Globalisation and rapid environmental change have created many challenges for public and private organisations across Iraq as a developing country, particularly in the higher education sector. This includes, for example, decreases in government funding; increased demand for higher education; a need for economic transformation, and related competitiveness of organizations. Such challenges require exceptional leaders and strategic planning in order to take action to improve. In Iraq, the higher education sector is still one of the main foundations in progressing the knowledge economy. Studies into leadership style, strategic planning processes, and the importance of leadership and organisational culture to an organisation’s success have been used to assist both public and private Iraqi colleges in responding to the challenges they face. Although, some studies have examined the interaction between leadership and strategic planning, and leadership and organisational success, there has been no empirical study that has investigated how these three variables interact together. Thus, this study aimed, firstly, to identify the current leadership styles and strategic planning processes in the colleges and the challenges they faced, and to gain an understanding from the perspective of the senior leaders themselves as to how they might best respond to the current situation. Secondly, based on the participants’ experiences, knowledge and perceptions, the study aimed to identify implications for both practice and policy to help improve the colleges’ outcomes. The study involved a mixed-methods approach and was conducted in two stages. During the first stage, the researcher gathered quantitative data by administering a survey package to 129 leaders (deans, associate deans, and heads of departments) across both public and private colleges in the capital city of Baghdad. During the second stage, the researcher gathered qualitative data to more deeply explore the survey results by conducting individual interviews with a sub-sample of 21 leaders from both college types (ten public and 11 private). In the data analyses stages, both descriptive statistics and inferential statistics were applied to compiling tables and charts, and to test hypotheses, by employing the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), Microsoft Excel, and NVivo. The results of study showed that both transformational and transactional leadership styles played a varied and vital role in the colleges’ strategic planning processes, and in turn their success. The fact that private colleges were ‘for profit’ and public colleges were ‘not for profit’, as well as their contrasting funding models, highlighted key differences between the two college types’ leadership and general modus operandi. While it was found that both transformative leadership and transactional leadership styles were necessary to address the challenges colleges faced in the Iraqi educational context, the impetus for change extended far beyond the need for professional development of leaders. The embracing of information communication technologies, and reliable Internet was seen as necessary in all aspects of the colleges’ work and provision for teaching and learning, and students’ success. This applied to both college types along with the need for closer adherence to government regulations and more focused government coordination of colleges’ administrative functions. Furthermore, implications for making successful improvements to practice also identified the need to manage the challenge of sociocultural influences on the appointments and promotions of leaders. It was concluded that a greater emphasis on teamwork and provision of incentives for staff, along with a ‘boost’ to pedagogy and practice, which could be provided through the adoption of information communication technologies and appropriate professional development strategies, would enhance the colleges’ ranks and the status of their qualifications. Also, theoretically, the study offers a value-add to leadership, strategic planning process, and organisational success literature in the form of a conceptual model that links these variables in the context of Iraqi higher education sector.
Two local fish Himri Carasobarbus luteus (Heckel, 1843) and Hishni Liza abu (Heckel, 1843) were stained with Alizarin Red and featured some anatomical qualities which cleared the difference of the muscular and skeletal fabric for each fish. Since clear Histologic differences appeared in these two species, it was intended from this study the possibility of adopting a diagnosis between local fish species by staining bones and tissues.
DBN Rashid, Talent Development & Excellence, 2020
Proverbs and preaching Sermons in Pre-Islamic Poetry and their indications Peacefulness
Objective(s): The present study aims at studying the relationship between immunoglobulin IgG, IgA,
IgM , as well as to C-3 and C-4 in brain tumours patients immunity (meningioms and gliomas).
Methodology: Forty sera of brain tumour patients were included 20 glioma and 20 meningioma was
tested to determine the levels of IgM, IgG IgA, C-3 and C-4 by using single radial immune-diffusion
technique and compared with 20 apparently healthy blood donors.
Results: The study revealed a significant decreasing in IgG levels in glioma as compare to meningioma
and control. The concentration of two other serum immunoglobulins and complement in both
meningioma and glioma show no significant differences with those in control group.
Background: osteoporosis is characterized by a reduction in bone mineral density, skeletal microstructure breakdown, increased bone fragility, and fracture susceptibility. Osteopenia is the preceding step to osteoporosis because it causes a decrease in bone mass, osteoporosis reduces a person's quality of life. Periostin (encoded by Postn), its name is derived from the fact that it was first detected in periosteal osteocytes and osteoblasts. Periostin deficiency has been linked to osteoporosis and weak bones. Study objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine periostin levels in serum of Iraqi patients with osteoporosis and osteopenia, and it is also possible to consider periostin as a diagnostic factor to follow the progression o
... Show MoreThe Sultanate of Oman is located in the far southwest of the Arabian Peninsula and enjoys a distinctive geographical location as it overlooks the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. The Sultanate has good relations with various countries of the world and enjoys an important regional position. At the beginning of 2020, Sultan Qaboos bin Said died, and Haitham bin Tariq assumed power after him, according to the will of his cousin, the late Sultan. The new Sultan had held some important positions before 2020, including: Minister of Heritage and Culture since February 2002, Chairman of the Supreme Committee for the Future Vision (Oman 2040), Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs f
... Show MoreObjective To investigate the accuracy of gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) E-cadherin and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) to discriminate periodontal health from disease. Subjects and Methods GCF samples were collected from participants with periodontal health (control), gingivitis, and periodontitis (n = 25 each group). The latter group was further subdivided according to stage (S) and grade. Periodontal parameters were recorded then levels of biomarkers were assayed using ELISA and antioxidant status by use of the Total Antioxidant Capacity Assay for E-cadherin and TAC, respectively. Results All periodontal parameters were significantly higher in periodontally diseased groups than controls. The GCF E-cadherin significantly increased
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The purpose of this study was to examine the role of cortisol, and it is related to BMI in the chronic diseases which may increase early cardiovascular disease (CVD) in old Iraqi. The subjects were 116 adults, aged 51-71 years. Body Mass Index (BMI), Waist Circumferences (WC) and Waist Hip Ratio (WHR) were used as a measure of adiposity. Investigation showed highly significant difference between patients in BMI ranges, most of male were in an obese weight range (48.5%), as well in women. There were no significant correlations between serum cortisol concentration and age both gender groups. While there were highly significant correlations between cortisol level and BMI, waist, and WHR (except in female subjects), also there were highly signi
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The debate on the methodology of media and communication research is no longer subject to the logic of the contradiction between the quantitative and the qualitative approach, nor the logic of the comparison between them. The nature of the topics presented for research, the problems they raise, the goals to be achieved from the research, and the epistemological positioning of researchers are among the critical factors that dictate the appropriate approach or methodological approaches to conduct their research. This positioning means the implicit philosophical principles upon which any researcher relies and which determine the path he/ she takes to produce scientifically approved knowledge. The method of the researcher's access to the phe
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Actinomycetes are free, spore-forming, high (G+C) ratio (>55%) saprophytic microorganisms that are widely distributed in most soils, colonize plants, and are prevalent in water. This is frequently accompanied by the production of filament airborne mycelium. Actinomycetes are well-known microcolonies for creating antibiotics and other critical bioactive components that are beneficial to humans. Approximately 70% to 80% of commercially available medications and antiviral active compounds have been synthesized so far. Secondary metabolites produced by microbes have the potential to be used in a variety of sectors, including antimicrobial agents, enzyme technology, pigment manufacture, antitumor agents against cancer cells, and toxin pr
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