Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Enugu State University of Science and Technology'

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2008.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study takes as starting point the observation in sensemaking theory that autonomic arousal is accompanied by a loss of existing frames and cues and the consequential cognitive implosion. Situations such as these are marked by a crisis in identity construction and the resultant loss of sense being made. The aim of the study was to find out to what extent this phenomenon is at play during a merger between two organizations. Specifically to what extent this phenomenon did manifest itself among the employees of the Central University of Technology in Welkom after the merger of the former Welkom Campus of Vista University and the Technikon Free State. The study starts with an overview of the literature on corporate mergers; focusing on research on effects with regards to (i) how the different gender groups of employees were affected by these interruptions, (ii) how employees with diverse levels of experience were affected, (iii) to what extent the qualifications of employees was a factor regarding the impact of this autonomic arousal and (iv) whether race was a factor in determining the extent of autonomic arousal. The above is followed by an explanation of the sensemaking perspective and the nature of and moment for autonomic arousal. It is argued that organizational mergers represent an interruption in the ongoing flow of sensemaking that could lead to autonomic arousal. Using sensemaking theory and autonomic arousal as a theoretical starting point, interviews were conducted with key figures in the specific merger between the Vista University Welkom Campus and the Technikon Free State. The respondents were selected using the snowballing sampling technique. The idea behind the interviews was to demonstrate how staff members were emotionally affected by the interruption of the merger and how it had an impact on their perceptions about their work. It was found that the flow of experience was interrupted and as cues and frames were reduced, the employees focussed more on personal issues.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie neem as vertrekpunt die observasie van singewingsteorie dat outonomiese aktivering gepaard gaan met 'n verlies aan bestaande raamwerke en aanduidings en die gevolglike kognitiewe implosie. Sulke situasies word gekenmerk deur 'n krisis in identiteitskonstruksie en gevolglike verlies aan sin. Die doel van hierdie studie was om uit te vind tot watter mate hierdie fenomeen plaasvind tydens 'n samesmelting van organisasies, en spesifiek hoe dit manifesteer onder die werknemers van die Sentrale Universiteit van Tegnologie in Welkom na die samesmelting van die Welkom-kampus van Vista Universiteit en die Technikon Vrystaat. Die studie begin met 'n oorsig van die literatuur oor korporatiewe samesmeltings en oomames, spesifiek oor daardie studies wat die effekte bestudeer met betrekking tot (i) hoe verskillend mans en vroue geraak is, (ii) die impak van verskillende vlakke van ervaring onder werknemers se persepsies oor die samesmelting, (iii) die mate waartoe die kwalifikasievlak van werknemers, asook (iv) ras 'n rol gespeel het in die vlak van outonomiese aktivering wat deur werknemers ervaar is. Daama word singewingsteorie en die aard en geleenthede van outonomiese aktivering uitgepak. Daar word argumenteer dat korporatiewe samesmelting 'n onderbreking in die vloei van sin veroorsaak wat tot outonomiese aktivering kan lei. Ge1ei deur singewingsteorie en outonomiese aktivering as teoretiese vertrekpunt is onderhoude gevoer met sleutelfigure in die spesifieke samesmelting tussen die Welkom kampus van Vista Universiteit en die Technikon Vrystaat om die outonomiese effek van die onderbreking te illustreer. Die respondente is deur die sneeubalmetode geselekteer. Die idee is om te toon hoe werknemers emosioneel getref is en hoedat dit 'n impak op hulle persepsies rondom hulle werk tot gevolg gehad het. Daar is bevind dat die vloei van sin deur die samesmelting onderbreek is, en dat werknemers soos te wagte, meer op persoonlik sake begin fokus. Dit dui op 'n vemouing van singewingsraamwerke en die verlies van lewensin.

This study examined the entry-level computing skills of undergraduate education majors at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington during the Spring 2005 semester. This study also compared groups based on demographic categories to investigate if certain demographics were predictors of specific skills competency. This study utilized a representative convenience sample of 186 participants. The participants were pre-tested for their ability to complete 60 computer skills in the Microsoft Office Suite using an online performance test called Skills Assessment Manager by Thomson Course Technology. The data was analyzed as a whole group performance using descriptive statistics and analyzed for analysis between demographic groups using a non-parametric statistic test (the Mann Whitney U Test). The results yielded data that informed the researcher of the skills of the participants prior to taking a mandatory computer skills course. As a result, it was found that a large portion of students were able to do many of the skills before taking the mandatory skills course. It was also found that demographics were not a reliable predictor of computer skills. This study provided data that helped to inform the faculty at UNC-W that the curriculum for the computer skills course needed to be changed based on entry skills of students to reflect the abilities of students in 2005.

