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.

Analysing Students’ Reasons for Keeping Their Webcams on or off during Online Classes

“…As expected, global preoccupations with the transition to online teaching and learning are also reflected by Romanian studies on the topic. Therefore, examples of good practices have been given, solutions to the challenges faced by higher education institutions have been presented in order to inspire others, and various strategies adopted to support students' emotional needs in times of distress have been put forth too [17][18][19]. Moreover, an overview of the educational process taking place in Romania during the lockdown and after, a time frame for when the entire high-level didactic environment became digital, have been described [2,3].…”

The digitalization of learning and teaching practices in higher education institutions during the Covid-19 pandemic

“…Recent research (Curaj et al, 2015; Seres et al, 2018; Wilms et al, 2017) indicates that universities should prepare students for a very different future. Furthermore, Rampelt et al (2018) emphasise the importance of providing “a clear understanding of how digital technologies can enrich the student experience in Higher Education.” Universities are places where innovation is planned, tested and implemented; thus, a mutually dependent relationship between universities and technologies should be anticipated (Grosseck et al, 2020). According to PWC (2018), digital is here to stay.…”

Digitalization in Financial Education in The Universities

“…Thus, in order to keep its relevance and remain competitive in today's digital era, WUT makes efforts connected to investments in information technology infrastructure and advanced infrastructure systems, the digitalization of operations, the implementation of smart campus infrastructure, the increase and constant improvement of digital literacy amongst its academics, students and administrative staff, the change of the current working style while concurrently adding new techniques, tools and capabilities, the reshaping of its digital culture, strengthening trust in new technologies like cloud computing, artificial intelligence or blockchain, investments in its social media presence, etc. (Grosseck et al, 2020).…”