Stakeholder’s Perspective of Digital Technologies and Platforms Towards Smart Campus Transition: Challenges and Prospects

The study aims to research stakeholders’ perspectives of digital technologies and platforms that can help with the transition to smart campuses. A South-African University of Technology (SAUoT) was used as case study, focusing on five thematic areas namely: Stakeholder experience; ICT infrastructure; End-user capability in the use of ICT; ICT support capacity; and Data discipline, which constitutes the five-pillar framework. Primary data was collected from stakeholders (staff and students) through focus group discussion and both qualitative and quantitative methods were used to perform the analysis. The results revealed many challenges affecting the use of the five-pillar framework. In terms of the level of awareness of digital technologies and platforms, 47.82% of staff responded “no”, whereas, on the “Use by Entity”, 59.91% of staff responded that they are “unsure” of the use by their department. While 58.41% of staff responded “no” to personal use. In conclusion, it is indicative that there is a low level of awareness of digital technologies and platforms. The respondents who are student representatives indicate that, with the level of awareness of digital technologies and platforms, 10.56% responded “no”. Additionally, on the “Use by Entity”, 7.76% responded “no” to use by entity or department. While 8.62% responded “no” to personal use. The study recommends seminars and workshops for staff and students on digital platforms. Also, harmonization of digital platforms, the use of IoT technologies, and cloud computing systems are imperative for smart campus transition, thus, the AI nexus framework is hereby proposed.