Graduate Student Engagement and Digital Governance in Higher Education

This study explores graduate students’ perceptions of and experiences with digital governance in higher education, using data from semi-structured interviews with thirty participants. A qualitative research design guided the investigation, addressing six research questions related to the definition,...

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Main Authors: Miray Doğan, Hasan Arslan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Education Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/15/6/682
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author Miray Doğan
Hasan Arslan
author_facet Miray Doğan
Hasan Arslan
author_sort Miray Doğan
collection DOAJ
description This study explores graduate students’ perceptions of and experiences with digital governance in higher education, using data from semi-structured interviews with thirty participants. A qualitative research design guided the investigation, addressing six research questions related to the definition, roles, effectiveness, required skills, challenges, and opportunities of digital governance. The findings reveal varying levels of familiarity with digital governance, often linked to concepts of e-government and efficient decision-making. However, many participants lacked a deep understanding of the term. Key roles of digital governance identified include improved data management, enhanced transparency, and increased inclusivity in decision-making processes. The study also highlights significant challenges, such as inadequate infrastructure, inconsistent implementation, and a lack of formal training in digital governance. Despite these barriers, digital governance offers practical benefits, including streamlined administrative processes, better accessibility, and improved research outcomes. Participants emphasized the importance of digital skills education but noted that weak infrastructure and limited curricular integration hinder skill development. Opportunities identified include greater efficiency, expanded access to education, and better support for marginalized groups. The study concludes with recommendations for a holistic approach, combining education reform, infrastructure improvement, and stakeholder collaboration to optimize the benefits of digital governance in higher education. These insights provide valuable guidance for policymakers and educators seeking to enhance digital governance in academic institutions.
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spelling doaj-art-fe6caae154d74e24a4150e08a287967d2025-08-20T03:27:06ZengMDPI AGEducation Sciences2227-71022025-05-0115668210.3390/educsci15060682Graduate Student Engagement and Digital Governance in Higher EducationMiray Doğan0Hasan Arslan1Faculty of Education, Department of Educational Sciences, Department of Educational Management and Supervision, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Canakkale 17010, TürkiyeFaculty of Education, Department of Educational Sciences, Department of Educational Management and Supervision, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Canakkale 17010, TürkiyeThis study explores graduate students’ perceptions of and experiences with digital governance in higher education, using data from semi-structured interviews with thirty participants. A qualitative research design guided the investigation, addressing six research questions related to the definition, roles, effectiveness, required skills, challenges, and opportunities of digital governance. The findings reveal varying levels of familiarity with digital governance, often linked to concepts of e-government and efficient decision-making. However, many participants lacked a deep understanding of the term. Key roles of digital governance identified include improved data management, enhanced transparency, and increased inclusivity in decision-making processes. The study also highlights significant challenges, such as inadequate infrastructure, inconsistent implementation, and a lack of formal training in digital governance. Despite these barriers, digital governance offers practical benefits, including streamlined administrative processes, better accessibility, and improved research outcomes. Participants emphasized the importance of digital skills education but noted that weak infrastructure and limited curricular integration hinder skill development. Opportunities identified include greater efficiency, expanded access to education, and better support for marginalized groups. The study concludes with recommendations for a holistic approach, combining education reform, infrastructure improvement, and stakeholder collaboration to optimize the benefits of digital governance in higher education. These insights provide valuable guidance for policymakers and educators seeking to enhance digital governance in academic institutions.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/15/6/682graduate studentsdigital governancehigher educationstudent engagement
spellingShingle Miray Doğan
Hasan Arslan
Graduate Student Engagement and Digital Governance in Higher Education
Education Sciences
graduate students
digital governance
higher education
student engagement
title Graduate Student Engagement and Digital Governance in Higher Education
title_full Graduate Student Engagement and Digital Governance in Higher Education
title_fullStr Graduate Student Engagement and Digital Governance in Higher Education
title_full_unstemmed Graduate Student Engagement and Digital Governance in Higher Education
title_short Graduate Student Engagement and Digital Governance in Higher Education
title_sort graduate student engagement and digital governance in higher education
topic graduate students
digital governance
higher education
student engagement
url https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/15/6/682
work_keys_str_mv AT miraydogan graduatestudentengagementanddigitalgovernanceinhighereducation
AT hasanarslan graduatestudentengagementanddigitalgovernanceinhighereducation