Published Article
This exploratory and descriptive study examines the perceptions of first-year science students regarding their preparedness for the programme, their preferences and their fears as they embark on university education for the first time. A questionnaire was used to collect data from all the first year students enrolled in the programme in 2008. Seventy students answered the questionnaire from a class of 78. Both quantitative and qualitative data analysis methods were used to analyse and present data in the study. The results showed that students differed in their preparedness for the programme, their preferences regarding teaching methodologies, learning methods, and classroom climates, and the kinds of fear or apprehension about the programme and university education. Some recommendations regarding the teaching and learning of science are made.

Thesis (Ed. D.)--Montana State University--Bozeman, 2005.
Title from PDF t.p. (viewed on June 10, 2006). Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Larry Baker. Includes bibliographical references (p. 219-224).

Thesis (D. Phil. (Humanities)) -- Central University of Technology, Free State, 2013
The purpose of this study was to assess the science teaching efficacy of the Physical Science teachers in the secondary schools of the Free State province of the Republic of South Africa. Quantitative and qualitative methods were employed to gather data for this study. It was aimed at determining the effect of the demographic factors and the teachers’ level of preparedness regarding content knowledge and assessment skills on science teaching efficacy. The sample consisted of 190 Physical Science teachers. Two instruments were used to collect data: (1) A self-constructed questionnaire with the Science Teaching Efficacy Belief Instrument for in-service teachers (STEBI-A) modified for this study, and (2) Semi-structured interviews. Teachers’ biographical data and level of preparedness to teach Science were assessed against the two sub-scales of Personal Science Teaching Efficacy (PSTE) and Science Teaching Outcome Expectancy (STOE). Analysis of data was by basic statistics, descriptive statistics and inferential statistics using SPSS 20.0. Qualitative data were transcribed and categorised into emerging themes. Analysis of the self-efficacy survey indicated highly positive self-efficacy beliefs expressed by most of the practising secondary school teachers in regards to Science teaching. Teachers believe in their own teaching abilities (Personal Science Teaching Efficacy beliefs) and they believe learners’ learning can be influenced by effective teaching (Science Teaching Outcome Expectancy beliefs). In addition, analyses of data on the respondents’ level of preparedness to teach Science indicated a high level of self-rated Science knowledge, with higher confidence levels in Physics than in Chemistry among in-service secondary teachers. MANOVA analysis indicated that teachers’ gender, teaching experience, professional and academic qualifications, Chemistry and Physics content knowledge, frequency of practical work, and confidence in conducting experiments played a significant role in the collective dependent variables, while the grades teachers taught, their age and learner assessments did not. Analysis further indicated that secondary school teachers with a B.Sc (Ed) degree had significantly stronger STOE than teachers with any other professional qualifications. vi There was a significant difference between males and females in the STOE sub-scale scores (F=6.139; p=0.014) with males scoring higher than females; but no significant difference between males and females in the PSTE sub-scale scores (F=5.925; p=0.667). Moreover, teachers with at most five years and at least 16 years of teaching experience had significantly higher PSTE scores than teachers with different years of teaching experience. Furthermore, analyses of the level of preparedness in conducting practical work indicated that respondents were more confident to conduct Physics experiments than Chemistry experiments. In-service secondary Science teachers believed that assessment is an important and integral aspect of teaching and learning, hence they utilised a variety of assessment modes in their classroom. It is recommended that further study should include a test in content knowledge, so that teachers can be assessed to confirm their confidence in content knowledge, rather than allowing them to rate themselves without an actual test. Moreover, qualitative studies may be conducted to support teachers’ self-report measures, such as classroom observations, in order to gain in-depth data about teachers’ efficacy beliefs. If more research is conducted on the self-efficacy beliefs of in-service Science teachers at secondary school level, the curriculum of teacher training programmes could be developed and structured further, there could be more understanding on what pre-service teachers face - this will help to understand how to motivate teachers to teach Science.

