Technical session 1

Abstract :

Habib Jafar, an Islamic podcaster, is inviting figures from various religious backgrounds to address religious issues. The podcast has garnered remarkable attention from TikTok users. In this digital age, social media platforms like TikTok are becoming increasingly immersive and are used as a space to discuss about aspects of religions. However, creating a public sphere for interreligious engagement presents challenges. This research aims to explore how interreligious engagement unfolds among TikTok users who comment on Habib Jafar’s podcast and engage in discussion related to the podcast’s topic. Data were collected from comments on selected TikTok video (VT) reposting Habib Jafar’s podcast. These videos were chosen based on topics that stimulated free discussion and debate among commenters. The research methodology is grounded in virtual ethnography for data analysis. The findings reveal that interreligious engagement among TikTok users emerges from the podcast and the reposting content, leading to virality and inviting user participation. This engagement is characterized by users' courage to express opinions, pose questions—even sensitive ones—and create a space for discussing religious issues that may be hesitant or taboo to be addressed offline

Technical session 2

Abstract :

The roles of women are usually invisible in public space. However, women closely related with garbage due to their activities cleaning the house, kitchen and other routines. Yet, the awareness has not been ingrained in the mindset of Indonesian women. This situation is different with women in Kali Code Community, they actively engage in public through waste management program. This study examined what motives influenced women's movement in the program and to what extend it impacted the environment. This paper used qualitative research with observation in Kali Code area in Gondolayu. The village residents are vulnerable to natural disasters because they reside along the riverbank of Kali Code, which flows under the Merapi mountain, an active volcano in Indonesia. This research used in-depth interviews with key informants such as the leader and women activist. By using lived religion approached, an ethnographic framework that helps in understanding religion practiced in everyday life. The findings indicate that the women participation in the community reflect the application of religious understanding in their everyday life through waste management. Their understanding about human-waste drives personal desire to actively engage and create sustainable waste management programs. This also representing interconnected relationship between religion, humans, and nature.

Technical session 3

Abstract :

Organizations worldwide, particularly in Kuwait, are concerned with implementing a progressive workplace culture and fostering social innovation behaviours. The main aim of this research is to examine and establish a thorough comprehension of the relationship between an inventive organizational culture, employee intrapreneurial behaviour, authentic leadership, employee job satisfaction, and employee job commitment in the manufacturing sector of Kuwait, which is a developed economy. Literature reviews analyse the core concepts and their related areas by scrutinizing their definitions, dimensions, and importance to uncover any deficiencies in existing research. The examination of relevant research uncovered major gaps in understanding. This study examines the reliability and validity of a newly developed questionnaire designed to identify the appropriate applications for a large-scale investigation. A preliminary investigation was carried out, determining a sample size of 36 respondents selected randomly from a pool of 223 samples. SPSS was utilized to calculate the percentages of the demographic characteristics for the participants, assess the credibility of the measurements, evaluate the internal consistency, validate all agreements, and determine Pearson's correlation. The study's results indicated that the majority of participants were male (66.7%), aged between 35 and 44 (38.9%), and possessed a bachelor's degree (58.3%). Approximately 94.4% of the participants were employed full- time. 72.2% of the participants are employed in the electrical, computer, and ICT sector, whilst 8.3% work in the metal industry. Out of all the departments, the human resource department had the highest level of engagement, making up 13.9% of the total. Most participants (36.1%) possessed intermediate or advanced levels of experience, whilst 21% were classified as entry-level. Furthermore, 8.3% of individuals were categorized as first- level management, 22.2% were categorized as middle management, and 16.7% were categorized as executive or senior management. Around 19.4% of the participants have over a decade of professional experience. The Pearson's correlation coefficient for all 5 components varies between 0.4009 to 0.7183. The results indicate that all elements of the questionnaire were effectively verified, with a Cronbach alpha factor predominantly exceeding 0.6, which is the criterion commonly accepted by researchers. Therefore, the work on the larger scope of testing and analysis could continue.

