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This study aims to assess the prevalence of burnout among undergraduate medical and health science students and to identify the factors associated with its development.

A cross-sectional study was conducted involving students from Ras Al Khaimah Medical and Health Science University. The Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Survey was used to evaluate three subscales of burnout. Ethical considerations were met, and informed written consent was obtained from participants. Bivariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the relationship between demographic, personal and school environment factors and burnout.

Out of 453 students surveyed, the majority were females (74.8%) aged 18–20 years (60%). Significant levels of burnout were reported, with emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and reduced personal accomplishment affecting over half of the participants (69%). Factors such as being in the clinical years, long-distance commuting challenges and involuntary college selection were identified as predictors of burnout.

While the study provides valuable insights, limitations may include the specific context of the university and potential biases in self-reported data.

The findings underscore the importance of raising awareness, maintaining work-life balance and implementing coping strategies to support student well-being and foster a positive learning environment. Suggestions include time management and seeking guidance from mentors or mental health professionals.

This study contributes to the understanding of burnout among medical and health science students, especially within the unique context of the United Arab Emirates, given the convergence of students from diverse nationalities and cultural backgrounds.

This study aims to examine the role of Islamic economic and social institutions during Covid-19 and try to propose a model that highlights Islamic economics and social institutions’ role in providing community economic, social and health recovery support.

This research uses a qualitative approach with a multicase method. Interviews with the institutions including the Amil Zakat, Islamic Banks, Micro Waqf Banks and Islamic Cooperative (Baitul Maal wat Tamwil) were conducted in order to develop a model about how the integration between each institution in handling the effect of COVID-19.

The model shows the interaction roles of each Islamic institution and implementation in the long term and short term in handling the impact of Covid-19, particularly in the economic, social and health sectors. These institutions will assist the government in establishing community economic independence in the face of COVID-19, which has caused economic sluggishness or recession.

This study proposes the model of synergy using a qualitative approach. Future studies can develop the synergy model by employing a statistical and quantitative method, such as by employing analytical network process method.

This study adds the literature about empirical evidence on the role of each Islamic economic and social institution and develops new scenario model about integration of those institutions in overcoming economic and social problems during the COVID-19 pandemic. These interactions play a role in shaping the community’s economic independence in dealing with the economic downturn due to COVID-19.

Given the existing quality concerns of higher education (HE), particularly in the global South, the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been seen as a panacea to improve the quality of teaching learning in HE. AI Chatbots, like ChatGPT, have created profound resonance across HE systems with both positive and negative impacts. Within HE, expectations and concerns related to the quality of HE in general, and teaching learning in particular, loom. It is yet to be investigated how university teachers use AI chatbots in their teaching inside classrooms and its potential to enhance the quality of teaching learning in HE. This chapter sheds light on these questions based on in-depth qualitative interviews with faculty members from six universities in Pakistan. Using a thematic analysis approach, the findings highlight both positive and negative aspects of ChatGPT when used for teaching in HE. Based on the findings, we developed a four-stage framework highlighting faculty members' response to integrating ChatGPT for transforming teaching learning activities. We explain that transformation of teaching learning with AI requires educators to rethink teaching and learning – navigative response – and assess its integration – evaluative response. In conclusion, we discuss how the adoption of AI chatbots provides educators with authentic assessment but will certainly require skills to properly navigate. We further discuss the findings in literature around the quality of HE making some plausible predictions regarding whether chatbots can serve as a quality enhancement tool, mainly in the global South.

The purpose of this exploratory case study was to investigate the role of School Leaders (SLs) in building Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) in schools, as well as to expand a literature-driven PLC model within the Pakistani context.

The study involved the purposive selection of two schools affiliated with a university. The sample comprised one school leader, one academic coordinator and five teachers from each school, altogether 14 participants. The participants shared similar demographic characteristics. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect data, which were analysed thematically.

