Dr. Sikandar Mohd Abdul

The urbanization is the moment of people from the countryside to city seeking employment and other basic amenities to improve their life better. As per the World Bank data, today about 4.4 billion (56%) inhabitants live in big cities and the numbers are rising steadily. The city life has been posting major challenges to the city-planners and governments to meet the expectation of city life. The concept of smart city is basically how the big cities are governed by using newer and smarter technologies in every sphere of city life ranging from connectivity to financial transaction. The digital technologies and data collected by the cities through various ICT like IoT may considerably raise the efficiency bar to deliver improved services to its dwellers. This exploratory study examines the determinants and sub-determinants and their rankings through statistical analysis by using Technology-Organization-Environment framework model.

Purpose The primary purpose of this research paper is to evaluate e-learning among employees of Information Technology (IT) companies based in Hyderabad, India. Design/methodology/approach A survey was undertaken among the employees from different IT companies based in Hyderabad, India, to gauge the perception towards e-learning. The participants were selected randomly. The evaluation is based on a few factors: convenience, usefulness, course content, quality, effectiveness and benefits for employees and organizations. The responses were recorded online through a structured questionnaire. In total, 237 responses have been collected for this present study, of which 227 questionnaires were used for analysis. Findings The surveyed employees perceived that e-learning helped them enhance their workplace competency in a flexible but effective manner. The e-learning also empowered the learners and ultimately contributed to the enhancement of organizational performance in some ways. Researc...

Bladder cancer has high morbidity and mortality rates among the male genitourinary system tumor types. MicroRNA‑218 (miR‑218) is associated with the development of a variety of cancer types, including bladder cancer. Rab6c is a member of the Rab family and is involved in drug resistance in MCF7 cells. The aim of the present study was to clarify the relationship between Rab6c and miR‑218 in bladder cancer cell lines. In this study, the expression levels of miR‑218 and Rab6c were evaluated via reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR and western blotting, respectively. The association between Rab6c and miR‑218 was recognized via TargetScan analysis and dual luciferase reporter gene detection. Cell proliferation was analyzed using Cell Counting Kit‑8 and colony formation assays, and the invasive ability was measured via Transwell assays. Rab6c was highly expressed in bladder cancer, while miR‑218 had abnormally low expression in bladder cancer. In addition, there was a mutual regulation between Rab6c and miR‑218 in bladder cancer. It was found that overexpression of Rab6c significantly enhanced the proliferation, colony formation and invasion of T24 and EJ cells. Furthermore, miR‑218 overexpression blocked the promoting effects of Rab6c on the malignant behavior of bladder cancer cells. Thus, Rab6c promotes the proliferation and invasion of bladder cancer cells, while miR‑218 has the opposite effect, which may provide a novel insight for the treatment of bladder cancer.

The Open Universities and Dual Mode Universities in India are catering millions of Open Distance Learners (ODL) through its chain of Regional Centres and Learner Support Centres (Study Centres) across the country. In order to improve the Gross Enrollment Ration (GER), the regulatory bodies should act as facilitator rather than the administrator or inspector. Today, Open Distance Learning (ODL) offered by the Open Universities and Dual mode Universities in India is at cross roads because of multiple control and regulation by several regulatory bodies of the Central Government. A new approach is needed by the regulatory bodies as well as the Govt. of India to remove obstacles put forth by various Regulations restricting the very access of open and distance learning to reap the demographic dividends in the country. This paper critically analyzes the aspects that affect the ODL being offered through Open and Dual mode universities. The paper also critically highlights the challenges bei...

Purpose The COVID-19 virus outbreak began in December 2019 and rapidly spread to every continent on Earth. The analysts have predicted that COVID-19 and other similar pandemics will continue in the coming decade and badly affect offline businesses. As a result, the offline platform is also shifting to the online platform and online demands are increasing daily. The traditional two-dimensional E-Commerce websites are designed to provide simple, browser-based interfaces to allow users to access available products and services. Whilst virtual representations are an essential consideration in establishing trust, most virtual representation sites fall short in mimicking real-life human representation. This paper aims to focus on three-dimensional (3D) E-Commerce technology that presents how virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) can help deal with limitations and improve E-Commerce operations. It is built as an internet-only tool, a person-centred shopping assistant created foll...