Keywords:

pilot study; ESIB; innovative organizational culture; Kuwait; validation

Technical session 4

Abstract :

Writing is a fundamental skill for the academic success of first-year undergraduate students in English-medium institutions. Learners for whom the script and structure of their first language (Arabic) differ notably from those of English may find writing quite challenging. Thus, the ability to quickly and efficiently identify at-risk students at the time of enrollment in writing-intensive courses is critical to academic success. The present study examined whether vocabulary knowledge (as measured by the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test, PPVT) or reading scores (as measured by the reading- comprehension section of the TOEFL) could predict second-language learners’ performance in writing-intensive courses of the general education curriculum. Freshmen’s abilities to identify factual information as well as to infer information while reading accounted for a greater portion of the variance in course grades (38% and 27%, respectively) than did vocabulary knowledge as indexed by the raw scores of the PPVT (18%). These findings highlight the dependency of writing on reading skills. Furthermore, they indicate that the ability to identify factual information in a reading passage can be an efficient tool for identifying students who are likely to experience difficulties in writing at the university level.

Technical session 5

Abstract :

Take a Load off: How Cognitive Load Relates to Phonological Fluency of Novel Sounds in EFL Learners Arifi Waked, Reem Ahmad, Minnah Yassin, & Maura Pilotti Learning a foreign language not only requires the acquisition of a new set of phonological and lexical items. Foreign language learners must also inhibit the retrieval of items in their native language. Thus, retrieval of words with novel phonemes creates a heavy cognitive load on the working memory (WM) of English as a foreign language (EFL) learners. Our study investigated inhibitory control, phonemic fluency, and WM capacity in EFL learners. Participants were 71 native Arabic speakers enrolled in an English-medium university. Phonological fluency was tested using a phoneme found in both English and Arabic as the control condition (/f/), whereas a phoneme found in English but not Arabic was used as the test condition (/p/). Results showed significant relationships between phonological fluency of the novel consonant /p/ and measures of both WM capacity and inhibition. Findings suggest that greater cognitive load may be associated with the retrieval of words beginning with a novel phoneme. Thus, EFL learners may benefit from instruction targeting phonological awareness of novel phonemes to reduce the cognitive load in foreign language processing.

Technical Session 1: Education, Teaching, Learning & Assessment

Abstract :

The disruptive development of digital technology, especially in the fields of artificial intelligence (AI) and big data, has been able to change the industrial landscape in many aspects. The role of leaders is believed to be critical in guiding organizations towards successful acceptance of these technologies. However, there is still a void in the literature regarding the role of leadership in adopting AI in public organizations. This study aims to understand the role of leadership in the adoption of AI in public organizations. For that, this study provides a state-of-the-art summary of the literature on leadership and AI adoption. The analysis was carried out using VOSViewer. The analysis is based on big data from Scopus for the period between 2019 and 2024. The findings show that there has been a significant increase in research on AI technology in recent years, which reached its peak in 2023. Even so, of the many research topics regarding AI, studies that focus on the role of leadership and AI adoption in public organizations are still very rare. The lack of research on this topic could be due to research priorities that focus more on AI technology itself.

Keywords:

artificial intelligence, big data, leadership, public organization

Technical Session 2: Bioscience and Pharmaceutical Research

Abstract:

The importance of environmental sustainability has generated interest in research on the management of carbon emissions in various industry sectors. In this context, research on the relationship between board size and carbon performance has become increasingly important as part of the effort to understand how organizational structure affects corporate environmental practices and their impact on global climate change. The purpose of this study is to examine how board size affects carbon performance. The population consists of utility sector companies in ASEAN in 2022, totaling 116 companies. This study uses linear regression to test the hypothesis. The results of this study found that board size has a positive effect on carbon performance. A large board size can increase the company's capacity to make decisions regarding environmental strategies and carbon emission reduction policies. With more board members, there are more opportunities for diverse insights and inputs, which can help in making better and more comprehensive decisions. The results of this study contribute to the current discussion on the corporate governance characteristics of board size on the carbon performance of companies.

Keywords:

Board Size, Carbon Performance, Asean

Technical Session 3: Finance, Business, Management, Economics & Accounting

Abstract:

The application of human development metrics, such as GNI, life expectancy, and education, has led to the creation of numerous policies and plans aimed at enhancing people’s well-being. Despite compelling efforts to improve the well-being of people using the metrics, there has been a lack of qualitative evidence that explains the underlying factors that limit the well-being of poor people. Examining the lives of impoverished individuals in the states with higher household poverty, this study illuminated this issue. A qualitative study and an in-depth semi-structured interview were administered to 30 poor households. A purposive sampling technique was used to select respondents from the states with higher household poverty and participated in an income increment programme in Malaysia. Nvivo12 was used to analyse the data, and various themes emerged. Results show that ageing, illness, limited decision-making opportunities and a lack of ability to function were contributed to the poor well-being of the poorest people. It is important for the government to take into account the capabilities and capacity of the poor when developing poverty programmes to assist them.

