Asian Education and Development Studies

Fauzi, Muhammad Ashraf; Mohd Aripin, Norhana; Alimin, Nur Sofia Nabila; Ting, Irene Wei Kiong; Wider, Walton; Maidin, Siti Sarah; Zainul Abideen, Ahmed

2024 Asian Education and Development Studies

doi: 10.1108/aeds-04-2024-0093

This study evaluates the knowledge structure of medical tourism within the geographical context of South East Asia. This region is one of the growing economic powerhouses in the world, and tourism activities have contributed a lot to its advancement.Design/methodology/approachApplying a science mapping technique using bibliometric analysis, the current and emerging themes and future trends are analyzed using bibliographic coupling and co-word analysis.FindingsFindings show that current trends produced four themes: Fundamentals of medical tourism in Southeast Asia, determinants of tourist medical tourism visits, quality of medical and health service in Southeast Asia and impact of medical tourism on national economic growth. The future trends also produced four themes related to navigating excellence in medical tourism, medical tourism and economic growth, service quality in medical tourism services and accredited destinations in the globalized era of medical tourism.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is relevant to all stakeholders, operators and local communities in Southeast Asia tourism destinations to provide the best medical tourism with the best quality service and technologies.Originality/valueThis study fills the gap by performing a bibliometric approach to reviewing medical tourism in Southeast Asia using a science mapping technique. Crucial themes are produced through topological and temporal streams that provide critical insight for future developments in medical tourism in the region.

Amarathunga, Buddhini

2024 Asian Education and Development Studies

doi: 10.1108/aeds-05-2024-0101

This is a dual-focused study that anticipates qualitatively and quantitatively examining the literature on the recently initiated revolutionizing concept of ChatGPT in education by performing a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) and bibliometric analysis. Current study analyzed eight research questions: (1) the main information and annual scientific publications on ChatGPT in education, (2) the pioneer authors and collaborative authors exploring ChatGPT in education, (3) the authors' productivity through Lotka’s Law of Authors’ Scientific Productivity, (4) the most pertinent sources on ChatGPT in education and how are sources clustered through Bradford’s Law of Scattering, (5) the most related, cited countries and the nature of international collaborations exploring ChatGPT in education, (6) the most relevant publications exploring ChatGPT in education, (7) the most occurring and trending keywords in the empirical studies on ChatGPT in education, and (8) the themes and areas for future investigations on ChatGPT in education.Design/methodology/approachThe current study was designed as a SLR and bibliometric analysis, extracting articles from the Scopus database and utilizing both Biblioshiny and VOSviewer software for advanced scientific mapping and visualizations via quantitative and qualitative analysis approaches.FindingsThe results indicated that ChatGPT in education is a progressively evolving worldwide concept generating 45 scientific publications from 2023 to 2024 (May). The USA, China, and Indonesia are the most productive countries that have published articles on ChatGPT in education. The education systems, AI, students, educational computing, human experiments, teaching, educational status, chatbots, generative AI, academic integrity, educational technology, worldwide education, and technology acceptance are the pertinent future directions in the field of ChatGPT in education.Originality/valueThe analysis’s outcomes will enhance the area of study with theoretical and practical implications and benefit students, teachers, policymakers, regulators of educational and higher educational sectors, government, and the general public worldwide with effective utilization of ChatGPT in education.

Yang, Weiyue; Jiang, Quanbao

2024 Asian Education and Development Studies

doi: 10.1108/aeds-02-2024-0035

Taking urban-rural disparity into account, this research examines the current service provision of preschool education at the local level in China.Design/methodology/approachFollowing a qualitative design, the research is based on a case study on the preschool service provision in Luochuan County in China, with data collected from semi-structured interviews with grassroots officials and residents from the county’s rural and urban regions.FindingsThis research finds that preschool services are inefficiently delivered between the county’s rural and urban areas. While services are oversupplied in rural regions, the popular demand for urban kindergartens is inadequately addressed. Moreover, the tuition subsidy offered by the local government has drastically decreased in recent years.Research limitations/implicationsThis research is confined to a single-case study, so its findings are not necessarily applicable to all Chinese localities. Nevertheless, it proves that these problems in preschool service provision can be a result of the central authority’s tight control.Social implicationsGiven China’s rapid urbanization and fertility decline, this research argues that overinvestment in rural kindergartens can be a widespread phenomenon throughout China. It also suggests a decreasing popular demand for other public services, such as childcare, in Chinese rural regions. This research calls for special attention to the persistent regional discrepancy in preschool service standards and the welfare cuts after the revenue centralization reform.Originality/valueThis research contributes to a clearer picture of the current preschool service delivery by Chinese local governments, which remains largely underexplored by far. It also provides updates on the country’s long-existing urban-rural discrepancy in preschool services.

