IT Governance and Its Role in Enhancing Yemeni Universities’ Responsiveness to Contemporary Digital Transformations

حوكمة تكنولوجيا المعلومات ودورها في تعزيز استجابة الجامعات اليمنية للتحولات الرقمية المعاصرة

Keywords: IT Governance, Digital Transformation, Technological Adaptation, Yemeni Universities

Abstract

The study aimed to highlight the role of Information Technology governance in enhancing the response of Yemeni universities to contemporary digital transformations. It employed a descriptive analytical methodology, utilizing content analysis of official documents and websites of Yemeni universities, in addition to qualitative interviews with a sample of individuals responsible for information technology centers in 23 public and private universities The qualitative analysis of the data revealed that Yemeni universities face several challenges that impact their ability to adapt to rapid technological changes in higher education. Notably, private universities exhibited greater flexibility compared to their public counterparts. The study underscores the urgent need to adopt effective governance strategies, increase awareness of the importance of Information Technology governance, and allocate necessary financial and technical resources. Furthermore, the findings indicate that enhancing the responsiveness of universities to digital transformations requires collaboration among all stakeholders, including government entities and the private sector. The study also emphasizes the necessity of establishing a national center for Information Technology governance in higher education, developing comprehensive strategies that align with global developments, and creating training programs to enhance the competencies of human resources in this field. In light of these results, the study offers practical suggestions and recommendations that can guide efforts to strengthen the capacity of Yemeni universities to respond to digital transformations through Information Technology governance, ultimately improving the quality of higher education in Yemen.

References

Abdelilah, C., Ahriz, S., El Guemmat, K., & Mansouri, K. (2024). Building a specialized IT governance strategy for higher education: A strategic model. Journal of Computer Science, 20(7), 768-782.

Aboobaker, N. & KA, Z. (2021). Digital learning orientation and innovative behavior in the higher education sector: effects of organizational learning culture and readiness for change, International Journal of Educational Management, 35(5), 1030-1047.

Alakbarli, R. (2024). Integrating Big Data Governance and Corporate Strategies in Small and Medium Caspian Basin Seaports. ProQuest, https://search.proquest.com/openview/b56ca42e223725a3bf0180e2d0a6f8b9

Anderson, M. L., & Roberts, L. (2020). Digital Transformation in Higher Education: The Role of IT Governance. Higher Education Quarterly, 56(4), 287-300.

Benavides, L. M. C., Tamayo Arias, J. A., Arango Serna, M. D., Branch Bedoya, J. W., & Burgos, D. (2020). Digital transformation in higher education institutions: A systematic literature review. Sensors, 20(11), 3291.

Brooks, C. (2020). Digital transformation in higher education. EDUCAUSE. Retrieved fromhttps://library.educause.edu//media/files/library/2020/6/dx2020.pdf?la=en&hash=28FB8C377B59AFB1855C225BBA8E3CFBB0A271DA

ISACA. (2019). Governance of enterprise IT. Retrieved from https://www.isaca.org.

Jansen, V. (2021). The Role of Digital Governance in Higher Education: A Path to Effective Transformation. Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management, 43(1), 1-15.

Karanasios, S., & McGann, S. (2022). The Impact of Digital Transformation on Higher Education: Reflections from the Field. Journal of Business Research, (114), 273-281.

Kaur, K., & Singh, S. (2020). Exploring the impact of digital transformation on higher education institutions: A case study approach. Education and Information Technologies, 25(6), 4871-4890.

Makhdoom, I., & Ali, S. (2023). IT governance frameworks for digital transformation in higher education: A comparative analysis. Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management, 45(1), 45-60.

Smith, J., & Williams, R. (2021). IT Governance in Higher Education: A Framework for Success. Journal of Educational Technology, 34(2), 123-135.

Zawacki-Richter, O., Marín, V. I., Bond, M., & Gouverneur, F. (2021). Systematic review of research on artificial intelligence in higher education: A meta-analysis. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 18(1), 1-22.

- Arabic references in English:

Abu Hadi, Anwar Yahya, & Al-Khatib, Yasser Hizam. (2024). A Proposed Vision for Digital Transformation in Yemeni Universities in Light of Modern Global Experiences. Sana’a University Journal for Humanities, 1(1), 760-801.

Ahmed, Osama Abdul Latif, & Al-Saeedi, Karar Fadhel. (2019). The Impact of Applying IT Governance Practices on Enhancing Organizational Excellence in Universities: A Comparative Study Between Thi Qar Governmental University and Al-Ain Private University. Journal of Management and Economics, 11(4), 547-569.

Ahmed, Mohamed Fathy. (2020). A Proposed Strategy to Transform Minya University into a Smart University in Light of Digital Transformation Trends: The UAE Model of Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University. Fayoum University Journal of Educational and Psychological Sciences, 14(6), 1-25.

Al-Bardan, Fawzi Amin, & Shehata, Mohamed Mousa. (2021). The Impact of Activating IT Governance Under Digitization Strategies on Reducing Cyberattack Risks in the Egyptian Environment. Paper presented at the Third International Conference on Digitization and Quality Assurance in Higher Education, Sadat City University, Egypt, October 2-3, 2021.

Barakat, Abdel Razzaq, & Ben Hawiya, Yamina. (2021). IT Governance: Mechanisms for Implementation and Evaluation in Libraries. Journal of Social and Human Sciences, 22(2), 683-698.

