Three Crucial Questions for Encouraging Sustainable Digital Transformation in Universities

Universities all around the world have faced many challenges, some of which they have overcome and some of which still exist. Observing the latest developments in the international education sector, our analyst observes that administrators and owners of universities are approaching problems in unique ways. They are also meeting the demands of their consumers, clients, and other important stakeholders in a different way at the same time. 

Nevertheless, our analyst notes that a recent report from one of the largest international consulting firms, Ernest & Young, demonstrates that industry stakeholders must drastically change their perspectives and methods in order to bring about a genuine and long-lasting digital transformation in their system. After analyzing the report “Is your university’s transformation centered on tech or people?,” our analyst came to this conclusion. 

However, our analyst points out that the recent report of Ernest & Young, one of the biggest global consulting companies in the world, shows that stakeholders in the industry need a radical shift of mindset and approaches to making real and sustainable transformation happen in their environment. Our analyst reached this conclusion after dissecting the report titled “Is your university’s transformation centered on tech or people?”

The analysis, which is based on views from over 3,000 students and hundreds of university staff across ten countries, provides unique insights into what students and staff seek from digital transformation. It also contains initiatives that EY believes colleges may take to center their transformation programs on people. 

EY’s team asked three critical questions:

1. How can university leaders meet student expectations and support their success?
2. How can digital technology help staff to create better content and seamless processes that improve student experience?
3. How can researchers be better supported to conduct leading-edge research?

Some key insights: 

1. One-third of students are not happy with their choice of university, or are neutral at best.
2. Forty-five percent of students indicate that if funds were available to invest in technology, they would like to see teachers trained to deliver digital learning more effectively.
3. Staff across the spectrum are overwhelmed and overworked and would like to use technology more effectively to be more efficient in their roles

The results surface clear messages to Higher Education leaders from the people that future digital transformation initiatives need to serve: 

1. Students 

1. Convince me to enroll at your university by showing me that I belong, making discovery and enrolment easy, and offering programs that will accelerate my career. 
2. Teach me effectively using digital technology, with 24/7 access to content and high-quality teaching experiences. 
3. Support me in succeeding at university by giving me personal support to achieve my goals and making it simple to engage with the university and find connections. 

2. Teaching Faculty 

1. Empower me with evidence, training and support to deliver world-class digital or blended learning. 
2. Free me to devote more to teaching or research. 
3. Enlighten me with the data I need to improve learning outcomes for my students.

3. Researchers 

1. Equip me with the tools I need to conduct world-class research. 
2. Connect me with my research community to drive better collaboration. 
3. Focus me on work that matters by removing the burden of research administration. 
4. Promote me so my research outputs reach a wider audience. 

4. Administrators 

1. Show me the data I need to do my job better and faster. 
2. Free me from busy work so I can focus on more value-add activities.