Jing Qi, Catherine Manathunga, Michael Singh and Tracey Bunda
The purpose of this paper is to provide a micro historical account of the work of a key Chinese educational reformer, Tao Xingzhi (1891–1946), who transformed educational ideas…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide a micro historical account of the work of a key Chinese educational reformer, Tao Xingzhi (1891–1946), who transformed educational ideas from John Dewey to effect social and cultural change in 1920s–1940s China.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper examines English and Chinese language sources, including Tao’s poetry, to present a fresh analysis of Tao’s epistemological life history. It draws upon transnational historical approaches to chart the multidirectional circulation of progressive education philosophies around the globe. It also explores some conceptual dimensions of Chinese historical thinking and historiographical strategies.
Findings
Tao Xingzhi engaged in critical intercultural knowledge exchange in implementing educational reforms in China. He blended and critiqued Chinese and Deweyian educational philosophies to create unique educational reform, which involved reversing some of Dewey’s approaches as well as adapting others.
Originality/value
This paper foregrounds Tao Xingzhi’s agency in transforming some of Dewey’s ideas in the Chinese context and challenges studies that adopt an “impact-response” approach to Tao’s contribution, which suggest a one-way flow of knowledge from a “modern” West to a “traditional” China. It brings hitherto unexplored Chinese language sources to an English-speaking audience, particularly Tao’s poetry, to gain new historical insights into Tao’s educational reforms. It contributes to transnational understandings of the multidirectional flows of knowledge about Progressive educational philosophies around the world.
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Katrice Albert, Michael Goh and Virajita Singh
“Valleys” make for interesting analogies. They are geological depressions that can reflect the struggles and lows sometimes experienced with equity and diversity work. Carved out…
Abstract
“Valleys” make for interesting analogies. They are geological depressions that can reflect the struggles and lows sometimes experienced with equity and diversity work. Carved out by ancient glaciers, valleys lend themselves to critical comparisons to the glacial pace that frequently characterizes the change in higher education. But when tagged with the noun “hope,” glaciers represent the work of carving out new forms, shapes, avenues, and their amazing transformative power to change landscapes. The aspiration and desire for change, the wish for something better, and acting intelligently and intentionally on ambitious equity and diversity goals make “Valleys of Hope” an apt analogy of the higher education landscape that describes the University of Minnesota’s equity and diversity journey and successes. Carpe Diem, a Latin phrase frequently translated to mean “seize the day,” is in our chapter title because we felt it appropriately conveyed how two consecutive equity and diversity leaders harnessed the zeitgeist of campus strategic initiatives to rally their campus communities around equity and diversity imperatives. Carpe Diem sometimes connotes a focus on the present versus the future. Yet, in our view visions and initiatives anchored in core values have in fact a surprising omnipresence and permanence over time. We share two leadership “acts” with readers in this chapter.
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Sarojni Choy, Minglin Li and Parlo Singh
The purpose of this paper is to present a case for appraisal of the current curriculum provisions for international students. In this paper, the authors summarise the key…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a case for appraisal of the current curriculum provisions for international students. In this paper, the authors summarise the key challenges of Asian international research graduate students pursuing doctorate studies in Australian universities to become researchers for the global communities. The intention is to advocate further research on current higher degree research curriculum with a view to enriching the developmental experiences of international research graduate students in preparation for global practice.
Design/methodology/approach
This is an analytical paper that adopts a conceptual and rhetorical approach.
Findings
The authors review a growing body of research on higher degree research studies and establish a need for appraisal of current curriculum provisions.
Originality/value
This is the first paper to concentrate on an emerging need to appraise current higher degree research curriculum provisions to enhance the development international research graduate students for global practices.
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Bobby Harreveld and Michael Singh
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the ways in which learning is contextualised among the intersecting worlds of education, training and work.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the ways in which learning is contextualised among the intersecting worlds of education, training and work.
Design/methodology/approach
A case study methodology is used.
Findings
It was found that contextualised learning is integral to industry‐school transition strategies in senior secondary school learning. However, its operational complexities are yet to be articulated in terms of senior secondary students as learners and earners – educational leadership in partnerships for future innovations in curriculum and pedagogy.
Research limitations/implications
Initial analysis of first stage fieldwork data is reported.
Originality/value
The paper is the first of a series that will report on findings from a three‐year research project (2007‐2010). Its originality stems from conceptualising “contextualised learning” (CL) for the development of individual capabilities through multi‐directional and reciprocal boundary crossing among education, training and work systems.
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Michael J. Armstrong and Christine A.H. Ross
This article is aims to inform aircraft propulsion system designers of the implications which fundamental power distribution design assumptions have on the effectiveness and…
Abstract
Purpose
This article is aims to inform aircraft propulsion system designers of the implications which fundamental power distribution design assumptions have on the effectiveness and viability of turboelectric distributed propulsion (TeDP) systems. Improvements and challenges associated with selecting alternating or direct current for normal- and superconducting distribution systems are presented. Additionally, for superconducting systems, the benefits of bi-polar DC distribution are discussed, as well as the implications of operating voltage on the mass and efficiency of TeDP grid components.
Design/methodology/approach
The approach to this paper selects several high-level fundamental configuration decisions, which must be made, and it qualitatively discusses potential implications of these decisions.
