Rapidly rising demand for food fuelled by population growth, urbanisation and income growth offers enormous opportunities for employment creation in the agri-food sector in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA): the sector has the potential to be a driver of economic trans- formation. This policy brief highlights the main results from a GIZ-supported study of the evolving employment dynamics in SSA’s agri-cultural value chains by Michigan State University. Three main pathways are described that provide job opportunities in agricultural value chains and in the non-farm sectors. Further, the study summarizes key entry points for investment and policy actions to promote inclusive, competitive and productive agri-food systems generating employment opportunities and contributing to economic growth and transformation. In order to fully capture employment and income growth opportunities in SSA’s agricultural value chains, investment is required in the following five key areas: 1. Broad-based agricultural productivity growth; 2. Information and communication technologies (ICT) and complementary research and development (R&D);3. Education and skill development;4. Conditions for responsive policymaking on youth employment issues; and5. Interventions that reduce fertility rates and speed up the demographic transition.

This article examines the crucial role of balanced nutrition in maintaining most favourable health and wellbeing. A comprehensive analysis of existing written works highlight the significance of essential nutrients, including macronutrients, micronutrients, and fiber, in preventing chronic diseases, enhancing cognitive function, and promoting healthy weight management. The analysis underscore the importance of adopting a well-balanced diet, tailored to individual needs, to mitigate the risk of nutrition-related disorders and optimize quality of life.

This article examines the significance of considering various aspects of color perception in the process of developing digital interfaces. Color serves as a fundamental element of human vision and perception of the environment; therefore, it is crucial to account for diverse manifestations of color vision, including color blindness, achromatopsia, and tetrachromacy. Attention is given to the impact of design standards on improving user convenience, reducing the likelihood of errors, and decreasing cognitive load. The purpose of this study is to provide recommendations for designing digital product interfaces that accommodate users with various forms of color perception.

To achieve these goals, a review of scientific literature was conducted, methodologies for color adaptation were studied, and the application of simulators for color perception deviations was examined. The focus is placed on color blindness, reduced contrast perception, and changes in visual function occurring with age.

The findings emphasize the need to create interfaces tailored to users with varying characteristics. Key directions include color schemes with contrasting elements, mechanisms for adjusting hues, and visual signals that complement core content. Automated color solutions enable the consideration of users' individual parameters.

A design approach that takes into account the specifics of color perception enhances interaction with interfaces, making them more accessible.

The information presented in this study will be of interest to developers engaged in interface design, software specialists, experts studying cognitive processes, and those working in the field of computer vision. The described methodologies find application in educational and commercial initiatives aimed at promoting inclusivity.

This study investigates the impact of experience and leadership skills training in virtual teams in self-managed schools in East Jerusalem. A mixed quantitative and qualitative approach was used to collect and analyze data from a sample of virtual team leaders and members in these schools. The results showed that there is a statistically significant relationship between the level of experience and training received and the development of effective leadership skills in the virtual environment. The study showed that more experienced leaders and those with advanced training showed higher proficiency in managing virtual teams, compared to those with less experience or insufficient training. The results also indicated that continuous training plays a crucial role in improving the performance of leaders and their ability to meet the needs of virtual teams, which enhances the effectiveness of teamwork and the achievement of organizational goals. Based on these findings, the study recommends strengthening training and professional development programs for virtual team leaders to ensure the highest levels of performance and effectiveness.

Liminality reflects the varied, multiple, complex and specific life contexts of people with disabilities. These contexts are marked by a succession of trials, periods of transition, initiation and social breakdown. Liminality only makes sense when referring to rituals, to the threshold moments between one life situation and another. Considered as a framework for analysing disability situations, this article takes an inclusive approach to liminality. Inclusive in the sense that it focuses on the situation of disability. The situational nature of disability requires us to assess, re-evaluate and over-evaluate, and to take into account the person's living context, their impairment(s), incapacities and activity limitations, their living environment, the quality of their social interactions and their needs. It has to be said that one of the major needs of people with disabilities is and remains inclusion, belonging to a group without distinction, being accepted and recognised as a full member in the same way as everyone else. However, this desire for full socialisation on the part of people with disabilities remains far from being achieved, not only because of personal barriers but also because of the environmental obstacles involved in the process of producing disability.

This research examines the impact of manpower training and development practices on organizational efficiency, focusing on selected establishments under the Borno State Ministry of Health and Human Services. Training and development are pivotal in equipping employees with the skills and knowledge necessary to meet organizational goals, especially in resource-constrained and conflict-affected regions like Borno State. The study adopts a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative data to explore the nature, effectiveness, and challenges of training programs implemented in the healthcare sector.

Key objectives include assessing the types of training programs available, evaluating their impact on employee performance and organizational efficiency, and identifying barriers to effective training implementation. Data collection involves surveys, interviews, and document analysis from three key establishments: the Hospital Management Board, the State Primary Healthcare Development Board, and the Borno State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency.

Preliminary findings reveal that while training initiatives enhance technical and administrative competencies, challenges such as limited funding, inadequate infrastructure, and high staff turnover hinder their effectiveness. The study underscores the importance of aligning training programs with organizational objectives and the unique healthcare challenges of the region. Recommendations emphasize increased investment in workforce development, adoption of innovative training methods such as e-learning, and strengthening policy frameworks to sustain manpower development efforts.

This research contributes to the discourse on human resource development in Nigeria's public healthcare sector, offering actionable insights for policymakers, administrators, and stakeholders aiming to optimize workforce efficiency and service delivery in challenging environments.

