BUiD Doctoral Research Conference 2023

Bullying at schools has been among the public concerns that prevailed as it causes many negative consequences, including poor academic performance, poor physical and mental health, in addition to suicidal or criminal acts.Purpose- To critically describe the effectiveness of the antibullying interventions at schools.Methodology- A descriptive qualitative study that was conducted utilizing a critical review of literature. The study has utilized the available electronic database. References were mainly chosen among the ones published in the last five years; special consideration was given to studies conducted in UAE.Findings- Several programs were developed and implemented to manage bullying. Interventions entailed constructing strict anti-bullying school policies, and utilized various involvement levels; being whole school, or one group such as parents, teachers or students. Many interventions were rooted in sociocultural theories to enhance resilience and positive behaviour development among students. Antibullying interventions in the UAE were mostly targeting awareness with compromised measurement of effectiveness.Implications- Identifying the best antibullying interventions may contribute to increasing awareness among stakeholders, and thus facilitate decisions that may inform the policy making pertinent to managing bullying at schools in the UAE.Originality/ value- Limited number of studies were conducted in the UAE.

Job satisfaction greatly affects job performance. This is of a prodigious value in education as the teachers’ performance impacts the quality of education and thus the Human Development Index (HDI) of the nation.Purpose: to investigate the effect of job satisfaction on the performance of teachers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) utilizing a scale that was used in business management previously.Methodology: The research used a quantitative empirical method, whereby the impact of the independent variable (teachers’ satisfaction) was measured on the dependent variable (teachers’ performance). The data used was primary data collected via a survey distributed to a convenient sample. Respondents included 112 teachers working in UAE. SPSS application was used for data analysis. Reliability, factor analysis and construct validity were tested, and shown adequate sample and reliable tool. Regression model was applied, in order to test the two developed hypotheses.Findings: revealed that job satisfaction is associated with job performance among teachers.Implications: Results may help decision makers to enhance the teachers’ satisfaction in order to improve teachers’ performance.

Purpose- To highlight the impacts of parents’ beliefs on students’ education due to the dearth of such studies in the field of education.Methodology- A sequential mixed-method approach was utilised, where quantitative data were collected and analysed, and then triangulated with qualitative data. The study employed a questionnaire and semi-structured interviews completed by 51 and nine parents, respectively. Convenience sampling was used.Findings- The obtained data showed that parents’ beliefs play a key role in students’ education, as these beliefs are associated with parents’ expectations regarding their children. Moreover, parents’ beliefs function as a guide for their children’s efforts and endeavours.Implications- This study recommends that increasing parental awareness regarding their role in their children’s education would be an effective strategy that would provide students with an enhanced learning environment.Originality/value- This study is considered of great value as it urges policy makers and leaders to increase investment in the parents’ role in students’ education.

This pilot study explores the Family Language Policy (FLP) of two Jordanian expatriate families in Dubai and is underpinned by Spolsky’s FLP theoretical framework which has tripartite components of ideology, practice, and management. A qualitative constructivist approach and case study are adopted as the main methodology. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews with the parents and observation of the natural utterances of children. The purpose of the study is to refine the data collection instruments regarding both the procedures and the content of the gathered data to glean initial themes. Key findings identified contextual and cultural challenges while piloting the instruments which resulted in necessary methodological modifications to the data collection procedures. Implications include highlighting the benefits of pilot studies, modifying interview questions and observation procedures in response to challenges that face emerging researchers when conducting similar studies, and sharing the value of developing reflexive, culturally competent, and ethically responsive research practices in the field of Arabic sociolinguistics.

The physical, social, emotional, intellectual, and mental health of students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can be affected negatively if a problem occurs in an inclusive classroom setting.The purpose of this study is to investigate how bullying affects students with ASD. This thorough literature review looks at how bullying affects students with ASD including social development, academic performance, and school participation. Bullied children who grow up to be adults have anxiety and despair that affect their school engagement. Students with ASD are unable to get along with typically abled students due to bullying. The paper highlighted the importance for educators to prevent and treat bullying of students with ASD. However, the study has severe drawbacks such as a lack of empirical research conducted in the UAE. The study recommends releasing further studies in the UAE carrying out more research on other factors that impact bullying of kids with ASD to raise awareness of this issue.

Schools regularly use the zone of proximal development (ZPD), also known as scaffolding, to help students learn new skills. Students who do not receive enough scaffolding may not be able to acquire the skills at all, while students who receive too much scaffolding may suffer when it is taken away. Additionally, this will have an impact on their capacity for problem-solving and learning outcomes. This systematic literature review's goal is to examine how ZPD and scaffolding effect students’ learning outcomes and the growth of their problem-solving abilities.Through a selection of pertinent publications that have undergone extensive analysis, the study addresses three main research topics.The study's findings revealed that in order to achieve a high level of learning independence for the students and the ability to adapt to new situations leading to more advanced skills, a re-definition of certain concepts along with modifications and amendments on how to apply these new redefined ones, using more advanced teaching methodologies with incorporating technology to help students in exploring new ideas using critical thinking techniques and providing constructive feedback, are needed.

Saudi Arabia- is moving steadily toward Vision 2030. Accordingly, the Educational & Training Evaluation Commission (ETEC) has teamed up with the Ministry of Education in Saudi Arabia to update and raise the ‘Teacher Licensure Programme’ bar.Purpose- The study aimed to investigate the development and implementation of the 2019 teacher licensure program in Saudi Arabia.Methodology- The study adopted the exploratory sequential mixed method. The paper consisted of three stages. Initially, six policies were reviewed to compare international, regional, and local licensures. Second, the study collected quantitative data from 300 teachers from public schools through an online survey. The last stage collected qualitative data through a school leaders’ questionnaire.Findings- Stage one findings were linked to international and regional practices. A comparative study revealed a lack of career development at the college level and during in-service training in Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, there is a need for a standardized teacher evaluation system that includes constructive feedback and reflection. Based on stage two findings, teachers expressed negative views regarding the current licensing programme. In addition, stage three findings confirmed stage two results from the perspective of school leaders and policymakers.Implications- Educators should consider building long-life learners by aligning licensing standards with the exam and desired outcomes, ensuring stakeholders’ involvement, create a continuous PD program.Originality/value- This study filled a critical gap in the theoretical field of teacher licensing in the Gulf Region. Additionally, the research suggested a flexible framework based on the best practices and the perceptions and experiences of the stakeholders. The framework asserted that the licensing examination is one of a number of methods for evaluating teachers.