Technical Session 4:

Abstract:

For over three decades, the Souf valley, located in the northeastern Algerian Sahara, has been facing the rise of groundwater due to the combined effect of irrigation water return and poorly drained wastewater discharge. The utilization of deeper groundwater through drilling into the Continental Intercalary (CI) and Terminal Complex (CT) aquifers of the SASS, to meet irrigation and domestic water supply needs, along with the expansion of urbanization inadequately covered by sewage networks and leaks in water supply and sanitation systems, has accelerated the rise in groundwater levels. This excess water situation has disrupted the oasis ecosystem and has had multiple consequences: Flooding of Ghouts, which constitute a particular oasis system in the Oued Souf region, consisting of depressions about ten meters deep, developed in the sands of the region since the 15th century, where date palms are cultivated, sheltered from desert winds, by tapping into the groundwater. Contamination and pollution of the groundwater by wastewater discharges. Suffocation and decline of palm groves, transformed into marshes where reeds replace palm trees. Deterioration of traditional urban fabric and threat of collapse of certain structures made of local materials. Flooding of certain low-lying parts of the city of El Oued. Emergence of waterborne epidemic and parasitic diseases. Works carried out based on the BG study (1988-2006) with considerable state investments have indeed led to the lowering of the water table, particularly in the outskirts of the city of Souf (agricultural areas). However, the phenomenon, although slowed down, continues to persist in urban areas, particularly in the lower parts of the city of Souf.

Keywords:

Souf, Algerian Sahara, Groundwater rise, Ghout, threatened ecosystem.

Technical Session 5: Arts, Humanities and social siences

Abstract:

The creed of ahl al-sunnah wa al-jamaah (the people of the sunnah and the community) is the largest denomination of Islam, followed by majority of Muslims in the world. In the case of Malaysia, Islam has been acknowledged as the religion of the Federation, while ahl al-sunnah wa al-jamaah is well accepted as Muslims’ creed and serves as the main source of reference especially in matters arising from Islamic doctrine However, it is undeniable that there are other creeds that do not conform to this creed such as Shia, Qadiyani as well as modern western ideologies such as humanism, pluralism, liberalism, rationalism and so on. These distorted theological sects and ideologies practice some deeds that are contrary to Islamic law such asmut'ah or temporary marriage, intense devotion to a particular individual, defining the legal ruling using logical reasoning and so on. These phenomena have led to misunderstandings especially among the young generation, thus leading to negative cultural practices that would impede the survival of the Muslim civilization in Malaysia.Therefore, this qualitative study is developed based on library research data. As a result, this article aims to elucidate the framework of ahl al-sunnah wa al-jamaah creed that should be preserved to keep up with the coming challenges to Muslims. Subsequently, it proposes several efforts and solutions that need to be considered for preserving the survival and status of this creed in Malaysia.

Keywords:

The creed of ahl al-sunnah wa al-jamaah, theological sects, deviant teaching, Muslim community.

Technical Session 6: Education, Teaching, Learning & Assessment

Abstract:

Hebrew has been known as a language that is associated with particular identities. The fact that Hebrew is spoken by the Jews, be the official language of Israel, and is used for writing Christian Bibles makes it very interesting to be learned. Unfortunately, this language is very unpopular in Indonesia, a country with the largest Moslem population in the world, especially in its madrasah (Islamic education) system. There is no single madrasah in Indonesia that teaches Hebrew. In fact, Hebrew is also very close to Arabic, a language that is taught massively in all madrasah in Indonesia. It is very surprising that Hebrew is so unknown by madrasah students, considering that their knowledge in Arabic would make them easier to learn Hebrew. It could be due to the lack of awareness of Hebrew’s importance and the strong anti-Israel sentiment in Indonesia. In fact, by learning Hebrew, it is hoped that the students can apply the values of multiculturalism. This article contains “conceptual idea” that is aimed to answer two questions: 1) What is the relationship between teaching Hebrew in Indonesian madrasah and promoting multiculturalism? 2) What is the proposed method of teaching Hebrew in Indonesian madrasah? The approach and method used in this research is a qualitative approach with a descriptive method. The conclusions that can be drawn are: 1) The teaching of Hebrew in Indonesian madrasah is closely related to promoting multiculturalism and tolerance 2) The proposed method of teaching Hebrew in Indonesian madrasah is using comparative method by juxtaposing Hebrew and Arabic linguistic features since students of madrasah in Indonesia are already familiar with Arabic.

