Tropical Scientific Journal

Reimagining Design Studios as Active Workspaces for Education 4.0: Collaborative and Flexible Learning Environments in Malaysian Higher Education

Arita Hanim Awang — 2026-03-01

Objective: The transformation of higher education in Malaysia towards Education 4.0 requires learning environments that foster creativity, collaboration, and adaptability. This study aims to reimagine the traditional design studio as an active workspace that integrates flexibility, inclusivity, and collaborative modes of learning.

Research Method: The research adopts a qualitative design-based approach using conceptual modeling and computer-generated interior proposals. The study explores multiple spatial configurations that integrate individual, group, and hybrid learning zones inspired by co-working and contemporary workplace models.

Findings: Findings reveal that reconfigurable studio layouts enhance collaboration and peer interaction while maintaining opportunities for focused individual work. Challenges include the potential loss of personalized space and the need for user adaptability to flexible layouts.

Originality: This research introduces a design framework that aligns interior design pedagogy with Education 4.0 principles, fostering student-centered, technology-supported, and collaborative learning environments. It contributes to Malaysia’s Education 4.0 goals and supports SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)

Classroom Cybersecurity Lab Platform: A Self-Hosted Private Cloud Approach for Practical ICT Education

Abdullah Saniy Roslan — 2026-03-01

Objective: To design, develop, and evaluate a self-hosted private cloud platform—the Classroom Cybersecurity Lab Platform—to overcome the limitations of traditional labs and enhance the practical ICT education at Politeknik Mersing. The aim is to provide a scalable, cost-effective, and fully controlled environment for hands-on training in Capture-the-Flag (CTF), Ethical Hacking, and Malware Analysis.

Research Method: The study employed a Design Science Research (DSR) methodology. This consisted of four phases: requirements analysis, 3-layer system architecture design (integrating Moodle and Proxmox), prototype implementation (including the custom Moodle-Proxmox integration plugin), and a two-part evaluation plan.

Findings: Experimental deployment demonstrated the platform's feasibility in reducing reliance on commercial subscriptions and enhancing student engagement. The design successfully shifts the computational load from student hardware to a central server and confirms that self-hosted lab platforms can address institutional autonomy, curriculum relevance, and equity of access in cybersecurity education.

Originality: This research introduces a novel, self-hosted private cloud solution that tightly and seamlessly integrates the Moodle Learning Management System (LMS) with the Proxmox Virtual Environment (VE) hypervisor via a custom-developed plugin. This holistic approach closes the gap left by other models, providing full pedagogical control and cost-free, high-performance lab access to all diploma-level students

Integrating Virtual Reality and Gamification in Driver Training: The Learn2drive Prototype

Sathya Manoharan — 2026-03-01

Objective: Driving education in Malaysia plays a vital role in producing safe and competent drivers, yet many learners struggle with low confidence, limited engagement, and insufficient exposure to real-world driving conditions. Traditional training approaches such as classroom instruction, written tests, and limited on-road practice often fail to provide realistic or repetitive learning experiences necessary for skill mastery. To address these challenges, this study introduces Learn2Drive, a Virtual Reality (VR)-based prototype enhanced with gamification to improve learner confidence, motivation, and understanding in driver education.

Research Method: Developed using an Agile methodology, the system integrates immersive simulation, interactive feedback, scoring mechanisms, and achievement rewards within a realistic 3D driving test environment. The prototype was evaluated through a small-scale exploratory study involving twenty novice drivers preparing for their licensing tests. Data were collected via observations, user testing, and post-session interviews to assess five key aspects: learner confidence, motivation and engagement, understanding of test procedures, system usability, and perceived realism.

Findings: The results revealed notable improvements across all aspects, with participants reporting increased confidence, reduced anxiety, and greater engagement through gamified feedback and scoring features. Learners also demonstrated better comprehension of driving test procedures and expressed high satisfaction with the VR environment’s realism and usability. Minor challenges were identified, including limited hardware accessibility and the absence of dynamic traffic conditions, which may be addressed in future iterations.

Originality: Overall, the findings confirm that integrating VR and gamification provides a safe, engaging, and learner-centered approach to driver training. The Learn2Drive prototype represents an innovative step toward modernizing Malaysian driver education, offering a scalable, technology-enhanced solution that bridges the gap between theoretical instruction and real-world driving practice. Future development will focus on incorporating AI-based virtual instructors, diverse driving scenarios, and improved hardware accessibility to support wider adoption in educational institutions

Managing Intergenerational Communication Gaps in The Malaysian Service Industry: Pathways to Improved Customer Experience

Ericka Krystalyn — 2026-03-01

Objective: This conceptual paper develops an integrated framework to address intergenerational communication gaps within Malaysia’s service industry and their impact on customer experience (CX).