Findings
Near term TeDP architectures which employ conventionally conducting systems may benefit from alternating current (AC) distribution concepts to eliminate the mass and losses associated with power conversion. Farther term TeDP concepts which employ superconducting technologies may benefit from direct current (DC) distribution to reduce the cryocooling requirements stemming from AC conduction losses. Selecting the operating voltage for superconducting concepts requires a divergence from the present day criteria employed with terrestrial superconducting transmission systems.
Practical implications
The criteria presented in the paper will assist in the early conceptual architecting of TeDP systems.
Originality/value
The governing principles behind the configuration of multi-MW airborne electrical microgrid systems are presently immature. This paper represents a unique look and the motivating principles behind fundamental electrical configuration decisions in the context of TeDP.
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The purpose of this paper is to consider the problem of using “black‐box” methods to forecast catastrophe events, and illustrate the value of independent peer review.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to consider the problem of using “black‐box” methods to forecast catastrophe events, and illustrate the value of independent peer review.
Design/methodology/approach
The problem with black‐box catastrophe forecasts is the absence of both extensive validation data and impartial peer review. These issues may be addressed by comparing black‐box forecasts with a set of naïve alternative forecasts provided by an independent party. To illustrate this approach, the historical hurricane forecasts of Dr William M. Gray, professor at Colorado State University, are considered and a simple ARIMA analysis is offered as a naïve alternative.
Findings
The analysis shows that Dr Gray's complex forecasting methodology does in fact provide reasonable forecasts, and may indeed offer value beyond a naïve alternative model.
Originality/value
The editorial identifies a major problem in catastrophe forecasting, and suggests one way to address this problem.
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Michael J. Armstrong and Christine A.H. Ross
The purpose of this paper is to highlight and discuss the unique safety and protection requirements for the electrical microgrid system in a turboelectric distributed propulsion…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to highlight and discuss the unique safety and protection requirements for the electrical microgrid system in a turboelectric distributed propulsion aircraft.
Design/methodology/approach
The NASA N3-X concept aircraft requirements were considered. The TeDP system was decomposed into three subsystems: turbogenerator, distribution system and propulsors. Unique considerations for each of these subsystems were identified.
Findings
The fail-safe requirements for a TeDP system require a divergence from the standard safety case used for conventional propulsion systems. Advantages in flight control and single-engine-out scenarios can be realized using TeDP. Additionally, a targeted use of energy storage and reconfigurability may enable seamless response to propulsion systems failures.
Practical implications
The concepts discussed in this paper will assist to guide the early conceptual and preliminary design and evaluation of TeDP architectures.
Originality/value
The safety case for TeDP architectures is currently immature. The work presented here acts to frame some of the major issues when designing, evaluating and verifying TeDP conceptual architectures.
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Amsalu K. Addis, Simplice Asongu, Zhu Zuping, Hailu Kendie Addis and Eshetu Shifaw
The aim of this study is to examine the motive of China's and India's engagement in African countries particularly in Ethiopia and to address the land grabbing and debt-trap…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this study is to examine the motive of China's and India's engagement in African countries particularly in Ethiopia and to address the land grabbing and debt-trap diplomacy between Ethiopia and the Asian drivers, which creates challenges across the diverse social, political, economic and ecological contexts.
Design/methodology/approach
This study utilises both primary and secondary data. The available literature is also reviewed. The primary data were gathered through semi-structured interviews and discussions from (1) several authority offices in Ethiopia, sources close to authorities, information-rich informants, employees and (2) perspectives, perceptions and prospects from individual members of society.
Findings
The study unmasks the win-win cooperation strategy from the perspective of the members of society in Ethiopia, evaluates whether China and India have strings attached or land grabbing motives. The study also shows that whether China's and India's move was deliberate, the implications of debt-trap diplomacy and exploitation in Ethiopia are apparent. Additionally, this study investigated several considerable potential threats to Ethiopia that will persist unless significant measures are taken to control the relations with Asian drivers.
Research limitations/implications
Some of the limitations of this paper pertain to the primary data collection process from the Ethiopian Investment Commission (EIC) and other authorities, which was very challenging because people can be punished for talking to journalists or researchers. Furthermore, some investors were not willing to participate in discussions because they were engaged in areas that are not related to their licenses. Many interviewees were also not willing to disclose their names, and the data are not exhaustive in the number of investment projects covered.
Originality/value
This study provides new evidence on the influence of Chinese and Indian investment, aid and trade on Ethiopia's social, political and economic spheres. Additionally, this study contributes to the ongoing debate on land grabbing and debt-trap diplomacy in Ethiopia.
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Bonnie J. Knutson, Jeffrey A. Beck, Arjun J. Singh, Michael L. Kasavana and Ronald F. Cichy
This article presents findings of a Delphi study that predicts events most likely to impact marketing to consumers in lodging, food service and clubs segments for year 2007. Two…
Abstract
This article presents findings of a Delphi study that predicts events most likely to impact marketing to consumers in lodging, food service and clubs segments for year 2007. Two rounds of questionnaires were mailed to panels of industry experts within each sector, with an overall response rate of 42%. Findings suggest that the two overarching marketing trends will be convenience as a driver of consumer choice and marketing to an aging population.