Türkmen Dural, Seda; Dede, Yüksel

2024 Asian Education and Development Studies

doi: 10.1108/aeds-02-2024-0050

This study investigated the problem-solving strategies used in solving problems in the learning domain of numbers and operations in mathematics textbooks for Turkish middle schools.Design/methodology/approachTo this end, four middle school mathematics textbooks published by the Ministry of National Education of Turkey (MEB in Turkish), one from each grade level (Grades 5–8), were examined. The data in this document analysis study were analyzed using semantic content analysis.FindingsThe findings revealed that mathematics textbooks' most used problem-solving strategies for each level were drawing a figure (diagram), writing equality and inequality, making a table and making a systematic list. Drawing a diagram (figure) strategy was the most used strategy at each grade level, while working backwards was the least used one. Another finding was that finding a pattern and solving a simpler analogous problem strategies were rarely used at each grade level.Research limitations/implicationsThis study points out how problem-solving strategies used Grades 5-8 mathematics textbooks in a different culture like Türkiye. So, it may also give some important clues for applying problem-solving strategies in mathematics classrooms in a different culture.Practical implicationsThis study may draw the attention of educational stakeholders and textbook authors who want to understand and implement problem-solving strategies in mathematics classrooms by considering a different cultural perspective.Social implicationsThis study may point to the importance of using problem-solving strategies in mathematics and daily and social learning environments due to the nature of mathematical problem-solving and problem-solving strategies.Originality/valueThis document review study examined the problem-solving strategies used in Turkish middle school mathematics textbooks, and the data were analyzed using semantic content analysis. The findings revealed that mathematics textbooks' most used problem solving strategies for each level were drawing a figure (diagram), writing equality and inequality, making a table and making a systematic list. Drawing a diagram (figure) strategy was the most used strategy at each grade level, while working backwards was the least used one. Another finding was that finding a pattern and solving a simpler analogous problem strategies were rarely used at each grade level.

Bórquez Basáez, Andrés; Morales Valdés, José Manuel; Guzmán Núñez, Osvaldo

2024 Asian Education and Development Studies

doi: 10.1108/aeds-04-2024-0082

The following article Chinese students' migration projects to the global south. Little work has sought to deepen the understanding of Chinese students' mobility to developing countries. This is key to determining a more complete profile of Chinese students and whether they fit into the categories of foreign students described by mainstream literature.Design/methodology/approachIn order to understand the respective experiences and points of view of foreign students in on the process of choosing the country of study, we proceeded to identify different students of Chinese origin who have made their trip to Chile during the last decade. In addition, documents on China's international student mobility policy were reviewed, mainly focusing on documents dealing with Chinese students going abroad.FindingsChinese students are increasingly looking to travel to countries in the Global South as an opportunity to differentiate themselves. Chile emerges as an attractive destination as it is seen as a stable country in Latin America. It is a place where China has several strategic interests that may allow future professional development.Originality/valueThis article focuses on this aspect, mainly on how Chinese students perceive Chile as a place to pursue higher education. There is strong evidence of Chinese student flows to developed countries, but there are still insufficient studies on South-South mobility.

Pham Tra, Lam; Dau Thi Kim, Thoa

2024 Asian Education and Development Studies

doi: 10.1108/aeds-04-2024-0080

This study investigates the digital competence (DC) of undergraduate students, considering three key dimensions: use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) resources, knowledge about ICT resources, and attitude towards ICT. We also examined the relationship between these aspects in order to build a DC assessment framework.Design/methodology/approachA structured questionnaire was administered to students from several universities in Vietnam in order to assess their DC. A PLS analysis was conducted based on data from 551 valid responses.FindingsStatistical analyses showed that the DC of students was quite low. The findings certify that knowledge of ICT resources is a total intermediate variable in the impact of attitude towards ICT on the use of ICT resources by students.Practical implicationsOur findings provide important implications for policymakers and teachers' insights for authorities, universities, and scholars to develop strategies for DC of students in higher education.Originality/valueThis study is the first to explore the DC assessment framework for students in higher education in an emerging market, Vietnam.

Chanda, Ruby S.; Pawar, Sanjay Krishnapratap

2024 Asian Education and Development Studies

doi: 10.1108/aeds-05-2024-0105

In 2021, more than half a million Indian students traveled abroad to pursue Master’s programs. Against this background, we explore why Indian students do not enroll in Master’s programs in Indian higher education (IHE) institutions.Design/methodology/approachSemi-structured, in-depth online interviews of 30 Indian international students pursuing post-graduation studies in four major host countries were conducted to elicit the required information. The interviews were recorded, transcribed and analyzed using a thematic approach. The attribution theory was used as a theoretical lens to discuss the findings.FindingsThe results indicate that the primary reasons for students not choosing Indian institutions are wide-ranging. The need to study abroad, decision influencers and why they did not consider IHE institutes were three significant categories encompassing nine themes. The study revealed that besides other factors, the rigor of admission in premier Indian universities is much higher when compared with other international universities. Also, the perceived rate of return in investing in those developed countries' universities is better when compared with those of premier Indian universities.Practical implicationsThe insights will act as marketing intelligence for supporting the business and university administrators of Indian universities in formulating effective tactics to admit more students from this in-demand Indian subgroup.Originality/valueMost of the existing research papers discuss the motivation and challenges of Indian international students for studying abroad, There is negligible research on their demotivation to join IHE institutions. The present study tries to focus on the aspects that most of them considered but did not join IHE. Also, the attribution theory is a new perspective for understanding their behavior in selecting higher education institutions.