Method: Drawing on a thematic synthesis of recent literature (2019–2025), the study integrates Generational Cohort Theory (GCT), Communication Accommodation Theory (CAT), and Organisational Control Theory (OCT) to construct a multi-level explanatory model.

Findings: The proposed framework positions generational cohort traits as antecedents influencing communication accommodation behaviours, with organisational control systems acting as contextual moderators shaping communication climate. Communication accommodation serves as a mediating mechanism linking intergenerational interaction to CX outcomes, particularly customer satisfaction, trust, and loyalty. The model highlights how supportive control climates enhance communicative flexibility, while rigid structures may suppress adaptive behaviours, especially among Gen Z employees.

Originality: This study contributes to Malaysian service-sector literature by integrating interpersonal and structural perspectives within a culturally grounded framework. The model offers practical guidance for HR policies, communication training, and service excellence strategies in multigenerational workplaces.

Adoption Of Touch ’N Go eWallet Among Polytechnic Metro Johor Bahru Students

Malisa Othman — 2026-03-01

Objective: This study aims to examine the key determinants influencing students’ adoption and continued use of the Touch ‘n Go eWallet, guided by the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM).

Research Method: A quantitative survey approach was employed to analyze the relationships among perceived usefulness, ease of use, perceived risk, and promotional offers in shaping students’ behavioral intentions toward e-wallet usage.

Findings: The findings reveal that perceived usefulness and ease of use significantly enhance students’ intention to adopt and continue using the e-wallet, while perceived risk exerts a minor negative effect. Promotional incentives, such as discounts and cashback, further strengthen short-term engagement despite security concerns.

Originality: This study extends the TAM framework by integrating perceived risk and promotional factors, offering valuable insights into sustaining digital payment adoption among young consumers in Malaysia

Sustainable Personal Development Pathways: The Role of Pre-Internship Expectations Among Langkawi Tourism Academy @ Kolej Komuniti Langkawi Students

Nurfarah Adilah Zuppri — 2026-03-01

Objective: The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of pre-internship expectations in shaping sustainable personal development pathways among students of Langkawi Tourism Academy @ Kolej Komuniti Langkawi. As the tourism and hospitality sector plays a key role in Malaysia’s economy, preparing graduates with appropriate skills, attitudes, and awareness is vital for long-term industry growth.

Research Method: A quantitative survey method is proposed, using a questionnaire adapted from previous studies (Khalib et al., 2022; Robitschek et al., 2012; Zopiatis et al., 2013).

Findings: The study demonstrates that pre-internship expectations significantly influence internship satisfaction, personal growth, self-efficacy, and employability among tourism students, explaining 62–84% of the variance. High mean scores indicate students’ optimism and motivation. Findings emphasize the importance of structured pre-internship preparation, reflective learning, and mentorship to enhance sustainable personal and professional development. Educators, industry partners, and policymakers are encouraged to align internship programs with student expectations to foster skill development, confidence, and career readiness in Malaysia’s tourism sector.

Originality: This study contributes to the body of literature by providing a fresh viewpoint on how students' expectations affect their self-efficacy, employability, and long-term development by tying together ideas of work-integrated learning, career preparedness, and sustainable education. Additionally, the study offers useful information that policymakers, business partners, and educators may use to create internship preparation programs that promote sustainable human capital development in Malaysia's tourism industry

Japanese Oral Communication and Challenges in Malaysian Higher Education

Margaret Anthoney — 2026-03-01

Objective: This study aims to identify the needs and challenges faced by beginner learners of Japanese as a Foreign Language (JFL) in constructing cohesive spoken communication. It seeks to address the pedagogical gap in teaching practices that emphasize grammar and vocabulary over discourse-level speaking skills.

Research Method: The study employed a qualitative approach conducted at a Malaysian public university. Data was collected through classroom observations and semi-structured interviews with both instructors and students as part of the first phase of a Design and Development Research (DDR) project.

Findings: The findings revealed that students frequently produced short, isolated utterances and used minimal cohesive devices such as reference, substitution, and conjunctions. Low self-confidence led them to avoid extended responses. Teachers also noted that textbooks and classroom activities focused mainly on sentence-level accuracy, offering limited practice in connected speech. These results highlight a gap between structural knowledge and discourse competence in current JFL instruction.

