The Future of Higher Education: Integrating a Super App into Your University's Digital Strategy

Today's educators must rethink higher education to adapt to a world rapidly transformed by technology. Students now demand that all their university interactions be available on a single smartphone app. With just one click, they want instant and seamless access to schedules, materials, assignments, campus news, and other essential information.

According to a recent study by Great State, 91% of students believe that their university's digital services should match the quality of in-person lectures and campus life.

Students no longer want to waste time browsing websites or calling college administration to get the necessary information. In fact, 96% of administrators affirm the positive impact of digital devices on students' retention of learning materials, emphasizing their crucial role in academic success. This shows that accurate digitization encompasses more than simply eliminating paper processes. Students now anticipate effortless digital experiences and swift responses when applying for admission, registering for classes, submitting service requests, or scheduling appointments.

However, the reality is different. Despite its widely acknowledged importance, only 6% of higher education institutions have developed a digital strategy. According to EDUCAUSE research, 13% of colleges and universities are actively undergoing digital transformation, with an additional 70% developing a strategy or exploring possibilities. Despite the pandemic forcing universities to adapt their processes to remote studies quickly, adopting Zoom meetings and online assignment handling was different from the digital transformation it should have been. True transformation delves deeper and demands sustained commitment, strategic guidance, and an approach that critically examines the necessity and purpose of existing systems and processes.  One of the elements driving transformation in this entire ecosystem is university super apps.

What is a University Super App and What Role Does It Play in Modern Education?

Gartner expects that by 2027, more than 50% of the global population will be active users of multiple super apps daily. The education sector should be no exception. So, what exactly is a university super app?

A university super app is an application that integrates a wide range of university services and functionalities in one place. This app aims to enhance the student experience by providing easy access to various academic, administrative, and extracurricular services. In a single app, students can manage their class schedules, assignments, grades, communicate with faculty, access campus services, event participation, financial transactions, and receive personalized alerts. Faculty and staff can also benefit the app to manage course materials, communicate with students and colleagues, access administrative and campus resources, coordinate events, and handle financial and security matters. By centralizing these diverse functions, a university super app simplifies the user experience, reduces the need for multiple applications, and ensures that students, faculty, and staff have all the information and tools they need at hand with just one university mobile solution.

Furthermore, the widespread adoption of super apps in various sectors underscores the importance of keeping pace with technological advancements in the education sector to meet the evolving needs of students and educators alike. As we move forward, integrating innovative solutions like university super apps can ensure that education remains accessible, efficient, and aligned with the digital age.

Examples of University Mobile Apps

While there may not be universal examples of "university super apps" in the exact sense, some universities have developed extensive mobile applications that integrate various services and functionalities for students, faculty, and staff. These apps aim to provide a one-stop solution for managing academic, administrative, and extracurricular activities. Here are a few examples:

UC San Diego Mobile App: The UC San Diego app offers features such as class schedules, grades, campus maps, shuttle schedules, library access, event calendars, dining options, and notifications for campus updates and emergencies.

HBS Mobile: The HBS Mobile App is designed for Harvard Business School alumni, students, and staff. It offers features such as course registration, grades, class schedules, campus maps, library access, event calendars, transportation information, and news updates.

ASU Mobile App: The ASU Mobile App provides a convenient way to navigate student life and help alumni and guests stay connected to the university. 

NYU Mobile App: The NYU Mobile app is the official mobile application that enriches students' experience at New York University. It offers convenient navigation of NYU's offerings and provides access to university information, events, photos, and other engaging content while on the move.

These apps may not encompass all the functionalities of a "super app" in the broader consumer sense. Still, they represent efforts by universities to centralize and streamline various services for their campus communities.

DataArt Approach to Campus Digital Transformation

At DataArt we collaborate with the educational sector to develop solutions for universities' digital transformation. We analyzed the services and features needed and in demand by universities, identifying five main clusters. These clusters encompass up to 100 distinct systems necessary to meet the needs of students, faculty, and administration.

Connected Classroom: Everything in the classroom is now integrated with digital technology. Interactive whiteboards and specialized software on classroom computers are essential for modern education. Various specific teaching requirements have emerged, and every aspect of classroom activities is now digital, making the learning experience more interactive and efficient.

