Vol 2 Issue 1 January 2014-March 2014

Abstract: International students have diverse needs when undertaking education in Philippine universities. It is in the interest of both international students and the host institution to ensure these students achieve success in their studies. This study explores, from the students’ perspective, the academic adjustment experiences of undergraduate international Thomasian students. Descriptive design was used for the study.  The transcribed data was analyzed using Microsoft Excel. The objective of this study is to determine the academic adjustment experiences of the targeted students. The results of this study shows that most of the student prefer to study in the Philippines because of the friendly Filipinos, and prefer to study at UST because the university offers the desired course. Most informants adjust in studying at UST by using the library and reading in advance. Seeking help from staff, senior students and classmates, and having a group study are also used by informants in ensuring their successful academic adjustment at UST. Of the responses received, first semester was commonly regarded as the most difficult time for making the adjustment to the new environment; however, results show that most international students are already adjusted academically at the 1^st to 2^nd month of the 1^st semester.  The factors that aggravate the adjustment of international students are student-staff interaction, student – student interaction, and developing independence while studying in the Philippines.

Keywords: adjustment, adjust, international students, transition.

Title: The Academic Experiences of Undergraduate International Thomasian Students

Author: Juntarciego Gerlene Kay, Maderazo Rei Gilson L., Malipero Lisette Tricia, Masalunga Stephanie

Affiliation: University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines.

International Journal of Thesis Projects and Dissertations (IJTPD)

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Abstract: Narcotics are one of the unsolved issues of the current world. Annually it takes hundreds of thousands of lives around the world. In addition, the usage of narcotics results in drug addiction and death. Despite the creation of several international conventions on prevention and trafficking of drugs, they are still available in many parts of the world.

Afghanistan is one of those countries where drug addiction has been on rise for several decades. The opium poppy plant first introduced by Arab traders is currently creating major problems for this country. The cultivation of this plant increased during the invasion of Soviet Union and later became an integral part of Afghanistan’s illicit economy.

Like other countries, narcotics have impacted social, economic, and security fields of Afghanistan, leaving around a million addicted, helping in increasing crime rate, and family violence, and affecting the already poor economy. Furthermore, links between the insurgents and drug traffickers have worried officials in Kabul.

Therefore, as a student of Master of Public Policy, I decided to do some research on these three types of impacts on opium on Afghanistan. In social impacts on narcotics in Afghanistan, I found a growing numbers of addicts left unemployed and without proper treatment. Moreover, the findings also pointed out to their role in increasing crimes in the country. Furthermore, I also found that there are limited numbers of drug treatment facilities in the country with majority of them run by NGOs.

In the economic impact of narcotics in Afghanistan, I found the increasing role of Hawala (money transfer) in illicit economy. Through this system, millions of dollars of illicit money is transferred annually. Moreover, the system gives the government little access to the source, sender, and recipient of the money, therefore paving the way for an easy and untraceable transfer of millions of dollars to drug lord and insurgents.  

In the security impact of narcotics in Afghanistan, I found that how the Taliban are benefiting from drug business, how much do they earn, and what are the methods of collection. This section also discusses the links between insurgents and drugs in South and East of the country. In addition, I have also discussed the Afghan and U.S. Governments counter narcotic strategies as well as their outcomes and further findings on shortcomings.

I hope that this thesis project will provide some information to readers on social, economic, and security impacts on narcotics in Afghanistan. Nevertheless, a brief history of Afghanistan is also provided in order to give readers necessary information on Afghanistan. This thesis also explains the definition, types, and history of narcotics. Furthermore, the history of narcotics specifically in Afghanistan is discussed in detail and in two sections; before U.S. invasion in 2001, and after U.S. invasion in 2001. The thesis also presents a clear picture of U.S. counter narcotic strategy and its pillars as well as its shortcomings.

