International Journal of Asian Social Science

Digital literacy and its impact on employment in Nepal

Prarambha Bhandari — 2025-10-03

In today’s rapidly evolving digital world, digital literacy has become crucial for accessing employment opportunities, especially in developing countries such as Nepal. Despite notable advancements in internet penetration and mobile connectivity, Nepal faces significant challenges in translating access into meaningful digital engagement. This literature review aims to explore the impact of digital literacy on employment opportunities and outcomes in Nepal by analyzing a wide range of sources, including research papers, policy reports, and national data. It highlights how a persistent digital divide, shaped by factors such as geography, socioeconomic status, gender, and education, reinforces employment inequality. Furthermore, the findings suggest that while employers increasingly demand digital proficiency, many young people, women, and individuals from rural and marginalized communities remain underprepared due to challenges such as outdated curricula, limited access to digital training, and a lack of digital infrastructure. These skill gaps not only limit local job access but also push youth toward foreign labor markets, contributing to an ongoing brain drain and economic vulnerability. Understanding these concepts is important not only for addressing current labor market gaps but also for shaping inclusive policies that strengthen digital competencies, expand access to training for diverse communities, and help build a stronger workforce that can adapt to Nepal’s changing economy.

Economic, social and environmental impact of Chinese trade and investments in the Global South

Ernest Kwame Affum — 2025-10-03

The purpose of this study is to examine Chinese trade and investment in the Global South, particularly Africa, analyzing economic, social, and environmental implications from 1992 to 2023. The research employs a comprehensive quantitative methodology using secondary data from MOFCOM, CARI, and IMF databases, analyzing FDI patterns through temporal, geographic, and sectoral frameworks with descriptive statistics and growth rate calculations. The findings reveal three distinct phases of Chinese FDI evolution: Rapid Growth (2003-2010) with 59.3% average annual growth, Expansion (2011-2018) at 16.1% growth, and Consolidation (2019-2022) showing a 2.9% decline. Chinese investment grew from US$0.49 billion in 2003 to US$40.89 billion in 2022, concentrating in the construction (33.3%) and mining (23.8%) sectors. Geographic distribution shows Southern Africa as the leading destination (27.5% of total FDI), while sectoral analysis indicates a shift from resource extraction toward infrastructure development. Trade analysis demonstrates remarkable growth from US$1.26 billion in 1992 to US$172.45 billion in 2023 for exports, though persistent imbalances remain. Comparative analysis with US FDI reveals greater stability in Chinese investments, maintaining consistent positive flows despite global economic challenges. The practical implications suggest that Chinese engagement offers more stable, long-term development partnerships compared to traditional Western approaches, though African policymakers must develop stronger regulatory frameworks to maximize benefits while addressing social and environmental challenges inherent in resource-focused investments.

Pregnant women is the high-risk population on mosquito infestation: A systematic review

Li Ji Mei — 2025-10-06

With globalization, mosquito infestation has become a serious public health concern, impacting human health. Identifying populations at greatest risk from mosquito infestation is crucial for guiding targeted protection strategies and optimizing resource allocation. However, current research on the impact of mosquito infestation on human health is fragmented and lacks systematic synthesis, making it difficult to identify populations at greatest risk. This review aimed to synthesize and compare evidence on the vulnerability of different populations to mosquito infestation. Based on the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, this study searched databases such as Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane between 2004 and 2025. Inclusion criteria were peer-reviewed studies examining the impact, risk, and burden of mosquito infestation. Of 187 initial records, 32 studies met the inclusion criteria. The results of this review indicate that pregnant women are at high risk of mosquito infestation. The reason is their vulnerability and susceptibility to mosquito-borne diseases. Moreover, compared to other populations, the physical and psychological health effects of the Zika virus on pregnant women and their fetuses continue after birth. Microcephaly can have a lasting impact on children and their caregivers. Furthermore, due to climate change, mosquito infestation in Southeast Asia is significantly higher than in other regions. Pregnant women in this region are the most at-risk population. The results of this study highlight the need for public health systems to prioritize mosquito control strategies targeting pregnant women in Southeast Asia.

Navigating ai in China: Access, censorship, and trust among preservice teachers

Ziyue Zhang — 2025-10-06

This study aims to explore how preservice teachers at a Chinese Normal University perceive and engage with artificial intelligence (AI) tools, with particular attention to issues of access, censorship, and trust. Drawing on questionnaire responses from 50 sophomores and follow-up unstructured interviews with five participants, the research investigates students’ awareness and usage of both international platforms (e.g., ChatGPT) and Chinese-developed systems (e.g., Wenxin, Deepseek). The study further examines students’ perceptions of content differences across platforms, especially in politically sensitive contexts, and considers how these perceptions influence levels of trust in AI-generated information. Findings reveal that participants demonstrate a nuanced awareness of censorship and its implications, noting divergences in information quality and availability depending on platform origin. While many students acknowledge the educational potential of AI tools, they also express skepticism toward politically restricted outputs, underscoring how sociopolitical conditions shape digital trust. The results highlight that AI literacy plays a critical role not only in shaping preservice teachers’ trust in emerging technologies but also in guiding their future pedagogical choices. This research contributes to broader discussions of AI ethics and cross-cultural digital engagement, offering insights into how higher education in China can better prepare future educators to critically evaluate and responsibly integrate AI into their teaching practices.

Conceptual on constructing a communication mechanism for rowing culture empowered by smart media

Jia Yajie — 2025-10-10

This conceptual paper explores the challenges of public perception gaps that limit the dissemination and societal engagement with rowing culture. In addressing these issues, the paper proposes a communication mechanism for rowing culture grounded in the empowerment of smart media technologies. Anchored in the theory of Social Ecology, it presents a four-dimensional integrated model comprising culture, curriculum, community, and smart media. This model aims to facilitate the revitalization of cultural resources, educational inclusion, community engagement, and technological innovation within the context of rowing culture. Rather than reporting empirical findings, this study constructs a theoretical framework that synthesizes insights from cultural capital theory and policy feedback theory. The paper argues that smart media can function as both a dissemination tool and a participatory platform, enabling broader access and cultural sustainability for niche sports like rowing. The conceptual model highlights the dynamic interaction between digital technologies, institutional support, and local communities in building a more inclusive and resilient cultural communication system. It contributes to the academic discourse on sports culture, digital communication, and participatory governance by suggesting an adaptable and scalable framework for empowering marginalized cultural practices through intelligent media ecosystems.