Decision-Making Strategy for Digital Transformation: A Two-Year Analytical Study and Follow-Up Concerning Innovative Improvements in University e-Services

Universities worldwide strive to provide the best student services possible, particularly those that support student achievements and career goals. Therefore, academic advising continues to be a significant part of the student experience, one which universities need to fully understand in terms of its objectives, application processes, and required skill. As a result of significant technological improvements since the turn of the millennium, including expanding internet applications and digital transformations, universities have established computer information systems that support academic advising and course registration services. This study examined the effects of modifications to the electronic academic advising and course registration systems at King Abdulaziz University in 2018, and then again in 2020, following a university-wide system failure in 2018 resulting from a demand overload. In 2018, a preliminary statistical analysis and student feedback survey were conducted by the authors to measure student satisfaction with the online portal On-Demand University Services (ODUS Plus). In addition to recommendations suggested by the 2018 analysis such as balancing the load distribution of the university’s network, organizational (i.e., non-technical) solutions, rules, and regulations were adjusted such as progressive course registration that prioritized those expected to graduate first. The survey and analysis were repeated by the authors in 2020 to assess improvements in student satisfaction. As a result of the changes, the investigation revealed improved student satisfaction with the performance of ODUS Plus and network access. Overall, students were significantly more satisfied in 2020 than in 2018. This research shows that some technical challenges can be resolved using re-engineered processes and organizational solutions.

Using Design Thinking Method in Academic Advising: A Case Study in a College of Pharmacy in Saudi Arabia

Purpose: The current study was conducted to evaluate academic advising services in a pharmacy college in Saudi Arabia. This will result in developing solutions to overcome the identified challenges. Methods: Design thinking method uses five steps: empathising, defining, ideating, prototypes and testing. Results: Several issues were identified with students: limited awareness of academic rules and regulations; work-family life imbalance; lack of trust in academic advising and emotional support; unfamiliarity with different learning strategies; and lack of social life at the university. Discussion and conclusion: This study provides a model for enhancing students’ experiences with academic advising. It suggested several prototypes that have proven to be effective in enhancing students’ experiences in university life and how to overcome challenges. The prototypes include a peer academic advising club, personal development workshop and a series of lectures on college rules and regulations.

Evaluation of an e-Advising System

Higher education (HE) in Kuwait suffers from high dropout rates, and one of the leading causes of this desertion is a lack of academic advising. Effective academic advising systems must fulfill its user’s needs and provide a positive user experience (UX), which allows users to successfully and effectively fulfill their goals. This study used quantitative and qualitative approaches to evaluate an electronic advising system (e-Advisor) used by the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training (PAAET). Survey data from 1,095 PAAET students were analyzed to determine students' perceptions and evaluate their experience using e-Adviser. The findings indicated that students were aware of the features and advantages of e-Advisor. Overall, the participants had a moderately positive impression of e-Advisor’s UX. The system’s attractiveness, efficiency, and perspicuity were rated slightly higher than its dependability, stimulation, and novelty. Moreover, female students’ perceptions of e-Advisors UX were significantly more favorable than their male counterparts.

Culturally Responsive Academic Advising of Black Males at an Urban Community College During COVID-19

The current research study aims to explore the academic advisors' culturally responsive advising of Black males at an urban community college during COVID-19. The qualitative method is suitable for the current research since the research focused on phenomenon analysis and non-statistical means of inquiry. The current research uses a phenomenological design to examine a specific group and phenomenon. The research will add to the understanding and knowledge base of the motivation and perceptions of academic advisors on advising Black males of an urban community college during the current global pandemic. The purpose is to examine how academic advisors respond to the needs of Black males in how it affects their enrolment, persistence, and success while studying in an urban community college. The research will support reviews regarding cultural intelligence and the need for more accountability for the overall success of Black male students.

The Development of Academic Advising to Enable Student Success in South Africa

Universities promote social justice by improving student success; a university degree is one of the most powerful tools to change the economic prospects of students, their families, and communities. For students to succeed, it is vital that they are connected to the wide range of support services in a meaningful way. Unfortunately, many students (especially first-generation students) find it difficult to connect to university environments that are complex and that are often not optimally coordinated. International and national research show that academic advising plays a critical role in improving student engagement and success by facilitating better coordination and integration of support. Academic advising provides students with relevant information, facilitates their conceptual understanding of the university, and allows students the opportunity to form a meaningful relationship with the institution through an advisor and by means of various advising initiatives. This paper shares international perspectives on the critical importance of academic advising for student success. Building on these perspectives, we reflect on the development of academic advising in South Africa and on its potential for enhancing student success in our context. We provide an institutional perspective by sharing the journey of the University of the Free State. In doing so, we show the positive impact of advising before and during the pandemic and we conclude with lessons for the future of academic advising in the South African context.

Merging Academic and Career Advising to Offer Holistic Student Support: A University Perspective

Higher education in South Africa has focused extensively on widening access to further inclusivity and to economic development. However, as students need to persist and succeed in their studies, access alone is not enough. Furthermore, the responsibility of higher education to help students succeed does not end with graduation; institutions need to produce graduates who are ready to enter the labour market. Therefore, it is important to integrate career information and concepts into these practices when conceptualising holistic academic advising. Since academic advising is still developing as a professional practice in the South African context, no clear, practical framework has been used uniformly at universities. Career advice is also not necessarily integrated into academic advising in a conscious manner. This may result in students who are struggling to integrate all the academic and career information provided to make informed decisions regarding their studies and career paths. This paper argues that the 3-I Process is an appropriate framework for the integration of career and academic advising in the South African context. In this case study, we draw from the experiences of nine advisors from the central advising office, faculties, and the career office at the University of the Free State to understand the extent to which they have been incorporating the elements of the 3-I Process into their existing academic advising practices and how they view the possibilities of following a more integrated approach. We also map how the framework can be adapted to the broader South African context to inform and develop more holistic and professionalised advising practices, as well as to contribute towards students’ success beyond university.