Online Learning: Students and faculty have access to various services. These include intelligent scheduling systems that help organize classes and manage time efficiently. Additionally, the digital infrastructure extends to controlling access to university facilities like gyms, pools, and other amenities, ensuring a seamless and convenient experience.

Administrative Solutions: Universities utilize comprehensive administrative solutions, including HR platforms, resource planning tools, documentation management systems, and financial systems. These tools are crucial for efficiently managing university operations, ensuring smooth administrative processes and effective resource utilization.

Student and Tutor Services: Students and tutors benefit from a wide range of digital services, including smart scheduling, interactive apps for communication and learning, digital libraries for easy access to resources, and systems for managing payments and loans. Additionally, there are platforms for leisure management, ensuring that all aspects of student life are well-supported through digital solutions.

Data Platform, AI Bedrock, and Security Solutions: Universities also invest in robust data platforms, AI foundations, and security solutions. These technologies provide:

• An infrastructure for managing large volumes of data.
• Integration of AI to enhance learning and administrative processes.
• Ensuring the security and privacy of sensitive information.

This approach to higher education technology ensures that universities are prepared to meet the demands of modern education.

Navigating the Complexities of Higher Education's Digital Transformation

Compared to larger domains like retail or travel, the educational sector lags in digital transformation, necessitating a concerted effort toward full-fledged digitization rather than the current partial implementations.

Nevertheless, the timing for this transformation couldn't be better. Other industries have already navigated similar challenges and established solutions. Thus, when faced with cross-domain tasks like implementing a data platform, existing industry solutions streamline the selection process, alleviating much of the complexity. For instance, when considering payment solutions, starting with Stripe provides a solid foundation before exploring other options. Similarly, if a university requires a CRM system, Salesforce is a starting point, allowing for informed decisions about additional functionalities.

Drawing from the best practices established in leading domains, we have a unique opportunity to tailor solutions to the educational sector's specific needs, driving a more efficient and effective digital transformation. Leveraging these methodologies ensures that we remain focused on delivering customized solutions without reinventing the wheel, ultimately propelling the educational sector into the digital age.

Enhancing University Performance with a Super App: Key Performance Indicators and Global Impact

The key performance indicators (KPIs) linked to a university super app span several critical domains. Firstly, student recruitment and retention are paramount. By offering a seamless digital experience, universities can allure prospective students and bolster the engagement and satisfaction of existing ones. Metrics such as enrollment rates, retention figures, and graduation rates serve as barometers of this engagement.

Secondly, academic KPIs hold significant weight. These metrics gauge the efficacy of knowledge absorption and application among students. Parameters may include average grades, pass rates, and students' performance in assessments and examinations. Furthermore, student satisfaction surveys offer valuable insights into the quality of the learning experience, directly influencing academic success.

Thirdly, overall student satisfaction with university services. Feedback on various offerings, including library resources, campus facilities, and support services, indicates satisfaction. Higher satisfaction is often correlated with improved student outcomes and heightened retention rates.

Ultimately, a significant KPI for universities is their position in global rankings. These rankings consider diverse factors such as academic reputation, employer feedback, faculty/student ratio, citations per faculty member, and international faculty and student ratios. A university super app can enhance these factors by streamlining administrative processes, enriching academic support, and fostering greater student engagement and connectivity.

By addressing these metrics, universities can bolster their overall performance and reputation, ensuring competitiveness in the global education landscape.

Conclusion

A super app is primarily a visionary concept. It's improbable that a university would suddenly transform into a super app overnight—that's almost akin to science fiction.

Nevertheless, grasping a framework through which a university team can assess its landscape can illuminate how things should be interconnected. We can collaborate with them to pinpoint and rectify critical gaps that would significantly enhance the user experience and key performance indicators.

At DataArt, we possess the expertise to manage all facets of software development. We can evaluate a university's current profile, pinpoint existing gaps, and devise a roadmap for future development strides. This approach brings the vision of a super app closer to fruition, culminating in a progressively sophisticated and immersive system. Ideally, following the initial collaboration with a university, we should yield two outcomes: a couple of short-term solutions to rectify critical gaps and a long-term partnership, gradually introducing innovative features over time.

Originally published here.