Saudi Cultural Missions Theses & Dissertations
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Item Restricted The Nexus between Sustainable Development and Economic Dynamics in MENA and SSA Countries.(Western Sydney University, 2023) Alghamdi, Thamer; Gangopadhyay, ParthaThe complex interplay between economic dynamics and sustainable development in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) remains underexplored. This thesis investigates this nexus, focusing on the roles of corruption, governance, foreign direct investment, and trade in shaping sustainable development outcomes. Additionally, it examines the relationship between energy poverty and education, as well as the hidden barriers to renewable energy transition in SSA. Findings indicate that while good governance and corruption reduction can significantly advance sustainable development in SSA and MENA nations, the region faces substantial challenges in mitigating energy poverty. Employing CS-ARDL approach to assess more robust and reliable results, the findings reveal that – contrary to existing literature – governance has a significant positive effect on sustainable development, indicating that the governance is essential to achieving sustainable development in this region. The findings also reveal that the corruption has a significant positive effect on sustainable development. Furthermore, foreign direct investment and trade were found to have an insignificant relationship with sustainable development. By uncovering the intricate connections between economic factors, energy poverty, and sustainable development, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of the barriers hindering progress in these regions. The findings underscore the urgent need for innovative policies that prioritise governance, education, and renewable energy to accelerate sustainable development in SSA and MENA.18 0Item Restricted Factors influencing Saudi women’s workforce participation: A quantitative study(City, university of london, 2024) Almugren, Malak; Mesnard, AliceThis study investigates the demographic and socio-economic factors influencing women’s workforce participation in Saudi Arabia from 1965 to 2023, particularly within the framework of Vision 2030. Utilizing time-series data and employing Pearson correlation and multiple regression analyses, the research examines variables such as fertility rates, life expectancy, urbanization, education, time required to start a business, and financial development. The findings highlight a significant inverse relationship between fertility rates and female workforce participation, while urbanization, tertiary education, and financial development emerge as key positive predictors. The study offers policy recommendations including enhanced family planning programs, prioritizing urban development, and fostering financial inclusion for women entrepreneurs, contributing valuable insights for policymakers and researchers.18 0Item Restricted Factors influencing Saudi women’s workforce participation: A quantitative study(City, university of London, 2024) Almugren, Malak; Mesnard, AliceThis study investigates the demographic and socio-economic factors influencing women’s workforce participation in Saudi Arabia from 1965 to 2023, particularly within the framework of Vision 2030. Utilizing time-series data and employing Pearson correlation and multiple regression analyses, the research examines variables such as fertility rates, life expectancy, urbanization, education, time required to start a business, and financial development. The findings highlight a significant inverse relationship between fertility rates and female workforce participation, while urbanization, tertiary education, and financial development emerge as key positive predictors. The study offers policy recommendations including enhanced family planning programs, prioritizing urban development, and fostering financial inclusion for women entrepreneurs, contributing valuable insights for policymakers and researchers.11 0Item Restricted Navigating the First Year: A Proposed E-Coaching Model to Ease Uncertainty for Saudi Students in University to Foster Academic and Social Engagement(La Trobe University, 2024) Almuhsin, Essam; Soh, BenThis research addresses the challenges faced by Saudi students during their initial year in universities, focusing on their difficulties adapting to new educational and life settings amidst high uncertainty. First-year students often grapple with various factors that impede their participation in academic and social activities, necessitating guidance and skill development. Leveraging Saudi Arabia's enhanced technological infrastructure and the technology-oriented preferences of the current generation, this study proposes an e-coaching program tailored to meet the needs of first-year students and align with university requirements. The study adopts a methodological approach to develop a requirements-based e-coaching program, considering both student expectations and university needs. Following the experimental implementation, a post-experimentation