ABSTRACT

Background of study: This article looked into the economic benefits of smart city initiatives, with a focus on how these projects contribute to economic development through job creation, cost savings, and foreign investment attraction.

Aims and scope of paper: The study highlights key factors that drive economic success, such as smart energy management and governance, while also addressing the challenges faced by developing regions, including funding constraints and skills shortages. Comparative analysis emphasizes regional differences but confirms that economic benefits can be realized across diverse urban settings. The study contributes to the broader scope of smart city research by providing an extensive view that includes less-studied regions and integrating multidimensional economic impacts.

Methods: Utilizing both qualitative and quantitative methods, the research explores patterns and relationships between smart city initiatives and economic indicators across various contexts, including African cities with the aid of regression and thematic analysis.

Result: Findings reveal that smart city projects lead to significant economic gains by enhancing efficiency, creating job opportunities, and drawing foreign direct investment (FDI).

Conclusion: However, limitations such as data consistency and the focus on specific economic indicators are noted. The research concludes with recommendations for urban planners and policymakers to implement inclusive strategies that increase the economic benefits of smart city projects and support sustainable development.

ABSTRACT

Background of study: Physics, particularly the topic of Particle Motion Dynamics, is often considered difficult by students due to its abstract nature, which requires deep visual understanding and complex mathematical applications. VR technology can offer a solution by creating immersive and interactive learning experiences, which are expected to strengthen students' understanding of these concepts

Aims and scope of paper: This research aims to analyze the use of Virtual Reality (VR) technology in physics learning, focusing on the utilization of the Kuula platform to enhance the understanding of the concept of Particle Motion Dynamics in 11th-grade high school students.

Methods: In this study, a bibliometric analysis was conducted to explore literature trends related to the use of VR in physics education, by examining articles related to the Kuula platform and particle motion dynamics through Scopus data (2020–2025).

Result: The analysis results show that although the use of VR in education has been widely implemented, the utilization of the Kuula platform, particularly in teaching abstract physics, is still limited. Furthermore, this research identifies the main challenges in adopting VR technology, including educator resistance and existing resource limitations.

Conclusion: Overall, these findings underscore the importance of innovation in physics education through VR technology to enhance students' conceptual understanding, and suggest the need for further research to optimize the implementation of Kuula-based VR in the educational curriculum.

Background of study: It is a peremptory call to explore the realm of Digital Humanities by using digital tools and methods to analyse and extract insights from large collections of poetic texts, revealing patterns, themes, and stylistic features that may not be apparent through traditional close reading.

Aims and scope of paper: This paper utilizes computational text-mining and linguistic analysis to investigate the stylistic and thematic elements in two Nigerian poetry collections: Tanure Ojaide's The Tale of the Harmattan and Niyi Osundare's The Word is an Egg.

Methods: Being qualitative research, with quantitative embedment, that seeks the commonness and frequency of themes such as social justice, cultural identity and folkloric attachment to the poetry works, simple random sampling technique was employed to select the data for analysis.

Result: Afterwards, it was revealed that both collections employ distinctive imagery and metaphor to critique power structures and promote social justice, exploring themes such as identity, culture, and social justice. The findings further demonstrate the effectiveness of computational text-mining in uncovering patterns and trends in poetry collections, offering new insights into literary analysis.

Conclusion: Consequently, this study advances that the understanding and application of digital humanities in literary research provides fresh perspectives on Nigerian poetry.

ABSTRACT

Background of study: This paper explores the psychological impact of the childhood trauma and loss of love in Arundhati Roy in The God of Small Things (1997). Using the psychoanalytic paradigm by Sigmund Freud (1923), it is observed that the fragmented childhood of the twins Estha and Rahel where they endure neglect, abuse, and repression greatly influence their developmental trajectories and their adult identity.

Aims and scope of paper: The deep silence of Estha, caused by molestation and the feeling of guilt when Velutha died, is an example of the hidden defense mechanism and repression, but the indifference of the emotions of Rahel is an example of the permanent scarring of loss.  The study also indicates that violence, parental apathy, and discrimination by society trigger depression, neurosis, and post-traumatic stress disorder and leaves the characters in a time loop.  Although the context of literature has explored the class struggle, cultural feminism, sexism and gender discrimination, this exploration prefigures the psychoanalytic aspects of repressed trauma and the ensuing psychoanalytic sequela.

Methods: A qualitative descriptive approach was used, and a close textual analysis of the novel to explain the psychological torments of the characters.

Result: The research shows that the loss of the naivety of childhood, supported by patriarchal ideals and cultural limitations, has long lasting effects on identity development, emotional health, and patterns of relationships in the adult stage.

Conclusion: To sum up, The God of Small Things is not just a socio-political commentary but a substantive psychological analysis of the development of humans blocked by the effects of trauma, guilt, and repression. The research highlights the need to be more aware and cautiously interacted to limit childhood trauma and forestall the psychological sequela throughout life.

ABSTRACT

Background of study: The rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) has had a substantial impact on English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teaching, particularly reading instruction. In recent years, AI-based tools such as generative AI models, adaptive reading platforms, and automated feedback systems have been increasingly used in EFL courses to improve students' understanding, engagement, and motivation.

Aims and scope of paper: The purpose of the study is to investigate the function of AI in aiding EFL reading teaching by conducting a complete systematic literature evaluation of empirical studies published between 2020 and 2025 in Scopus- and Sinta-indexed publications.

Methods: The review compiles findings from fourteen peer-reviewed studies that examine the effectiveness, problems, and pedagogical implications of AI-assisted EFL reading instruction.

Result: The study found that AI technologies improved learners' reading proficiency by delivering tailored learning paths, quick feedback, and interactive reading experiences. Furthermore, AI encourages learner autonomy, alleviates reading anxiety, and improves metacognitive awareness. However, some studies have identified problems, such as an overreliance on AI-generated content, ethical concerns about data privacy, and a lack of contextual sensitivity in EFL reading materials.

Conclusion: In conclusion, while AI presents significant prospects for improving EFL reading pedagogy, it must be integrated critically and ethically into human-centered learning frameworks. The findings highlight the importance of teacher training, curricular alignment, and further empirical study into AI's long-term effects on reading comprehension and literacy development. This work adds to the expanding body of research calling for pedagogically sound and culturally appropriate AI applications in EFL education.