APHEIT International Journal of Interdisciplinary Social Sciences and Technology

Digital transformation of educational management of art major in vocational colleges in Guangdong Province

Song Yujie — 2025-06-30

The objectives were to study the digital transformation of educational management and to propose guidelines for implementing digital transformation of educational management of Art Major in Vocational Colleges in Guangdong Province by employing a mixed-method research design. Using Krejcie and Morgan’s table and simple random sampling, a sample of 317 teachers out of 1,782 population was selected. In-depth interviews were conducted with 9 administrators and 27 students. Nine experts were purposively selected for the focus group discussion to validate the proposed guidelines. Data collection included a 5-point rating scale questionnaire, an in-depth interview and focus group, using descriptive statistics and content analysis to analyze data. The study revealed that 1) the digital transformation in the educational management of art major included three components: teacher, teaching, and student management; and 2) the guidelines for implementing digital transformation for teacher management, are to reducing administrative centralization and authority as a guiding principle, with goals including the development of digital tools and infrastructure, the establishment of a multifunctional digital platform, and the promotion of data-informed decision-making in educational management. Regarding teaching management, enhancing teaching practices and acknowledging the strategic importance of digital transformation, with the development of blended teaching models and improved incentive and professional development mechanisms. In student management, improving the learning experience and outcomes was identified as a core value, with fairness, transparency, and the development of a personalized talent cultivation system recognized as key goals.

Educational management guidelines in Art Universities under Liaoning Province

Tan Yang — 2025-06-30

The objectives were 1) to study the current situation of art universities management and 2) to propose educational management guidelines for art universities in Liaoning Province, employing a mixed-method approach. The population of 1,992 teachers working during the 2022 academic year was drawn from the Lu Xun Academy of Fine Arts and the Shenyang Conservatory of Music. The sample was 322 teachers using Krejcie and Morgan's table, obtained through a simple random sampling. Fifteen key informants were selected through purposive sampling for in-depth interviews and 7 experts for focus group discussions to verify the proposed guidelines. The data collection instruments included a questionnaire with a five-point rating scale and a guideline confirmation form. Data analysis were descriptive statistics and content analysis. The results revealed that 1) the current situation of art university management included guidelines establishment for overall regulation and formulation of guiding programs; creation of interdepartmental cooperation mechanisms; and maintenance of dynamic and appropriate educational policy formulation, and 2) educational management guidelines included strengthening teacher training to build high-quality teaching personnel, innovate teaching methods, cultivate a sense of responsibility among teachers, and enhance teacher leadership. Ensuring the perfection of technology platforms and digital infrastructure, establishing reasonable teaching evaluation and reward mechanisms, and developing dynamic and balanced educational policies which coordination should be multidimensional. A collaborative teacher network should be established to facilitate the active sharing of teaching experience, promote a harmonious teacher-student relationship.

Educational innovation management in a Post Covid-19 Epidemic of higher education in Zhoukou under Henan Province

Wang Xiaojing — 2025-06-30

The objectives were 1) to explore the components of educational innovation management in higher education and 2) to propose guidelines for educational innovation management in higher education in Zhoukou, Henan Province, in the post-COVID-19era. employing a mixed-method approach. The population consisted of 2,408 instructors from five higher education institutions in Zhoukou, Henan Province, during the 2022 academic year. The sample was 331 instructors using Krejcie and Morgan's table, selected through stratified random sampling. Purposive sampling was used to select 17 key informants for interviews. Key informant validation was conducted using the connoisseurship approach, involving 9 experts. The guidelines were confirmed based on their input. The research instruments included a questionnaire using a five-point Likert scale and a validation checklist. Statistics for quantitative data analysis were descriptive, and content analysis for qualitative data from in-depth interviews and expert evaluations. The results revealed that 1) the components of educational innovation management in higher education in Zhoukou, Henan Province, in the post-COVID-19 era, consisted of four key elements; target innovation, curriculum innovation, organizational innovation, and scientific and technological innovation; and 2) the guidelines for educational innovation management comprised eight main strategies; optimizing educational management, enhancing administrators’ learning motivation, managing and developing learning spaces, managing knowledge dimensions, improving management institutions, establishing and strengthening the management guarantee mechanisms in higher education, clarifying management objectives, and ensuring the ultimate goal of comprehensively improving the quality of educational innovation management in higher education is achieved.

