This research aims to evaluate the level of postsecondary student satisfaction with online learning platforms and learning experiences during the novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). This paper is based on the premise of transformative learning theories [1], which describe the learners’ authority and investment over their learning. Quantitative research was carried out using a survey that was sent out to 283 students enrolled at one higher education institution in KSA. These data were analyzed using SPSS. Average Mean Score (AMS) was used for data analysis, where the results are validated using the Standard Deviation (SD), Skewness and Kurtosis test, and Cronbach Alpha test. The research findings revealed that the students are satisfied with the university staff and faculty members who agreed on specific online platforms to use, grading system, assessment options, training workshops, online technical support, and more. The research findings also showed that participants were highly satisfied with Google Hangouts the most for lecture delivery, followed by Google Classroom and LMS (Moodle) for course management and assessments. With only respect to the students’ online learning experiences, the COVID-19 situation within this study context was handled adequately. This study calls for further research into the integration of professional development workshops and practical training courses for online learning and teaching to endorse innovative teaching techniques and alternative assessment plans for instructors, learners, administrators, and policymakers.

Organizations focus on human resources to improve performance as a result of high global competition and a dynamic business environment. In today’s competitive environment, employee performance and job satisfaction are critical to the achievement of a company’s goals. Job satisfaction is an organization’s unnoticed success. Employee performance and job satisfaction are powerful tools that help in continuously developing and improving organizational performance to achieve strategic objectives. Job satisfaction is critical to the overall productivity of any given industry. Job satisfaction is important for both the employer and the employee. According to studies, employers greatly benefit from satisfied employees because they are more productive. One of the most important goals of a company is to maximize employee performance to achieve those goals. As a result, the focus of this study was on identifying the factors of job satisfaction and employee performance. It also evaluated the relationship between job satisfaction and employee performance in Pakistani construction projects. A detailed literature review was used to identify various factors, which were then shortlisted based on their relevance to the Pakistani construction industry by interviewing ten experienced practitioners. Totals of 11 job satisfaction and eight employee performance parameters were discovered. In total, 85 samples were collected as part of the data collection process via a questionnaire survey and statistically analyzed using multiple regression analysis. According to the results, all of the models have a high ability to compute the increase in employee performance criteria via the predicting variables. The overall models are significant because a value less than 0.05 indicates that they are. The study’s findings will assist practitioners in understanding the critical criteria that will increase employer satisfaction and improve performance.

The construction industry (CI) has a significant impact on the environment and on climate change due to the emission of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide. Globally accepted Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), specifically SDG 7 (Access to Affordable, Reliable, Sustainable and Modern Energy for All), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) stress the responsible utilization of energy in various industries, including construction. The CI uses almost half of the world’s produced energy. Therefore, this research presents insights into the efficient use of energy in the building sector and shows how energy efficiency can be achieved by altering different parameters and components like orientation, materials, glazing, and HVAC systems through a case study of a hospital building in Green Building Studio (GBS). This paper also aims to use the Building Information Modelling (BIM) approach to make environmentally sustainable decisions to reduce energy waste in projects. Initially, beneficial factors of BIM on green buildings were identified in the literature and later ranked, based on expert opinions collected using a set of questionnaires. Average Index was used for data analysis. The identified benefits were validated by conducting energy analyses on a hospital model through 3D BIM. It was concluded that a substantial share of energy cost, carbon dioxide (CO₂), and electricity can be saved using this approach. It was determined that a quick and sustainable design process, improved energy efficiency, enhanced building performance, and provision of better design alternatives are the key benefits of the adoption of BIM by such projects. A Cronbach’s alpha value of 0.822 was obtained, which further validates the results. The proposed approach may lead future structures to be sustainable and enriches the culture of energy-efficient green buildings.

Metal alloys like stainless steel, titanium, and cobalt-chromium alloys are preferable for bio-implants due to their exceptional strength, tribological properties, and biocompatibility. However, long-term implantation of metal alloys can lead to inflammation, swelling, and itching because of ion leaching. To address this issue, polymers are increasingly being utilized in orthopedic applications, replacing metallic components such as bone fixation plates, screws, and scaffolds, as well as minimizing metal-on-metal contact in total hip and knee joint replacements. Ceramics, known for their hardness, thermal barrier, wear, and corrosion resistance, find extensive application in electrochemical, fuel, and biomedical industries. This review delves into a variety of biocompatible materials engineered to seamlessly integrate with the body, reducing adverse reactions like inflammation, toxicity, or immune responses. Additionally, this review examines the potential of various biomaterials including metals, polymers, and ceramics for implant applications. While metallic biomaterials remain indispensable, polymers and ceramics show promise as alternative options. However, surface-modified metallic materials offer a hybrid effect, combining the strengths of different constituents. The future of biomedical implant materials lies in advanced fabrication techniques and personalized designs, facilitating tailored solutions for complex medical needs.

Educational institutes always explore new ways and trends to improve teaching and ensure learning in the classroom, especially at the higher educational level. In this fast-growing, dynamic world, the field of information technology (IT) has made huge progress in different sectors, including the education sector. Initially, the educational process and stakeholders’ resistance made it challenging to implement new information-technology-based solutions in this key sector, but the recent pandemic made it easier at different stages. Universities must allow students to play an active role in developing pedagogy and share their ideas in order to meet the 21st century learning needs of today’s students. This paper investigates the key challenges in a 21st century education. An extensive literature review was carried out for this research, followed by targeted expert feedback. The paper concludes that universities must cope with enrollment, finance and student support concerns in addition to transitioning their on-campus programs to virtual settings. Faculty must be interactive, captivating, collaborative and thought-provoking. Students should have a choice in how they learn knowledge and display it in accordance with their requirements and preferences. Technology usage should be interesting, efficient and responsible to improve the learner’s experience. Students should also be taught how their education will affect their future and global impact.

Floods have been reported to be an important disaster in any country and Malaysia has faced similar disasters in the past, resulting in disturbance in daily community routine issues, financial losses, infrastructure damage including railway tracks, bridges, roads, vehicles, properties, and the worst is the loss of lives. The Sarawak region of Malaysia also witnesses yearly disasters in rainy seasons. The purpose of this paper is to explore the possible challenges to manage the flood disaster in Sarawak and to identify the possible solutions to manage floods. In this research, secondary data was used for qualitative assessment. The newspaper articles were collected from the year 2015 until 2019. Targeted interviews were conducted with experts working in flood management disaster schemes to rank and validate the most important factors after content analysis from the past news reports. It is concluded that poor drainage systems, rapid development, heavy rainfall, lack of public awareness, and lack of coordination in executing the disaster management cycle among agencies are the key challenges. Thus, it is recommended that the drainage systems should be upgraded in the case study area. Proper flood management schemes should be planned and flood forecasting should be strengthened. An effective early flood warning system should be designed to activate the plans and a proper public awareness campaign should be initiated to educate and train the local community to deal with such disasters. It is also suggested to assure and maintain proper collaboration among different agencies during such disasters. In the last phase, this paper also proposes a framework for future flood disaster management. The framework will assist the stakeholders to make informed decisions to save human lives and substantial financial losses. The framework can also be used in similar terrain countries.