Process Essay - How to Reduce Plagiarism and Cheating

Process Essay - How to Reduce Plagiarism and Cheating Recent studies have shown that a steadily growing number of students cheat or plagiarize in college -- and the data from high schools suggest that this number will continue to rise. A study by Don McCabe of Rutgers University showed that 74 percent of high school students admitted to one or more instances of serious cheating on tests. Even more disturbing is the way that many students define cheating and plagiarism. For example, they believe that cutting and pasting a few sentences from various Web sources without attribution is not plagiarism. Before the Web, students certainly plagiarized -- but they had to plan ahead to do so. Fraternities and sororities often had files of†¦show more content†¦But there is another way. The first and most important line of defense against academic dishonesty is simply good teaching. Cheating and plagiarism often arise in a vacuum created by routine, lack of interest and overwork. Professors who give the same assignment every semester, fail to guide students in the development of their projects and have little interest in what the students have to say contribute to the academic environment in which much cheating and plagiarism occurs. Consider, by way of contrast, professors who know their students and who give assignments that require regular, continuing interaction with them about their projects -- and who require students to produce work that is a meaningful development of their own interests. These professors create an environment in which cheating and plagiarism are far less likely to occur. In this context, any plagiarism would usually be immediately evident to the professor, who would see it as inconsistent with the rest of the students work. A strong, meaningful curriculum taught by committed professors is the first and most important defense against academic dishonesty. The second remedy is to encourage the development of integrity in students. A sense of responsibility about ones intellectual development would preclude cheating and plagiarizing as inconsistent with ones identity. It is precisely this sense of individual integrity that schools with honor codes seek to promote. Third, studentsShow MoreRelated The World Wide Web and Plagiarism Essay1287 Words   |  6 PagesThe World Wide Web and Plagiarism In the recent past when computers were available to the public, users could easily type a document without having to retype a whole page to correct or add a part to a document. Shortly after that came the Internet where countless pages of documents and information became accessible to nearly everybody. The problem with plagiarism was much smaller and easier to detect before the Internet. Preceding the Internet, plagiarized materials usedRead More The Problem of Internet Plagiarism Essay1275 Words   |  6 PagesThe Problem of Internet Plagiarism In November 2001, CNN reported a case of alleged rampant plagiarism at the University of Virginia involving 72 cases and 148 students. What happened at the University of Virginia is only one of many cases of plagiarism faced everyday all over the world. Plagiarism itself is not a new problem, but the Internet has made a difficult situation even more complex. According to Ryan: Plagiarized work used to be generated through frat house recycling efforts, purchasedRead MoreIs There a Solution? Essay1227 Words   |  5 Pagespeople are trying to devise a master plan, a solution that will end cheating, something so ingenious that it will stop cheating in its tracks. However, I feel we should look at every angle before trying to create a plan to motivate students to stop the cheating. 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This report also reviews faculty views on academic dishonesty and the many disagreementsRead MorePlagiarism, Cheating And Academic Standards1674 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction The demonstration of showing the thoughts of others as your own without referencing known as plagiarism. This is cheating and degrades academic standards. One of the most important contributing factors that make plagiarism a worldwide problem is the simple access to web assets, where all the investigative papers and reports are effectively accessible. It has been evaluated that plagiarism has always been an area of interest for both administrators and teachers when they want efforts of studentsRead MoreThe New Style Of Lecturing Now1243 Words   |  5 PagesAcademic cheating, achieved threw supposition of certain grades, job opportunities and extreme goals have lead to a high percentage of 75% test takers, including graduate students and high schools students that have agreed amongst this crime which surprisingly has being evolving as technology and higher requirements in society grows. The result of heavy workloads, Intense GPAs and risky temptations has resulted in an increase, 2 0% during the 1940s vs. 80% during the 2000s, which has shocked bothRead MoreGen 200 - Academic Integrity Paper2577 Words   |  11 Pagesacademic integrity. College and university administrators have created new policies, codes of conduct, and training programs to counteract the negative impact of the Internet. Several online resources have been created to allow students to check for plagiarism yet the problem persists. Academic dishonesty in all forms was not created by the Internet, but has always existed. Students can employ several strategies to avoid academic dishonesty. Academic integrity or dishonesty remains the choice of eachRead More Plagiarism: A Pestilence in Education Essay1840 Words   |  8 PagesPlagiarism: The Pestilence in Education When I think of plagiarism, I imagine a person literally stealing from another individual. The term plagiarism is derived from the Latin word plagi rius, which essentially represents the felony of kidnapping. An