Speaker
Description
otu, E. S.
college of Education, Afaha nsit
emmatu2013@gmail.com
Track: Digital Transformation in Higher Education
Digital transformation has become a strategic imperative for higher education institutions globally, driven by advances in technology, changing student expectations, and disruptions such as the COVID-19 pandemic. This study examines the impact of digital transformation on teaching, learning, and institutional operations in higher education. Adopting a mixed-methods research design, data were collected through a survey of 450 academic staff and students across three universities, supplemented by semi-structured interviews with 12 institutional leaders. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression analysis, while thematic analysis was applied to qualitative data. Findings reveal that digital transformation significantly enhances access to learning resources, improves student engagement, and increases operational efficiency. However, challenges including inadequate digital infrastructure, low digital literacy among faculty, and resistance to change were identified as major barriers. The study concludes that effective digital transformation in higher education requires investment in infrastructure, targeted digital skills training, and supportive institutional policies. Recommendations are made for university management to adopt a holistic, student-centered approach to digital transformation to ensure equitable and sustainable outcomes.
Keywords: digital transformation, higher education, e-learning, educational technology, digital literacy