Keywords:

Hebrew, madrasah, Indonesia, multiculturalism

Technical Session 7: Education, Teaching, Learning & Assessment

Abstract:

As streaming services have grown in popularity and technology has advanced, broadcasters are finding it more challenging to sustain their businesses as a result of the siphoning off of advertising to the digital platforms. Arguably, it is pertinent for the broadcasting industry to find ways to retain viewers in the free-to-air (FTA) television (TV). This study chose the East Coast region of Peninsular Malaysia as the population of research to explore TV viewing preferences. Survey was carried out from August to September 2023 using a multi-stage sampling procedure that resulted in 403 respondents. This study follows the uses and gratification (U&G) perspective with the aim to analyse the level of local content, social, pass time, relaxation, economic benefit, flexibility of use, issues, and content, and the relationship among the variables. The study found that the content that represents the East Coast culture has a positive and significant relationship with their attitude on the commercial breaks. All hypotheses constructed are supported and U&G applies in this study. Hence, the study suggests that there is an optimistic potential in FTA TV advertising if broadcasters are willing to evolve and adapt to the changing needs and viewing preference of the audiences.

Technical Session 8: Arts, Humanities and social sciences

Abstract:

This research aims to describe the meaning of Umpasa in the Mangupa-upa event and analyze the grammatical meaning of Umpasa. This research is empirical research, with a type of descriptive qualitative research. In this case, the researcher observed the traditional ceremony of Mangupa-upa to collect research data. Furthermore, the researcher examined the document of images of distinctive forms in traditional Mangupa-upa ceremonies related to Umpasa. The various Umpasa that are pronounced before Mangupa-upa have their grammatical meanings. Generally, the umpasa spoken for Mangupa-upa can be interpreted as hopes, prayers, and blessings for families who hold traditional ceremonies to obtain good things in the following days. It can be concluded that the Mangupa-upa ceremony is a ritual (adat isitiadat) carried out by the Batak tribe community in North Sumatra as a form of gratitude to the Creator and rejection of reinforcements against the possibilities of disasters that occur at any time.

Keywords:

Umpasa, Mangupa-upa, Batak Culture

Technical Session 9: Arts ,Humanities and social siences

Abstract:

The tradisional rituals “Ngaruwat Irung Irung” of Cihideung village, Parongpong, west Bandung is the rituals that performed routinely by local people in order to maintain the spring water that used of irrigation land. The purpose of this study is to describe characteristic of tradisional rituals “Ngaruwat Irung Irung” analyticaly. The method of this study includes literary and field studies in the form of interviews and study of written and drawn documentation. The interview was conducted to ritual practitioner of Ngaruwat Irung Irung. For written documentation studies have done by analyzing different kinds of books, journal, and an online news that contains all kind of things about these ritual activities. While, the draw documetation study is conducted by analize any kind of platform online videos that describe the ritual activities are happened. The writer can’t do a direct observation the Ngaruwat Irung Irung ritual is carried out every August or October while the deadline had already been determined. However, the kinds of analisis from information sources will not reduce the essence of the main ritual activities. The results of this study shows that the traditional ritual of Ngaruwat Irung Irung can be strengthen the character of the community work, responsibility,caring, gratitude and creativity to others that have participated of the activities.

Keywords:

the traditional rituals, Ngaruwat Irung-Irung, the characteristic.

Technical Session 10: Education, Teaching, Learning & Assessment

Abstract:

Writing Skills have an important role of conveying idea and cleary information that structured and directed to others. Based on observasion result of the fifth grade students in SD N 015 Kresna, Cicendo, Bandung, West Java, they have difficulties of writing narrative essays. Students can't choosing the right words to convey their ideas clearly. The purpose of this study is to know the improvement in narrative writing skills of fifth grade students who get brainwriting learning method with media storybird. Research method that used in this study named quasy experiment with one group predict postest design. Based on the result of the research, it can be improved the writing Skills of narrative essays of fifth grade students who obtained the learning brainwriting method with storybird media. According to calculations using software SPPS with value of 0.05 that got the signature value of the data obtained by 0.001. This case already proves that H0 was rejected and H1 was accepted, that can be see from the improvement from the students about their narrative writing skills especially of fifth grade students who obtained brainwriting method/models with media storybird.