individual who kidnaps anothers work is a felon. Obviously, this form of larceny is not as immoral as the form for which one can be imprisoned; however, most educators and honest students view plagiarism in this manner. Within education I conceiveRead MoreCheating Is A Common Thing For People2895 Words   |  12 PagesIntroduction This report is about cheating especially in examination. As we know cheating is a common thing for people currently. Every person had done cheating in their life even once. Cheating has been part of our daily life. Although the all knew that cheating is wrong in every way they still do it for maintain or increasing their grade in every examination. From our observation, every person that never do cheating will begin to cheat after they did it even once, and most of them because ofRead More Schools and Education - Understanding the Rise in Apathy, Cheating and Plagiarism3796 Words   |  16 Pagesin Apathy, Cheating and Plagiarism – Understanding the Problem Over the past ten years teachers have witnessed a drop in student preparation and a rise in apathy and cheating. Students who cheat do so from a variety of motives. Making this situation even more difficult is that faculty members do not even define plagiarism the same or punish it consistently (Howard, â€Å"Sexuality† 473). Some surveys even show that teachers simply ignore the problem or do not report plagiarism because: â€Å"they

Strategic Information System Small Business Accounting

Question: Discuss about the Strategic Information System for Small Business Accounting. Answer: Introduction Accounting is one area that is applicable in every single industry all across the world. The same has evolved over the years from the paper based to the automated information systems. The document covers the brief history of the accounting industry in Australia along with the development and adoption of the same. There are a number of accounting software and packages that are commercially available which have been described in the document along with the advantages that they offer. The challenges associated with this specific category of the software have also been elaborated in the report. History of Accounting Software/Packages Accounting industry saw some major revolutions right from 1970s. Prior to 1970, the traditional accounting practices were used all across the country which was followed by the double entry system and table methods. In the 1970s and mid 80s, personal computers were launched in the market which paved the way to client-server, proprietary accounting software packages. 1990s was the period when customer invoicing, supplier management and inventory were the features that were added in the accounting software made available to the customers. The latest development in the field of accounting software has been associated with Business Intelligence and Cloud Computing. These techniques are now applied to the accounting software which has enabled them to offer advanced features such as automated reporting, transaction management systems and many more. The various parties that are involved can now directly interact with each other which enhance the customer satisfaction as well (Ryan, 2016). Development and Adoption There has been a massive revolution in the field of digital innovation and technology over the past few years. The consumers in the present era look for a solution that is quick, easy to use and is also low on cost. The providers are now working towards making the same available to all of their customers. Accounting industry has also been affected by this change in the technology and the traditional paper based practices are now replaced by the automated information systems. The accounting software that is now developed integrates a lot many advanced features as the same is preferred by the users. These software and packages are developed in a manner such that they score low on cost and high on the technological aspects. Automation is a key component that is included while the development process in all the different elements of accounting such as reporting, transactions, records maintenance and likewise. The customers and the banking industry now adopt the software that fulfills all the features described above in the development process of the same (James, 2016). Current Market Size The Australian Accounting industry comprises of the firms that deal with a number of operations and services such as accounting, auditing and bookkeeping (www.afpbb.net.au, 2016). This industry is one of the few industries that did not get affected by the recent global financial crisis and got away with a few marginal losses. There are currently more than 9,968 firms that deal with the accounting services and operations and more than 133,000 Australians are engaged in the same. Accounting Services in Australia In resentment of the normal slight decrease in income for little non-utilizing bookkeeping undertakings because of the expansion of e-expense and rearrangements of individual assessment, it is normal that the Australian Accounting industry's income will develop at a normal rate of 5.5% over the five years through 2016-17 to achieve AUD 20.7 billion. Inspecting and other customary surges of income will assume a noteworthy part in this development as it is normal that cost rivalry will escalate and the quantity of business undertakings requiring evaluating will increment altogether in coming years. Accounting Software/Packages Current Leaders in the Market and their Competitive Advantage Intuit QuickBooks This is one of the most widely used accounting software in Australia and has a lot any striking features to offer. There are a number of reasons that make this software extremely popular among the users. The first and the foremost reason is the low cost associated with the same. The basic version is offered at $12 per month and the advanced version comes with