Abstract:

The capabilities of a distributed cloud information and communication technologies (ICT) architecture coupled with the presence of a natural digital ecosystem of mobile devices (smartphones, tablets, etc.) among the executives, the administration, and the teaching staff at a university is the necessary prerequisite for starting the digital transformation process of its management.

The need to receive the necessary data and information on your mobile device in a timely, guaranteed and automated manner is at the heart of the effective management and modern higher education institutions should not be left out of this process. They should prioritize the analysis of their processes and evaluate which ones can be improved via the interactive usage of suitable mobile applications by the stakeholders related to the respective functionalities and their outputs. Such applications could, on one hand, be linked to the appropriate structured data sets, which give the content of the relevant process (like names, grades, credits, hours, etc.), on the other - provide the necessary level of interactivity to the teaching and management staff and, finally, give a reasonable assurance that the necessary information can be easily reached by students through a friendly mobile interface, adapted to their needs.

The research conducted surveys of teachers and students, as well as interviews with key persons in relation to the specific processes, studied in order to mark the stages and phases of a possible change along the path of the digital transformation. The results of the study are summarized in this material and a list of good digital practices is added along with a brief analysis of the possible fiscal, resource and image benefits for the university due to their implementation. The active integration of mobile devices into the university work environment will make its operation more efficient, the administrative services provided - more effective, and the need for offline services - reduced substantially with the digitalization penetration. This is not insignificant given the fact that the cost of human labour in a knowledge-based economy will inevitably grow, and the need for people to meet live will be replaced by a gradual raise of their digital skills and ability to handle online-based activities. The benefits of such a transformation can be evaluated in various contexts, including an opportunity for adequate response in case of social crises, emergency situations or medical pandemics like the popular corona virus, etc.

Keywords:

Cloud architecture, mobile technology, digital management, interactive networking.