This study aims to develop a hierarchical model to identify and rank the challenges faced by conventional and Islamic banks in Bangladesh in providing quality service, along with their corresponding critical success factors (CSFs). Few studies have systematically analysed the challenges and practical solutions for these banks. In this study, specific objectives include: 1. Identifying challenges faced in prioritisation by conventional and Islamic banks. 2. Ascertaining CSFs for each challenge. 3. Ranking the challenges and CSFs. 4. Developing a hierarchical model to enhance the Bangladeshi banking sector's effectiveness. Using an exploratory sequential mixed-method design, qualitative data were collected from 14 experts from conventional banks and 15 from Islamic banks, followed by a survey of 120 respondents for prioritisation. Data for both stages were purposely accumulated from internal and external stakeholders of Bangladeshi conventional and Islamic banking sectors, ranging from relevant personnel. Six challenges were identified for conventional banks: ‘global financial crisis,’ ‘lack of governance,’ ‘liquidity crisis,’ ‘export-import remittance,’ ‘insufficient banking technology development,’ and ‘employees’ insufficient banking knowledge.’ For Islamic banks, the challenges included ‘lack of governance,’ ‘lack of capital market,’ ‘liquidity crisis,’ ‘lack of Islamic products,’ and ‘employees’ insufficient Islamic banking knowledge.’ The Analytic Hierarchy Process ranked ‘employees’ insufficient banking knowledge’ as the top challenge and ‘reward based on performance’ as the key CSF for conventional banks. For Islamic banks, the most crucial challenge was ‘lack of capital market,’ with ‘ensuring uniformity in Islamic banking practices’ as the main CSF. By addressing these challenges and CSFs, banks can achieve a sustainable competitive advantage, enhancing operational performance and service quality. The developed hierarchical model aims to improve both the competitiveness of banks and the broader economic development of Bangladesh.

Marine macroalgae are valuable sources of bioactive compounds with applications in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. Ulva lactuca, a green seaweed, has gained attention due to its rich bioactive composition and therapeutic potential. However, challenges remain in optimizing extraction and delivery systems. This research aimed to enhance bioactive compound extraction from U. lactuca and improve their cosmetic activity through nanoemulgel formulations.The study focused on four key bioactive components: carotenoids, flavonoids, proteins, and ulvan polysaccharides. Using response surface methodology (RSM), extraction conditions and formulation parameters were optimized for maximum yield and efficiency. Comparative analysis of extraction techniques revealed that ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE) outperformed conventional solvent extraction (COSE) and orbital shaker extraction (OSE). Freeze-drying (FD) was the most effective preservation method compared to oven-drying (OD), air-drying (AD), and sun-drying (SD). For carotenoid extraction, an optimized solvent system (hexane:acetone:methanol, 2:1:1) with 0.05 % BHT was used. ?-carotene extraction achieved optimal yield at a 1:32 g/mL solute-to-solvent ratio (85 min, 32 �C), while fucoxanthin extraction was optimized at 1:52 g/mL (87 min, 34 �C). The validated HPLC methodology showed high linearity (r� > 0.999), precision (RSD < 4 %), and accuracy (recovery 79.19-86.32 %). Flavonoid extraction yielded a maximum quercetin concentration (0.0981 mg/g) under optimized conditions (1:52 g/mL, 84 min, 34 �C). The validated HPLC method exhibited high sensitivity (LOD = 0.0536 mg/g, LOQ = 0.1624 mg/g). Protein extraction (Protocol P1) yielded 15.51 � 0.55 % protein and 2.48 � 0.09 % nitrogen. Optimal extraction (23:100 g/mL solute-to-solvent, 3.5 h, 77 �C) resulted in 36.68 % protein and 5.87 % nitrogen. Freeze-drying and oven-drying preserved amino acid levels best (8.46 % and 8.37 %, respectively). Ulvan polysaccharide extraction was optimized at pH 2.1 (82 �C, 3.5 h), yielding 150.45 mg/g neutral sugar, 73.57 mg/g uronic acid, and 471.84 mg/g crude ulvan. The model maintained high accuracy with percentage errors below 1 %. Nanoemulgel development showed high-speed homogenization (HSH) was most effective. Formulations with 2.5 % extract and NET (Tween 80) ensured stability. The optimal 1:2 gelling ratio provided spreadability and transdermal application consistency, maintaining skin-compatible pH (5.80-6.50) and stable viscosity for 90 days. This study establishes standardized protocols for U. lactuca bioactive extraction and transdermal delivery, offering insights for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications while promoting sustainable marine resource use. Future research may focus on industrial scalability and additional therapeutic applications.