Thesis (M. Tech) -- Central University of Technology, Free State, 2008
In terms of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (Act 108 of 1996), local government in South Africa is obliged to ensure that sustainable services are provided to communities. Without any doubt, the effective and efficient execution of this responsibility would bring about an environment conducive to service excellence on local government level. However, South African municipalities are characterised by poor service provision; and the various incidents arising from dissatisfaction on the part of residents in respect of the services rendered are daily becoming a greater challenge to municipalities in the Free State Province. In order to meet the service provision standards, as stipulated in the Constitution, the development and implementation of municipal policies is essential. Policy is defined, inter alia, as the setting out of basic principles that must be pursued in order to achieve specific objectives. Local government has the legislative and executive competency to develop and implement policies. As a result of the diversity and complexity of policy-making, a conceptual framework for the policy-making process at local government level is an essential requirement. This process is described in the dissertation as a sequential pattern consisting of the following phases: policy agenda-setting, policy formulation, policy adoption, policy implementation and execution and policy evaluation. However, municipalities do not have the institutional capacity, skills and experience necessary for the development and implementation of municipal policies. A further aspect that complicates the creation and implementation of policies is the large amount of legislation that regulates local government in South Africa. This legislation also requires municipalities to develop and implement various policies. There are several factors that influence policy-making at local government level. Aspects such as the political environment, the financial environment and community needs have a direct and significant effect on policy-making at this level of government. Capacity shortages probably comprise the factor that has the most detrimental effect on policy-making at local government level; and therefore the necessity for the relevant skills and knowledge relating to policymaking is indisputable. It is just as essential, however, that the other two spheres of government, namely national and provincial government, should carry out their constitutional obligation to support municipalities and strengthen their capacity. Therefore, the aim of this study is, firstly, to identify specific actions that could be implemented by local and district municipalities to improve the policy-making process. Secondly, to determine the reasons for the inadequate formulation, adoption and implementation of the municipal policies. Thirdly, to determine the specific role of national and provincial government, as well as that of the South African Local Government Association (SALGA), in supporting municipalities in the policy-making process. In addition, strategies that could be implemented in order to improve the institutional capacity, skills and experience at local government level, with a view to developing and implementing appropriate policies, have also been identified.

Excerpt: Having the skills and knowledge to adequately respond to technology-based information demands has never been more important. When the library at East Tennessee State University was opened in 1999, it was the first new academic building that had been constructed on the campus in a number of years.

This project develops a new version of the Wiki style administration of online course content. It will implement a teaching and learning tool that works as a easy and quick communication interface between instructor and student. The second purpose of the project is to design an easily extendable and maintainable architecture, which provides a generic Wiki system that can work for any information technology department and handle sets of courses and insturctors.

Thesis (M.Tech.) - Central University of Technology, Free State, 2007
The latest technological trend worldwide, is automation. Reducing human labour and introducing robots to do the work is a pure business decision. The reason for automating a plant can be some, or all, of the following: Improve productivity Reduce labour and equipment costs Reduce product damage System reliability can be monitored Improves plant safety When the automation process is started, Automatic Guided Vehicles (AGVs) will be one of the first commodities that can be used. The reason for this is that they are so versatile. They can be programmed to follow specific paths when moving material from one point to another and the biggest advantage of all is that they can operate for twenty four hours a day. Automatic Guided Vehicles are developed for many different applications and therefore many different types of AGVs are available. All AGVs are equipped with sensors so that they are able to “see” what is happening around them. Since the AGV must be able to function without any human help or control, it must be able to navigate through the work environment. In this study a remote control car was converted to an AGV and thorough research was done on the different types of sensors that can be used to make the AGV more intelligent when it comes to navigating in an unknown environment.

Thesis (D. Tech. (Engineering: Electric)) -- Central University of technology, 2012
Because power generation relies heavily on electricity demand, consumers are required to wisely manage their loads to consolidate the power utility‟s optimal power generation efforts. Consequently, accurate and reliable electric load forecasting systems are required. Prior to the present situation, there were various forecasting models developed primarily for electric load forecasting. Modelling short term load forecasting using artificial neural networks has recently been proposed by researchers. This project developed a model for short term load forecasting using a neural network. The concept was tested by evaluating the forecasting potential of the basic feedforward and the cascade forward neural network models. The test results showed that the cascade forward model is more efficient for this forecasting investigation. The final model is intended to be a basis for a real forecasting application. The neural model was tested using actual load data of the Bloemfontein reticulation network to predict its load for half an hour in advance. The cascade forward network demonstrates a mean absolute percentage error of less than 5% when tested using four years of utility data. In addition to reporting the summary statistics of the mean absolute percentage error, an alternate method using correlation coefficients for presenting load forecasting performance results are shown. This research proposes that a 6:1:1 cascade forward neural network can be trained with data from a month of a year and forecast the load for the same month of the following year. This research presents a new time series modeling for short term load forecasting, which can model the forecast of the half-hourly loads of weekdays, as well as of weekends and public holidays. Obtained results from extensive testing on the Bloemfontein power system network confirm the validity of the developed forecasting approach. This model can be implemented for on-line testing application to adopt a final view of its usefulness.

