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.

Sistem Informasi Pengambilan Keputusan Penerima Rehab Rumah Menggunakan Metode Weighted Sum Model (WSM) Pada Desa Bira Lhok Kecamatan Montasik

The house renovation program provided by the Aceh Besar regional government, especially in Gampong Bira Lhok, Montasik District, is an assistance program for the welfare of villagers whose housing conditions are far from livable. The problem faced by the Gampong government in the decision system for recipients of house renovation assistance at this time is that it still uses the decision system of deliberations between the Gampong apparatus and the Village Head so that it takes time to make decisions. Therefore, it is necessary to have a Decision Support System (SPK) to determine the acceptance of the house rehab program for residents with livable housing conditions based on computer information systems. This final project research aims to build a decision-making information system for home rehabilitation recipients using the Weighted Sum Model (WSM) method in Bira Lhok Village, Montasik District. The system development method used is the SDLC (Software Development Life Cycle) method using PHP and MySQL programming. The final project research resulted in a decision making information system for home rehabilitation recipients using the web-based Weighted Sum Model (WSM) with a factor weighting form interface, a form for prospective beneficiaries, a form for income criteria, assets, food and buildings, as well as a report on the assessment list of prospective recipients of rehabilitation assistance. House. Based on the results of the system that was built, the presence of an information system for decision making for home rehabilitation recipients using the Weighted Sum Model (WSM) method has made it easier for the Gampong Bira Lhok government to make decisions for recipients of home rehabilitation assistance quickly.

Sustainable Program Assessment Practices: A Review of the ABET and NCAAA Computer Information Systems Accreditation Process

Program outcome assessment is a complex process that demands careful planning and resources in order to accurately assess higher-order thinking skills. A well-defined assessment approach provides detailed insights into program weaknesses and leads to continuous improvement. Whereas a poor assessment approach does not reflect the underlying weaknesses and may result in a useless effort. Furthermore, each accreditation body may have a different recommended outcome measurement approach. As a result, academic institutions may make adhoc choices just to satisfy accreditation requirements rather than designing a sustainable measurement approach. On the other hand, the magnitude of huge tasks for satisfying multiple accreditation bodies results in fatigue and mental stress for academic staff. ABET is a well-known international program accreditation body, and NCAAA is a local accreditation body for academic programs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In this paper, we have documented that how a sustainable outcome measurement mechanism can be designed to satisfy both ABET and NCAAA requirements. The core contribution of this paper is relevant specifically for academic programs in the Kingdom striving to meet both ABET and NCAAA requirements and is also relevant for all education programs to design an appropriate program assessment approach to ensure a sustainable process to foster better learning among students.

Crisis Management Modeling of an Economic Object in Conditions Associated with Risks

The model of management of an economic object in a crisis is developed. Limitations and quality criteria are formed. General scheme of solving the task of minimax program crisis management at an enterprise is detected. The algorithm of the solution of the problem of crisis management of an enterprise taking into account the risks is offered. The main method for solving the problem is the method of detecting the reachable areas. Using this method, we work out the scenario of optimal crisis management in the presence of risks. The proposed algorithm allows to create effective numerous methods for implementing a computer simulation of solution of the problem of risk`s influencing. Simulated tools allow the reducing the risks at information system of crisis management of an enterprise. It opens the perspective of developing computer information systems for support of making effective crisis management decisions in the conditions of uncertainty and lack of information for increasing information security.

COVID-19 implication on higher education: case study at Medgar Evers College - what we have learned and realized through abrupt online conversion

The unprecedented COVID-19 global pandemic radically changed the way we do things. The face mask is now a must to put on, and you do not handshake anyone. We are not even allowed to go near any person within six feet to maintain social distancing. The sudden pandemic lockdown forced all face-to-face classes into online classes overnight. It added immense pressure and stress to both instructors and students that brought many negative consequences. The sustained disruption has challenged higher education institutions to maintain academic continuity and put them into a grave financial situation due to a substantial decline in cash flow. This paper presents a case study of the transition to online learning for the Computer Information Systems classes at Medgar Evers College during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. We present the method we used to maintain academic continuity, examine the challenges of abrupt online transition, and assess what we learned from its outcome. In conclusion, we discuss the threats and opportunities for higher education institutions in the post-pandemic, which might change the entire landscape of higher education.

