Higher education institutions towards digital transformation-the WUT case

Abstract

New emerging digital technologies such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality, augmented reality, cloud computing, blockchain, robotization, the Internet of Things, big data, etc. have produced a powerful disruptive effect in almost all areas of our existence and have radically changed the way we live, work, learn or relax. Without consciously realizing it, everyone is adapting to the digital era. As nothing "escapes" the all-encompassing digital transformation, higher education follows track too. So, it is natural to ask ourselves: what are the higher education institutions doing to keep up with this rapidly evolving digital world? In this paper, we present the case of West University of Timişoara as an example of good practice in dealing with the effects of digital transformation on the university and its academic community (teachers, students, administrative staff). Our goal is to gain an understanding of what is being proposed through the institutional development strategy, and what is actually happening in our university from the digitalization perspective. Thus, we conduct an exploratory research using a quantitative approach that involves a survey applied to students enrolled in different study programs, at different levels. We focus on their opinion about how our university can prepare and transform in order to adopt an integrated digital approach, looking into topics like: technology-enabled services, digital enrollment of students, digitization of the administrative processes, implementation of digital procedures to offer recommendations or file complains, digital curricula, new modes of digital learning delivery, etc. Our findings reveal that West University of Timişoara must take significant steps towards the implementation of digital transformations, while, however, remaining watchful and cautious of the hidden implications of this process.