The findings of the study revealed that both schools have created PLCs to some extent and that school goals and culture were contributing factors in building these communities. Additionally, the SLs played a key role in promoting PLCs by encouraging teacher collaboration. The study concludes that SLs have the potential to strategize their actions to foster positive professional relations among teachers and ensure their well-being.

The study contributes to the literature on professional communities in Pakistan by validating a literature-driven PLC model. The model emphasizes collaboration among teachers, which can be facilitated by SLs. As such, the study implicates SLs in prioritizing the professional development of teachers to enhance student learning and achieve school success.

This study is unique in expanding a literature-driven PLC model within the Pakistani context, with a focus on teacher collaboration as facilitated by SLs. The model has the potential for replication in other contexts and can serve as a useful tool for future research.

This study aims to provide insights into gender diversity in Pakistani boardrooms, particularly for the dominant family business type, which is strongly guided by (non-financial) family-related objectives when making business decisions, such as the appointment of board members. Pakistani companies operate within the framework of weak legal institutions and a traditionally highly patriarchal environment. This study examines how corporate decisions regarding the appointment of female board members play out in this socio-political and cultural environment.

Board composition and board characteristics were examined using hand-collected data from 213 listed family firms and non-family firms on the Pakistan Stock Exchange from 2003 to 2017. Univariate analyses, probit regressions and robustness tests were performed.

Pakistani family firms have a significantly higher proportion of women on their boards than do non-family firms. They are also significantly more likely to appoint women to top positions, such as CEO or chairs.

Evidently, women are allowed to enter boards through family affiliations. Gender quotas appear an ineffective instrument for breaking through the “glass ceiling” in this socio-cultural environment. Thus, gender parity must entail the comprehensive promotion of women and the enforcement of legal reforms for structural and cultural change.

The analysis focuses on a Muslim-majority emerging Asian market that has been scarcely researched, thus offering new perspectives and insights into board composition and corporate governance that go beyond the well-studied Western countries.

This study aims to investigate the influence of different solder alloy materials on passive devices during laser soldering process. Solder alloy material has been found to significantly influence the solder joint’s quality, such as void formation that can lead to cracks, filling time that affects productivity and fillet shape that determines the solder joint’s reliability.

Finite volume method (FVM)-based simulation that was validated using real laser soldering experiment is used to evaluate the effect of various solder alloy materials, including SAC305, SAC387, SAC396 and SAC405 in laser soldering. These solders are commonly used to assemble the pin-through hole (PTH) capacitor onto the printed circuit board.

The simulation results show how the void ratio, filling time and flow characteristics of different solder alloy materials affect the quality of the solder joint. The optimal solder alloy is SAC396 due to its low void ratio of 1.95%, fastest filling time (1.3 s) to fill a 98% PTH barrel and excellent flow characteristics. The results give the ideal setting for the parameters that can increase the effectiveness of the laser soldering process, which include reducing filling time from 2.2 s to less than 1.5 s while maintaining a high-quality solder joint with a void ratio of less than 2%. Industries that emphasize reliable soldering and effective joint formation gain the advantage of minimal occurrence of void formation, quick filling time and exceptional flowability offered by this solution.

This research is expected not only to improve solder joint reliability but also to drive advancements in laser soldering technology, supporting the development of efficient and reliable microelectronics assembly processes for future electronic devices. The optimized laser soldering material will enable the production of superior passive devices, meeting the growing demands of the electronics market for smaller, high-performance electronic products.

The comparison of different solder alloy materials for PTH capacitor assembly during the laser soldering process has not been reported to date. Additionally, volume of fluid numerical analysis of the quality and reliability of different solder alloy joints has never been conducted on real PTH capacitor assemblies.

This paper aims to introduce the concept of Islamic locus of control (ILoC) and explores its influence on individual behavior within organizational contexts. It aims to integrate Islamic values into the traditional understanding of LoC and investigate how ILoC affects motivation, responsibility and resilience among Muslim individuals in the workplace.

