The effect of the latest novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) on higher education, specifically the transition from face-to-face sessions to online and interactive learning systems, is investigated in this study. The paper discusses the difficulties that higher education institutions face in transitioning to 'online pedagogy,' including mobility issues, technology connectivity, digital learning, and differential access to education. The key obstacles of a shift to distance learning during COVID-19, according to the findings, are technical resources and differential access to education. Though COVID-19 was challenging for students, it also served as a springboard for realistic alternatives such as artificial intelligence (AI), public-private educational collaborations, and digitalization. Universities should study policies to mitigate the detrimental effects of COVID-19, according to the findings, while maintaining a dedication to creativity and largescale changes in practice.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) first appeared in China in late 2019 and since then it has become a pandemic. Various countries, in accordance with their cultures, have adopted different approaches to deal with the spread of this disease. The dimensions of this disease and its global spread are such that it will certainly have enormous effects on various aspects of human life for many years. One of these issues is examining the approach of religious countries in dealing with this crisis. The issue of science and religion is one of the main issues in the philosophy of religion. A historical event that human society is struggling with today is the COVID-19 crisis. The issues of religion and science were intertwined during the COVID-19 outbreak, contrary to what some thought. This shows that the opposition between religion and science is not real but aims to attack religion without a valid reason. Given the importance of the subject, this article addresses two aspects of people’s exposure to religion during the COVID-19 period. On the one hand, the researchers’ field observations indicate that group of citizens has turned towards religious teachings since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis. On the other hand, another group of citizens have distanced themselves from religiosity, raising the duality of science and religion.Contribution: This article describes the dual attitude of citizens towards religiosity due to the occurrence of COVID-19, which has not been previously considered in research.

Background The role of screen time in promoting obesity among children has been reported in previous studies. However, the effects of different screen types and the dose–response association between screen time and obesity among children is not summarized yet. In the current meta-analysis we systematically summarized the association between obesity and screen time of different screen types in a dose–response analysis. Methods A systematic search from Scopus, PubMed and Embase electronic databases was performed. Studies that evaluated the association between screen time and obesity up to September 2021 were retrieved. We included 45 individual studies that were drawn from nine qualified studies into meta-analysis. Results The results of the two-class meta-analysis showed that those at the highest category of screen time were 1.2 times more likely to develop obesity [odds ratio (OR) = 1.21; confidence interval (CI) = 1.113, 1.317; I2 = 60.4%; P < 0.001). The results of subgrouping identified that setting, obesity status and age group were possible heterogeneity sources. No evidence of non-linear association between increased screen time and obesity risk among children was observed (P-nonlinearity = 0.310). Conclusion In the current systematic review and meta-analysis we revealed a positive association between screen time and obesity among children without any evidence of non-linear association. Due to the cross-sectional design of included studies, we suggest further studies with longitudinal or interventional design to better elucidate the observed associations.

The present study explores teachers of English as a foreign language (EFL) in Asia, their attitudes toward teaching English, the roles of teaching the English language, motivations, benefits, implications, and the reason they are highly recognized in non-English speaking countries. The researcher applied the qualitative method through semi-structured interviews with (n=4) Ghanaian teachers working in three countries in Asia as EFL instructors; their strengths and weaknesses were investigated. The result of semi-structured interviews revealed that Ghanaian teachers&#39; primary role in Asia is to teach English and literacy skills. Moreover, the reasons they chose to work in Asia are higher salaries and better working conditions. Their inability to speak the local language and culture diversity were their weaknesses. Native and Non-native English teachers&#39; preferences, which directly/indirectly affect English teaching, are discussed.&nbsp; The respondents&#39; positive attitude toward English teaching overseas is also investigated and presented. This empirical study revealed the globalization of English in the 21st century.

Evaluation processes must be conceived in line with learner-centered emphasis though instruction in English for Academic Purposes (EAP) is grounded on learner-centered approaches, EAP-English for Academic Purpose, which is considered as a major important functional feature of the language. Formative evaluation is major evaluation approach that provides various advantages for EAP students. This study examined (n=50) the perception of lecturers in three Thai universities, including Walailak, of including the inclusion of formative assessments in EAP instruction. The findings showed that, despite several obstacles to its implementation, lecturers have adapted optimistic attitudes to the use of formative evaluation in EAP education through studies and interviews. In addition, the instructors knew the merits of EAP training assessment. However, the expertise and the knowledge required for the formational assessment of EAP instructions were not available to them. The main evaluation in the form of the final examination was summative. This study suggests that formative evaluation should be taken into account in the EAP curriculum.