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
As technology continues to redefine how we learn, higher education institutions are embracing digital transformation to stay ahead. A Chief Information Officer (CIO) recently shared valuable insights into how one institution is navigating the digital transformation and reimagining the future of education through technology.
With a large and diverse student body across multiple campuses, this university serves thousands of students and employees. In leadership for over three years, the CIO is focused on integrating technology to provide flexibility, accessibility, and relevancy for today’s students while ensuring educational excellence.
The Importance of Data-Driven Decisions
One of the key initiatives led by the university’s IT leadership team has been to assess the use of computer labs across the institution. By leveraging tools like LabStats, the university has been able to gather real-time data on lab usage and better understand students’ actual needs. This data-driven approach revealed that not all labs are utilized as expected, with some being underused for extended periods.
The CIO emphasizes that understanding how technology is used—and not just relying on assumptions—is crucial. With the help of LabStats, the university is moving toward a more informed decision-making process when it comes to managing IT resources. By consolidating various data silos, the university is gaining a better understanding of the correlations and causations between different systems and student behaviors.
This approach is not just about reducing physical lab spaces but about better allocating resources where they are most needed. While the demand for everyday computer labs might be diminishing, certain academic research labs, particularly those requiring high-end computing power or specialized software, remain essential.
Related Webinar: Meeting Students Where They Are
The Future of Physical Computer Labs
One of the most pressing questions facing many universities today is the future of physical computer labs. As hybrid learning and remote access become more commonplace, does the need for dedicated lab spaces continue to make sense? According to the CIO, while the demand for traditional computer labs is declining, certain specialized labs—such as those used for academic research—remain critical. Some students, particularly those involved in research, require access to large screens or high-performance computing systems, which they cannot replicate on their personal devices.
However, the demand for labs where students primarily use basic software, such as word processing and spreadsheets, is currently much lower. The shift toward more virtual applications and devices that allow students to work from anywhere means that universities must rethink their investment in physical lab spaces.
As the CIO points out, this is a dynamic environment, and the pendulum could swing back in the future as student needs evolve. However, at this point in time, the trend seems to favor virtual and remote learning, and the university is positioning itself to accommodate this shift.
Looking Ahead: Adapting to the Needs of Tomorrow’s Students
The role of the CIO goes beyond simply overseeing IT operations; it’s about reimagining what higher education will look like in the future. Whether it’s leveraging data to optimize resource usage or ensuring that the physical IT infrastructure supports a hybrid learning model, the university is committed to meeting students where they are.
By continually adapting to the needs of the modern student, the institution is ensuring that its IT infrastructure supports the broader mission of higher education—to provide students with the tools they need to succeed, no matter where they are or how they learn.
In the end, as the CIO aptly puts it, “It’s not about the technology or the product. It’s about how it serves people—students, faculty, and staff—and helps them achieve their goals.” And that philosophy will continue to guide the university as it navigates the future of higher education.
