title: Developing middle leadership in a Vietnamese university- perceptions and practices : a case study from the Mekong Delta

authors: Truong, Thi My Dung (Annie)

subjects: educational leadership

abstract: The area of educational leadership in higher education is well documented in western literature. However, this area is largely under-researched in Vietnam, and this has inhibited the development of educational leadership in this country. Drawing on the experiences of ten middle leaders of a university in the South of Vietnam, this study explored some important aspects of educational leadership to help provide guidance for improving the quality of leadership work for this university, and more broadly, for other universities throughout the country. These aspects included professional learning, and participants' perceptions of effective leadership and sustainable leadership. This investigation also examined participants' perceptions of the relationship between leadership and management, and some challenges in their leadership work, to provide a comprehensive picture of the research topic. This qualitative research was located within the interpretive research paradigm and used a case study method to explore human leadership experiences and perceptions. It adopted two data collection methods, semi-structured interviews and an online questionnaire, and used thematic analysis as the data coding framework. The findings revealed that the particular context of Vietnam with the cultural influences of Confucianism and the political system of Socialism had significant influence upon educational leadership at this university. The study also indicated some tensions between the participants‟ perceptions and the literature that deserve consideration for changes to be made. Furthermore, it identified gaps in understanding in this field that necessitated further attention and investigation. In addition, this research disclosed major issues this university faces within its shifting process from a hierarchical bureaucratic model to a more shared distributed one. More broadly, it uncovered the socio-cultural, historical and political complexities of the country's transitional period. Overcoming these barriers will require effort, and awareness of the wider cultural context and the prevailing socio-political norms of Vietnamese society.

text: Developing middle leadership in a Vietnamese university- perceptions and practices : a case study from the Mekong Delta The area of educational leadership in higher education is well documented in western literature. However, this area is largely under-researched in Vietnam, and this has inhibited the development of educational leadership in this country. Drawing on the experiences of ten middle leaders of a university in the South of Vietnam, this study explored some important aspects of educational leadership to help provide guidance for improving the quality of leadership work for this university, and more broadly, for other universities throughout the country. These aspects included professional learning, and participants' perceptions of effective leadership and sustainable leadership. This investigation also examined participants' perceptions of the relationship between leadership and management, and some challenges in their leadership work, to provide a comprehensive picture of the research topic. This qualitative research was located within the interpretive research paradigm and used a case study method to explore human leadership experiences and perceptions. It adopted two data collection methods, semi-structured interviews and an online questionnaire, and used thematic analysis as the data coding framework. The findings revealed that the particular context of Vietnam with the cultural influences of Confucianism and the political system of Socialism had significant influence upon educational leadership at this university. The study also indicated some tensions between the participants‟ perceptions and the literature that deserve consideration for changes to be made. Furthermore, it identified gaps in understanding in this field that necessitated further attention and investigation. In addition, this research disclosed major issues this university faces within its shifting process from a hierarchical bureaucratic model to a more shared distributed one. More broadly, it uncovered the socio-cultural, historical and political complexities of the country's transitional period. Overcoming these barriers will require effort, and awareness of the wider cultural context and the prevailing socio-political norms of Vietnamese society.

year: 2012

title: Work hardening of quaternary powder metallurgy Ti alloys

authors: Al-hajiri, M

abstract: The concurrent addition of Al as α stabiliser and Nb and Cu or Mn as β stabilisers was used to design new powder metallurgy quaternary Ti alloys and investigate their manufacturability and consequent performance. It is found that the powder blend's compressibility decreases with the total amount of alloying elements due to the characteristics of the powders used. Consequently, the sintered density of the quaternary Ti alloys decreases and slightly higher values are achieved if Mn instead of Cu is used, despite the higher diffusivity of Cu at the sintering temperature. The quaternary Ti alloys are characterised by a lamellar microstructure comprising α grain boundaries and α+β lamellae where the amount and type of alloying elements determine the coarseness of the microstructural features. This results in stronger and harder but less ductile quaternary Ti alloys for higher alloying elements contents and for stronger β stabilisers, although of their overall elastoplastic behaviour. Because of their lamellar microstructure, the quaternary Ti alloys show similar deformation behaviour but the actual work hardening rate is governed by the fineness of the microstructure.