a mere $21 on a monthly basis. The other reason is the bundle of features itself that come with this software. It allows the business owners and professionals across Australia to keep a track of their business income and expenses along with the revenues. This one allows payroll payments for free, manages huge amount of data, sends invoices and also manages the bills through desktop as well as mobile platforms. The software also scores well on the security mechanism as the level of security that is provided is the same as those of the banks (www.advisoryhq.com, 2015). MYOB Accounting Software MYOB is the accounting software that is one of the best among the ones available in Australia. The software was primarily designed to provide the basic accounting services to the users. Along with these, the software also allows the business owners to view the real-time picture of their financial operations and come up with better business decisions. With the advanced interface options, MYOB allows the integration of Point of Sale (POS) with the overall business operations. The software allows the online as well as offline usage of the same irrespective of the slippages in the internet connection. Other attractive features of the software that makes it stand out in the market are complaint capability, bookkeeping personnel and ability to be up-to-date with the compliance obligations. There are also a number of add-ons that are provided to extend the versions of the software. The cost of the software varies from $50 to $99 per month as per the version that is selected. Reckon Reckon is leading accounting software in Australia that suits the best for Australian businesses, accountants and bookkeepers. It is one of the most reasonable and affordable cloud accounting software present in the market. One of the prime features that provide competitive advantage to this software is its ability to manage all the Point of Sale (POS) transactions by linking the same to the desktop software suites. The other features include billing activities, management of credit, resource planning, digital imaging, tax processing and many more. It starts with the minimal cost of $5 per month and the same increases with the addition of features. Saasu Saasu is next generation accounting software that offers some of the brilliant features such as easy connect with the email, e-commerce store, CRM software and many others. It also allows the automatic alerts for the customers and has the ability to manage various categories of transactions in 50 different foreign currencies. This one is offered with the basic rate of $15 per month and goes up to $180 per month. Xero This is one of the most popular accounting software that is widely used in Australia. There are a number of advanced features offered by this software such as faster online invoicing, accessibility on the desktop as well as mobile platforms, advanced reconciliations processes, management of payroll taxes and many more. The starter version of this software comes with a cost of $9 per month and the premium one is offered $70 per month. Accounting Software/Packages - Challenges for users There are a number of challenges associated with the Accounting software that are faced by the users. Security issues are one of the prime concerns for the users. There have been cases of security breaches and fraud in the past that have been executed by the attackers on the accounting software. These issues possess a threat to the sensitive and confidential accounting information of the users. There is always a sense of insecurity due to increase in the development of newer security threats and vulnerabilities. Cost is another challenge that is faced by the users as the premium versions of the software come at a cost that is difficult to pay for the individual users on a long terms basis. Also, the startups and small scale industries find it troublesome to pay the cost (Crowder, 2016). Training requirements is another challenge that appears in front of the users. There may be some features of particular software that may be complex and difficult to understand. There is often absence of required user manuals for the same which make it tedious for the users to avail the benefits of the feature. Human error is another gap that is not always rolled back by all of the software. Such errors may have low to severe impact on the accounts of the users and the same can be extremely critical for the customers. References Crowder, C. (2016) [online] Techin.oureverydaylife.com. Available at: https://techin.oureverydaylife.com/disadvantages-accounting-software-1965.html [Accessed 21 Aug. 2016]. James, D. (2016) 7 accounting packages for Australian small businesses compared: including MYOB, QuickBooks Online, Reckon, Xero. [online] BIT. Available at: https://www.bit.com.au/Review/344651,7-accounting-packages-for-australian-small-businesses-compared-including-myob-quickbooks-online-reckon-xero.aspx [Accessed 21 Aug. 2016]. Ryan, E. (2016)The Evolution Of Accounting Software: Past, Present And Future |. [online] Gaaaccounting.com. Available at: https://www.gaaaccounting.com/the-evolution-of-accounting-software-past-present-and-future/ [Accessed 21 Aug. 2016]. www.advisoryhq.com, (2015) 5 Best Small Business Accounting Software in Australia. [online] AdvisoryHQ. Available at: https://www.advisoryhq.com/articles/5-best-small-business-accounting-software-in-australia/ [Accessed 21 Aug. 2016]. www.afpbb.net.au, (2016) The Australian Accounting Industry. [online] Afpbb.net.au. Available at: https://www.afpbb.net.au/Resources/TheAustralianAccountingIndustry.aspx [Accessed 21 Aug. 2016]. www.bankwest.com.au, (2015) Accounting Services Industry Report. 1st ed. [ebook] Bankwest. Available at: https://www.bankwest.com.au/cs/ContentServer%3Fpagename%3DFoundation/CS/Blob/Document%26id%3D1292539844555%26ext%3D.pdf+cd=3hl=enct=clnkgl=in [Accessed 21 Aug. 2016].