Ma, Junqian

2024 Asian Education and Development Studies

doi: 10.1108/aeds-02-2024-0047

China’s education has rapidly developed since 1949. Although much has been written about reforms in China’s preschool and primary education policies, less attention has been given to the transition-to-primary school policies.Design/methodology/approachThis study examines the evolution of these policies from 1949 onward, analysing 61 policy documents from the PKULaw.FindingsFour phases are identified: minimal political attention (1949–1982), steady policy releases (1983–2004), stagnation (2005–2010) and frequent updates (since 2011). Policy changes align with educational development, reflecting a shift from academic readiness to overall development. Increased government involvement has led to more diverse themes and more cooperation among stakeholders. The role of the preschool class has evolved from basic support for children without kindergarten access to an institution for early academic learning, prompting policies to restrict it.Originality/valueThese findings provide valuable insights for optimizing China’s educational policies and offer lessons for other nations facing similar challenges in transitioning children from preschool to primary school.

Nguyen, Huyen Thi Thanh; Nguyen, Tam Minh; Tsakitzidis, Giannoula; Valcke, Martin; Nguyen, Lo; Nguyen, Anh Thi Kim; Ha, Nhan Chan; Le, Chi Van; Hoang, Tien Anh; Vo, Toan Duc; Nguyen, Tu Minh; Le, Anh Ho Thi Quynh; Nguyen, Huy Vu Quoc; Wens, Johan

2024 Asian Education and Development Studies

doi: 10.1108/aeds-07-2024-0149

This study explored students' perspectives on designing and implementing the new clinical interprofessional education (IPE) module for chronic disease management at the primary care level in the Vietnamese context.Design/methodology/approachStudents from seven different university-level healthcare programmes participated in a cross-sectional survey Course Experience Questionnaire-based study. Additionally, two open-ended questions were presented to gather qualitative data, mapping student perspectives. Statistical analyses and thematic analyses were performed.FindingsThe results show that students agree with quality statements about IPE design features, such as good teaching, clear goals and standards, appropriate workload, appropriate assessment and a blended learning approach. Answers to the open-ended comments pointed out the strengths of the IPE module in providing opportunities for interprofessional learning, improving interprofessional collaboration competencies, real-life interprofessional collaboration practice and continuous feedback from tutors. Students also reported weaknesses in the IPE module, including a lack of feedback on the care plan and logistics of the IPE module.Originality/valueStudents positively recognise key design features of the IPE module, combining classroom activities with standardised patient simulations, clinical practice and home visits. Chronic disease management at the primary care level is a suitable context for training students to work interprofessionally. The strengths and weaknesses identified by students could help in the redesign and future implementation of the IPE module in the Vietnamese context. They could inspire practices in Southeast Asian medical education and beyond.

Routray, Rozalin; Khandelwal, Komal

2024 Asian Education and Development Studies

doi: 10.1108/aeds-06-2024-0115

They proposed the necessity of restructuring higher education to provide students and instructors with the skills required for future employment in a world driven by artificial intelligence (AI). The implementation of AI in higher education and its impact on Generation Z students' academic ambitions.Design/methodology/approachHigher education plays a vital role in cultivating ethical individuals and professionals on a worldwide scale. The implementation of AI in higher education and its impact on Generation Z students' academic ambitions. This study used qualitative methods to examine the viewpoints of students regarding the influence of AI on higher education. For this study, a cohort of 25 students from Pune city was chosen.FindingsThe results indicate that there is a need to reform higher education in order to prepare students for future jobs in a society driven by AI. They indicated a lack of extensive understanding on the subject and so sought a clear explanation from an AI during their consultation. Based on the results of this study, it is evident that Generation Z students do not experience fear or worry in relation to emerging technology. On the contrary, they embrace multitasking and actively want to acquire new skills to prepare themselves for the future.Research limitations/implicationsThis study has limitations; the data were collected from 25 students, and the insights gathered may not represent the whole population. The geographical restriction was that it was restricted only to Pune. Second, educators are equally important and may have different views; therefore, future studies should collect educators’ views.Originality/valueThey proposed restructuring higher education to provide students and instructors with the skills required for future employment in a world driven by AI. Their proposal introduces novel learning goals that prioritize the development of abilities in both information, learning and education through the use of AI. Participants' narratives are evaluated using advanced techniques such as VOSviewer to give in-depth analysis.