Using a conceptual approach, this paper draws from Islamic sources such as the Qur’an and Hadith, as well as literature on psychology, human resource management and Islamic theology. It synthesizes relevant theories and concepts to develop a comprehensive understanding of ILoC and its significance in organizational settings.

ILoC encompasses key dimensions including ikhtiyar (effort), tawakkul (reliance on Allah) and qadr (Divine Decree), which shape individuals’ perceptions of control and action within organizations. Individuals with a high ILoC are expected to exhibit greater motivation, responsibility and resilience, while also maintaining acceptance of Allah’s decree.

Future research should focus on developing valid measurement instruments for assessing ILoC and conducting empirical studies to test its impact on organizational outcomes.

Understanding and fostering a supportive environment for individuals with a high ILoC can enhance motivation, responsibility and overall productivity within Islamic organizations.

Promoting an environment that respects and integrates religious beliefs can contribute to social cohesion and harmony within diverse organizational settings.

This paper contributes to the existing literature by introducing the novel concept of ILoC and offering insights into its implications for organizational behavior within Islamic contexts. It bridges the gap between psychology, human resource management and Islamic theology, providing a unique perspective on how religious beliefs influence individual behavior in the workplace.

This paper aims to view the tradition of the Prophet in zakat payment, especially the attributed measurements, and adapt these measures to current zakat measurement practices.

This study is designed with an exploratory sequential mixed method where qualitative data were collected from historical archives and also from the measurement of available ṣāʿ صاع and mud_ مد. These standard measures were collected from Malaysia and other Muslim countries and calibrated at the National Measurement Standards Laboratory (currently carried out by the National Metrology Institute of Malaysia). The volume of the ṣāʿ were tabulated, charted, analyzed and determined.

Prophet Muḥammad ordered for zakat al-fiṭr زكاة الفطر to measure the crops using ṣāʿ (gallon: volume measure), not raṭl رطل (pound: standard weight). This paper recommends a reference volume for the ṣāʿ, and from this value, the volume for the smaller measure mud and much larger measure wasq وسق were calculated. The agricultural niṣāb (5 wasq) is one of the key parameters in ṣāʿ volume analysis.

This study covers standard measures acquired from Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom (traceable to India). Several empirical data are attained from previous studies from Saudi Arabia and North Africa. Also, some theoretical data are obtained from kitab tafsir, hadith and kitab turath (books and records written by early scholars). A concern in this study is the ratio of de-husked grains currently approximated at half of un-hulled grains. This might not necessarily be accurate and may differ by different types of grains.

After the introduction of the modern measurement system known as the International System of Units (SI) in 1971, ṣāʿ became obsolete, leaving each state in Malaysia to define and convert ṣāʿ to SI units variously. This paper contributes to standardizing the conversion to one value with an appropriate SI unit, that has traceability to the Prophet’s ṣāʿ. This national reference standard ṣāʿ is essential for zakat al-fiṭr measurement, important for zakat centers and impacting every Muslim in Malaysia. Often overlooked, ṣāʿ is more crucial as a basis in determining and standardizing the seasonal crops niṣāb, unfolding the reasons why the poor are paying the paddy zakat in Malaysia.

The Prophet’s tradition for ablution is to use water not more than one mud, this is aligned with the 12th Sustainable Development Goals by the United Nations which promoted the responsible consumption of water. Considering half (adults) of the 1.9 billion Muslims in the world, multiplied by 5 times of prayer, the Muslims will at least use 4.75 billion muds of water for ablution alone in 1 day. This is approximately 3.5 billion liters of water daily, and if they limit their water usage to 1 mud for each ablution, they collectively will save at least four times more water (about 14 billion liters) daily than performing ablution from a running tap. Though for ablution, accuracy is not an issue, the mud impact on all Muslims is vital on a daily basis, literally by volume.

Ṣāʿ is essential in measuring food for the annually obligated zakat al-fiṭr and more crucial as a basis in determining the seasonal crops niṣāb. This paper contributes to the development of a national reference standard ṣāʿ for Malaysia that has traceability to the Prophet’s ṣāʿ.