Considerando a relação universidade-empresa-governo existente no Sistema Nacional de Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação - SNCTI, esta pesquisa apresenta um estudo de caso dos mecanismos de cooperação em uma Universidade Pública, como ator operador do SNCTI. Como base para o estudo, trabalha-se conceitos de ciência, tecnologia e inovação, que apesar de similares e complementares, quando trabalhados de forma isolada, assumem conceitos distintos dentro da literatura.Também é destacada a importância desta tríade para o desenvolvimento socioeconômico de uma nação. Paralelamente, é apresentada a importância e a evolução da relação entre universidades, empresas e governo para o fortalecimento da capacidade inovativa de um país. Nesse sentido, adentra-se em um complexo universo no qual essas organizações encontram-se inseridas: o Sistema Nacional de Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação (SNCTI) brasileiro. Neste momento, além de apresentar acontecimentos históricos, fontes de financiamentos, instrumentos e aspetos legais, é dado destaque aos principais atores, junto a suas relações e funções, na formação deste complexo sistema, de maneira a entender o contexto no qual se insere a universidade. Concentrando os estudos nas universidades, e na relação destas com o mercado, é destacada a atuação de novas estruturas que surgiram para facilitar e fortalecer essa relação: os Núcleos de Inovação Tecnológica (NITs). A partir disto, e como forma balizadora para a pesquisa, é apresentando um referencial teórico acerca dos mecanismos e aspectos intervenientes da relação de cooperação entre a academia e o setor produtivo. Por fim, adentra-se no estudo de caso da Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná - UTFPR. Primeiramente, baseado em informações e dados obtidos por meio de documentos e o próprio site da instituição é introduzida a organização a qual foi objeto do estudo de caso, demonstrado as especificidades de sua história e de seu atual momento como a primeira e única universidade tecnológica do país. Em um segundo momento,através de uma pesquisa documental, baseada nos três últimos relatórios de gestão publicados pela instituição e em materiais disponibilizados em seu site, são analisados os principais mecanismos de cooperação da UTFPR, com foco na atuação da Pró-Reitoria de Relações Empresariais e Comunitárias (PROREC), responsável pela interação entre a Universidade, as empresas e a comunidade. Neste momento do estudo, são percebidos um grande número de mecanismos sob a gestão da PROREC que viabilizam a transferência dos conhecimentos e tecnologias produzidas na instituição. Como exemplo, pode-se citar: estruturas para facilitar a articulação entre a universidade e o mercado (Agência de Inovação e os NITs) e Serviços e Projetos Tecnológicos. Por último, por meio de um questionário aplicado aos Diretores de Relações Empresarias e Comunitárias (DIRECs) de todos os 13 campi da UTFPR, são levantadas, sob a perspectiva das universidades, empresas e pesquisadores, as principais barreiras, facilitadores e motivadores que interferem na cooperação da universidade junto ao mercado. Dentre as diversas barreiras apresentadas, destacou-se a relacionada a burocracia dos processos internos da universidade. Como relação aos fatores facilitadores e aos motivadores, destacaram-se respectivamente a presença das DIRECs em todos os campi da instituição; e questões financeiras ligadas a captação de recursos, minimização de custos e ganhos financeiros.
Considering the university-enterprise-government relationship in the National System of Science, Technology and Innovation - SNCTI, it will be present a case study of a cooperation mechanisms in a Public University, which is considered an operator actor of the SNCTI. As a basis for the research, we work on concepts of science, technology and innovation, which although similar and complementary, when considered alone, assume different concepts within the technical literature. It also highlights the importance of this triad to the socioeconomic development of a nation. At the same time, it presents the importance and the evolution of the relationship between universities, private enterprise and government to empower a country's innovative capacity. In this sense, it enters into a complex universe in which these organizations are inserted: the Brazilian National System of Science, Technology andInnovation. In order to understand the context in which the university is inserted and in addition to presenting historical events, sources of financing, instruments and legal aspects, it is highlighted the main actors, along with their relations and functions, in the formation of this complex system.Concentrating studies on universities and in their relationship with the market, it is highlighted the new structures emerged to facilitate and empower this relationship: the Technological Innovation Centers (NITs).From this and as a guiding form for the research, it is presenting a theoretical reference about the mechanisms and intervening aspects of the relationship of cooperation between university and the productive sector. In the last part of the research, it's introduced anFederal University of Technology - Paraná (UTFPR) case study. First, based on information and data obtained through documents and on the institution's own website, the organization that was the subject of the case study is introduced. It will be shown the specificities of its history and its current moment as the first and unique technological university of the country. In a second moment, through a documentary research, based on the last three management reports published by the institution and on materials made available on its website, the main cooperation mechanisms of UTFPR are analysed, focusing on PROREC's performance – which are the administrative structure responsible for the interaction between the university, the private enterprise and the community. At this point of the research, it is perceived a great number of mechanisms which enable the transfer of the knowledge and technologies produced in the institution – all of them under the PROREC management. As an example, we can mention: structures to facilitate the articulation between the university and the market (Innovation Agency and NITs) and Technology Services and Projects. Lastly, through a questionnaire applied to the Directors of Business and Community Relations (DIRECs) of all 13 UTFPR campuses, it will be listed and analysed the main barriers, facilitators and motivators which interfere in the University's cooperation with the market. Among the several barriers presented, it was emphasised the one related to the bureaucracy of the internal processes of the university. Regarding the facilitating and motivating factors, it is highlighted the presence of the DIRECs in all the campuses of the institution it is highlighted and also the financial issues related to fundraising, cost minimization and financial gains.