survey is used to assess the impact of the program on students' perspectives and their intention to participate in such initiatives. Additionally, a semi-structured interview with 20 participating students evaluates their satisfaction, a critical success criterion for the program. The results indicate a significant improvement in students' e-coaching awareness through the program, positively influencing their perception of its usefulness, ease of use, compatibility, interactivity, and subjective norms. The study supports the validity of the proposed conceptual model, TAM+++, demonstrating positive behavioural intentions towards joining e-coaching programs. Student satisfaction is attributed to factors such as coach responsiveness, building robust relationships, program compatibility, introduced thinking techniques, and the ability to engage students in constructive interactive discussions and activities. In conclusion, the e-coaching program proves effective in enhancing students' awareness and satisfaction, contributing to a positive shift in their attitudes towards participation in such initiatives, thereby aiding their successful transition from high school to higher education.26 0Item Restricted Analysis of Current Status of Foreign Trained Dentist (FTD) in the United States of America – Survey from Orthodontic Residents(Jacksonville University, 2024-08-02) Abdullah, Mohammed; Sawsan, TabbaaObjectives: This study aimed to compare US-trained residents (USTRs) and foreign-trained dentists (FTDs) in orthodontic residency programs across various dimensions of their educational and professional journeys. Methods: A 19-item survey was administered to 102 orthodontic residents from an accredited program, covering pre-orthodontic residency, application and residency, post-residency, and demographic information. Statistical analysis, including Fisher-Exact tests and logistic regression, was performed to identify differences between the two groups. Results: Results revealed significant disparities in financial support, with FTDs more likely to receive family or government aid and have no student loan debt, while USTRs relied heavily on US federal student loans. FTDs were more likely to have pre-residency orthodontic experience, whereas USTRs often entered residency directly after dental school. Both groups valued class rank and clinical experience in applications, but USTRs emphasized personality and interpersonal skills more. Postresidency career aspirations differed, with FTDs leaning towards corporate dentistry and part-time academia, while USTRs preferred private practice associateship. Conclusion: The study concludes that these differences have important implications for developing inclusive educational policies, ensuring equitable access to orthodontic education, and fostering a diverse orthodontic workforce.23 0Item Restricted Investigating the Effects of Augmented Reality and Interactive Technologies on Learning and Engagement in Preschool Education(University of Dayton, 2024-05-03) Alnfisah, Moneera; Adams, ShaunaIn this qualitative study, we examined the effects of augmented reality (AR) and physical-digital interaction in educational applications on preschoolers' engagement, skill development, and collaborative learning in the classroom. Drawing on Creswell's (2018) systematic method, the research design included immersive participant observation and semi-structured interviews to document the lived experiences of young learners using the Osmo Genius Kit. The study, conducted across three varied preschool classrooms affiliated with a Midwestern university, included a representative sample of children aged 3 to 5 years, allowing for a thorough examination of AR's complex influence in early childhood education. This methodology allows us to address the research questions and gain a thorough grasp of how AR technology can be used to improve education in preschool settings.46 0Item Restricted Unemployment in Saudi Arabia: Examining Policies Effectiveness and Reliance on Expatriates Impacts(SOAS University of London, 2023-07-31) Albabtain, Khalid Abdulkarim; Alami, RandaThis dissertation investigates the issues of high unemployment rates among Saudi nationals as well as the usefulness of policies and initiatives put in place to address the problem. The research focuses on the consequences of relying on expatriates, such as the failure of the Saudization and Nitaqat initiatives. The literature review identifies mismatches between the educational system and the labour market as a cause for the private sector's preference for expatriates. According to the research's findings, a completely nationalised labour market with improved education might contribute to addressing Saudi Arabia's unemployment dilemma. This paper offers policy proposals to overcome Saudi Arabia's significant unemployment problem and contributes to the current literature on the subject. The research also analyses knowledge gaps and suggests areas of study for future research.38 0Item Restricted The Effect of Previous Qualifications on Students’ Study Behaviours and