text: Work hardening of quaternary powder metallurgy Ti alloys The concurrent addition of Al as α stabiliser and Nb and Cu or Mn as β stabilisers was used to design new powder metallurgy quaternary Ti alloys and investigate their manufacturability and consequent performance. It is found that the powder blend's compressibility decreases with the total amount of alloying elements due to the characteristics of the powders used. Consequently, the sintered density of the quaternary Ti alloys decreases and slightly higher values are achieved if Mn instead of Cu is used, despite the higher diffusivity of Cu at the sintering temperature. The quaternary Ti alloys are characterised by a lamellar microstructure comprising α grain boundaries and α+β lamellae where the amount and type of alloying elements determine the coarseness of the microstructural features. This results in stronger and harder but less ductile quaternary Ti alloys for higher alloying elements contents and for stronger β stabilisers, although of their overall elastoplastic behaviour. Because of their lamellar microstructure, the quaternary Ti alloys show similar deformation behaviour but the actual work hardening rate is governed by the fineness of the microstructure.

year: 2024-04-01

title: Will access to COVID-19 vaccine in Aotearoa be equitable for priority populations?

authors: Whitehead, Jesse

abstract: AIM: This research examines the equity implications of the geographic distribution of COVID-19 vaccine delivery locations in Aotearoa New Zealand under five potential scenarios: (1) stadium mega-clinics; (2) Community Based Assessment Centres; (3) GP clinics; (4) community pharmacies; and (5) schools.
METHOD: We mapped the distribution of Aotearoa New Zealand’s population and the location of potential vaccine delivery facilities under each scenario. Geostatistical techniques identified population clusters for Māori, Pacific peoples and people aged 65 years and over. We calculated travel times between all potential facilities and each Statistical Area 1 in the country. Descriptive statistics indicate the size and proportion of populations that could face significant travel barriers when accessing COVID-19 vaccinations.
RESULTS: Several areas with significant travel times to potential vaccine delivery sites were also communities identified as having an elevated risk of COVID-19 disease and severity. All potential scenarios for vaccine delivery, with the exception of schools, resulted in travel barriers for a substantial proportion of the population. Overall, these travel time barriers disproportionately burden Māori, older communities and people living in areas of high socioeconomic deprivation.
CONCLUSION: The equitable delivery of COVID-19 vaccines is key to an elimination strategy. However, if current health services and facilities are used without well-designed and supported outreach services, then access to vaccination is likely to be inequitable.

text: Will access to COVID-19 vaccine in Aotearoa be equitable for priority populations? AIM: This research examines the equity implications of the geographic distribution of COVID-19 vaccine delivery locations in Aotearoa New Zealand under five potential scenarios: (1) stadium mega-clinics; (2) Community Based Assessment Centres; (3) GP clinics; (4) community pharmacies; and (5) schools.
METHOD: We mapped the distribution of Aotearoa New Zealand’s population and the location of potential vaccine delivery facilities under each scenario. Geostatistical techniques identified population clusters for Māori, Pacific peoples and people aged 65 years and over. We calculated travel times between all potential facilities and each Statistical Area 1 in the country. Descriptive statistics indicate the size and proportion of populations that could face significant travel barriers when accessing COVID-19 vaccinations.
RESULTS: Several areas with significant travel times to potential vaccine delivery sites were also communities identified as having an elevated risk of COVID-19 disease and severity. All potential scenarios for vaccine delivery, with the exception of schools, resulted in travel barriers for a substantial proportion of the population. Overall, these travel time barriers disproportionately burden Māori, older communities and people living in areas of high socioeconomic deprivation.
CONCLUSION: The equitable delivery of COVID-19 vaccines is key to an elimination strategy. However, if current health services and facilities are used without well-designed and supported outreach services, then access to vaccination is likely to be inequitable.

year: 2021