Abstract: This paper primarily seeks to look into GTEC/NCTE regulations on class size and the access implications to Technical University Education in Ghana. Specifically, the paper seeks to compare total enrolment with available classroom space and to formulate a policy on residential accommodation. The study used secondary sources as the basic source of information comprising of data from the annual report of the planning office of the University, and the Strategic Plan Implementation and Oversight Committee Report (2016 -2020). Primary data was collected from the various faculties in the University. Conclusively, it was realized that 12, 200 students will be able to use the classrooms in a day as against the 16, 373 student population that the University has. Projecting this into the coming year due to the introduction of free SHS, more students will be enrolled. Therefore, due to the increase in enrolment, students will exceed the current facilities in terms of classroom space and accommodation which if care is not taken, majority of students will be denied access to admission because there will not be enough classroom space to contain teaching and learning to foster Technical education. Hence, access to technical education will be limited. In view of this, it is recommended that management should engage owners/operators of private hostels in order to ensure good deals and prevent exploitation of students who would be accommodated in these private hostels.

Keywords: access, classroom space, class size, educational planning, enrolment rate, Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), Technical education.

Title: GTEC Regulations on Class Size: Access Implications to Technical University Education in Ghana

Author: Dr. Adwoa Kwegyiriba, Eric Boakye Agyepong, Ronald Osei Mensah

ISSN 2394-9716

International Journal of Novel Research in Interdisciplinary Studies

Novelty Journals

Abstract: Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) are considered not only as important institutions in the financial system but also play a significant role in the country’s social as well as economic development. This paper aimed at investigating the influence of financial structure on performance of MFIs. The review of the literature and findings of past studies shows that financial structure is not only linked to financial performance of microfinance institutions but its social performance as well. The paper recommends that, microfinance that need to performance both financially and socially should focused on enhancement of its financial structure. furthermore, the paper suggests future research should investigate the influence of the financial structure on social and financial performance from empirical perspectives.

Keywords: Financial Structure, MFIs, Performance, Nigeria.

Title: FINANCIAL STRUCTURE AND PERFORMANCE OF MICROFINANCE: A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

Author: Nasiru Liman Zuru, Jamilu Hussaini

ISSN 2394-9716

International Journal of Novel Research in Interdisciplinary Studies

Novelty Journals

Abstract: Fungal physiology refers to the nutrition, metabolism, growth, reproduction, and death of fungal cells. It also generally relates to interaction of fungi with their biotic and abiotic surroundings, including cellular responses to environmental stress. The physiology of fungal cells impacts significantly on the environment, industrial processes, and human health. In relation to ecological aspects, the biogeochemical cycling of carbon in nature would not be possible without the participation of fungi acting as primary decomposers of organic material. In agriculture fungi play important roles as mutualistic symbionts, pathogens, and saprophytes, where they mobilize nutrients and affect the physicochemical environment, or can be exploited as agents of biocontrol or as biofertilizers. Fungal metabolism is also responsible for the detoxification of organic pollutants and for bioremediating heavy metals and other recalcitrant chemicals in the environment (including wastewaters and ground waters). Therefore, studies of fungal physiology are very pertinent to our understanding, control and exploitation of this group of microorganisms. This review discusses recent information on nutrition, metabolism, growth, reproduction, and death of fungal cells.

Keywords:  Fungi, Physiology, Nutrition, Metabolism, Materials transport, Reproduction, Growth, Death.

Title: REVIEW ON PHYSIOLOGY OF FUNGI

Author: Worku Abebe

ISSN 2394-9716

International Journal of Novel Research in Interdisciplinary Studies

Novelty Journals

Abstract: As primary producers, plants are under constant pressure to defend themselves against potentially deadly pathogens and herbivores. Insects pose a great threat to plants and plants in turn, withstand to insect attack through a wide diversity of defensive mechanisms. Interactions between plants and insect herbivores are important determinants of plant productivity in agriculture. In response to attack, plants have evolved a range of defenses to reduce the threat of injury and loss of productivity. Plant characters that confer herbivore resistance prevent or reduce herbivore damage through expression of characters that deter pests from settling, attaching to surfaces, feeding and reproducing, or that reduce palatability.

Plant defensive mechanisms are either produced constitutively or in response to plant damage, and affect feeding, growth, and survival of herbivores. Plant defense mechanisms against insect herbivores are broadly categorized into direct and indirect defense mechanisms. Direct defense is involved both physical and biochemical barriers which synergistically obstruct insect herbivore’s growth, development, reproduction, etc. The indirect defense mechanisms have no direct impact on insect herbivores but suppress pests by releasing volatile compounds that attract natural enemies of the herbivores. Overall categories of direct plant defenses against insect herbivores include limiting food supply, reducing nutrient value, reducing preference, disrupting physical structures, and inhibiting chemical pathways of the attacking insect. Major known defense chemicals include plant secondary metabolites, protein inhibitors of insect digestive enzymes, proteases, lectins, amino acid deaminases and oxidases. In this review, the two broad categories of plant defense mechanisms against insect pests: direct and indirect defense mechanisms have been widely discussed. 

Keywords: Insect pests, Herbivory, Plant defence, direct defense, structural defense, biochemical defense, indirect defense, natural enemy.

Title: REVIEW ON PLANT DEFENSE MECHANISMS AGAINST INSECT PESTS

Author: Worku Abebe

ISSN 2394-9716

International Journal of Novel Research in Interdisciplinary Studies

Novelty Journals

Abstract: Leaf rust is one of the three wheat rusts and is economically important disease of wheat worldwide. It is a devastating disease that can cause significant yield losses especially in wheat growing regions of the world where environmental conditions are conducive. In Ethiopia, wheat leaf rust is one of the most important diseases in most wheat growing areas of the country where the yield loss due to its impact is reaching up to 75% in susceptible wheat varieties at hot spot areas. This review discusses recent information on economic importance, epidemiology, geographic distribution, life cycle, host range of wheat leaf rust disease as well as its management methods such as cultural, chemical, biological and use of host resistance cultivars. Under the use of host resistance method, information on the types of resistance and sources of resistance has been presented.

Keywords: Wheat, rust, disease, management, cultural method, chemical method, host resistance, types of resistance, sources of resistance.

Title: Wheat Leaf Rust Disease Management: A Review

Author: Worku Abebe

ISSN 2394-9716

International Journal of Novel Research in Interdisciplinary Studies

Novelty Journals