Integration of Capsule Network with CNN for Plant Leaf Disease Classification

Aekkarat Suksukont — 2025-06-30

Plant leaf disease classification is challenging due to the wide variation in disease symptoms and the diverse morphological characteristics of plant leaves. These variations complicate model training and hinder classification accuracy. This study proposed a hybrid deep learning (DL) model for leaf disease training and classification. The proposed model integrates Capsule Networks (CN) for spatial relationship retention, SE-Residual blocks improve feature extraction while minimizing information loss, and CN capture spatial relationships with reduced dependency on large datasets, and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) to enhance training efficiency. The proposed model was trained and evaluated using the Rice Leaf Disease Dataset (RLDD). Its performance was compared with existing state-of-the-art models. The experimental results showed that the proposed model achieved the highest training accuracy of 96.01%, classification results 75.67% for bacterial leaf blight, 80.43% for brown spot, 86.67% for healthy, 76.52% for leaf blight, 98.96% for leaf scald, and 93.18% for narrow brown spot. These results highlight the effectiveness of the proposed model in achieving high accuracy for plant leaf disease classification.

Guidelines for developing Kasem Bundit University, Thailand into a Green University according to UI Green Metric Standards and sustainable development goals (SDGs)

Kajohnsak chaokromthong — 2025-06-30

This study aimed to develop a comprehensive framework and practical strategies for transforming Kasem Bundit University into a Green University, guided by the principles of Green U and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The research focused on improving the efficiency of energy consumption, waste management, and water resource utilization, while cultivating a strong culture of environmental responsibility among students and staff. A qualitative approach was employed, utilizing in-depth interviews with key stakeholders alongside a systematic review of documents and existing research related to Green University development. The findings indicated that transitioning Kasem Bundit University into a Green University can substantially reduce environmental impacts, lower operational costs, and foster environmentally responsible behaviors within the university community. The study proposed key recommendations, including the adoption of an integrated energy management plan, the implementation of effective waste segregation and recycling systems, and the promotion of sustainable water use practices. The results underscore the importance of systems thinking and institutional collaboration in implementing sustainable policies that adhere to international standards. The proposed model serves not only as a roadmap for Kasem Bundit University but also as a replicable guideline for other institutions of higher education aiming to achieve sustainability both locally and globally.

Understanding bacterial virulence and combating multidrug resistance in tropical Southeast Asia

Natawan Sriawut — 2025-06-30

This study aimed to 1) investigate the factors contributing to bacterial pathogenicity and 2) identify evidence-based strategies for prevention and control, with a focus on tropical environments like Thailand. A systematic review was conducted using peer-reviewed journals, government reports, and publicly available datasets published between 2000 and 2024. Key databases included PubMed, SpringerLink, and ScienceDirect. Studies were selected based on relevance to bacterial virulence, environmental impacts, and regional health strategies. Data were synthesized thematically around core concepts such as adhesion, invasion, toxin production, and antimicrobial resistance. Virulence in bacteria is driven by molecular factors and significantly influenced by environmental conditions such as climate change, pollution, and antibiotic misuse. Case studies from Thailand demonstrated both successful interventions (e.g., antibiotic stewardship, photodynamic therapy) and challenges in controlling bacterial spread. Regional insights emphasized the role of public health infrastructure and environmental management. Addressing bacterial pathogenicity requires a multidisciplinary approach that integrates microbiological knowledge, environmental science, and public health policy. Tailored strategies are essential for reducing bacterial threats in tropical and resource-constrained regions, and further research should bridge the gap between scientific discovery and practical implementation.

Comparison of perceptions on re-purposing finished projects as teaching aids in schools

Naw Sara Hser Blut Htoo — 2025-06-30

Creative teaching aids enhance student engagement and learning outcomes by making the learning process more interactive, relatable, and memorable. These aids—ranging from visual tools like charts, diagrams, and infographics to interactive materials like models, games, diatoms, digital simulations, and multimedia content—stimulate curiosity and encourage active participation. Although a wide range of teaching aids has been utilized in educational settings, the idea of leveraging completed student projects as instructional tools remains largely underexplored. This study investigated the potential of repurposing finished projects, such as dioramas and bulletin boards, as innovative teaching aids in educational settings. The study aimed to assess undergraduate teachers and students, and 23 elementary teachers and 58 elementary students’ awareness of teaching aids and to compare the perceptions regarding the challenges, benefits, and recommendations related to repurposing projects. The findings showed that there was a significant difference in awareness considering the occupation of the respondents. Also revealed in the study were the perceived challenges and benefits of the participants with regards to diorama and bulletin board.