Aristotle v. Plato essays

Aristotle v. Plato essays The term the good life is used by both Aristotle and Plato to describe both an internal as well as an external state of living for a given individual or segment of the population (the state). While the two philosophers have some similarities in their definitions, they differ a great deal when it comes to their explanation of how to live in accordance with the good life. These similarities and differences can be examined by exploring the philosophy and thought that each of the two men taught. Also, one must take into account the time period in which each philosopher lived when comparing their thoughts and ideas. In the following I will attempt to sort out, in my own view, each mans ideas on the good life and how it may be achieved. Aristotle went to Athens early in his life and studied under Plato (who shared many Socratic views), but after Plato died Aristotle left Athens only to return some years later and found the Lyceum. Here he taught his ideas of logic and realist views, from which we get his idea of the good life or eudaimonia. Aristotle differed greatly from his teachers view of how life should be in that he believed people should work toward a livable community rather than Platos ideal community. This livable community is independent and self-sufficient to the point that all individuals among the community have roles to play and seek to perform in these roles to their potential. It is this virtuous fulfillment of potential that he terms aret. The idea of aret combined with autarkeia (self-sufficiency) is absolutely necessary in achieving Aristotles idea of eudaimonia. It is in this state that we will find harmony and balance with ourselves and the world around us. He is also known as the fathe r of logic due in some part to the use of reason in his teachings, and this use of reason was in ord...

A Textual Analysis of Robert Jensens Saying Goodbye to Pat essays

A Textual Analysis of Robert Jensens Saying Goodbye to Pat essays The definition of the word patriotism is one to be questioned, or pondered over. If you ask any random citizen on the street what patriotism means, you will get a variety of answers. Some answers will probably come as a shock to you. Since the September 11th tragedy, the word has been used countless times, and has derived new definition in the eyes of many American people. In the article Saying Goodbye to Patriotism by Robert Jensen, he gives his own two definitions of patriotism, and questions what patriotism means in our modern day society. He writes about how Americans use the word to console deep wounds, and to place the United States of America on a pedestal. In my opinion, Jensens purpose to writing the article is to open the eyes of public and make them rethink, or even re-invent, the word patriotism. This paper is a textual analysis of Jensens Saying Goodbye to Patriotism, and it looks closely for hidden meanings that may not have been picked up by a reader the first time. I am going to argue for my opinion of Jensens purpose, in order to provide a deeper understanding of the article. I will discuss how he uses specific terms, and their different meanings, to undermine the meaning of patriotism. Then, I will establish how Jensen connects to his audience, through his speech, to make them realize that patriotism should be re-thought, or even abolished. The most common word throughout the piece is patriotism, yet I find myself reading multiple definitions. Jensens first definition of patriotism is found early on in the reading; in fact it is the heading of a section. Definition #1: Patriotism as loyalty to the war effort, means that the word is used in order to gain support for military causes. The government and media come together to influence the people, and say that it is the duty of the public to be patriotic. We were attacked. We must defend ourselves....