This study investigated teachers’ and educational leaders’ perspectives regarding the challenges that EFL twelfth graders encounter in relation to the Emirates Standardized Test (EmSAT). The study context was a private school in the UAE that follows the Ministry of Education curriculum. The present qualitative study adopted the phenomenological interpretive research approach. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews with four English teachers and four educational leaders. Data were also analysed using thematic analysis that led to the creation of relevant themes. The findings revealed a number of challenges related to the EmSAT exam and recommendations to overcome these barriers. These included issues related to time constraints, anxiety, stress, lack of teaching resources, and learners’ low e-maturity level. The study had some implications for teachers, educational leaders, school administrations and policymakers.

Purpose - The purpose of this research paper was to determine whether there is a relationship between the frequency and the range of morphemes used in students’ essays and their actual essay scores.Methodology - To address the research questions, the mixed methods design was conducted to view the findings from different angles.Findings - The results suggest that there is a strong relationship between the range of morphemes used in students’ essays and essay scores.Implications - These findings can have meaningful implications for English teachers and linguists in the UAE, specifically, about the significance of considering the morphology used in students’ essays.Originality - This paper adds to the growing body of literature by adding information on the frequency and the range of morphemes used in students’ writing and essay scores in the UAE’s education sector. This may contribute to more significant information within the field of linguistics.

The purpose of this study is to examine the extent to which the science teachers apply critical thinking in their classrooms in some of American schools in Sharjah. In the modern days, the attention towards critical thinking skills is massive. For so many years it’s been acknowledged as a central objective in the field of education. The academic standards in various subjects including math, science, and social studies give significance to several connections between critical thinking and the content of the core curriculum, guiding the students in a more superior way. This research study was aspired to delve into the approach of in-service science teachers regarding the implementation and utilization of critical thinking attributes in science classes that apply the NGSS science academic content standards in some American curriculum schools in Sharjah (UAE). In this quantitative study, twenty science teachers responded and volunteered from various schools in Sharjah. A large diversity of standards was attended by science teachers in place of needing critical thinking skills in the face of the fact that a lot of others were contemplated to be inadequate. The scheme concerned with standards perceived high in comparison to critical thinking in science. However, the standards of the science content conceded the minimal amount.

Recently, universities and colleges across the United Arab Emirates have been actively incorporating new learning technologies to facilitate blended learning pedagogy mandated by the Ministry of Higher Education during the COVID-19 crisis. Despite its popularity, blended learning is still a relatively new approach to learning across higher education in the UAE. This small-scale qualitative study seeks to gain insights into instructors’ perspectives of blended learning in an ESL program at a federal college in the UAE. Semi-structured interviews were used to identify the benefits and challenges perceived by instructors teaching in this context. The results revealed several key benefits, including increased flexibility, improved accessibility, and timely and continuous learning. However, instructors also reported increased academic workload, technical issues, and a lack of professional development as barriers. The findings offer recommendations, implications, and possible future directions for stakeholders and academics to inform future directives.

Purpose: Highlight programming's importance and explore parental views on its inclusion in UAE primary schools.Methodology: Employing a quantitative approach, the study surveyed 499 UAE parents with primary school children. Their perspectives on programming and their children's attitudes towards it were gauged.Findings: UAE's primary school programming education needs reform, necessitating enhanced parental and student awareness.Implications: Educational policymakers should prioritize programming as a core subject, backed by this study. It adds to the literature on programming's value, highlighting parental awareness's impact on student attitudes.Originality/Value: This research contributes practical and academic insights, guiding potential expansion. Educational leaders, especially in primary schools, can use these findings to improve programming education.

This study is one of the first to investigate Learner with Severe and Multiple Disabilities curriculum frameworks in UAE schools. It will improve inclusive education in formal settings, prepare stakeholders in the region to work with students with disabilities in schools, and accept the UNESCO vision to perform more research in this sector. It aims to develop a draft of the curriculum framework for Learners with Severe and Multiple Disabilities in schools in the UAE.To achieve the objectives of the study, the systamtic literature review method was used for data collection. Interestingly, the findings of the study revealed that designing a curriculum framework for Learners with Severe and Multiple Disabilities requires taking into consideration several aspects such as the curriculum itself, whether it is a general or functional curriculum. Other aspects include special teaching techniques, cooperation between stakeholders and the team, curriculum accessibility, efficiency of the assessment process, and the incorporation of technology.

Purpose- The role of ICT in education is not new but the manner in which technology in education is perceived, valued and implemented is in constant flux.Methodology- This paper uses a comparative approach to examine ICT school policies, pre and post pandemic, to explore key issues of focus and relevance.Findings- As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, technology became ubiquitous in education and it is now imperative that we consider the extent to which it is appropriate for use, sustainable and supported. ICT has the potential to transform the learning environment but it must be understood, implemented and managed responsibly.Implications- The paper looks at the role of leadership and key stakeholder engagement in this process, from a teacher and student perspective.Originality/value- Drawing on a detailed literature review and in-depth document policy analysis, this paper considers the framework for implementation and identifies key components required for the design and development of a relevant ICT school policy.