Title: Social and Economic Impact of Narcotics in Afghanistan

Author: Abdul Saleem Achak

Affiliation: Willy Brandt School of Public Policy, University of Erfurt, Germany

International Journal of Thesis Projects and Dissertations (IJTPD)

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Abstract: In a resistant cultivar, the defense system of the host is activated properly in time and to a sufficient magnitude necessary to suppress the advancement of the pathogen resulting in decreased or no disease. Whereas in a susceptible cultivar, in spite of the presence of general defense genes, are unable to block the advancement of the pathogen and disease development, since these are activated either late or their magnitude of expression is of a lower amount. However, with the use of certain biotic or abiotic defense inducers even susceptible cultivars can be made resistant by activating their disease defense response system. Plant activators are chemicals that activate the defense genes in plants by providing signals via the signal transduction pathway mediated by salicylic acid. Since plant activators do not have any pesticidal or antibiotic activity, their adverse effects on human health and environment are minimal. In addition, since they do not interact directly with the pathogens, it is unlikely that plant pathogens will develop resistance to these chemicals. Among the plant activators, important ones are acibenzolar-S-methyl, 2, 6-dichloroisonicotinic acid, β-aminobutyric acid, probenazole, salicylic acid, riboflavin, prohexadione- Ca, potassium phosphonate, harpin and methyl jasmonate. The success of defense inducers for plant disease control depends on our ability to manage their phytotoxicity either by chemical modification of the compound or by modifying their formulation. Since, plant activators would never be able to provide complete protection; they could be more suited as a component of integrated disease management.

Keywords: Plant activators, Systemic acquired resistance, Signal transduction, Induced systemic resistance, Defense response.

Title: Synthetic Plant Activators for Crop Disease Management – A Review

Author: Sreeja. S.J

International Journal of Thesis Projects and Dissertations (IJTPD)

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Abstract: The research paper is discussing the various attitudes and behaviour to seek information received through internet from 100 library and information science (LIS) professionals having different designations in various organizations of different states in India. In technological modern era, this research is helpful to user to keep themselves updated and to provide the detail study and information regarding how many the innovative services like library software, classification and cataloguing schemes, RFID systems and Barcode system are used in library. It also indicating a detailed study on which types of information sources are available in library, which information services are provided and with the access of internet, user can get various information as per their requirements. Further, its showing details study which policy (system) is adopted to attract the more users.

Keywords: Information seeking behaviour, Information sources, Information services, Internet use, Library and Information Science (LIS) professionals in India.

Title: Information Seeking Behaviour of Library and Information Science Professionals in India

Author: Mr. Naresh A. Babariya, Dr. M.G. Patel, Ms. Alka V. Gohel

International Journal of Thesis Projects and Dissertations (IJTPD)

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Abstract: In this study, the researchers examined the effect of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on financial performance of MTN Ghana Limited. By so doing, the researchers sought to extend the current body of knowledge in the area. Relevant data for the study were obtained from management employees of MTN Ghana Limited, Accra in a cross-sectional survey design. Convenient sampling technique was used to select 35 participants for the study. The study employed standard multiple regression and hierarchical multiple regression for testing the research hypotheses in order to achieve the objectives of the study. The research results showed that CSR at the aggregate level did not have significant positive effect on financial performance. At disaggregate level, it was found that, community CSR and environmental CSR have significant positive and negative effect on financial performance respectively. On the other hand, employee CSR and customer CSR did not have significant negative and positive effect on financial performance of MTN Ghana Ltd correspondingly. The study further found that employees CSR and customers CSR accounted for more variance in financial performance of the company than CSR towards community and environment. The study discusses important implications regarding the research results and made recommendations for management consideration and implementation.

Keywords: Corporate Social Responsibility, Financial Performance, MTN Ghana Limited

Title: The Effect of Corporate Social Responsibility on Financial Performance of MTN Ghana Limited

Author: Alex Anlesinya, Joseph Ahinsah, Fatimatu Bawa, Eunice W. Appoh, Zakari Bukari

International Journal of Thesis Projects and Dissertations (IJTPD)

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