The widespread and growing use of digital technology is reshaping the teaching-learning process in India. Covid-19 pandemic accelerated such online learning and gave birth to several Education Technology (EdTech) start-ups in India and across the globe. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the forced online has created a digital divide in developing countries like India. The digital divide is not restricted to developing countries but also some developed countries. EdTech companies promise cost-saving, flexible and a personal learning experience (LeX). It is also scalable to
reach the unreached population of the country to improve the gross enrollment ratio (GER). These Edtech companies have existed for close to two decades and promised a great future in the education space. The sudden growth of EdTech companies in India also tapped learners' skilling and up-skilling or learning new skills while still enrolling with the colleges and university institutions. As per the funding pattern, India is the most preferred country for Edtech funding by foreign investors. The Government of India has been giving a digital push in the education sector through its various regulatory agencies, fueling growth for Edtech companies in India.
The present study evaluates the changing nature of the education ecosystem because of the unexpected impetus of EdTech start-ups in India. The study also explores the potential growth opportunities and sustainability of the Edtech start-ups in India.

<jats:p>The Open Universities and Dual Mode Universities in India are catering millions of Open Distance Learners (ODL) through its chain of Regional Centres and Learner Support Centres (Study Centres) across the country. In order to improve the Gross Enrollment Ration (GER), the regulatory bodies should act as facilitator rather than the administrator or inspector. Today, Open Distance Learning (ODL) offered by the Open Universities and Dual mode Universities in India is at cross roads because of multiple control and regulation by several regulatory bodies of the Central Government. A new approach is needed by the regulatory bodies as well as the Govt. of India to remove obstacles put forth by various Regulations restricting the very access of open and distance learning to reap the demographic dividends in the country. This paper critically analyzes the aspects that affect the ODL being offered through Open and Dual mode universities. The paper also critically highlights the challenges being faced by the ODL institutions as well as the opportunities available to them. The paper also touching the latest global trends related to distance and digital learning.</jats:p>

Purpose-The COVID-19 virus outbreak began in December 2019 and rapidly spread to every continent on Earth. The analysts have predicted that COVID-19 and other similar pandemics will continue in the coming decade and badly affect offline businesses. As a result, the offline platform is also shifting to the online platform and online demands are increasing daily. The traditional two-dimensional E-Commerce websites are designed to provide simple, browser-based interfaces to allow users to access available products and services. Whilst virtual representations are an essential consideration in establishing trust, most virtual representation sites fall short in mimicking real-life human representation. This paper aims to focus on three-dimensional (3D) E-Commerce technology that presents how virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) can help deal with limitations and improve E-Commerce operations. It is built as an internet-only tool, a person-centred shopping assistant created following user-centred design principles to be used on various computing platforms, including desktop and mobile devices. The paper shows how VR and AR can offer more precise product information in 3D E-Commerce environments. The virtual store experience is also enhanced by an AR assistant that helps the users by giving them all the required information in audio form or using its avatar. Design/methodology/approach-Implementation of VR and AR in E-Commerce will increase customer satisfaction. Sub hypothesisto study the implementation of VR in E-Commerce. To study the implementation of AR in E-Commerce. To study the inclusion of E-Commerce sites in an openworld game. To study the customer satisfaction of users using VR stores. Findings-The scope of work is concentrated on the urban Indian market especially targeting the country's youth who are already or ready to indulge in VR such as video games, cinema and other activities (Mattsson and Barkman, 2019). This demography is more open to learning and using VR. The primary segment of E-Commerce that we are concentrating upon is fashion. Here, the regular user needs to have more immersed knowledge about the product rather than just the written information like how would they look in a dress or will the size available on the website fit me or not. Originality/value-A perfect system does not exist in the world. A terrible disease has landed on the planet. Very soon, it will be impossible to escape from this current situation. The effects of this plague have been felt in every sector of the world. The researchers also claim that physical stores will continue to exist. There will never be anything that replaces the ability to hold and use products or have personal face-to-face interactions with retail professionals. For the time being, brick-and-mortar retail is having a difficult time, but immersive technology is starting to be used to enhance the in-store experience. The good news is that this should help retailers increase their chances of survival. However, the melody of 3D E-Commerce is it would help out the in-store experience.

