޮށްގެން ވާހަކަދައްކައިފައި ވާ މިންވަރު ގިނަކަމެވެ. ބަސްމަސްހުނިކޮށްފައި ވާ ބަހަވީޢިލްމުގެ ގޮތްތަކަކީ ވަކި ލަފުޒު ހިމެނުން ވަކި ލަފުޒު މަސްހުނިކުރުން (ލެކްސިކަލް މިކްސިންގ)އާއި ޢިބާރާތްކައްޗަރުކުރުން (ޔުނިޓް ހައިބްރޮޑައިޒޭޝަން) އެވެ. މި ގޮތްތަކުގެ ތެެރެއިން ވަކި ލަފުޒު ހިމަނައިގެން ބަސްމަސްހުނިކުރާ މިންވަރު ބަސްމަސްހުނިކުރާ އެހެން ގޮތްގޮތަށް ވުރެން ގިނަކަން ފާހަގަކުރެވުނެވެ.Item Prevalence and socio demographic correlations of anxiety, stress and depression among Undergraduate students of the Maldives National University(Maldives National Journal of Research, 2018-06) Shanoora, Aishath; Nawaza, MariyamEarly adulthood is a transitional period of life and is associated with the onset of a substantial amount of mental health issues and the continuation of these issues across life span. A large proportion of this population are students who have to deal with the societal and academic demands on a daily basis and hence are more susceptible to develop mental health issues than the non-student population. The high prevalence of psychological issues, specifically, depression, anxiety and stress among the student population is a major concern worldwide as it results in many negative consequences such as poor academic performance, increased rates of substance use, and even suicide. Thus, this study was aimed to find out the prevalence of these mental health issues; stress, depression and anxiety among the student population of Maldives National University (MNU) in relation to socio-demographic factors such as gender, year of study and location of study (Campus). A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based descriptive survey was conducted among 932 students of 4 different campuses of MNU. The questionnaire used to collect data included demographic information and DASS-42. The findings of this study suggest that whilst the majority of the student population has normal levels of depression, and stress, a considerable proportion of the student population are experiencing moderate to extremely severe levels of, depression and stress. More than 58% of the students were found to be experiencing moderate to severe level of anxiety. The findings also suggest that female students have higher prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress.A significant proportion of MNU students are suffering from stress, depression and anxiety. The study suggests the importance of conducting awareness programs of mental illness and treatment, with a particular focus on prevention and control of stress, depression and anxiety.Item Production of lip balm from stingless bee honey(Maldives National Journal of Research, 2018-06) Yusof, Atuyah Athirah Binti; Ajit, Azilah B.; Sulaiman, Ahmad Z.; Naila, AishathIndia Cosmetics is used daily by majority of the people worldwide. Nowadays, consumer demand for natural based product cosmetics as they are safe to use and environmentally friendly. Lip balm is a cosmetic or lip care product whose purpose is to prevent dry and chapped lips. The quality of lip balm is directly linked with the basic ingredients used in the formulation. This work involved the formulation of lip balm from natural ingredients. Various composition of beeswax, shea butter, stingless bee honey, oils and colorant were studied to obtain the best formulation. Stingless bee honey was added to the lip balm formulation as moisturizing agent. The physico-chemical properties of the formulations were determined including melting point, stability, moisture content, color intensity, sensory test for human acceptance and microbial test. From the results, the formulation of lip balm from beeswax, shea butter and oil with ratio 1:1:1 was the best formulation. It has high melting point and has stable condition in low and room temperature. The presence of honey in the formulation assisted to increase the moisture content in the lip balm. Besides that, for color intensity, natural colorant from fruit juice and extraction contributed the color to the lip balm but the color intensity was lower compared to powder colorant. Lastly, the formulation of lip balm from beeswax, shea butter and oil with ratio of 1:1:1 met the consumer acceptance as the highest sensory test score was obtained for this formulation.Item Designing learning spaces for effective learning(Maldives National Journal of Research, 2018-06) Zainuddin, Nurkhamimi; Idrus, Rozhan M.; Mohmaed, Ahmad Farid; JamalThe connections between the design and use of space in higher education, and the production of teaching and learning, and of research, are not well understood. This study reports the developmental steps prior building the learning spaces in Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM). Space issues in higher education have usually been considered either in the context of space planning (the aim of which is to provide appropriate amounts of space for defined uses, and to maximise its use once provided) or as part of campus planning and building design. The findings report the level of design effectiveness of the learning spaces in USIM. The recommendation from learning space users to be utilised on the design improvement for the next learning spaces in USIM will be reported in this study