An Empirical Study on Emergency of Distant Tertiary Education in the Southern Region of Bangladesh during COVID-19: Policy Implication.

Many fields have been affected by COVID-19, including education. The pandemic has prompted a change in education due to the requirement for social distancing. Campuses are now closed in many educational institutions across the globe, and teaching and learning are now conducted online. Internationalization has significantly slowed down. A mixed-method study was designed for this research, with the goal of ascertaining the impact of COVID-19 on Bangladeshi students enrolled in higher education during and after the pandemic. A questionnaire with 19 questions on a Google form was used to collect quantitative data using a 4-point Likert scale and was conducted on 100 students from different universities in the southern part of Bangladesh, such as Barisal University, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University. For collecting qualitative data, six quasi-interviews were conducted. A statistical package for Social Science (SPSS) was used to analyze both quantitative and qualitative data. The quantitative results demonstrated that during the COVID-19 pandemic, pupils continuously received teaching and learning. The current study's findings revealed a significant positive correlation between the COVID-19 pandemic and teaching, learning, and student achievement and a significant negative correlation between the COVID-19 pandemic and student goals. The study also revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic had a detrimental effect on students enrolled in higher education programs at the universities. The qualitative judgment showed that students faced many problems when joining classes, such as poor Internet connection and insufficient network and technological facilities, etc. Some students live in rural areas and have slow Internet speeds, which sometimes prevented them from joining class. The findings of the study can help policy makers in higher education to review and adopt a new policy in higher education in Bangladesh. It can also help education instructors in universities to develop a proper study plan for their students.

Patients' Intention to Adopt Fintech Services: A Study on Bangladesh Healthcare Sector.

Advancement in technology has facilitated the shift toward new financial services. Numerous industries have undergone a digital transformation because of the expansion of cashless payment systems and other cutting-edge technologies. This study aimed to identify the factors that stimulate the patient's intention to adopt fintech services in the Bangladesh healthcare sector. To facilitate the study, data were collected through survey questionnaires from different hospitals and diagnostic centers patients. A total of 279 patients responded to the survey. The study employed structural equation modelling to analyze the data using SMART PLS 3.2.9. The results revealed that a significant relationship exists between perceived ease of use, social influence, facilitating conditions, personal innovativeness, and perceived trust in fintech services, and the adoption intention of the patients. The results of the study are beneficial to the healthcare sector and fintech companies who wish to make necessary arrangements to advance the growth of cashless fintech-based transactions.

Conceptualization of head-heart-hands model for developing an effective 21st century teacher.

Celebrities, athletes and even politicians are frequently identified as role models for most impressionable students. But the reality is, outside of their own home, one of the greatest role models in a student's life is standing in front of the classroom. Teachers are people to look up to and emulate. This paper attempts to discover some of the essential qualities and skills that would help teachers and the students they teach achieve their full potentials, and also some key characteristics that contribute to teachers and instruction effectiveness. This paper also attempts to highlight the features of 3H (Head, Heart and Hands) model in effective instructional approach and theorizes that the 3H attributes in combination with Bloom's Taxonomy will produce effective 21st century teachers. Hence, this article endeavors to create awareness and contribute to the transformation of teachers toward reflective and visionary; confident and competent teachers. After all, effective teachers will inspire their talented students to live up to their full potentials. Effective 21st century teachers are in the best position to shape and equip students with the desired 21st century skills.