Purpose- This research investigates science teachers’ perceptions and practices in enhancing the science learning of students with learning disabilities (LD), guided by social cognitive theory and Fox’s Personal Learning Theories.Methodology- The study utilized a questionnaire responded to by 156 science teachers from various private schools in Dubai.Findings- Findings indicate a positive perception among teachers towards developing science learning for students with LD, employing well-established strategies.Implications- the study emphasizes the need for guidance and coordination among stakeholders to maximize the impact of these positive perceptions.Originality/value- providing essential information for enhancing science teacher performance and creating an optimal classroom environment.

This article studies the environmental and economic benefits expected from using recycled asphalt pavement in roadway maintenance by comparing the life cost analysis of conventional and recycled pavement. When comparing recycled and conventional asphalt, it turns out that the recycled asphalt cost is 28,060,400 Dhs compared to conventional asphalt's cost of 40,207,900 Dhs. Consequently, utilizing recycled asphalts will save around 12,147,500 Dhs, which is about 70% of the expense divided between the two pavements. This is because the duration of each maintenance process is different recycled asphalt requires 9 steps, which is the same as 33 days, compared to 12 steps for conventional asphalt, which requires 85 days. Calculating the waste from Dibba-Masafi Road is 23,104 m with the conventional pavement shows that managing this construction area’s waste is a challenge within its given rising volume of waste. However, by using recycled asphalt 3040 m of waste will be consumed which is a good amount to start a change in the roadway maintenance processes. Moreover, the assets that should be included in the roadway components, the norms and requirements set forth by the relevant authorities, and the minimal construction cost determined by quantity surveying are taken into account which resulted in the findings of this research demonstrating recycled asphalt as a long-term fix.

Purpose- The number of excess deaths in England and Wales during the second heatwave period in 2022 was the greatest it has been since 2018. Greater London is particularly at risk for indoor overheating due to the predicted increase in hot summers from 50–60% by 2050, which can have serious negative effects on the socio-economic state of the city. The purpose of this study is to assess and predict the risk of overheating in a residential apartment building in a high-risk London heatwave location.Methodology-This study uses computer simulation and on-site measurements to create a virtual model for IES VE dynamic thermal modelling and perform overheating assessment simulations in a London apartment complex using the CIBSE TM59 methodology.Findings- The percentage hours with exceeding temperature surpassed 50% above the standard threshold in the 2020s scenario, which increased two folds for the 2050s and 2080s. Moreover, the bedrooms’ operational temperatures are found to be terribly above the safety standard.Implications- The findings implicate examining the economic viability and effectiveness of various solutions in the future to prevent residential building overheating in London. Further investigation can be done by conducting in-depth experiments on the susceptibility of various floors to overheating.Originality/value- The paper offers novel insights into the overheating risk assessment in London, particularly focusing on households in high-risk areas. The study contributes to the conversation on sustainability practices and their socio-economic implications by highlighting the urgent need for retrofitting frameworks to promote sustainable building design and practices.

Saving natural resources to sustain a better future for the generations requires focusing mainly on the three pillars of a sustainable society; the social, economic and environmental. In 2015, the world was united to set international goals to reduce the recent, global problems affecting these pillars; the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Goal number 12 focuses on making consumption and production reasonable to lower the use of natural resources and decrease the waste generated consequently. The food loss and waste problem has been the focus of individuals and governments in the last few years as it affects the sustainable vision of the countries. Tackling this issue needs the united efforts of the private and public sectors and is considered under goal SDG 12.3. Food loss is defined as the decrease in food amounts before consumption, mostly in developing countries. While food waste focuses on food thrown out after consumption, left intentionally or thrown away, and mostly in developed countries. The UAE has one of the highest per capita amounts of food waste yearly, around 224 kg. Thus, efforts to tackle the problem have to start, this is in alignment with achieving international targets like SDG 12.3 and national ones such as “Zero Hunger” by 2051. Huge efforts and initiatives in the country are established, mainly focusing on recovering food waste through banks, composting and animal feeds. However, source reduction is considered the top priority in solving the food waste problem. This paper suggests topics to fill the theoretical gap, which was confirmed to be lacking in the country, in finding the causes and drivers of food waste in the hospitality sector of Dubai.

This work focuses on the implementation of a data-based method to determine the inspection system reliability in terms of detecting different types of damages in rail tracks using ultrasonic-guided Rayleigh waves and a probability of detection (POD) technique. In this study, the reliability is tested against a surface crack (SC) and sub-surface damage – a through-side thickness hole (TSTH). The guided Rayleigh waves are generated using a custom-designed sensor that excites Rayleigh surface waves in the specimen and the propagating waves are sensed on the rail track surface. The wedge shape design of the sensor helps to excite a specific ultrasonic mode in the sample thereby hindering the ultrasonic energy of other coupled guided waves that can propagate simultaneously and the wedge angle is determined according to Snell’s law relying on the wave velocity of Rayleigh wave and bulk longitudinal wave. The guided wave responses as a function of varying severity of defects are obtained through a simulation study after the verification of the obtained guided wave responses with the help of an experimental study. A damage index (DI) is defined depending on defect size that gives the trend of damage severity from the captured ultrasonic responses and for monitoring defects in the rail track. This DI is eventually fed into the POD model to determine the probability of defect detection which in turn helps determine the inspection system reliability. The POD method also helps to study the critical design parameters that could affect or improve crack detection results.Purpose – To determine the reliability of inspection system deployed for interrogating health status of rail track.Methodology – Employing the Probability of detection technique for determining how reliable the inspection system is in detecting the health status of the rail track specimen using the ultrasonic guided waves.Findings – It has been found that the proposed inspection system is >90% reliable in detecting defects.Implications – This methodology can help maintenance engineers to make an informed decision on their developed technique for investigating the health status of the rail track sample.Originality/ value – 13%.

