Abstract:

The large volumes of data used today have motivated research and development in various disciplines to extract valuable information for its analysis to solve problems. In recent years, data extraction and analysis at higher education institutions (HEIs) has become increasingly important. HEIs are looking for solutions that allow them to extract data from different information systems and convert them into knowledge that helps them to optimize their processes and improve process management (e.g. monitoring and forecasting learning outcomes, admission of students, ensuring equal access to education and career development in higher education, organization of research and project activities, etc.). The university processes can be divided into 4 main business areas (Admission, Training, Research, Social environment and support), 2 supportive areas (Administration, Quality assurance) and 1 area with processes that manage all of them (HEI management). The paper presents a part of the study for implementing data analytics tools at the University of Plovdiv. Based on an in-depth literature review of the applications of data analysis tools in the defined areas and analysis of university information systems used at the university 73 university processes to be optimized and improved are selected. In the next stage of the study, data analytics tools will be designed and developed to allow different stakeholders (students, teachers, managers at different levels, etc.) to carry out tracking, monitoring and making informed decisions in the management of the selected processes taking place in the HEI in real-time, and hence their improvement and optimization.

Keywords:

Data analytics, big data, higher education, benefits, applications, improvement, optimization, university processes.