碩士
樹德科技大學
經營管理研究所
102
In recent years, college students career planning in Taiwan gradually be taken seriously, according to the Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics survey, Republic of 101 years have an university degrees or more unemployment rate in July reached 5.64% , while the Career decision-making self-efficacy for college students can reflect on the success of the decision to make a career decision point degree of confidence, and career barriers and individual career decision status there is a high impact. That is, if an individual faces career impediments, would thus produce individual career uncertain state. Therefore, the purpose of this study was reference to construct and validation model of career decision-making self-efficacy, career barriers and career decision status. The subjects were the one to four daytime grades students department of recreation and sport management Te University. Questionnaires, 160 questionnaires, 30 invalid, the effective sample of 130 copies, and adopt structural equation modeling analysis. The results showed that novices college career decision-making self-efficacy for career decision state has a positive effect; career decisions has a negative relationship between self-efficacy and career obstacles. Finally, suggestions for areas of education and career counseling and future research, etc. according to the findings.

The land-grant university system was founded in the 19th century as a public means to help improve people’s everyday lives. A century and a half later, the challenges that the public faces to live a quality life are constantly changing, creating a need for the land-grant system to respond and adapt to continue to fulfill its mission. While the literature contains a wealth of conceptual papers addressing the role and mission of land-grant universities, relatively few papers could be found that reported empirical data or proposed and tested metrics for public engagement constructs. The current study sought to address this void in the literature through the investigation of factors influencing Indiana residents’ level of interest in engaging with Purdue University. Mail survey methods were used in which up to three contacts were made with adult members of 4,500 Indiana households identified through address-based sampling. Stratified random sampling was employed to ensure adequate rural household participation for other project purposes. Usable responses were received from 1,003 households representing 87 Indiana counties for a total response rate of 26%.

This qualitative study uses narrative inquiry (Connelly & Clandinin, 1988, 1990, 2001) and self-study to investigate ways to further understand and facilitate the integration of holistic philosophies of education with media literacy pedagogies. As founder and director of the Youth Media Literacy Project and a self-titled Imagitator (one who agitates imagination), I have spent over 10 years teaching media literacy in various high schools, universities, and community centres across North America. This study will focus on my own personal practical knowledge (Connelly & Clandinin, 1982) as a culture jammer, educator and cancer survivor to illustrate my original vision of a ‘holistic media literacy pedagogy’. This research reflects on the emergence and impact of holistic media literacy in my personal and professional life and also draws from relevant interdisciplinary literature to challenge and synthesize current insights and theories of media literacy, holistic education and culture jamming.