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Evaluation of research performance has significantly increased in importance, particularly in many emerging higher education systems. In Malaysia, the Malaysian Research Assessment (MyRA) was developed to evaluate the research performance of universities and Research Centres of Excellence (RCoEs). This paper reports on a participatory action research approach aimed at developing a new framework for measuring research performance of Malaysian RCoEs. The introduction provides the contexts leading to the development and adoption of the MyRA including the challenges and its appropriateness as a tool for evaluating the research performance of relatively smaller entities namely, RCoEs. A stepwise approach in developing an alternative system of assessment for RCoEs is then described, leading to a list of prioritised components and criteria for the newly proposed tool. Finally, some of the wider implications of the new assessment framework are discussed, including the applicability to other contexts, lessons learned, and the contribution to the literature.

Traditional economic activity is one of the important elements in the Orang Asli community's way of life to secure food for a living and at the same time sustaining their customs and belief systems. However, as the global economy is revolving and becoming money-based economy, the Orang Asli community is facing a great threat. Hence, this study aims to observe the Orang Asli especially the Semelai and Semai communities' traditional economic activity and challenges in sustaining their traditional activities. Therefore, the data collection method used is survey and in-depth interview. This study finds that both Semelai and Semai community practices the same economic activity which is cash-crop economic activity and self-sufficiency. Both subgroups do have few similarities and also differences in values and belief system especially involving the traditional agriculture activity. In fact, they are at risk of food insecurity. Hence, this paper highlights the importance of preserving the traditional economic activity so the community able to gain equal access to food supplies and reclaim their rights as Orang Asli. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The best way to manage used batteries without causing adverse effects to the environment is through recycling. The objective of this study to identify relations and factors which encourage the recycling of used batteries by understanding the behaviour and awareness among the students using Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB). School students in Bangi, Malaysia were selected as case study. A total of 349 respondents from 4 schools located in Bangi (namely SMK Bandar Baru Bangi, SMK Jalan Tiga, SMK Jalan Empat and SMK Dato' Abu Bakar Baginda) had been chosen using cluster sampling method. The study shows that there are a few significant positive relations, which include infrastructure and behavioural control (r = 0.359); responsibility and behavioural control (r = 0.395); attitude and intention (r = 0.182); willingness to pay and behaviour (r = 0.332). By using regression analysis, the social norm factor is the main factor which encourages recycling of used batteries among respondents based on the TPB theory, and followed by the factors of willingness to pay, attitude and behavioural control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Tourism has assisted the development of environmental, economic, social and cultural aspects of island communities. While there are some previous studies on the impacts of tourism development across Langkawi, it is necessary to consider the impacts of tourism development on individual island communities. Kampung Padang Puteh, Mukim Kedawang, Langkawi is located on the route between the island's main tourism attraction areas, Pantai Cenang and Pantai Tengah (which are highly affected by tourism activities). This purpose of this study is to examine the impacts of tourism development with regard to benefits and challenges based on the local community perspective. A combination of quantitative and qualitative approaches was used in this study through a questionnaire to 49 household representatives, and individual interviews that were conducted with 16 selected key informants in Kampung Padang Puteh. Analysis of mean, Spearman's rho correlation and qualitative approaches were used to interpret the data. The main findings concern community well-being and the benefits and challenges of tourism development impacts for the local community. It was found that the local community have improved their socioeconomic level through employment opportunities, additional income and language skills. While social ties were still good, negative aspects pose challenges. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the extent of community well-being in the midst of tourism development, which is the key element in achieving a sustainable society, particularly for island communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Science education emphasises on obtaining knowledge, in which includes hands-on knowledge involving experiments conducted in laboratories. However, since experiments require interactions between students, substances, and equipment, laboratories that can pose great risks to users. In this regards, the Ministry of Education Malaysia has taken proactive approach to enhance laboratory safety via School Science Laboratory Management and Safety guidebook, textbooks, and science-based practical workbooks that are used throughout secondary schools in Malaysia. It is challenging to ascertain students' awareness on laboratory safety throughout Malaysia, hence this study selected 8 secondary schools located in Pahang as case study to determine students' awareness on laboratory safety. A questionnaire was developed by focusing on five components, namely work procedure, safety equipment, handling experiments, chemical waste management, and emergency response plan, and then the questionnaire was completed by 558 science stream students from schools located at urban and rural areas. The results of this study indicate that the overall level of students' awareness on laboratory safety is at medium-high