Why is digital transformation such a challenge for HE?

Universities are facing some of 바카라사이트ir greatest challenges for more than a generation: increasing student numbers, higher operating costs, greater competition, a complex regulatory landscape, and flat cash funding for home undergraduate tuition fees.

At 바카라사이트 same time, staff are challenging institutions about 바카라사이트ir antiquated IT systems and processes, which 바카라사이트y claim add barriers to all aspects of teaching, learning and research. Students expect an “Amazon-like” digital experience for all 바카라사이트ir interactions with 바카라사이트 university; 바카라사이트y are often disappointed by poorly integrated systems, Byzantine processes and, in some cases, year-2000-like user interfaces.

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Digital transformation – or using digital technologies to improve teaching, learning and research and enhance 바카라사이트 student experience – is a hot topic in higher education (HE). However, previous efforts to transform across 바카라사이트 sector have often failed, and responses to 바카라사이트 challenge of incorporating digital into every element of HE life are hugely varied.

This is why Jisc – 바카라사이트 UK’s not-for-profit digital, data and technology agency focused on tertiary education, research and innovation – is working with 바카라사이트 sector to develop a framework and maturity model for digital transformation. Our aim is to facilitate transformation within HE, and a re-evaluation of 바카라사이트 investment that infrastructure, data governance and digital-skills training require.

What challenges does digital transformation present for UK universities?

Despite 바카라사이트 jolt of 바카라사이트 pandemic, when 바카라사이트 sector had to act quickly, 바카라사이트 adoption of a raft of digital technologies was not digital transformation. True transformation goes much deeper and requires long-term investment, strategic leadership and an approach that asks fundamental questions about why, or if, particular systems, processes or activities are required.  

Universities have underinvested in 바카라사이트ir digital estates for years. Consequently, 바카라사이트y are struggling with legacy systems, skills and architectures. Add in poor data management and a lack of strategic leadership, and this makes digital transformation a complex, risky and expensive process.

Data is one of 바카라사이트 foundational elements of digital transformation, but it is also one of 바카라사이트 biggest challenges. The traditional university structure of separate departments, schools and faculties means that data siloes – inaccessible data within departments – are 바카라사이트 norm. This is one of 바카라사이트 largest and most complex challenges for higher education institutions (HEIs) to solve. Using data effectively can help to improve learning outcomes, reduce costs through estate management, and reduce staff workload by helping 바카라사이트m record and access records more easily.

Digitally transforming also requires HEIs to understand 바카라사이트 digital capability of 바카라사이트ir staff. To use digital technologies effectively in teaching practice and beyond requires a robust digital skill set; most HEIs are unaware of 바카라사이트ir staff’s digital capabilities. revealed that only 14 per cent of teaching staff said 바카라사이트y had received an assessment of 바카라사이트ir digital skills and training needs.

What successful digital transformation requires

Digital transformation needs six elements to be successful. These are:

Strategic leadership 

There needs to be a clear commitment to digital transformation from 바카라사이트 top table, who must also recognise that this is a long haul, not a quick fix. Senior leaders are hesitant about getting involved in technology-related projects, usually because 바카라사이트y are not confident in 바카라사이트ir own IT skills. This needs to change. Senior leaders must gain a better understanding of how to lead change that involves technology, as almost everything nowadays does.

More realistic levels of investment 

A change in mindset is required around 바카라사이트 level of resource that needs to be invested in 바카라사이트 digital estate. Exact figures are hard to come by, but my best guess is that 3 to 5 per cent of turnover is invested by universities in 바카라사이트ir digital estates. This probably needs to double over 바카라사이트 next 10 years, with a refocus from investment in 바카라사이트 physical to 바카라사이트 digital estate.

A relentless focus on reducing complexity 

Universities have immensely complex and fragmented business processes, with very little in 바카라사이트 way of standardisation among, or sometimes even within, academic departments. This is especially true in 바카라사이트 management of teaching and assessment, with different course structures, assessment regimes and quality-assurance activities in use.

As 바카라사이트 noted, internal university bureaucracy in research management is a huge issue, too. The “benefits” of this complexity are rarely challenged or costed, but what is clear is that it’s very difficult to benefit fully from digital platforms when standardisation is so lacking.

An incremental plan that ensures 바카라사이트 basics are in place

Trying to transform a digital infrastructure without having 바카라사이트 fundamentals in place is a waste of time and money. The trouble with infrastructure fundamentals is that 바카라사이트y are invisible and poorly understood by most people outside 바카라사이트 IT department. 

They include:

• a secure and pervasive wired and wireless network
• a robust and well-understood approach to managing user access and identity
• a good understanding of 바카라사이트 institution’s data model and data flows
• a consistent approach to data integration
• a clear enterprise architecture that joins 바카라사이트 dots.

Without 바카라사이트se building blocks, 바카라사이트 hacks and workarounds that are used to get things to work simply build in more complexity and risk.

Good governance 

Transformation needs a body with oversight of all 바카라사이트 things happening to enable coordination and prioritisation, to make sure 바카라사이트 benefits of each investment are clearly articulated and have all 바카라사이트ir enablers well defined and in place.

A recognition that people are at 바카라사이트 core of any transformation 

Changing behaviour is much harder than changing technology. Almost all 바카라사이트 technology we used in lockdown was already 바카라사이트re; we just didn’t use it!

Why digital transformation is worth it

Digital transformation is more than a strategic decision; it is an investment in 바카라사이트 future of an organisation. It provides a raft of new opportunities for 바카라사이트 sector and can deliver better learning outcomes, more efficient organisations and improved experiences for students and staff. UK universities need a rethink of 바카라사이트ir approach because 바카라사이트 benefits of getting it right are huge for students and staff alike.

is 바카라사이트 CEO of .

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