The experiences of Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) academics in higher education institutions have garnered increasing attention due to persistent disparities and challenges faced by these groups. This protocol outlines a systematic review aimed at exploring the experiences of BAME academics in alternative higher education institutions. The review will synthesize existing literature to identify key themes, challenges, and opportunities encountered by BAME academics in these non-traditional settings. The systematic review will follow established guidelines, including a comprehensive search strategy across multiple databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Inclusion criteria will focus on peer-reviewed articles, dissertations, and reports that examine the experiences of BAME academics in alternative higher education institutions. Studies will be selected based on relevance, methodological rigor, and the richness of data on BAME academics' experiences. Data extraction will involve detailed coding of study characteristics, participant demographics, and key findings related to the experiences of BAME academics. Thematic analysis will be employed to identify recurring patterns and themes across the selected studies. This approach will allow for a nuanced understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities faced by BAME academics in alternative higher education institutions. The findings from this systematic review will provide valuable insights into the lived experiences of BAME academics, highlighting areas for policy intervention and institutional support. By identifying best practices and areas needing improvement, this review aims to contribute to the development of more inclusive and equitable higher education environments. The results will be disseminated through academic publications, conference presentations, and stakeholder engagement to inform future research, policy, and practice. This protocol underscores the importance of addressing the specific needs of BAME academics in alternative higher education institutions and aims to foster a more inclusive academic landscape.

This study examines the typology and functionality of graphical display elements in modern speech internet communication. Specifically, the research aimed to analyze different types of internet communication and their non-verbal components, thereby identifying and categorizing structural, functional, and semantic characteristics of these communication forms.

To achieve these objectives, the study employed qualitative content analysis methodology to examine various forms of internet communication including blogs, social networks, email, and internet conversations. In particular, the analysis focused on four main categories of graphical elements: emoticons/smileys, emojis, graphic stickers, and memes, examining their communicative functions, contextual usage patterns, and semantic interpretations.

Subsequently, the findings reveal that online interaction represents a complex system incorporating both verbal and non-verbal elements, where graphical display elements serve multiple functions beyond decoration. Furthermore, the research demonstrates that emoticons primarily express emotional states, while emojis offer semantic precision through categorized pictograms. Additionally, stickers provide character-based emotional expression, whereas memes serve as cultural touchstones that build community and establish shared understanding among users.

Consequently, the study concludes that graphical display elements have become integral to modern digital literacy, thus compensating for the absence of traditional non-verbal cues in digital communication while creating new forms of expression unique to the digital environment. Moreover, the formality and informality of internet communication are determined by both platform characteristics and addressee relationships, with graphical elements adapting their roles accordingly in each context. These findings, therefore, have significant implications for educators, communication specialists, and platform developers who must consider the fundamental role of these elements in facilitating effective online communication.

The integration of technology into educational settings has revolutionized traditional learning methods, creating new opportunities for personalized and engaging learning experiences. However, the successful implementation and maximization of technology-enhanced learning (TEL) require the active involvement of educators and professionals. This study explores the critical role of educators and other educational professionals in shaping and influencing the effectiveness of TEL. By examining key influential factors such as professional development, teacher attitudes toward technology, institutional support, and collaboration among educators, the research aims to identify strategies for unlocking the full potential of TEL. Drawing on insights from various educational settings, the study highlights how educators' knowledge, skills, and willingness to adapt to technological changes are essential for fostering successful technology integration in the classroom. The findings suggest that continuous professional development, collaborative learning environments, and strong institutional support structures are necessary to overcome challenges and enhance the impact of TEL on student learning outcomes. This research provides valuable recommendations for educators, policymakers, and institutions seeking to create an effective, technology-enhanced educational ecosystem.

This study investigated the ‘effects of career interest on students’ career choice in Technical Secondary Schools in the South West Region of Cameroon’. This study was predicated on the understanding that technical secondary school students face numerous challenges when making a career choice earlier in the academic ladder necessitating specific intervention to enhance a stable career choice. The objective was to examine how much career interest affects students’ career choices in Technical Secondary. Methodologically, the study employed a mixed-method approach with a quasi experimental design, encompassing both quantitative and qualitative elements. The research sample comprised 20 students and 45 guidance counselors selected from the South West Region of Cameroon, with selection criteria based on document analysis for students and the Division with the most populated guidance counselors. Data collection was facilitated through questionnaires, and the analysis incorporated both descriptive and inferential statistical methods. The Likelihood ratio test was used in testing the hypotheses from data collected from the guidance counselors. Independent Sample T-test was also used to compare how students in both the control and experimental groups at the pretest and post-test levels differ in their mean scores. The qualitative data derived from open-ended questions were analyzed using the thematic analysis approach with the aid of themes. The research revealed a remarkably strong correlation between students' career interests and their ultimate career choices. This relationship was substantiated by an overwhelming 90.8% consensus among guidance counselors and further validated by a robust contingency value of 0.825, demonstrating statistical significance with a p-value of 0.000, well below the 0.05 threshold. Based on these compelling results, the researchers proposed several actionable recommendations for guidance counselors. These include the development and implementation of individualized career interest assessments, the creation of comprehensive exposure programs featuring hands-on experiences, mentorship opportunities, and industry visits, and the establishment of ongoing motivation and monitoring systems to support students throughout their career decision-making journey. These recommendations reflect a holistic approach to career guidance that acknowledges the crucial role of sustained engagement and practical experience in shaping effective career choices.