STRUCTURAL-PARAMETRIC MODEL OF SECOND-ORDER SURFACES

One of the modern directions for the further development of the applied geometry scientific school of the Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute is the structural-parametric shaping of various technical objects. Currently, the general theoretical foundations of this methodology and specialized means of its practical implementation are being developed. The results obtained in the design, manufacture and operation of specific industrial products largely depend on their efficiency. The created mathematical models serve as the basis for software modules, which become components of the applied computer information systems. In these conditions, the issues of developing the necessary methodological support are also important. From the side of the theory of structural-parametric shaping, requirements are imposed on new geometric means in accordance with the principles of universality and unification, variability, openness and development, a system approach, etc. As can be seen from the title of the publication, in our case we are talking about second-order surfaces, which, due to their useful properties, are quite common in many technical objects. Note that the plane is considered a simplified version of these figures. The indicated universality and unification consist in solving a wide range of problems using the same type of methods, techniques, algorithms, etc. Variability is the need to implement for the geometric model of its flexible and productive use, the openness and the development – of easy updating, expansion and improvement its components. The systems approach requires considering the created mean not only as interconnected elements, but also as a part of systems of a higher hierarchical level. The submitted second-order surface model satisfies the rules described above. Its main peculiarity lies in the combination of the vector definition of these items with the structural-parametric methodology. The developed techniques of shaping are suitable for wide practical use during the automated design of various technical objects, the processes of their production and operation.

Gender Disparity in Students’ Choices of Information Technology Majors

Background: The gender disparity in the Information Technology (IT) field has persisted over the years. In 2018, only 27.2% of IT workers were women. Once hired, women face more challenges, and they are leaving the field twice as fast as men are. The misconception that women are weak in tech is one of the root causes of gender disparity issues in IT. Objectives: We examine the gender disparity in students’ choices of IT majors, as well as the decision process of Computer Information Systems (CIS) graduates. Methods/Approach: We use the United States public universities’ student data from 2010 to 2018. Both the Pooled and the Satterthwaite t-test are used to investigate the gender disparity issue among the students. Results: Our results support our hypothesis that female students are statistically less likely to choose CIS than their male peers are. An additional analysis of students’ grades in CIS courses shows that female students perform equally well as male students do. We did not find any evidence that it takes longer for female students to get the CIS degree; however, female students did change their majors more often. Conclusions: Female students tend to avoid IT majors; they often think they may not do well in the courses; however, such an assumption is not true. Our findings provide strategies for university and high school administration to be more proactive in developing recruiting strategies to attract and retain female CIS students.

PROMOTION OF THE ONLINE STORE BY ADVERTISING METHODS

High development of computer, information systems and telecommunication technologies has led to the formation of a new type of economic activity, namely - e-business, which is any business activity that uses the capabilities of global information networks to transform internal and external communications in order to further profit. The development of e-commerce is in two directions: increasing the number of Internet users, who are interested in buying goods and increasing the number of online stores, introducing secure online payment methods, reducing the cost of delivery, increasing speed and quality of service. Today, the global e-commerce market is one of the most dynamic and steadily growing markets. The growth of global retail Internet trade over the past three years was 6%. According to forecasts, taking into account the current trends of the global pandemic in 2023, the share of global retail Internet trade will increase to 22,1% and will be significantly ahead of the growth rate of retail trade. In Ukraine, the turnover of online shopping in 2020 increased by 41% and amounted to 107 billion UAH. Experts attribute this to the increase in the share of Internet penetration in Ukraine and the number of Internet users. Also, e-commerce is especially relevant because it allows you to fully present your business on the Internet, to tell the maximum about products and services to consumers, develop a brand, personal brand, as well as track the actions of visitors, thus analyzing efficiency and taking corrective action. To promote the online store on the example of «Swiss Energy», a program was developed using several methods of advertising: organizing a lottery, creating a layout of coupons and their electronic distribution to customers; creation and distribution of a presentation - a catalog of new products; distribution of leaflets to inform potential buyers; outdoor advertising. The expediency of the developed advertising activities is confirmed by the following data: the number of buyers for the week increased by 37%; the average cost of a check increased by 27%; the number of site pages viewed by visitors increased from 8 to 14.

Fostering Sustainable Quality Assurance Practices in Outcome-Based Education: Lessons Learned from ABET Accreditation Process of Computing Programs

Education is an important enabler for economic uplift of a society and academic institutions need to deliver quality education to equip students with required skills to excel in their professional careers. Due to international initiatives such as Washington and Seoul accords, outcome-based education has gained significant interest from industry, academia, governments, accreditation bodies and students. Outcome-based education is a paradigm shift form conventional education approach and its successful adoption requires sustainable quality practices by higher education institutions. Fostering quality assurance processes for outcome-based education requires careful planning and active collaboration among stakeholders. However, due to the sparse body of knowledge about quality processes in outcome-based education, many academic institutions rely on ad hoc practices, resulting in a trial and error approach. In this paper, we present set of guidelines which can help academic institutions to deploy sustainable practices in their academic programs. We document important guidelines to deliver outcome-based education based on our longitudinal work of ABET accreditation process of three different computing programs (Computer Science, Computer Information Systems, and Cyber Security and Digital Forensics). The successful application of proposed guidelines helps to foster sustainable quality practices in academic programs.