Several incidents of early deterioration of reinforced concrete structures have been reported in recent years. Consequently, the critical demand to incorporate durability in the structural design and construction approach has emerged. As a result, durability design provisions in many countries’ standards have gotten increasingly stringent. In the absence of clear standard guidelines for design engineers, insufficient design and failures or an expensive over-design to provide for the worst-case scenario may occur. This paper compares and critically reviews the durability design requirements and provisions in the Eurocode, British standards, and ISO standards and proposes improvements that will contribute to the development of the coming generation of these documents. The review revealed similarities in the durability design approach, exposure conditions, and design requirements in the Eurocode code and British standard, whereas the ISO 13823 approach is different. The studied documents’ durability provisions are comprehensive, detailed, and well-defined. Nevertheless, several provisions require to be revised to avoid misinterpretation by the code practitioners and to ensure an economically conservative durable design.

Over the last few years, the concept of a more sustainable/eco-responsive skin featured as alternative envelopes for buildings (sometimes termed “Living Architecture”), designed to achieve low energy consumption, cost efficiency, and user comfort. Until today, architects in the UAE tend to design projects with double skin façades more than providing living architecture façade to achieve energy efficiency and sustainability in an extremely hot climate. Since the 1990s buildings in Gulf cities were dressed in cladding, which ignores the importance of building orientation, passive design ideas, and implementation.Purpose – This paper examines the concept of living architecture in the context of the UAE and proposes a framework to retrofit existing unsustainable designs with more eco-responsive ones.Methodology – Energy analysis will be applied to the façade of Baynunah Hilton Tower in Abu Dhabi before and after providing a living architectural façade technique in order to test the energy efficiency of the facade between the two scenarios. The analysis will be applied using FormIt software.Findings – The new proposed façade design “Light-weight Aluminium with Arabesque pattern” have affected positively the energy performance of the building. The energy consumption has been reduced by almost 38% after applying the retrofitting design to the façade.Implications – Façade retrofit is important as it helps in providing sustainable design solutions for the building’s facade that plays an important role in achieving energy efficiency and saving the environment.Originality/value – All the scenarios and simulations were done by the authors using FormIt software.

Persona identification helps AI-based communication systems provide personalized and situationally informed interactions. This paper introduces pre-training on CNN, BERT, and GPT models to improve persona detection on PMPC and ROCStories datasets. Two speakers with different personalities have dialogues in the PMPC dataset. The challenge is to match each speaker to their persona. The ROCStories dataset contains fictional character traits and activities. Our study uses transformer-based design to improve persona detection using ROCStories dataset external context. We compare our method to leading models in the field. We found that pre-training and fine-tuning on several datasets improves model performance. External context from tale collections may improve persona detection algorithms and help understand human personality and behavior. Our study found that pre-training CNN, BERT, and GPT models improves persona detection, improving user experiences and communication. The method could be used in chatbots, personalized recommendation systems, and customer support. Additionally, it can help create AI-driven communication systems with tailored, context-aware, and human-like interactions.

The purpose of this research was to study the case of the UAE smart cities with specific focus on how artificial intelligence (AI) was used in enhancing the achievement of sustainability in the UAE. The research narrowed down to investigate sustainability from the lens of the socio-economic sustainable development goals of the UAE as per the UN sustainable goals objectives 2015.The research adopted a quantitative methodological framework to rigorously examine the subject matter above. A survey was developed and distributed to 300 practitioners in AI, smart cities, and sustainable development programs across the UAE (mainly, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah). The research noted that environmental factors of AI application in UAE smart cities such as infrastructure readiness, stakeholder readiness and regulatory environment, strongly impacted the smart cities development in the UAE which in turn led to the attainment of socio-economic sustainable development goals. Implicatively, the research suggests the need for the development of a strategic roadmap for the adoption, usage, and implementation of AI in UAE smart cities to facilitate socio-economic sustainability through achievement of socio-economic sustainable development goals. The research novelty lies in bridging the paucity in literature regarding the use of AI in smart cities and its role in promoting sustainability; by establishing the connection between AI, smart cities and socio-economic sustainable development goals.

Purpose - This paper aims to develop a novel chatbot to improve student services in high school by transferring students’ enquiries to a particular agent, based on the enquiry type. In accordance to that, comparison between machine learning and neural network is conducted in order to identify the most accurate model to classify students’ requests.Methodology - In this study we selected the data from high school students, since high school is one of the most essential stages in students’ lives, as in this stage, students have the option to select their academic streams and advanced courses that can shape their careers according to their passions and interests. A new corpus is created with (1004) enquiries. The data is annotated manually based on the type of request. The label high-school-courses is assigned to the requests that are related to elective courses and standardized tests during high school. On the other hand, the label majors & universities is assigned to the questions that are related to applying to universities along with selecting the majors. Two novel classifier chatbots are developed and evaluated, where the first chatbot is developed by using a Naive Bayes Machine Learning Algorithm, while the other is developed by using Recurrent Neural Networks (RNN)-LSTM.Findings - Some features and techniques are used in both models in order to improve the performance. However, both models have conveyed a high accuracy score which exceeds (91%). The models have been validated as a pilot testing by using high school students as well as experts in education and six questions and enquiries are presented to the chatbots for the evaluation.Implications and future work - This study can add value to the team of researchers and developers to integrate such classifiers into different applications. As a result, this improves the users’ services, in particular, those implemented in educational institutions. In the future, it is certain that intent recognition will be developed with the addition of a voice recognition feature which can successfully integrated into smartphones.

