Speaker
Description
Oyinbrakemi, O. T.
Isaac Jasper Boro College of Education Sagbama Bayelsa State
ogbomaht@gmail.com
Track: Digital Transformation in Higher Education
Fast developments in digital technology, together with globalization, disruption by technology, pandemics and other public health emergencies, labour market changes, have brought changes in higher education worldwide. However, there still persist many difficulties faced by higher education institutions in Africa, namely inadequate digital infrastructures, finance, policy implementation, digital capabilities and socio-economic differences. All these factors contributed to increased digital divide and restricted ability of universities to innovate and sustain sustainable development in a changing environment. The paper examines the need to build resilient and forward-looking higher education systems in Africa from a digital perspective using Digital Transformation Theory, Educational Resilience Theory and Innovation Ecosystem Theory. Qualitative, doctrinal and analytical method is used relying on scholarly articles, policy documents, institutional reports and international best practices. Current state of digital transformation in African higher education system is assessed and principal structural, institutional, technological and governance barriers to creation of flexible and inclusive learning environments identified. It is concluded that resilience does not only mean technological adaptation, but also implies institutional flexibility, digital literacy, inclusive governance, sustainable financing and cooperation between governments, private sector and academia. Framework to increase resilience through targeted investments in digital infrastructures, capacity building, research cooperation, policy coordination and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and big data analysis is proposed. The conclusion drawn from analysis is that resilient and forward-looking higher education systems are necessary for improving the quality of education, expanding access to it, social inclusion and strengthening competitiveness of Africa in global knowledge economy.