Multivariate GARCH analysis of return spillovers between Fed Rate changes, decentralized finance (DeFi) assets, and stock indices

Kulabutr Komenkul — 2025-06-30

This study examined the dynamic interrelationships and volatility spillovers among decentralized finance (DeFi) assets, traditional stock indices, commodities, and macroeconomic policy through the lens of multivariate GARCH models. Using daily time series data spanning from January 10, 2023, to December 31, 2024, the study applied both DCC-GARCH(1,1) and BEKK-GARCH models to a diversified 15-asset portfolio comprising stablecoins (USDC, USDT, BUSD, TUSD, DAI, GUSD), cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Ethereum), commodities (gold, crude oil), U.S. equity indices (Dow Jones, S\&P 500, Nasdaq, NYSE), and the Federal Funds Rate. The findings revealed significant return and volatility spillovers, particularly from Federal Reserve interest rate changes to both digital and traditional markets. Bitcoin and Ethereum showed strong co-movements with major stock indices, highlighting their increased integration into global financial systems. In contrast, stablecoins exhibited lower volatility and weaker interlinkages, confirming their role as volatility dampeners. Gold continued to function as a safe-haven asset, while oil’s influence was episodic and context-dependent. The time-varying and asymmetric nature of these relationships, especially during macroeconomic stress, underscores the need for adaptive investment strategies and greater regulatory coordination. This paper contributes to the literature by offering a comprehensive multivariate volatility modeling framework that bridges digital finance and macroeconomic dynamics.

Transforming teacher development: A SOAR-Driven Model for job-embedded learning

Hui Xie — 2025-06-30

Job-embedded learning has been recognized as a crucial approach for enhancing instructional skills and teacher professional development. This study examined the implementation of job-embedded learning in primary schools in Guangdong Province, China, using a case study approach grounded in the Strengths, Opportunities, Aspirations, and Results (SOAR) framework. Data were collected from one school chairman, one principal, and 26 teachers through semi-structured interviews, open-ended questionnaires, and documentary review. Content analysis identified key themes related to current practices, strengths, and opportunities for improvement. The study proposes an optimized model integrating pre- and post-observation conferences with classroom observations to better align professional development with teachers’ instructional needs and aspirations. The study underscores the importance of administrative support and trust-building among educators as essential factors in facilitating successful job-embedded learning. By focusing on these elements, the study seeks to provide actionable insights for improving teacher professional development and, by extension, student outcomes in the region.

Visions of Bulgarian urban futures: applying the Literary Method of Urban Design

Alan Marshall — 2025-06-30

This article explored the application of the Literary Method of Urban Design to three Bulgarian cities—Plovdiv, Veliko Tarnovo, and Ahtopol—by drawing upon local and national literary works to envision these cities future development. Through a three-step process, the method selects novels that reflect each city’s cultural, historical, and environmental identity, extracts thematic elements from the narratives, and projects these themes onto speculative urban futures before displaying the results as lively scenario art. Using Anton Donchev’s Time of Parting for Plovdiv, Emilian Stanev’s The Peach Thief for Veliko Tarnovo, and Zdravka Evtimova’s Vassil for Ahtopol, the article demonstrates how fiction can guide urban planning and futuring. Common themes, such as the integration of nature into urban life and the preservation of cultural heritage, emerge across these three case study Bulgarian cities. However, the unique challenges faced by each city—be they social, environmental, or economic—are also highlighted, perhaps illustrating the method’s flexibility in addressing specific urban issues. The article emphasizes the pedagogical potential of this method for students of design, geography, and literature, offering a multidisciplinary approach that fosters creative thinking and critical engagement with urban challenges. Ultimately, the Literary Method of Urban Design showcases how fiction can inspire innovative, sustainable, and inclusive cityscapes for the future.