Purpose - This study examines sustainable healthcare approaches by reviewing the literature on sustainable healthcare practices. Understanding the dimensions of sustainable healthcare and the influencing variables will assist in strategic recommendations and future insights. It will further clarify various countries’ approaches, the UAE and EU in particular.Methodology - This study examines sustainable practice in healthcare, with the aim of compiling all relevant research and comprehending the study dimension and strategies through conducting a systematic mapping investigation.Findings - The paper emphasizes the significance of a comprehensive approach to comprehend the measurements and challenges of UAE and EU, and further develop strategies to consistently improve sustainability implementation in healthcare.Implications - Despite using scientific databases for the search that include high-quality journals, the scope of this paper is limited to the time during submission of this paper and keywords specified in this paper.Originality/value - This paper will improve academics’ understanding of the research and motivate them to broaden their studies of healthcare sustainability and adopt a more comprehensive approach.

Purpose - Digital technology is frequently employed in the healthcare sector to innovate and add value. This study examines AI-based technology implementation in the healthcare industry. The purpose of the study is to provide a review of publications on artificial intelligence (AI) and how it has enabled the healthcare sector to progress toward sustainable development goals (SDG).Methodology - The method is based on a systematic mapping review of 40 papers. It also contained relevant publications to this paper’s research questions for comparison.Findings - The paper emphasizes the significance of AI implementation in healthcare and further facilities’ implementation of SDG and health-related SDG and its evolving contribution to humanity for affordable global healthcare.Implications/limitation - The scope of this paper is limited to the time during submission of this paper and keywords specified in this paper’s research question.Originality/value - The paper will expand knowledge of AI to achieve sustainable development goals and health-related SDGs and further highlight research gaps to be addressed for healthcare improvement.

Purpose: This paper discusses the need for a corpus of Emirati traditional phrases and idioms in natural language processing (NLP) for the Gulf Emirati dialect and its potential applications in fields like voice recognition, machine translation, and sentiment analysis.Methodology: The researchers collected a corpus of more than 3000 traditional Emirati words and idioms by gathering data from several social media platforms, such as forums, YouTube, and Emirati radio stations. In addition, the researchers used the website scraping technologies to collect suitable resources, subsequently cleansing and organising the gathered material to ensure accuracy and consistency. A pilot investigation was undertaken, including an individual who is a native speaker of Emirati, in order to verify the precision of the dataset.Findings: The researchers successfully compiled a substantial dataset of traditional Emirati phrases and idioms, so enabling potential future investigations in the realm of Arabic dialects, specifically focusing on Gulf Arabic dialects such as the Emirati dialect.Implications: The compilation of Emirati traditional idioms and words presented in this study has potential practical effects in several domains such as medical, education, and business. These implications mostly revolve around enhancing communication among and with individuals proficient in the Emirati language.Originality/Value: This study distinguishes itself by concentrating on the compilation of an NLP corpus comprising traditional Emirati phrases and idioms, with a specific emphasis on the Gulf Emirati dialect. The dataset generated as a result of this effort may prove indispensable for further studies into Arabic dialects.

Innovative lighting layouts ILS is crucial in the office environment, with a significant impact on occupants’ well-being, visual quality, and saving energy consumption. A technical understanding of light sources and performance is vital in lighting design. Open office lighting settings varies from small areas based on light quantity, fixed approach (recessed/suspended), and layout, affecting illuminance lx-level and visual quality. This study evaluates minimalist lighting conditions and identifies the most efficient solution for uniformity in a workspace. It focuses on specific zones (accent light seating zone, task area, and circulation zones). Considering many factors, such as luminaire type, layout distribution, and quantity, influence illuminance levels and visual quality. The aim is to establish various innovative lighting layouts for multiple tasks in an open office, and identify key factors enhancing illuminance levels, distribution uniformity, and energy efficiency. This work utilizes Dialux-evo 10 simulation software to develop various strategies using different minimalist luminaires shapes, quantities, and layout distributions within an existing office in Masdar City, UAE to improve visual workspace performance. Two-strategies have created, analyzing current conditions and evaluating proposed lighting concepts by installing various artificial lighting types and designing different layouts for each workspace independently. The results emphasize the importance of different factors such-as light efficacy and fixed lighting approach in achieving required illuminance levels. The visual impact of each workspace is influenced by lighting uniformity, color, and distribution, a CRI of 80 or higher is preferred for accurate color representation. The type, quantity, and arrangement of luminaires play a crucial role in the overall visual outcome. The linear arrangement with batwing-shaped distribution Scenario-C achieves an acceptable illuminance level of 565lx, resulting in a reduction of approximately 10.9% compared to the regular arrangement of the base case.

This paper examines the Internet of Things (IoT) and its application in the Internet of Vehicles (IoV). IoV combines AI and IoT for real-time monitoring and operation of vehicles. We discuss how the integration of AI and IoT enhances vehicle functionalities through the deployment of sensors, infrared gadgets, cameras, and heat detectors, facilitating advancements in autonomous vehicles. We explore the evolutionary trajectory of the IoV concept and its diverse applications, provide a structured progression of ideas, and shed light on the challenges and potential solutions for IoT. The final section projects the future landscape of IoV implementation, demonstrating how it can revolutionize business operations and management.so this paper aims to bridge current knowledge gaps, stimulate further research, and spark innovative applications of IoV.

Purpose- In recent years, digital transformation using Building Information Modelling (BIM) systems has reshaped asset management. This process involves systematically maintaining and improving assets throughout an organization's lifecycle, with a focus on sustainability objectives. However, the current asset management process often wastes time and resources searching for asset information. This research aims to create a BIM-based framework, address the disconnection between asset management models and key indicators of sustainability, and help achieve the organisation's sustainability objectives.Methodology- This paper explores the relationship between asset management and sustainability objectives, establishing an integrated framework from existing literature. A seven-step approach to developing information needs is also proposed.Findings- It was found that asset information requirements are often formed without a direct link to the organisational objectives they are intended to achieve or are difficult to detect adequately. Recognising the cyclical nature of asset management and BIM and generating a framework.Implications- The framework will help address the disconnection between design aspirations and key indicators of sustainability.Originality value- The framework aligns asset management with sustainability objectives and integrates with BIM for a unified asset management platform.