Valuation and Investment Analysis Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Valuation and Investment Analysis - Term Paper Example Due to the slow U.S. economy, Best Buy has been plagued by declining sales during the last few years. Although the company reported losses of 2.4% for 2012, it was primarily due to the buyout of Best Buy Mobile for $1.3 billion. For 2013 the company reported a 0.5% loss, but the company was able to record a net profit of 1.3% in 2014 for the first time in the last three years. The company has been working hard to change its operating strategy and trim operations in order to turn around their financial performance. In 2012, the company hired new CEO and turnaround expert Hubert Joly which revised the companys strategy, closed down many of the less profitable big-box store, expanded many of the smaller retail store outlets, expanded their mobile best buy store outlets, streamlined and improved their online operations. Amid competition from giant retailers like Amazon.com and Wal-Mart in the consumer electronics business, Best Buy is looking to redirect their strategy through acquisitions and further expanding their mobile phone business in China and Mexico through their new venture of Best Buy Mobile. The company’s new strategy for their electronic business involves increasing the total number of retail stores, while decreasing their overall square footage in order to decrease fixed costs. The company seeks to improve their on-line revenues and customer experience by offering free shipping and more competitive pricing. By analyzing the companys overall financial performance, financial ratios and performing a valuation analysis this paper will determine whether Best Buy is a good long term investment. In order to evaluate the companys future financial performance I will need to calculate the companys growth rate and average discount rate. The growth rate was calculated by multiplying the return on operating capital by the retention rate. Based

HRM cast study Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

HRM cast study - Essay Example One of the aspects that will hinder the successful delivery of Ralph’s strategy is his father’s influence on management of the business. As seen from his management of the company, William always likes his ideas implemented. From the information provided, Ralph fears that his father might object the strategy. Putting into consideration the powerful position he holds, that of the chair to the company, William’s objection of the strategy will be effective on the level of its success. Another area that might hinder the delivery of this strategy is the role of the staff in the formulation of the strategy. A successful strategy should be drawn from the many decisions made by staff members over a period of time (Epstein 2004, p.24). Once compiled, this strategy will reflect the views of the staff. Considering that it is the same staffs that will be expected to implement it, the level of success of such a strategy will be expected to be high should they be involved in strategy formulation. This is not the case, however, with the strategy adopted by Random Alloys. The managing director, without incorporating all staff members, formulated the strategy. As indicated by the members of staff in their remarks in the questionnaires, there is a feeling among staff members that they are not included in any changes made in the company. The staff are only included when the changes are happening. Lack of a clear flow of information within the company can also hinder the level of success of its delivery (Alston & Bryson 2013, p.145). Currently, Random Alloys lacks a defined formula through which information is communicated to members of staff. This leaves staff members looking for information they need from only those they know in the various offices. Lack of clarity on who gathers and provides information within the company will translate to misunderstandings during the implementation of the

Functions Of Higher Education Education Essay

Functions Of Higher Education Education Essay The term higher education is usually used to distinguish courses of study, which result in the award of a degree, Diploma or similar advanced qualification, for various kinds of further education (Lawton and Gordon. 1993). Higher education constitutes the stage of education which starts after 15 years of schooling for the intellectual work and advanced training of students for their effective leadership role in all walks of national life. Tertiary education level is higher than that attainable on completion of a full secondary education. An accepted definition of higher education is that higher education requires as minimum requirements for admission, the successful completion of secondary education or evidence of the acquisition of an equivalent level of knowledge (Terry and Thomas, 1979). Higher education includes all education above level of the secondary school given in Colleges, Universities Graduate Schools, Professional Schools, Technical Colleges and Normal Schools (Good, 1973). Higher education is simply the highest part of the education system, in terms of students progression, the acquisition of education qualifications, its status and its influence over the rest of the educational system. Higher education is said to impart the deepest understanding in the minds of students, rather than the relatively superficial grasp that might be acceptable elsewhere in the system. In higher education, nothing can be taken on trust and the students have to think for themselves so as to be able to stand on their own feet, intellectually speaking (Barnett, 1997). Higher education is thought to advance students to the frontiers of knowledge through their being taught by those who are working in that difficult territory. Sanyal (1982) says that in order to achieve the new international order, there is the need for integrating socio-economic policies with educational policies in each country, as stronger co-operation amongst the third world countries in field of higher education. Development of higher education