Transforming higher education involves not only updating technology but also revamping processes to increase personalization, automation, and agility, according to industry experts. These changes can lead to greater efficiency and effectiveness in institutions. The key IT issues that contribute to competence in higher education include:
- Administrative Simplification: By streamlining processes and modernizing technologies, institutions can become more efficient.
- Faster, Better, and Cheaper: Utilizing technology to personalize services, automate tasks, and improve agility helps universities achieve more with fewer resources.
- Taming the Digital Jungle: Updating digital infrastructure and governance can enhance institutional efficiency and effectiveness.
- Supportable, Sustainable, and Affordable: Developing an institutional strategy for innovation can lead to valuable technology investments and policies.
EXPLORE MORE: Centralizing institutional data is key to avoiding silos.
Establishing Trust in a Caring Institution
While technology plays a significant role in higher education, maintaining a trusting relationship with students requires a human touch. Building a sense of care and investment in student success is essential for institutions. This care should extend to staff as well, ensuring that their contributions are valued. The IT issues that contribute to a caring institution include:
- Smoothing the Student Journey: Using technology to personalize student services can foster lifelong connections with students.
- A Matter of Trust: Prioritizing data privacy and security builds trust among students and staff.
- Putting People First: Investing in staff development helps retain talent in the face of rapid digital advancements.
- Building Bridges, Not Walls: Enhancing digital access while safeguarding privacy and data protection is crucial for students.
Leadership Balance in Restoring Trust
Leadership plays a crucial role in balancing competence and care within higher education institutions. By investing in modern processes, student support, and organizational efficiency, leaders can advance the institution’s mission. This balance requires constant adjustment and fine-tuning to achieve the right mix of caring and competence. The key IT issues impacting leadership in higher education include:
- The Data-Empowered Institution: Leveraging data, analytics, and AI can enhance student success, research funding, and overall efficiency.
- The CIO Challenge: CIOs must navigate digital strategy, leadership transitions, resource constraints, and technological advancements.
- Institutional Resilience: Institutions must be prepared to address a range of risks, with leaders playing a critical role in these efforts.
The report emphasizes the importance of rebuilding trust at both institutional and individual levels, as collaboration between institutions can accelerate progress. Shared frameworks and services can enhance trustworthiness and collaboration. Stay informed about EdTech: Focus on Higher Education’s coverage on our EDUCAUSE event page and through the social platform X.
