A NEW MODEL OF TECHNOLOGY-DRIVEN E-FLIPPED CLASSROOM FOR STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT STUDENTS’ ENGAGEMENT DURING AND POST COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Since the end of 2019, the occurrence of unexplained viral pneumonia has been reported in Wuhan. Higher education institutions (HEIs) in Malaysia have decided to shift learning practices towards online learning systems to ensure the teaching and learning activities continue as usual. Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) established online classes, through live broadcast using Webex and to build a three-foot "cloud" podium for other network teaching styles. Therefore, this paper proposed a new model of a technology-driven e-flipped classroom for students’ engagement during and post COVID-19 pandemic. Data was from 230 student of Strategic Management class, Universiti Utara Malaysia in the semester 1 2020/2021. Based on the analysis, this study found that Edmodo as an online learning platform and flipped classroom approach enhance student’s engagement through online activities carried out on their self-paced learning styles.

Peace and Security Sustainability through Hostel Provision in Nigerian Universities: Lessons from Malaysia

This research paper focused on the provision of students’ accommodation in the Nigerian universities through public-private partnership, drawing lessons from the Universiti Utara Malaysia. Hostel accommodation is a form of providing the students with an enabling environment where they can stay as a place of residence, will feel secured and comfortable to learn in a peaceful environment. The objective of this paper is to learn from the Malaysian environment, with a focus on the Universiti Utara Malaysia. The research work made use of the qualitative method through the conduct of interviews and other sources such as journals and online publications. Findings from the research reveal that the Universiti Utara Malaysia provides hostel accommodation which is more than enough to serve the university's capacity of 30,000 students’ population on campus through the public-private partnership scheme. The research also found that multinational companies like PETRONAS Oil Company, Proton automobile company, Malaysia Airline, and Maybank among other companies built hostel accommodation for the students. The Malaysian Government on the other hand through a public-private partnership provided infrastructural facilities such as constant electricity and water supply for the purpose of a conducive environment for learning. The work, therefore, recommends that the Nigerian Government can partner with the Malaysian Government through resolving the big problem of electricity supply in the country and on the Universities as well. The paper also recommends that the Nigerian Government should regulate the private companies in order to engage them in partnership development through the provision of adequate hostel accommodations for the students. This would enable peace and security sustainability on the campuses of the Nigerian universities with lessons from the Universiti Utara Malaysia.

BLENDED LEARNING READINESS AND ITS WAY FORWARD: THE CASE OF UNDERGRADUATES OF UNIVERSITI UTARA MALAYSIA

Most students at higher education institutions (HEIs) are currently Generation-Z, and they are exact synonyms with information and communication technology. Therefore, HEIs should adopt a modern way of delivering knowledge to the students, such as blended learning. Blended learning is a combination of face-to-face and online learning methods in the teaching and learning process. The objective of this study is to determine the readiness of undergraduates in public universities towards blended learning. Data was collected from 283 undergraduate students from Universiti Utara Malaysia using a questionnaire and was analysed descriptively. The result shows that almost 75% of the students are aware of the blended learning method, and nearly 70% of the students have participated in the blended learning. Overall, the students have a high readiness to embark on the blended learning approach, but with some improvements needed. The study provides insights into understanding the current state of students’ preparedness towards blended learning and how the university should take appropriate actions to overcome the limitations faced by the students so that the benefits of blended learning can be optimised.

Personal Data Protection Awareness through the Use of YouTube among the Youths in UUM

This paper is to discuss the awareness among the youth in UUM related to personal data protection. The cases of personal data protection increased day by day among the youths. Several awareness programs were done. The purpose of this study was to raise awareness of the importance of protecting personal data among the youth in Universiti Utara Malaysia. The method used to do awareness programs by using YouTube and online surveys. Awareness program using YouTube is highly recommended. The finding reveals that it can use this type of media to conduct awareness programs.

A PRELIMINARY STUDY ON THE READINESS OF BLENDED LEARNING AMONG LECTURERS AT UNIVERSITI UTARA MALAYSIA

The modern way of teaching and learning emphasizes the technology to be embedded in the education system. Thus, higher learning institutions (HLIs) are gradually switching their class delivering method from classroom-based teaching (CBT) to the so-called blended learning approach (BLA). The BLA integrates traditional CBT with the online teaching class. Thus, this study aims to investigate the readiness level towards BLA among lecturers in HLIs. Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) lecturers were chosen as a study population, and the sample of 350 lecturers was determined using a proportionate random sampling method. The survey method was used to gather the data, and by utilizing the descriptive statistic, our results suggest that lecturers in HLIs have a high level of readiness towards the BLA. Even though there are limitations, they are keen to participate in the BLA. The findings of this study will help HLIs to understand the readiness level of lecturers towards BLA, explicate how face-to-face and online classes could be integrated besides accommodates the loopholes in the system.

INVESTIGATING FOOD QUALITY AT UUM’S LAKE RESTAURANT: ARE CUSTOMERS SATISFIED?

The restaurant concept plays an important role in establishing and running a successful food business. Maintaining the quality of foods is an important criterion that service providers must look at to attract new customers and retain existing customers on the premises. By considering the importance of the quality of foods and customers in the restaurant industry, this study examines the relationship between the quality of food attributes and customer satisfaction. The research utilized a quantitative approach to conducting the study. Universiti Utara Malaysia students who visited The Lake restaurant are chosen as the unit of analysis. The close-ended questionnaires were distributed to the students to obtain the data for this study. In order to conduct the survey, the researchers used Google form as a tool. The questionnaires were distributed by Google form using the purposive sampling method. A total of 400 questionnaires were distributed among the students, and 364 usable questionnaires proceeded for the descriptive and inferential analyses of the study. The study found that there is a positive relationship between food quality attributes (freshness, taste, healthy options, variety of menu, presentations, and temperature) and customers' satisfaction. The findings of the study posed significance and added new knowledge to the practitioners and academicians.

INVESTIGATING THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN MANAGER’S COFFEE RESTAURANT DINING EXPERIENCES AND CUSTOMER SATISFACTION

The current study investigates the relationships between various service features influencing customers’ satisfaction in the university food service. A research structure consisting of three variables representing dining experiences, namely food quality, service quality, and price are further investigated. Taking Manager’s Coffee restaurant at Universiti Utara Malaysia as a case, this study aims to determine the relationships between dining experiences and students’ satisfaction based on the university restaurant setting. The study was carried out using a quantitative approach involving 200 university students as respondents. The research findings showed that all three dining experiences variables have significant positive relationships on students’ satisfaction. The findings also pointed to improved services and resources particularly to the Manager’s Coffee restaurant, which will increase the market position, especially in the university food service business.