should not only be contingent upon economic development to achieve the new international order but should promote the development of culture in view often fact that role of science and technology, the life-style and the very sense and value of life under-go changes in the future. Objectives of higher education All over the world the universities are recognised as centres of higher learning, which are considered as expedient agents of development in the nation building. Universities generate, disseminate and utilise knowledge. As primary contributors to economic growth, they produce scientists, engineers, professionals, technicians, scholars, managers and men of exquisite capabilities. The aim of higher education is to meet the socio-cultural and developmental needs of a country. Higher education provides an opportunity for individuals to develop their potential. It fulfils the needs for high-level manpower in a society. Its objectives include cultural and material development. It produces individuals who are morally sound and capable of multifarious roles in the society. It is a medium and vehicle for achieving an objective of higher vision, should endeavours, with commitment and larger spending, in higher education (Govt. Of Pakistan, 1999). A countrys social and economic development depends on the nature and level of higher education. This fact is revealed by the statements and findings concluded by the prominent educationists and decision-makers. In the developed countries, the role of higher education in production of high quality human capital is quite evident. The Governor of the State of Kentucky, Paul Patten, once said, I have staked my success as governor on changing the way we deliver higher education to our people. Education and economic development are the twin rails that will lead us to a higher plateau and help us achieve our goal of raising the standard of living in our state. My experience in creating jobs, as the secretary of the economic development, during my term as lieutenant governor, has helped me focus on the needs of our businesses. Those businesses are the customers of our product: the graduates in higher education. Increased technology and global competition demand that we develop our students s kills and mental capacity so they can share in the tremendous prosperity of our nation. He further emphasized on the quality of higher education and the need for its improvement. He commented, higher education is in trouble. The warning signs could not be clear. Its users (students and families) think it charges a premium price for an increasingly mediocre service. Its primary suppliers (secondary schools) often fail to deliver material that meets minimum standards, and its beneficiaries (employers) often are frustrated by the quality of the finished product (McGill,1992). Quality of higher education The quality of higher education may be enhanced through providing proper professional training to the teachers by revising the existing curricula. Higher education is the most important level of education because it develops the manpower for the country that leads the nation in giving insight into its future ideals, resources, problems, and its solutions. The future of a nation depends largely on the quality of people groomed in the institution of higher education. Students experiences of their learning and the teaching in the subjects they are studying are one of the more ubiquitous sources of information about the quality of teaching for institutions and individual academics. The question of the quality is directly related to the quality of educators, students and the infrastructure provided to them by the educational institutions. The level of competency of teachers, curricula and the standards of students intake are the factors that contributes the most, in the deteriorating quality of higher education. Nevertheless inappropriate funding for student support services, libraries, journals, books, ill equipped laboratories and lack of repair facilities for equipment and non qualified staff are crucial factors in education. Salaries and other allowances consume the university budget, thus, little is left for the items so essential for raising the quality of education. Budgetary constraints, particularly for operation, adversely affect the quality of teaching, especially practical training. While at the level of the institution student: staff ratios (SSRs) may seem to be an inevitable consequence of funding levels, institutions in practice spend funds on buildings, on administration, on central services, on marketing, on teachers undertaking research, and so on, to very varying extents, rather than spending it all on teaching time. Low SSRs offer the potential to arrange educational practices that are known to improve educational outcomes. First, close contact with teachers is a good predictor of educational outcomes (Pascarella and Terenzini, 2005) and close contact is more easily possible when there are not too many students for each teacher to make close contact with. Second, the volume, quality and timeliness of teachers feedback on students assignments are also good predictors of educational outcomes and again this requires that teachers do not have so many assignments to mark that they cannot provide enough, high-quality feedback, promptly. A gain, low SSRs do not guarantee good feedback or feedback from experienced teachers. Meta-analysis of large numbers of studies of class-size effects has shown that the more students there are in a class, the lower the level of student achievement (Glass and Smith, 1978, 1979). Other important variables are also negatively affected by class size, such as the quality of the educational process in class (what teachers do), the quality of the physical learning environment, the extent to which student attitudes are positive and the extent of them exhibiting behaviour conducive to learning (Smith and Glass, 1979). These negative class-size effects are greatest for younger students and smallest for students 18 or over (ibid.), but the effects are still quite substantial in higher education. Lindsay