“Over the years, we have had the privilege of working with numerous higher education leaders and universities, partnering with many institutions. During this time, we have witnessed the constant evolution of higher education, and it’s evident that the recent pandemic has dramatically shifted how we deliver education to the world”, shared Sivakumar Veerappan, Founder & CEO, Anubavam Technologies Pvt Ltd at the 27th Elets World Education Summit in Malaysia.
Moreover, many universities tend to focus primarily on the student life cycle, as students make up the largest stakeholder group. However, faculty members, who are the next largest stakeholder group, are often overlooked in terms of technology and tools to support their work.
This approach of acquiring disjointed systems and neglecting faculty needs results in a lack of data integration, increased costs, decreased efficiency, security concerns, and missed opportunities. The need for a unified, integrated technology platform that can streamline and transform university operations becomes apparent.
We have observed that universities face numerous challenges, such as:
Lack of Integration: Most university systems are not designed to communicate with each other, leading to fragmented data and inefficiencies.
Compliance and Security: Managing data compliance and security becomes increasingly challenging, especially in regions with strict regulations like GDPR.
Global Competition: Universities are now competing globally for students, requiring technology that can support their international efforts.
Faculty Frustration: Faculty members should focus on teaching and research, but when burdened with technology challenges, they may become frustrated.
Student Success: Tracking and supporting student success becomes more difficult without integrated technology.
Strategic Planning: Many universities lack the technology to effectively track and implement their strategic plans.
“To address these challenges, we believe in the importance of a unified platform that provides end-to-end support for the entire student and faculty life cycle, as well as institutional effectiveness. This platform should integrate CRM, admissions, enrollment, curriculum management, learning management, assessments, accreditation management, analytics, and more”, he added further.
Furthermore, universities need to adopt agile technologies and solutions that can adapt to changing market dynamics. This is where “no code” or “low code” platforms come into play, allowing institutions to quickly modify and enhance their systems without the need for extensive coding or development efforts.
In today’s rapidly changing landscape, universities must prioritise students and faculty, providing them with the tools and support they need to thrive. Faculty members should have access to data that enables them to excel in teaching and research, while students should benefit from technology that empowers them to succeed.
Additionally, artificial intelligence (AI) holds great potential in higher education, from predicting student success to optimising faculty workloads. However, to leverage AI effectively, universities must first ensure their data is in order, focus on integration, and have a strategic plan for AI implementation.
“I want to emphasise the importance of a unified, integrated technology platform in higher education. It’s time for universities to transform and embrace agile solutions that can adapt to the evolving landscape. By prioritising students and faculty and harnessing the power of AI, higher education institutions can excel in this digital age”, he concluded.