level, and this has shown that the existing measures in secondary school to enhance awareness of laboratory safety is adequate. Nevertheless, there are still room for improvement to further enhance students' awareness on laboratory safety in Malaysia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conserving heritage is significant because it reflects and builds local community identities, assists in promoting sustainability and provides sense of place. Geopark concept promotes three main components, namely conservation of heritage resources, provision of tourism infrastructure and local socioeconomic development. Strengthening local community engagement through active participation is pertinent to ensure success of geopark implementation. Engaging local community in heritage conservation collaboratively with other stakeholders is crucial as it has the potential to transform values, practices and overall behaviour towards sustainability. Nevertheless, how local community is engaged has been contested because often the term community engagement used in development process does not fully reflect the extent to which local community is actually able to participate. The main objective of this article is to examine local community engagement in heritage conservation, using geopark experiences from the Asia Pacific region. Analysis of findings will be discussed qualitatively in twofold: firstly, based on results from reviews of secondary data resources and official geopark websites, secondly through survey obtained from 30 participants, from aspiring and UNESCO Global Geoparks member countries, who attended the Asia Pacific Geopark Network (APGN) Regional Course on Geoparks in 2015 and 2017. Heritage conservation, in geopark-based activities, is expressed in various ways, amongst which as a cultural process, such as social interaction of festivals and exhibitions, as well as in natural resource management. In general, main findings indicated there are room for opportunities in geopark-based activities to encourage social learning from local community and stakeholders on heritage conservation. It is pertinent that local community are engaged in activities that would strengthen their sense of belonging as local custodians towards promoting sustainable resource utilisation in balancing conservation with development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integrating scientific and cultural knowledge is pivotal in the conservation of a geopark. Using case study from the Langkawi UNESCO Global Geopark, the main aim of this article is to discuss the connection between scientific aspects of geological landscape and myths, legends and folklore in the area (or also known as geomythology). Langkawi's geological landscape comprises five key rock formations known as Machincang, Setul, Singa, Chuping and igneous rock of Gunung Raya. Each formation consists of exposed rock diversity that resulted from tectonic activity and weathering process caused by waves and surface runoff water. Langkawi's geological landscapes are bestowed with distinctive rock diversity that hold within them mysterious legends, myths and folklore, in which connect local communities with landscapes. Among the well-known geomythology, or legends associated within these geological landscapes, are Gunung Machinchang, Gunung Raya and Belanga Pecah (Battle of the Giants of Mat Chinchang and Mat Raya), Gua Cherita (Legend of The Roman Emperor's Son and mythical giant bird) and Pulau Dayang Bunting (Tale of A Pregnant Maiden). The interpretation of landscape from a scientific perspective together with cultural knowledge has revealed an intrinsic link between geology and its people. In a sense, geomythology carries great significance to geopark development, not only for conservation purpose but it also serves as a means to boost local tourism that can in turn facilitate the local socio-economic development of the island. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food is a basic human need, which is very important for physical growth and mental development. Therefore, this study aimed to discusses the factors that contribute to food security threatened Lanoh community in terms of food availability, food accessibility, food utilization and food system stability. The study was conducted using surveys and interviews. 47 of respondents involved in the questionnaires and 10 respondents involved in in-depth interviews. The analysis showed that in reality Lanoh community is faced with the threat of food security that can affect their health. Logging activities resulted in a reduction in the availability of food. Besides that, factors such as limited accessibility of food to low income, lack of ownership of the vehicle, there is no public transport available and poor road conditions have restricted their ability to get food. From nutritional aspects shows that this community practice an unhealthy eating and unbalanced diet that is low in protein and dairy products oriented for the growth and health. Finally, logging resulted in the destruction of the forest resources and pose a threat to the stability of food supply of population in the future. Therefore, the lack of availability and accessibility to healthy and sufficient food, practice unhealthy diet and instability of food supply is a factor in the occurrence of food security threat to the community Lanoh that can affect their health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geopark is an innovative developmental approach that was introduced globally and it gives serious attention to the concept of a holistic development covering aspects of heritage conservation, community development, socio-economic improvement and public education. Efforts to integrate all the above aspects require a good integrated governance system that builds networking and common understanding between all the stakeholders. An integrated governance system implies that there is a need to find shared values as a binding agent of social relations at the organisational, institutional, and individual levels. This paper is based on an exploratory study that aims to identify the major components of shared values in order to strengthen the local community's common agenda for heritage conservation and sustainable