and Paton-Saltzberg (1987) found in an English polytechnic that the probability of gaining an A grade is less than half in a module enrolling 50-60 than it is in a module enrolling less than 20. Large classes have negative effects not only on performance but also on the quality o f student engagement: students are more likely to adopt a surface approach in a large class (Lucas et al., 1996) and so to only try to memorise rather than attempt to understand. The number of class contact hours has very little to do with educational quality, independently of what happens in those hours, what the pedagogical model is, and what the consequences are for the quantity and quality of independent study hours. Independent study hours, to a large extent, reflect class contact hours: if there is less teaching then students study more and if there is more teaching students study less, making up total hours to similar totals regardless of the ratio of teaching to study hours (Vos, 1991). However, some pedagogic systems use class contact in ways that are very much more effective than others at generating effective independent study hours. A review of data from a number of studies by Gardiner (1997) found an average of only 0.7 hours of out-of-class studying for each hour in class, in US colleges. I n contrast each hour of the University of Oxfords tutorials generate on average 11 hours of independent study (Trigwell and Ashwin, 2004). Teachers who have teaching qualifications (normally a Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education, or something similar) have been found to be rated more highly by their students than teachers who have no such qualification (Nasr et al., 1996). This finding was in a context where obtaining such a qualification was largely voluntary, and those who have the qualification might be considered to be different in some way from those who have not, and this could be argued to invalidate the comparison. The difference might concern the extent of professionalism or commitment to teaching, but nevertheless there was no control group in the study. A longitudinal study that overcomes this objection has examined the impact over time on students ratings of their teachers, and on teachers thinking about teaching, of (mainly) compulsory initial training during their first year of university teaching, in eight countries. It found improvements on every scale of the Student E valuation of Educational Q uality, a questionnaire developed in the US (Marsh, 1982) and tested for use in the U K (Coffey and Gibbs, 2000), and improvements in the sophistication of teachers thinking (as measured by the Approaches to Teaching Inventory, a measure of teaching that predicts the quality of student learning, Trigwell et al., 2004). This improvement in measures of teaching quality could not be attributed to mere maturation or experience as teachers in a control group in institutions without any initial training were found to get worse over their first year, on the same measures (Gibbs and Coffey, 2004). Functions of higher education The capacity of a nation to develop economically, socially, politically and culturally derives largely from the power to develop and utilise the capabilities of its people. Higher education thus is considered sine qua non of national development, for it produces the highest level of manpower. In all advanced countries, the universities constitute the main spring of human capital. The most successful discharge of the universities role as a change agent is in the area of science and technology. The training of high-level scientific manpower is a matter of vital national concern. Higher education is today recognised as a capital investment in education. It is considered investment of human capital which increases labour productivity furthers technological innovation and produces a rate of return markedly higher than that of physical capital. Today we find the world divided into developed and developing countries. The dividing line between them is the capacity of educational and scientific attainments and its application for economic progress and prosperity (The World Bank, 1990). In modern times, higher education is considered as a means of human resource development in a society. In advanced countries, universities constitute the main spring of knowledge, ideas and innovations. Today, the most successful discharge of a university as an agent of change is in the area of science and technology. The priming and grooming of high-level professional manpower is a matter of vital concern. As a pathway to socio-economic development in a country, higher education cannot be ignored or given low priority. Higher education in a state of rapid development everywhere in the world as its benefits to the social, economic and cultural life of different communities is realisable. This has led to worldwide exponential expansion of universities and colleges; as many more people are encouraged remaining in education. However there are problems. First, higher education is expensive, and its expansion requires ample resources. Second, rapid expansion raises problems of quality ass urance and control, as increased numbers could so easily lead to a decline in standards. Third, expansion in the developing world often draws upon the resources, ideas and expertise of the developed world, even though these may not always be appropriate for every different economic and social system (North, 1997). Higher education plays an important role in the development of society. Universities for centuries had a crucial role in educating the potential professionals, businessmen, political leaders, religious and social philosophers, who serve the community, enrich its values and develop its resources. Universities are complex organisations with multiple missions and a myriad of roles. A university has the roles of providing of theoretical education and professional training, a developer and a disseminator of new knowledge, a catalyst to shape the practice of management and business and a contributor to the community and the national economy (Khurshid, 1998).