This research studies the PV solar panels waste with respect to their end-of-life EOL management for PV assets installed in a solar park in the UAE. The lack of thorough worldwide rules and frameworks that direct decision-making in connection to the disposal of photovoltaic (PV) panel waste, as well as the insufficient research on the management of such waste, are the driving forces behind this study. The study aims to address this gap by identifying the factors affecting the performance and efficiency of PV systems, specifically in UAE, a country known for its extremely hot and dry climate, and establish an evaluation approach and guidelines. PVsyst simulation software was utilized for the purpose of system performance analysis and to provide support in the decision-making process by adhering to specifically designed technical flowcharts. The fundamental performance-related parameters of the PV panels, coupled with meteorological information, were determined as important elements for assessing the general performance. The study also identified the main instruments used to make end-of-life (EOL) decisions. The results reveal that the photovoltaic (PV) system at the UAE solar park completed its end of life coupled with an 80% PR ratio sooner than anticipated, with 22 years as compared to the manufacturer's expected 25 years. This leads to the conclusion that installing photovoltaic (PV) panels in hot climates regions accelerates the degradation of the PV panels. The study provides a clear understanding of the circumstances that cause PV systems to fail earlier than expected and consequently introduce more waste to the environment.

This article discusses the role of university reputation in economic recovery, particularly in crisis situations. It highlights the importance of maintaining a good reputation for universities. Especially after Brexit, and during the covid pandemic, the burden of compensating the detrimental effects of existing from European Union has been on HE industries’ shoulder. However, the role of HE industry in helping UK to bolster up the economy has been ignored. However, ‘Regional Disparity’ could limit the impact of high-reputed universities.

Purpose – This paper aims to review several studies published between 2018 to 2022 about advising chatbots in schools and universities as well as evaluating the state-of-the-art machine learning models that are deployed into these models.Methodology – This paper follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), it demonstrated the main phases of the systematic review, it starts with screening 128 articles and then including 11 articles for systematic review which focused on the current services of the advising chatbots in schools and universities, as well the artificial models that are embedded into the chatbots.Findings – Two main dimensions with other sub-dimensions are extracted from the 11 included studies as it shows the following: 1- Advising chatbots AI Architecture which includes other sub-dimensions on identifying the deep learning based chatbots, hybrid chatbots and other open-resources for customizing chatbots; 2- The goals of the advising chatbot as it includes both the admission advising and academic advising.Conclusion – Most of studies shows that advising chatbots are developed for admission and academic advising. Few researchers who study the chatbots in high schools, there is a lack of studies in developing chatbots for students advising in high schools.Limitations and future work – This study is constrained to review the studies from 2018–2022, and it is not exposed to the chatbots artifacts, even though, the human-chatbot interaction has an essential impact on students’ experiences. Future research should include the impact of chatbots interactive design and students’ experiences.

Purpose – The purpose of this research was to investigate and explore the influence of chatbots service quality on customer satisfaction in the banking sector.Methodology – The sample size for this research was determined to be 25, sufficient to achieve data saturation. This research utilised qualitative inductive research approach, exploratory in nature, implementing non-probability, stratified purposeful sampling technique, based on the age category of commercial bank consumers.Findings – Overall, a total of eleven themes and sub-themes emerged from the gathered data, resulting in three aggregate dimensions, which were “perceived chatbot service quality”, “customer satisfaction” and “responses and intentions”.Practical implications – The study could be extended for different target market, creative strategy, other media and more countries. The findings of this research aimed to help banks further understand customer satisfaction, along with their responses and intentions, when it comes to interacting with chatbots.Originality/value – This research added value to customer experience, which mattered the most, when it comes to them being satisfied with their interaction with chatbot. The output of this research developed a conceptual framework which identified the factors causing customer dissatisfaction once they interacted with chatbots.

Purpose – This paper explores the challenges and enablers of diffusing innovation processes within the oil and gas industry and the impact on the project management process in improving project performance.Methodology – This study employs a qualitative analysis methodology with a structured survey to provide the data for this study.Findings – The anticipated study findings will aid in identifying the primary obstacles to and facilitators of implementing innovation systems within the ecosystem of the oil and gas sector.Implications – It is crucial to carry out follow-up research on integrating the “green innovation” concept to confirm the viability of establishing a conceptual framework for critical variables affecting the adoption of the innovation process within the energy industry.Originality – Discussing the innovation process concerning project management and performance contributes to a broader understanding of a sustainable innovation process that supports expanding the oil and gas industry.

This paper aims to analyze the concept of soft laws and its significance in international law with special emphasis on its effect on international investment law. In this paper, the authors have relied upon the works of legal scholars and arbitral jurisprudence to understand their observations about the role of soft laws and apply such observations to the present times to analyze the strengths and drawbacks of soft law in the current international investment law context. The paper argues that although formally non-binding, yet in practice soft law instruments do influence the behavior of states and foreign investors either directly or indirectly. They also play a significant role in the formulation of international law by serving as precursors to the formulation of binding rules by states or by developing the rights and obligations of the parties mainly through interpretation of vague or open-ended investment treaty provisions by arbitral tribunals.