Originality: This study represents the preliminary stage in developing the Japanese Language Cohesion Module (JLCM), an innovative pedagogical tool designed to enhance learners’ ability to produce fluent, coherent, and contextually appropriate spoken Japanese. It contributes valuable insights into designing cohesive-oriented teaching approaches that foster communicative confidence among Malaysian JFL learners

Cyber Ethics and Digital Compliance in Malaysia: Empowering Ethical Digital Citizenship

Elisnorazmaliza Ab Hamid — 2026-03-01

Objective: This study investigates the relationship between cyber-ethics knowledge and digital-ethics compliance among Malaysian digital users. It addresses a key research gap, as past studies have focused predominantly on students, with limited empirical evidence involving adult digital users across diverse backgrounds. The study further aligns with national digital-transformation agendas and global sustainability goals, particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

Research Method: A quantitative survey design was employed using a structured online questionnaire distributed to 392 Malaysian digital users aged 18 and above. The instrument was developed based on the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and validated through expert review and pilot testing. Reliability analysis showed high internal consistency (overall Cronbach’s alpha = 0.914). Descriptive statistics were used to assess construct levels, while Pearson’s correlation analysis examined the relationship between cyber-ethics knowledge and digital-ethics compliance. The study tested both a null hypothesis (H₀: no significant relationship) and an alternative hypothesis (H₁: significant positive relationship).

Findings: Results indicated high levels of cyber-ethics knowledge (M = 4.187, SD = 0.715) and digital-ethics compliance (M = 4.205, SD = 0.613). A strong, positive, and statistically significant correlation was found between the two constructs (r = 0.696, p < 0.001). These findings confirm that individuals with higher ethical knowledge are more likely to demonstrate responsible online behaviour, thereby supporting H₁ and rejecting H₀. Minor gaps were identified in fact-checking and responsible content sharing, indicating the need for continuous ethical reinforcement through education and policy.

Originality: This study contributes new empirical evidence by focusing on adult digital users in Malaysia, extending existing literature beyond student-centred research. It strengthens theoretical understanding of digital citizenship by demonstrating that ethical literacy is a key determinant of ethical behaviour in online environments. Practically, the findings highlight the importance of integrating cyber-ethics education into national curricula, promoting ethics-by-design practices within organisations, and enhancing nationwide digital-ethics awareness campaigns. These implications directly support Malaysia’s aspiration to build a value-driven digital society characterized by integrity, accountability, and respect

Advanced Project Management in Construction: Harnessing Tools and Techniques for Optimal Performance

Rahmat Tisnawan — 2026-03-01

Objective: This study conceptualizes Advanced Project Management (APM) as an integrated paradigm for enhancing construction project performance through the strategic convergence of digital technologies and adaptive managerial practices. Traditional project management approaches, often characterized by reactive decision-making and fragmented coordination, are increasingly inadequate for addressing the complexity, uncertainty, and digital transformation shaping contemporary construction projects. To bridge this gap, the study proposes a unified conceptual framework that aligns technological innovation with managerial excellence to achieve optimal project outcomes.

Research Method: A systematic literature review was conducted using the Scopus database, focusing on peer-reviewed journal articles published between 2018 and 2025. From an initial pool of 175 publications identified through structured Boolean keyword searches, 23 studies were selected following screening and eligibility evaluation. The selected articles were analyzed through thematic coding across three analytical dimensions: (1) digital tools and technologies, (2) managerial techniques and strategic frameworks, and (3) project performance indicators.

Findings: The synthesis reveals that APM represents a socio-technical ecosystem characterized by the integration of digital intelligence and managerial adaptability. Digital tools—including Building Information Modelling (BIM), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and Digital Twin technologies—enhance transparency, predictive analytics, and real-time decision-making. Concurrently, managerial approaches such as Lean Construction, Agile Project Management, and Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) strengthen collaboration, flexibility, and continuous improvement. The interaction among these dimensions, reinforced through continuous feedback loops, contributes to measurable improvements in cost efficiency, schedule reliability, quality performance, sustainability, and organizational resilience.

Originality: This study contributes a comprehensive conceptual framework that bridges digital transformation and strategic project governance within the construction context. By integrating technological and managerial perspectives into a unified model, the paper provides a theoretical foundation for future empirical validation using methods such as Structural Equation Modelling (SEM–PLS) or system dynamics modeling and offers practical guidance for organizations transitioning toward data-driven and adaptive project management systems