livelihood. The study employed focus group discussions involving 21 respondents representing 15 stakeholders in Kilim Geoforest Park. The data collected were transcribed verbatim and went through various levels of data processing before arriving at the final themes. Five main components of shared values were developed which are: (1) natural and cultural heritage conservation; (2) infrastructure and support systems; (3) tourism and socio-economic development; (4) transfer and dissemination of knowledge; and (5) ecosystem sustainability. In general, the values of commitment, cleanliness, safety and carrying capacity received particular attention among the community stakeholders in their efforts to ensure a sustainable development of ecotourism in Kilim. Based on the findings, a framework for public education was developed grounded on the five shared values that takes into consideration the functions and responsibilities of each of the stakeholders. The educational intervention gives attention to two approaches which are stakeholder's and shared value approaches. It is hoped that the identified shared values can be incorporated into the development of an integrated governance system in Langkawi Geopark in order to help achieve the objectives of sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role and importance of education and learning as an effective way to ensure a participatory approach in natural resource management and conservation has received considerable attention in recent years. On Langkawi Island, the formation of co-operative community resource management, Komuniti Pengurusan Sumber Perikanan (KPSP), or, formerly, fishermen economic groups, Kumpulan Ekonomi Nelayan (KEN), in 2001 is a significant attempt to emphasise the value of local involvement in natural resource management. This article aims to examine the importance of local community engagement in resource management through participation in selected fishing communities on the island. To this purpose, concepts from transformative learning theory are applied to understand how interactions among adults, through their participation in resource management, can promote learning and social change. The findings indicate a number of motivators and challenges to education, such as opportunities for dialogues, leadership and changes in behaviour, that occur at the community level. In conclusion, this study concurs that active local participation in resource management would allow members of the community to learn about natural resources and that such learning can lead to concrete actions on the ground towards sustainable solutions. Therefore, further research must focus on improving the forms of local participation in resource management to provide space for more and more effective education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study has three main purposes. The first is to examine the planning and implementation processes involved in Langkawi's development - particularly since its establishment as an international tourist destination - providing a brief account of the stages of its development from a dutyfree island (1987) to Global Geopark (2007). The second purpose is to identify Langkawi's degree of marginality in terms of its livelihood assets, particularly its human, social and financial capital. The third focus of study addresses the issue of whether Geopark status has the potential to enhance livelihoods and the sustainability of island communities. Case studies of three locations on Langkawi (Padang Mat Sirat, Kilim and Pulau Tuba) are used to illustrate marginalisation in different types of locality. The results confirm that at local levels, the trickledown effect of growth that benefits and reaches poor and vulnerable groups takes time due to the degree of accessibility of groups to resources, social and physical infrastructures and achievement in education and technical skills. In fact, the unemployment rate was significantly high for these areas, especially for Pulau Tuba due to its location off the main island. Regarding local participation based on types of employment, the results confirm little movement in terms of upward mobility. Hence, investment efforts, either by government or the private sector, are needed to revive the present economic activities with diversified concepts that are appropriate for the local community. The challenge to ensure effective participation and sustainability is a multifaceted one which requires commitment from individuals, the community and development agencies such as LADA and the District Office, to channel suitable socioeconomicdriven projects to improve local livelihoods and to encourage bottomup participation among locals by empowering them in the development and planning processes [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The theory of resilience has been studied in numerous disciplines as interdisciplinary research. It involved different fields of studies such as psychology, psychopathology, human development, and environmental hazard. Nevertheless, further research on the extension theory of resilience is needed in the field of the built environment. The study aims to explore the position of resilience in the built environment, specifically in urban agriculture practices. The objectives are (i) to explain the meaning of resilience, (ii) to describe the evolution of resilience concerning the built environment, and (iii) to determine the construct of resilience in urban agriculture practices. This study employs qualitative research through a scoping review and systematic literature review by three phases encompasses identification, screening, and eligibility of secondary sources. A new definition and comprehensive explanation of the evolution of resilience are proposed subject to the built environment. This review addressed four core constructs, which are the natural environment, economic environment, social environment, and the built environment. In this context, resilience has the role of adapting to the urban food insecurity stresses among urban communities. This association is believed to be driven by interdisciplinary research which is further recognized as one of the initiatives in sustainable development strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]