Keywords:

Writing Skills, Narrative Essay, Brainwriting, Storybird

Technical Session 11: Education, Teaching, Learning & Assessment

Abstract:

Global citizenship education is becoming increasingly important in this era that continues to evolve globally. In the midst of growing human mobility and intensifying intercultural interactions, it is important for civic education to adopt an inclusive and multicultural approach. The main goal is to harmonize global citizenship education with the principles of multiculturalism in order to bridge differences and foster unity. This study aims to explore challenges and opportunities in aligning global citizenship education with multiculturalism. First, it will discuss the importance of recognizing and respecting the diversity of cultures, languages, religions and traditions in the education curriculum. Second, it will analyze how an inclusive approach can help overcome intercultural competition and stereotypes and promote mutual understanding and cooperation between individuals from different cultural backgrounds. Furthermore, this study will discuss the importance of developing cross-cultural skills and deep understanding of global issues in a multicultural context. This can be done through the use of technology and educational resources that allow students to interact with people from different cultures and learn about the global challenges faced by different communities. This research will also explore the important role of educators and educational institutions in creating an inclusive environment and adopting a diversity-responsive approach. Collaboration between educators, parents and the community will also be clarified as an important factor in supporting the harmonization of global citizenship education with multiculturalism.

Keywords:

global citizenship education, multiculturalism, unity

Technical Session 12:

Abstract:

In today's digital landscape, using social media platforms and student influencers has become essential in shaping a university's image and fostering stakeholder engagement. A lack of effective social media management can potentially jeopardize a university'sreputation, yet properly integrating these tools and resources can yield significant benefits. Research suggests that universities with well-developed social media strategies are better equipped to market their services, improve audience engagement, and increase the reach of their messaging. Previous research suggests that, while the presence on various platforms was high, the audience engagement level needed to be improved. It underscores the importance of establishing a social media presence, cultivating meaningful interactions, and fostering community. Social media is a powerful and effective way to promote their activities and thus significantly improve the education sector. This study aims to enhance the image and reputation of public universities by optimizing their social media and student influencers. This qualitative study reviews past and recent studies through document analysis to form the study's conceptual framework. In addition, in-depth interviews were conducted with corporate communication officers at universities. Academic and industry experts in corporate communication then verified the data. The study focuses on four zones in Peninsular Malaysia: Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). The data obtained from interviews are then analyzed using qualitative content analysis. This study implies that universities can optimize the role of social media and student influencers to enhance the university's image to its best level. The findings also provide several vital social media that universities with different types of use and different scopes typically use. The strategic deployment of student influencers can further amplify a university's presence and bolster its image. Hence, by leveraging the credibility and relatability of student influencers, universities can more effectively connect with prospective and current students, showcasing campus life, academic opportunities, and student achievements.

Technical Session 13: STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics)

Abstract:

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives have become integral to corporate strategies worldwide, aiming to align business objectives with societal well-being. This article explores the pivotal role of CSR in harmonizing corporate and community objectives to achieve sustainable development in Malaysia. It investigates how businesses can leverage CSR initiatives to bridge gaps between corporate strategies and community needs, fostering mutual growth and resilience. By examining successful case studies and current CSR practices, the article highlights how integrated CSR efforts can lead to improved social well-being, enhanced corporate reputation, and long-term sustainability. The findings demonstrate that aligning corporate and community goals through CSR not only addresses local socio-economic challenges but also contributes to broader national development goals. This article provides valuable insights for business leaders, policymakers, and researchers on the potential of CSR as a unifying force for creating a shared vision of a sustainable future and effective strategies for maximizing the positive impact of CSR initiatives on Malaysian society.

Technical Session 14:

Abstract:

Many organizations focusing on CSR engage in activities such as charity work and community development. However, numerous companies are unable to implement CSR initiatives due to financial constraints and other challenges. One effective way for organizations to demonstrate their commitment to social responsibility is through social media campaigns. In recent years, mental health has emerged as a critical area of concern, prompting corporations to leverage their resources and influence to promote mental well-being. Social media, with its vast reach and engagement potential, offers an effective medium for such campaigns. This study examines the strategies employed by corporations in deploying mental health awareness campaigns via social media, the effectiveness of these campaigns in raising awareness, and their alignment with broader CSR objectives. Findings suggest that CSR-driven mental health campaigns on social media significantly enhance public awareness and engagement, contributing to the destigmatization of mental health issues. Furthermore, the rapid pace of content consumption on social media might result in important messages being overlooked or quickly forgotten. This study underscores the need for careful planning and execution of mental health campaigns on social media to mitigate these issues. It also highlights best practices for corporations aiming to design impactful mental health awareness campaigns and underscores the role of social media as a powerful tool for CSR activities.