Purpose - This paper intends to study the relationship between workforce agile behavior and organizational innovation in manufacturing enterprises. The research focuses on the impact of three characteristics of workforce agility (proactivity, flexibility, and resilience) on organizational innovation performance using the planned behavior theory (PBT), with a particular emphasis on product and process innovation.Methodology - The research of this paper uses the theoretical background for the selected topic to propose a conceptual research framework to improve manufacturing enterprises’ innovation performance by understating the significance of workforce agility.Findings - The expected outcome of the paper is to understand the relationship between agility in the workforce and innovation performance in manufacturing organizations. It can show the positive impact of a proactive, flexible, and resilient workforce in manufacturing enterprises to guarantee continuous growth in the rapid market landscape.Implications - This study can support leadership and employees in the manufacturing sector to understand the importance of providing agile capabilities in the work environment to improve innovative organizational performance, sustain competitive market advantage, and respond to internal and external changes.Originality/value - The paper addresses the literature gap on how organizational innovation can be influenced by workforce agility behavior in the manufacturing sector and helps understand the significance of agility practices in sustaining competitive advantages.

Digital knowledge management is one of the important components of the overall operations of the organisation, particularly in this digital era. It is comprised of three main components including digital knowledge creation, digital knowledge sharing and digital organisational learning in order to get maximum output in terms of financial and non-financial outcomes. This study particularly provides insights into the constructs of creating, sharing, disseminating, and learning on financial objectives such as profitability, return on investment cost saving, as well as non-financial objectives that include employee satisfaction, customer satisfaction and innovation. The Research will help us to evaluate whether digital knowledge management tools can have a positive impact on the overall organisational performance through digital technology that not only helps internal operations through digitised specifications as well as gains a competitive advantage in an external digital environment.Purpose: The aim of the study is to investigate the overall effect of digital knowledge management on organisational performance particularly the purpose of the studies the impact of digital knowledge creation, digital knowledge sharing and Organisational learning on the overall performance that includes financial and non-financial outcomes.Methodology: The methodology adopted in the study is based on the quantitative research approach utilising the survey data to get information on digital knowledge management practices and Organisation performance indicators.Findings: The findings of the studies show a significant positive relationship between Digital knowledge management and Organisational performance in both financial and non-financial outcomes to enhance the overall performance of the organisation.Implications: After evaluating all the data this study suggests that the organisation should protect prioritise and invest in digital knowledge management practices in audit in hands the financial and non-financial goals that include sustainable innovation, enhanced decision-making strategies and digital organisation learning.

Purpose – The objective is to explore the impact of organisational structure on project performance and current research topics regarding organisational structure theories, types, and aspects in terms of challenges, culture, communication, organisational dynamics, and drivers.Methodology – The adopted methodology employs two integrated approaches. First, use a systematic mapping approach to explore the existing research studies on organisational structure’s impact. Second, correlate the research studies to existing case studies in the energy sector, record findings, and propose recommendations on the way forward.Findings – The study results concluded that most oil producers are a mix of functional and matrix organisations with diversified thoughts on centralizing project management teams.Implications/limitations – It is essential to conduct follow-up research validating the potential for using the findings of this study to establish frameworks for the organisational transformation approach in meeting cultural variance and market conditions.Originality/value – The proposed case studies and relevant theories present the most effective organisational structure model to improve project-based operations performance, thus enabling oil and gas organisations to manage their business mandates effectively.

The purpose of the current study was to investigate the relationship between currency and the socio-cultural identity of a people. The research sought to investigate the phenomenon by examining how a particular community considers currency as an important tenet of their identity.The methodology of the research was qualitative in nature considering its ethnographic premise – culture. To this extent, the research developed an interview schedule and used this to collect data from targeted participants on their perceptions regarding the impact of currency on their culture.The findings of the research were that currency is directly related to culture and strongly impacts the cultural identity of a people. The respondents to the interview agreed that the currency they use is a depiction of their culture and strength and they shared a lot of confidence on the currency as a cultural facet.The implications of the research including fostering the deeper understanding of the role of money in the socio-cultural setting as a multiplier of cultural identity and enthusiasm apart from the common attributes of money.The current study is original in nature in the sense that, while there are numerous researches already conducted about money and the society, the impact of the same in the socio-cultural domain remains unstudied. This qualitative research will highlight the gap and seek to cover it in a step to open up a new dimension of study of the subject of money and society.

Purpose: this research tends to study the parasocial relationship between influencers on social media and their followers, and how it impacts the purchase intentions of the startup companies and their brand images.Findings: The parasocial relationship has a moderate impact on the purchase intentions, while it has a strong impact on the brand image, while the brand image has a strong positive impact on the purchase intentions.Conclusion: parasocial relationship can be used in an effective way to build the brand image of the company and to increase the purchase intentions.

The article examines law comparison as a research method and its application in reinforcing legal systems. Comparative legal research methods and challenges will be briefly discussed. Comparative legal research is crucial for identifying effective methods, promoting legal framework uniformity and comprehension, as well as modernising the legal system. This article also discusses comparative law and model laws like the New York Convention (the “NYC”) on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards. Comparative law investigations ensure fair, efficient, and successful utilisation of legal systems. The author suggests that legal practitioners and scholars utilise it to clarify legal difficulties and find worldwide best practices.

Purpose – This paper is an attempt to analyze the performance of the Saudi equity diversified fund on the basis of return and risk evaluation before, during and after the global financial crisis (GFC).Methodology – The study uses secondary data of 12 Saudi mutual funds from Jan 2000 until Dec 2018. The analysis is conducted by assessing various performance and statistical measures including average return, standard deviation, Sharpe ratio, Treynor ratio, and Information ratio (IR), and M2 measure. The outcomes of these measures are compared with a benchmark, i.e. the stock market index Tadawul.Findings – The results show that funds managers showed good decisions attempts during the crisis to minimize investors losses as the majority of the funds had positive IR during the crisis. Although the crisis had negative effect on MFs in Saudi Arabia, they outperformed the market.Riyad Saudi Equity Fund and Saudi Fransi Saudi Istithmar Equity Fund outperformed all other fund in the sample during the crisis,Research Implications – This study would be useful for new investors who want to start investing in funds with good history of investment and portfolio management during the financial crises. For decision makers of Riyad Saudi Equity Fund and Saudi Fransi Saudi Istithmar Equity Fund, to find out the reasons for their superiority during the crisis period, and the relapse they experienced after the end of the crisis at a time when the rest of the mutual funds in the sample recovered.Originality/Value – The study is valuable to investors as it increases their knowledge about Saudi Arabia funds, which are attractive source of investing, since they still can offer a good return and perform better than the market, especially during crisis.