This research investigated fraud committed by forensic expert witnesses in the Malaysian justice system. Expert witnesses are individuals called by the relevant parties to give professional opinions on matters of their specialisation which they cannot mislead, be dishonest, or be biased. However, fraud by forensic expert witnesses does exist and proving fraud against them could be difficult, but not impossible. When fraud is committed by forensic expert witness and there are ways to prove it, then there must be legal remedies made possible to curb or mitigate the issue, but it has not been identified. Thus, this research aims to analyse acts of fraud committed by forensic expert witness in the Malaysian justice system, to examine how the Malaysian justice system could resolve the problem of fraud by forensic expert witnesses, and to justify recommendations on the legal remedies for the Malaysian justice system. This research is a qualitative research. Data were collected using document analysis, namely books, reported cases and other materials relating to forensic fraud. This research revealed that the forensic expert witnesses do commit fraud in many forms such as misrepresentation of scientific knowledge, failing to disclose material information, abuse of position and perjury or false testimony. To establish fraud, four elements must exist, which are a false statement, intent, knowledge, and damage. More crucially, in order to prove fraud, the burden of proof and the standard of proof must be established. Then, there are legal remedies available as a criminal and civil actions to mitigate the forensic expert witnesses from committing fraud, which include compensation for damages, restitution, and deterrence. There are recommendations to be considered for forensic expert witnesses and to mitigate fraud from being committed by them in the Malaysian justice system. It is recommended action be taken to assist the forensic expert witness, including certain requirements for a forensic expert witness and maintaining professionalism in providing testimony. It is also recommended that guidelines or procedures be developed for forensic expert witnesses to follow while giving testimony in court. The findings of this research are likely to have an impact on Malaysian legislators in terms of improving the law and mitigating fraud by forensic expert witnesses. The public should also play a role in dealing with fraud when detecting fraudulent offenses in court proceedings or witness statements by lodging complaints accordingly.

Sustainability issues have become critical problems plaguing SMEs worldwide. Undoubtedly, SMEs contribute largely to many countries' development; hence, they should take measures to ensure a sustainable competitive advantage. Based on this concern, this study was conducted to examine the effect of resources (tangible and intangible) on SMEs' sustainability in Malaysia. Dynamic capabilities (digitalisation and humanisation) have been identified as the mediating factor. At the same time, environmental uncertainties were considered as a moderating factor in the relationship between tangible and intangible resources and sustainability. This study applied a quantitative method, which was then supported by a qualitative method. For the quantitative data, questionnaires were distributed to respondents face-to-face and 338 responses were selected using a random sampling method and analysed using SPSS and AMOS. Based on structural equation modelling, the study found that tangible and intangible resources are significantly related to sustainability, and dynamic capabilities mediate the relationship between tangible and intangible resources and sustainability. In addition, environmental uncertainties play a moderate role in the relationship between tangible and intangible resources and sustainability. Qualitative data were then collected through interviews to support and explore the results obtained through this quantitative analysis. A total of 5 subject matter experts were involved in the interview. The result highlights the importance of practical resources and capabilities, learning new technologies and practices, enhancing dynamic resources, valuing tangible and intangible resources, and humanisation and digitalisation towards ensuring SMEs' sustainability. The results also support the mediation role of dynamic capabilities and the moderation of environmental uncertainties in the relationship between resource capabilities (tangible and intangible) and SMEs' sustainability. Furthermore, the study's findings assert that adopting proactive risk assessment frameworks can help stakeholders in Malaysian SMEs strengthen their support for sustainable growth by identifying and classifying potential financial, operational, market, and environmental risks by employing techniques like SWOT analysis and PESTEL analysis. It also helps by evaluating the probability and consequences of identified risks using qualitative and quantitative approaches, ranking risks according to their potential impact on business operations, creating and executing plans to reduce known risks, creating backup plans for critical risks to maintain business operations, keeping a constant watch on the risk environment and the effectiveness of mitigation strategies. The findings highlight the need to assist SMEs in implementing and managing the risk assessment framework by frequently updating the framework to align with changes in the business environment, delivering continual training on risk management and assessment methods to small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) owners and managers and providing support in the form of consultation and advisory services. The findings also suggest the benefits of establishing two-way communications between government agencies and Malaysian SMEs, sharing information and addressing the need for support, public trust, and business owners' awareness. Lastly, this study's findings can support SMEs and other related firms in ensuring sustainability and guide the government in developing policies related to SMEs and other related agencies

