Propel Journal of Academic Research

Cross-Cultural Insights into Mindfulness, Empathy, and Academic Burnout

Muhammad Ibrahim — 2024-07-15

Mindfulness-based interventions have demonstrated significant therapeutic benefits across various stages of life, from childhood to old age (De la Fuente Anuncibay et al., 2019). These interventions facilitate the development of empathy and self-forgiveness, as well as forgiveness towards others (Neff & Dahm, 2015). This study takes a novel approach by comparing the levels of mindfulness, academic burnout, and empathy between Pakistani and Yemeni student groups. Additionally, it examines the mediating role of empathy in the relationship between mindfulness and academic burnout. An online survey was conducted among 910 undergraduate and postgraduate students from Pakistan and Yemen, with the majority of participants aged between 18-25 years and 64% of them being male. The results indicated that Pakistani participants had higher scores in mindfulness (MAAS score: 54.65 ± 0.61) and empathy (IRI score: 68.45 ± 0.58). Empathy was found to mediate the relationship between mindfulness and academic burnout, showing a negative correlation with academic burnout and a positive correlation with mindfulness. Recent research supports these findings, highlighting the crucial role of empathy in enhancing mindfulness and reducing academic burnout (Keng et al., 2020; Shapiro et al., 2021).

Inclusive Education: Examining the Role of Vocational Institutions in Supporting Trans and Gender-Diverse Communities in Pakistan

Dr. Shazia Nasir — 2024-07-15

This paper investigates the potential role of vocational institutions specifically designed for trans and gender-diverse individuals in making education more accessible to them, given that these individuals are often socially excluded in Pakistan. The study is based on interviews with alumni from Pakistan's pioneering transgender school, referred to here as the "School of Hope for the Marginalized." Through these interviews, the research aims to understand how vocational education can support the vocational wellbeing of its students. This paper's core objective is to evaluate this school's impact on its students by examining the lived experiences of trans and gender-diverse students who attended the institution in Pakistan. By focusing on these personal accounts, the study seeks to uncover the ways in which the school has influenced their lives, both positively and negatively. This includes assessing changes in their vocational skills, self-esteem, social integration, and overall quality of life. The findings are intended to provide insights into the effectiveness of vocational education in improving the socio-economic status and personal development of trans and gender-diverse individuals, who are often marginalized in society.

Bridging Traditional and Digital: Evolving Architectural Pedagogy in the Modern Era

Hafsa Jamal Siddique — 2024-07-15

This research aims to explore the comprehensive considerations necessary for the effective integration of digital technology into architectural cognition, with the goal of developing a robust framework for digital pedagogy. The study meticulously examines existing methodologies and techniques utilized in Digital Design Studios worldwide, comparing them with current practices in Pakistan. By analyzing design methodologies and tool integration in studios from three different countries, this research seeks to highlight both differences and similarities, thereby contributing to a thorough understanding of the prevailing educational frameworks. The examination of case studies from diverse geographical contexts serves as a catalyst for questioning and potentially refining existing pedagogical practices. In Pakistan, the reliance on pedagogical methods from several decades ago underscores a pressing need to modernize architectural education and align it with contemporary digital media advancements. Consequently, this investigation represents a critical step toward understanding an innovative architectural pedagogy intertwined with technological progress.