Outcomes(Saudi Digital Library, 2023) Alfurayh, Sarah Nasser; Woods, GarethThis study explores how highest qualification on university entry and factors like ethnicity, gender, and socio-economic class influence academic performance at Aston University over two academic years (2021/22 and 2022/23). Using data from Aston University, we found that Black students’ diagnostic scores varied across the years, and students with A/AS-level qualifications generally did better than others. Socio-economic factors played a role, especially in the 2022/23 year, and gender differences were evident in 2022/23. We also studied the role of Peer-Assisted Learning (PAL) sessions. We found that more PAL attendance is linked to better final scores. Some modules benefited more from PAL sessions than others, showing the complex links between PAL, ethnicity, and highest qualification on entry. The findings highlight the need for ongoing evaluation and tailored support, especially for underrepresented students.14 0Item Restricted The Effectiveness of the Current Female Teacher Performance Evaluation System on Female Teacher Performance Improvement(Saudi Digital Library, 2024-01-03) Almana, Amal; Liam, MurrayWith the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s (KSA) 2030 Vision launch, the Ministry of Education (MoE) has declared that human resources are indispensable among the most imperative factors for the success of any institution. From this standpoint, a teacher is at the root of any important achievement or transformation in society. Therefore, teachers need a performance evaluation system to ensure the continuation of professional development. Enhancing such a system may impact both the improvement of teacher performance and the outcomes of general education by helping to provide favourable conditions for the professional growth of the teachers. With careful consideration of the organization in the institution context, recent research shows that teacher evaluation is used as a method for professional development. Hence, the evaluation of teacher performance has been used as a strategic instrument in many nations to raise standards of teaching and pupil progress (Ryu 2020). The primary goal of this study is to determine whether the performance evaluation system is appropriate for fostering female teachers' professional development in terms of the clarity and accuracy of the current teacher performance evaluation (TPE) model, the role of administrative oversight of an evaluation process and also the mechanisms used in the evaluation process. The second goal elicits in-depth teachers’ views on their development and needs, as well as the availability of the provision of means, training, and learning with technologies. In addition, the importance of providing feedback will also be investigated. Thus, our study will focus on the theoretical background and the development of the teacher performance evaluation processes, including the standards, models, training and tools used for the evaluation purpose. A mixed-method approach was employed to gather quantitative and qualitative data including a combination of quantitative (questionnaires) and qualitative (semi-structured interviews) methods in 33 schools of Riyadh city.13 0Item Restricted The Impact of Textile Design on the Performance of an Educational Shading System: Building 2, Leonardo Campus, Polimi(Saudi Digital Library, 2023-10-05) Alsuwailem, Malak; Zanelli, Alessandra; Fiorenzi, AlbertoShading systems, such as roller shades, play a crucial role in affecting the indoor environment and the occupant’s well-being in educational settings. They can combine functionality and aesthetic appeal seamlessly. This is evident in their ability to improve the quality of spaces by providing visual comfort, fostering optimal learning conditions, facilitating task-specific activities, promoting energy conservation and enhancing aesthetics. To ensure achieving these effects significantly, lighting conditions, particularly natural lighting, must be considered and optimized. Indeed, natural lighting holds considerable significance in promoting the well-being of individuals within educational settings. Nevertheless, it is essential to note that natural lighting is frequently overlooked in several projects in educational buildings when aimed at works for interior transformations and adaptations. Especially in building 2 of the Leonardo campus at Politecnico di Milano, there is a major demand for processes and actions to increase awareness of the importance of natural light concerning well-being and energy savings. Thus, the goal of this study was to propose an advanced shading system and develop a textile design for this system that allows for adjustment of the level and distribution of light for the different educational activities and the variation of time (daily and seasonal) as well as weather conditions. This study concentrated mainly on roller shades and textile patterns. The study also sought to contribute to the future sustainability strategies of Politecnico di Milano's “Città Studi Sustainable Campus.”19 0