This study investigates the relationship between self-regulated learning strategies and self-efficacy among Kulliyyah of Human Sciences IIUM undergraduate students. It also attempts to identify the common self-regulated learning strategies that students use during their study and identify the level of self-efficacy. Lastly, it also investigates if there is a re1ationship between self-regulated ]earning strategies and self-efficacy with the variables of gender, CGPA and major. The study utilizes two questionnaires. The first measures self-regulated learning strategies and the second questionnaire measures students' level of self-efficacy. A stratified random sampling was used to se1ect 293 undergraduate students from the Ku1liyyah of Human Sciences. Descriptive statistics, correlational ana1ysis and cross tabulation are used to analyze the data. Findings provide evidence that respondents frequently use some strategies like "keeping records and monitoring", "reviewing texts, notes and test" in their study with the majority of the students being at the moderate ]eve] of self-efficacy. The study also shows that there is a significant relationship between self-regulated learning strategies and self-efficacy. As for gender and CGPA they did not correlate significantly with self-regulated learning strategies, while major has significant relationship with self-regulated learning strategies. Finally, there is no significant relationship between self-efficacy and variables of gender and CGP A. In contrast, the ]eve] of self-efficacy has a significant relationship with majors.

Telecommunications remain one of the most strategic economic sectors that assume prominence in the current discourses on growth and integration of national economies and transnational production. An effective telecommunications system enables countries to achieve impressive socio-economic gains. However, the Nigerian telecommunications system under state monopoly has been characterized as grossly inefficient and financially a burden on the government, among others. The government has placed a conscious strategy towards regulatory reforms in the sector. The reforms emphasize on market opening by allowing entry of private and transnational operators into the country's telecommunications market, which will eventually lead to a transformation within the industry. This study attempts to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the transformation in Nigeria's telecommunications industry, with emphasis on the impact towards economic growth. The privatization policy in this sector that resulted in the emergence of private and transnational firms, led to telephone services being more easily accessible, cost effective and competitive amongst the operators. The central argument of this study is that a significant correlation exists between market competition and growth, showing Nigerian telecommunications has been positively affected by the new deregulation policy. The positive impact of deregulations was proven by the growth rate of the selected indicators that were arranged into two broad dimensions: economic and technological dimensions. The economic dimension focuses on some economic variables, namely the sector's investment growth rate and revenue percentage compared to GDP, while the technological dimension gives emphasis towards technological and ICT related indicators, to be precise, advanced telecommunications infrastructure and the emergence of new telecommunication services.

This dissertation presents a comprehensive study of the issue of talfiq (concoction) in Islamic banking contracts. Many people believe that Islamic banking is merely a replication of conventional banking and does not meet the spirit (maqasid) of shariah due to the similarities between Islamic finance products and conventional usurious products in their economic effects. The study is divided into five chapters, with the first chapter introducing the problem and the structure of the dissertation .The second chapter delves into the concepts of ijtihad, taq?ld, and ift??, clarifying the terms and conditions related to each concept. The third chapter provides a detailed explanation of the concept of talfiq and its types, as well as the difference between talfiq and other related terms in Islamic jurisprudence .The forth chapter discusses the emergence of Islamic banking and whether adopting an approach of h?lah in forming Islamic financial contracts is acceptable. It also explains why Islamic banks are forced to imitate conventional banking and the economic consequences of such imitation .The fifth chapter provides a critical analysis of the main Islamic financial contracts, including mur?baha, ig?rah muntahia bi’taml?k, and mush?rakah mutan?qisah. The study has adopted an inductive approach in gathering the related information. It also applied an analytic method to discuss the arguments and deduce its results. The study concludes that the main reason why Islamic banks are forced to imitate conventional ones is the banking system, where finance is connected with money creation. Therefore, adopting a different system that separates money creation from finance is necessary to provide authentic halal products.

The development of sports within the Malaysian sporting arena must be sustained in order to promote further growth and to achieve world-class status. In order to sustain the development in sports, there are various aspects that need to be taken into consideration besides introducing various mechanisms to improve the quality of performance of the athletes. At present the principal concern among the sporting community is that there are insufficient legal provisions providing for the protection of the rights of sportsperson. The Sports Development Act 1997 (Act 576) (referred as "SDA 1997") was passed in order to promote and facilitate the development and administration of sports in Malaysia. Development of sporting activities is dependant very much on the sportspersons themselves and if the welfare of the sportspersons is not taken care of, it may stultify development of sports in Malaysia. Thus, this dissertation seek to examine the problems faced by the sportspersons and to propose the necessary changes to improve the existing system in order to deliver better protection for the sporting community. The aims and objectives of this dissertation are to improve the existing legal measures promoting the protection of a sportspersons rights. Chapter one deals with the historical development of sports in Malaysia. Chapter two examines the contractual rights of a sportsperson and the shortcomings of the Malaysian system in providing the necessary protection for a sportsperson. Chapter three examines the extent of the tortious liability of a sports organisation in the event a sportsperson suffers injury in the course of representing the organisation in sporting events. Chapter Four examines the criminal liability of a sportsperson. Chapter Five examines the rights of a sportsperson guaranteed in the Federal Constitution. And chapter 6 is the concluding chapter where proposals for reforming the existing legislative measures are made.