Hamed, Nahla Hamed Ismail, & Awad, Osama Mohamed. (2019). The Reflections of Digital Education and Its Impact on Knowledge Growth and Human Capabilities. Arab Journal of Special Education, (7), 51-74.

Haidar, Abdel Latif Hussein. (2022). Digital Transformation in Higher Education in Developing Countries: Aspirations, Opportunities, and Challenges. Third International Scientific Conference on Technological Knowledge and Digital Transformation in Higher Education (Towards Enhancing Higher Education Quality), Center for IT in Higher Education, Sana’a, December 21-22, 2022.

Haidar, Abdel Latif, & Al-Khatib, Khalil. (2023). Dimensions of Digital Transformation in Higher Education and the Requirements for Its Implementation in Developing Countries in Light of Sustainable Development. Arab Journal of Information, (35), 1-20.

Al-Khatib, Khalil Mohamed, & Al-Eryani, Arwa Yahya. (2024). Digital Transformation in Higher Education (1st ed.). Al-Badeel for Publishing and Distribution, Amman, Jordan.

Al-Khatib, Yasser Hizam, & Al-Khatib, Khalil Mohamed. (2021). Challenges of Digital Transformation in University Education in Yemen and Ways to Overcome Them. Journal of Educational Sciences and Human Studies, 8(19), 1-29.

Zeroula, Rafik, & Abbas, Zahra. (2022). IT Governance as a Strategic Direction to Support the Transition to Digital Education in Algerian Universities: The Moodle Platform at May 8, 1945 Guelma University as a Model. Herodotus Journal for Human and Social Sciences, 6(4), 129-146.

Zmlot, Mustafa. (2017). The Role of Digital Technology Applications in Achieving Governance Goals in Arab Universities. International Conference on Governance in Higher Education Institutions, Council for Arab Universities Governance, in collaboration with the Association of Arab Universities, Middle East University, Jordan, March 11-13, 2017.

Zidan, Amal. (2021). Digital Transformation in Higher Education Institutions: An Evaluative Study of Opportunities and Challenges: Al-Azhar University as a Model. Egyptian Journal of Media Research, (75), 463-510.

Shaker, Abdul Malik, & Al-Saadi, Mohamed. (2023). Digital Transformation as a Guarantee of Quality Education in Yemeni Universities: Its Reality, Reflections, and Mechanisms. Aden University Journal for Humanities and Social Sciences, 4(1), 48-60.

Shadiwah, Layla Mahmoud. (2024). The Reality of Digital Transformation in Higher Education Institutions in Yemen and Determining Development Requirements: A Field Study on Sana’a University and the University of Science and Technology. Master's Thesis, Yemeni Academy for Graduate Studies, Sana’a, Yemen.

Al-Dula’i, Hussein Ali, & Al-Sabri, Abdullah Mohamed, & Saleh, Ahmed Abdul Karim. (2021). Digital Transformation in Higher Education: Challenges and Opportunities. Journal of Educational and Human Sciences, (38), 106-138.

Al-Amer, Asmaa Saleh. (2024). Digital Transformation: An Urgent Necessity. Ishraq Electronic Journal, a Cultural and Educational Periodical, Ishraq Foundation for Press and Publishing, Sultanate of Oman, (14), 16-17.

Abdel Latif, Dina Mahmoud. (2022). IT Governance in Institutions and Its Role in Supporting Digital Transformation: An Analytical Study of ISO "38500/2015" Standard. Journal of the Faculty of Arabic Language in Menoufia, 37(1), 2407-2448.

Ajeraf, Abdullah, & Ahmed, Jadallah Suleiman. (2024). Requirements for Activating Digitization in Kuwaiti Public Universities in Light of Experiences of Advanced Countries. Assiut College of Education Journal, 40(8), 269-294.

Flissa, Noura Suleiman. (2018). The Role of IT in Improving the Quality of Higher Education. Al-Mufakir Journal for Legal and Political Studies, Djilali University, 1(1), 58-69.

Al-Fitouri, Abdullah, & Warith, Al-Said, & Al-Tawerqi, Khaled. (2022). The Impact of IT Governance on the Performance of Libyan Universities from the Perspective of Faculty Members. Journal of Economic and Strategic Research, (9), 1-35.

Al-Muslimani, Lamia Ibrahim. (2022). Digital Transformation in Egyptian Universities (Reality - Requirements - Obstacles). Educational Journal of Sohag Faculty of Education, 99(99), 793-876.

Al-Mutrif, Abdul Rahman bin Fahd. (2020). Digital Transformation of University Education Amid Crises Between Public and Private Universities from Faculty Perspectives. Scientific Journal, Faculty of Education, Assiut University, 36(7), 157-184.

Al-Muhidli, Samia Tarahib, & Al-Mefiz, Khawla. (2021). Governance of Digital Transformation in Educational Administrations in Saudi Arabia in Light of Global Practices. Journal of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, (66), 192-216.

Wathfa, Ali Asaad. (2022). Aligning Higher Education Curricula with the Fourth Industrial Revolution and Labor Market Requirements. Publications of the Gulf Network for Higher Education Quality Assurance, GCC States.

Published
2024-12-31
How to Cite
AL-ABDI, M. S., & Al-SOUDI, M. S. (2024). IT Governance and Its Role in Enhancing Yemeni Universities’ Responsiveness to Contemporary Digital Transformations. مجلة التمكين الاجتماعي, 6(4), 45-76. https://doi.org/10.34118/sej.v6i4.4104
Section
Articles