RADINKA IN SOCIAL SCIENCE

Negotiating Student Recruitment challenges in Theological Universities in Lusaka District in Zambia

Alfred Kapepe, Armstrong Chanda — Fri, 29 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Theological education endures invited enrollment challenges globally, and theological universities in Zambia are no exception. This study explored student recruitment challenges, identified their contributing factors, and examined the mitigation measures implemented by two theological institutions—Blessing University of Excellence and Harvest University—in the Lusaka District. A qualitative approach using a descriptive case study design was adopted to investigate the complex relationships between the phenomenon, context, and stakeholders. Data were gathered through purposive sampling from marketing officers, recruiting agents, registrars, students, and theologians across both universities. The findings revealed that delayed registration and student financial constraints were prominent barriers to recruitment. Furthermore, theological programs were widely perceived as non-lucrative, drawing interest predominantly from individuals driven by a spiritual calling. Institutional hurdles, including a shortage of qualified lecturers, difficulties in contextualizing theology, and unfavorable market comparisons with secular faculties, further compounded low enrollment. The study underscores that persistent under-enrollment risks proliferating untrained clergy and misinterpreting theological doctrines. To curb these challenges, this study recommends lowering tuition fees, employing qualified academic staff, implementing flexible payment schemes, and offering scholarships. Additionally, intensifying digital marketing campaigns and fostering strategic collaborations with other universities and government bodies are vital to enhancing enrollment.

Faculty Development Practice Theory: Redefining Characteristics of Professional Competency in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)

Leovigildo Lito D. Mallillin — Fri, 29 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The study aims to identify the faculty development practice theory in redefining characteristics of professional competency in higher education institutions in the area of creating a culture of teaching excellence, advancing initiatives in teaching and learning, and supporting faculties on professional development goals. Descriptive quantitative research is employed in the study. It measures and quantifies the development practice theory on the educational phenomena of the research process. The study comprised sixty (60) respondents only. Results show that creating a culture of teaching experience contributes to relevant insights and offers culture of excellence strategies to encourage motivation, behavior, and improved performance outcomes; show that advancing initiatives in teaching and learning among the respondents improves advanced recognition and evaluation pathway systems in the HEIs where it explores to provide opportunities for advanced initiatives in teaching and learning activities, underlying tasks, and performance of students as centers of learning; and show that supporting faculties on professional development goals among the respondents inspires visualizing success in the achievement of professional development of faculty, process success, and passion at work aspects.

Rising from the Storm: The Resilience and Coping Mechanisms of Typhoon “Tino” Survivors in Cotcot, Liloan, Cebu

Fri, 29 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This study investigated the lived experiences and coping mechanism styles of the residents at Cotcot, Liloan, Cebu, following the devastation caused by Typhoon “Tino” in November 2025. Specifically, it determined the respondents’ profile in terms of age, sex, marital status, occupation, and educational attainment; explored their experiences during the typhoon; examined their coping mechanisms in terms of problem-focused, emotion-focused, and avoidant coping styles; and tested the significant difference among coping styles. The study employed a descriptive- phenomenological research design utilizing a mixed qualitative-quantitative method. The respondents consisted of 40 selected residents at Cotcot, Liloan, Cebu who experienced Typhoon “Tino”, chosen through purposive sampling. Findings revealed that respondents experienced fear, shock, trauma, and loss during the typhoon yet demonstrated resilience through family solidarity, “bayanihan,” and faith. Quantitative results showed that problem-focused coping obtained the highest average weighted mean, followed by emotion-focused coping, while avoidant coping registered the lowest mean, and statistical analysis revealed a significant difference among the coping styles, leading to the rejection of the null hypothesis. Based on these findings, a localized community action plan was formulated to enhance disaster preparedness, psychosocial support, family- centered evacuation strategies, and cooperative community response to strengthen disaster resilience in Cotcot.

Under the Liloan Sun: Exploring the Life Worlds of Local Mobile Stall Vendors

Fri, 29 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This study explored the lived experiences and lifeworlds of mobile stall vendors in Liloan, Cebu, Philippines, aiming to provide a deeper understanding of their daily routines, operational challenges, and coping strategies within the contemporary socio-economic landscape of 2026. A qualitative phenomenological approach was employed to capture the richness, depth, and subjective meanings that these vendors attribute to their daily survival and business operations. Utilizing purposive sampling, ten (10) mobile stall vendors were selected based on structural criteria, including their operational longevity and the diversity of goods sold, ensuring a comprehensive representation of the vending sector. The thematic analysis revealed four interconnected themes: economic drivers and adaptive livelihood strategies, intricate logistical and regulatory challenges, robust social connections with customers and peers, and tactical adaptations to local environmental and dynamic market conditions. These findings highlight the complex socio-economic realities of informal sector workers, who constantly negotiate municipal regulations while leveraging informal social safety nets to sustain their enterprises. Ultimately, this study underscores the resilience of mobile vendors and provides critical empirical insights for the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Liloan to formulate inclusive urban development policies, social protection frameworks, and formal recognitions that integrate these grassroots entrepreneurs into the local economic ecosystem.

The Nigerian State and Industrialization Catch-22: The Taipei Trajectory

Godwin E. Essoh, Udofia Sunday Umoh — Fri, 29 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

While social welfare systems are deeply institutionalized in the developed world, they remain routinely marginalized in developing nations due to infrastructure deficits and political volatility. Despite its vast natural resource wealth, Nigeria’s social protection framework is rudimentary and exclusionary, leaving the vulnerable majority unprotected and compounding underdevelopment. This paper critically interrogates the structural root causes of Nigeria's welfare deficits, aiming to evaluate the institutional bottlenecks hindering equitable delivery and map out prospects for policy reform. Utilizing a qualitative policy review approach, the study analyzes national protection frameworks and socioeconomic indicators. The findings reveal that welfare delivery is severely crippled by systemic corruption, fiscal vulnerability due to oil dependence, and data inaccuracy. However, prospects exist through the institutionalization of ad hoc programs and digital FinTech integration for transparent distribution. The study concludes that a fundamental paradigm shift is required to dismantle these exclusionary structures. It implies that the international community and global donor agencies must strategically integrate strict social welfare benchmarks into their frameworks for good governance. In this way, developing nations like Nigeria can convert social security from a political afterthought into a guaranteed reality for the populace.

Review Interrogating Social Welfare in Nigeria: Problems and Prospects

Godwin E. Essoh — Fri, 29 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

While social welfare systems are deeply institutionalized in the developed world, they remain marginalized in developing nations due to infrastructure deficits and political volatility. Despite its vast natural resource wealth, Nigeria's social protection framework is rudimentary and exclusionary, leaving the vulnerable majority unprotected and compounding underdevelopment. This paper critically interrogates the structural root causes of Nigeria's welfare deficits, aiming to evaluate the institutional bottlenecks hindering equitable delivery and map out prospects for policy reform. Utilizing a qualitative policy review approach, the study analyzes national protection frameworks and economic indicators. The findings reveal that welfare delivery is severely crippled by systemic corruption, fiscal vulnerability due to oil dependence, and data inaccuracy. However, prospects exist through the institutionalization of ad hoc programs and digital FinTech integration for transparent distribution. The study concludes that a fundamental paradigm shift is required to dismantle these exclusionary structures. It implies that the international community and global donor agencies must strategically integrate strict social welfare benchmarks into their frameworks for good governance. In this way, developing nations like Nigeria can convert social security from a political afterthought into a guaranteed reality for the population.