This piece attempt to discuss the term of settlement in arbitration, mediation, and conciliation; and to determine the validity of the terms of settlement in face the court or tribunal in relation to some of the major mediation and arbitration laws and rules. Inquiry revealed that the validity of terms of settlement rests on the Arbitral Tribunal in arbitration, and in mediation, its validity lies on when the Parties signs or where Mediator signs. Under Conciliation, the terms of settlement if agreed and signed by the parties, and endorsed by a Conciliator becomes valid and can be considered as Arbitral Award to be enforced by Courts. Discovery indicates that the Courts are always willing to enforce a term of settlement that stem from ADR Options in the form of Consent Judgement. The position of the parties, Rules of Court, and Arbitral Tribunal on the validity of executed terms of settlement under ADR will be highlighted.

Purpose- To evaluate the impact of key determinates of BIM technology adoption on various aspects of organizational and business performance in the UAE construction industry using the UTAUT model. The three factors examined in this study are performance expectancy, behavioral intention, use behavior and their impact on organizational performance.Methodology- This paper employs a theoretical background and proposes a research module to study the impact of key determinants of BIM technology adoption on organizational performance within UAE-based construction companies. The scope of this paper does not cover performing field empirical analysis.Findings- The paper's expected outcomes will allow a better understanding of the impact of BIM adoption key determinants of BIM technology, and organizational performance within the UAE construction industryImplications- The study can assist in maximizing the overall performance of companies within the UAE construction industry while adopting BIM technology, contributing to the literature in this area.Originality/ value - Discussing BIM technology adoption key determinates impact organizational and business performance related to the construction industry within the UAE by employing the UTAUT model to develop a new research model, which will allow construction companies to increase overall business performance by adopting new technology. This will also contribute to the literature related to the diffusion of new technologies.

It is crucial in the modern world to not only start thinking about savings and investing but also to act on it. For long term financial stability and growth, one needs to start saving and then carefully investing the savings in different investment avenues. Savings and investments are used interchangeably. But the fact is that both have different meanings with one common motive of safeguarding the future in terms of finance. This paper attempts to study the savings and investments outlined in the first ten years of employment in Dubai. Dubai has all possible investment avenues available, just like any other economy may have. The primary data were collected from 118 respondents, with 65 men and 53 women. It is found that most of the employees are aware of the savings and investments. Males are more aware and hence making more savings and investments as compared to females. It is also found that the majority of the employees save 10–20% of their earnings monthly. The purpose of saving is future security followed by safety and tax savings. Further research found a significant relationship between investment awareness and Gender and the relationship between educational qualification and selection of the investment avenues.Purpose: This study focuses on the savings and investment opportunities for the employees; further it will explore various factors that motivate employees to save and invest and factors that affect the investment behaviors of the employees.Methodology: Primary and secondary data sources were used for data collection. Primary data was collected from the targeted population who are in the first ten years of their employment in the UAE by using Google Forms. A probability sampling method was selected for this study. The research instrument was administered to 120 respondents out of which 118 were returned. 2 respondents could not return the form and hence the final sample size was 118, with 65 men and 53 women participating in the survey.Findings: A significant relationship between gender and investment awareness. Men are relatively more aware of the investment and savings avenues as compared to the women. Women are more driven to invest in gold as compared to their male counterparts. There is a positive relationship between level of education and awareness regarding saving and investment.Recommendations: Creating monthly and yearly budget is crucial for the financially safe future. Investments in liquid funds to have more flexibility can be considered in this age group. Consulting a financial advisor to make wise investment choices is recommended. Further research can be conducted on the gender-wise investment choices, investment choices at different age level from the early years of earning till retirement.

Purpose- The purpose of this paper is to analyze the level of innovation readiness in Dubai’s public sector by taking a critical look at the current facilitating conditions, analyzing the gaps that arise with the lack of various innovations in place, and offering recommendations to remedy the problem.Methodology- This study uses a cross-sectional study design by using information from peer-reviewed journal articles. The search process for the articles involved the use of relevant terms such as “innovation readiness,” “facilitating conditions,” as well as “Dubai Public Sector.” The search narrowed down 15 peer-reviewed journal articles that were now used for the study.Findings- This study identified research gaps from the literature review and highlighted how the literature could be broadened and possible research questions that can be identified from the literature.Implications- The intention to use innovation readiness is positively impacted by facilitating situations, but the effect is marginal after the initial usage. As a result, the Model suggests that conducive environments have an immediate, considerable impact on user behavior.Originality/ value- The Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology discussed in this essay gives insights into the various forms of technology by comparing prominent technology acceptance theories.

The goal of this study is to find out how well the communication processes in the UAE Utility Industry work with the Agile Project Management Approach. For this reason, the present study will incorporate a quantitative research methodology that will allow the researcher to verify secondary data on the agile project management strategy. The utility sector in the UAE will be surveyed, as will its management, to gather primary data. Agile project management has suitably made it possible to obtain an appropriate balance between stability and dynamism while providing an opportunity for quick and smart strategy, structure, and process. Due to potentially strong investment from the private sector and collaboration with global investor engagement, the utility sector is considered to be one of the strongest and most lucrative businesses that offers a wide range of services.Research into the many facets of communication has the potential to improve utility sector efficiency and the effectiveness of related undertakings, contributing to structuration theory.Team members should have a voice in the agile project management process, maintain open lines of communication with stakeholders, and discuss problems in a timely manner to increase tolerance and acceptance.