The rapid and extensive spread of the COVID-19 pandemic has become a major disruption in the life of people as well as their buying behaviour. The Indian government took several measures to contain the spread of COVID-19 by enforcing a number of measures across the country to contain the deadly disease. This paper investigates the change in consumer behaviour on food habits and dietary pattern; health and hygiene; work pattern; social interaction based on key demographic factors like age and household income. The study is based on an online survey undertaken in four metropolitan cities in India through a structured questionnaire with a sample size of 183 conducted in June-July 2020. The results confirm that COVID-19 impacted and changed the behaviour of city based consumers based on their income level and age with regard to buying of health or hygiene products and use of digital devices.

Employee training and development is one of the most critical human resource management activities that focus on
human resource development, ultimately benefiting the organisation. The term ‘Employee training’ and ‘Employee
development’ are often used interchangeably and that include employee learning activities too. The benefit of employee
training and development for both employees and organisations has been a topic of debate among industry professionals
and researchers for a long time. Much research is being done to study the effectiveness of employee training and development
on employee and organisation performance. Business organisations operating in an increasingly competitive environment
due to technological challenges must pay attention to employee training activities by investing wisely. This conceptual
study is aimed to study the importance of employee training and development and its possible influence on organisational
effectiveness. The study also explores the mediating role of organisations’ employee training and learning interventions to
improve performance and retain their competitive advantage.

The widespread and growing use of digital technology is reshaping the teaching-learning process in India. Covid-19 pandemic accelerated such online learning and gave birth to several Education Technology (EdTech) start-ups in India and across the globe. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the forced online has created a digital divide in developing countries like India. The digital divide is not restricted to developing countries but also some developed countries. EdTech companies promise cost-saving, flexible and a personal learning experience (LeX). It is also scalable to reach the unreached population of the country to improve the gross enrollment ratio (GER). These Edtech companies have existed for close to two decades and promised a great future in the education space. The sudden growth of EdTech companies in India also tapped learners' skilling and up-skilling or learning new skills while still enrolling with the colleges and university institutions. As per the funding pattern, India is the most preferred country for Edtech funding by foreign investors. The Government of India has been giving a digital push in the education sector through its various regulatory agencies, fueling growth for Edtech companies in India. The present study evaluates the changing nature of the education ecosystem because of the unexpected impetus of EdTech start-ups in India. The study also explores the potential growth opportunities and sustainability of the Edtech start-ups in India.

The Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) is considered an indication of a high degree of participation and availing the educational opportunities. The Ministry of Education, Government of India, has been collecting and compiling huge educational statistics from colleges and Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) every year and publishing a report called All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE). The last report of AISHE 2019-20 indicates a negligible increase of GER at 27.1% from the previous year. The National Education Policy 2020 was announced last year by the Government through NEP 2020 policy document, a higher goal of improving 50% of GER by 2035. The present study explores the nuances of GER and the pattern of funding of HEIs by the State and Central Government to realise the target of GER set by the NEP 2020. The secondary statistical data for the last nine years (2011-2020), mainly from the AISHE, has been used in the present study to interpret the trends of GER to help the policymakers, researchers, educational administrators to realize the Indian dream of achieving the goals of high GER in the next few decades. The study also touches upon the internal and external pressures on HEIs while improving the GER.

We are sure about inspiring white-collar employees who do technical, managerial, or administrative work and are defined as qualified manual workers in the middle class. Motivation usually plays an important role in the workforce and influences workers' efficiency, happiness, absenteeism, relocation, and citizenship actions. Job is carried out in a workplace by white-collar employees, and they are often searching for advancement and professional growth. Blue-collar employees have little management position and are not even linked to increasing professional advancement. They also have no precise occupation to associate their personality with their jobs. They will not be satisfied with their employment. I thought that it was important to establish a plan to improve employees ' morale from my point of view. It is a complicated and often messy query since it cannot be solved immediately. Many workers have diverse outlooks and characters, and what motivates X does not inspire Y. T...

The rise of digital platforms companies under the gig economy also
referred as sharing economy is an emerging area of study for the academics
and researchers engaged in researching the different aspects and implications
of this sharing economy. The growth of the gig economy in the developing
countries like India is taking a quantum jump and directly linked to
availability of smart phones and internet to the customers. The gig economy
has brought to a new class of workers often referred as “independent
contractors” or “gig workers” by the digital platforms. The numbers of such
workers are growing day by day but these platform companies are showing
little or no concern towards them to ensure a job protection and a decent
living. This chapter is an attempt to review the concept of the gig economy,
issues, challenges and concerns based on the past research conducted by
researchers, academics and international and independent agencies.
Keywords: digital platforms, employee protection, gig-worker, independent
contractor, sharing economy