In an era where digital transformation is reshaping the global education landscape, universities face unprecedented opportunities to enhance teaching, learning, and operational management. However, many institutions struggle to realize the full potential of digital tools, leading to increased spending with limited returns. Recognizing these challenges, the University of Duhok (UOD) has placed Digital Transformation at the heart of its long-term strategic plan, aiming to create a seamlessly connected and globally visible academic community.

On November 18, 2024, the University of Duhok (UOD) continued its journey toward achieving the objectives of its long-term strategic plan, with a focus on digital transformation. This workshop, a cornerstone event in the university’s broader vision to foster seamless communication and enhance global visibility, was titled “The Impact of Normalised Quality Data and Distribution of Digital Information Assets.”

The workshop was hosted by Assistant Prof. Dr. Dilan Majid Rostam, and organized by the Directorate of Information Services (DOIS) at the Main Library Building of the UOD City Campus. Attendees included DOIS representatives from all 19 colleges, members of the Directorate of Institution Research Center, the Directorate of Media, and the University Policy Office, reflecting the university-wide engagement with the digital transformation initiative.

Workshop Overview

In today’s evolving educational landscape, where digital transformation is reshaping traditional educational concepts, data has emerged as a critical asset. Recognizing this shift, the University of Duhok is embracing a comprehensive digital transformation strategy to enhance its academic and administrative capabilities. A key component of this journey is the normalization of quality data, which ensures that the university's digital assets are accurate, structured, and globally accessible. This workshop served as a platform to address the university’s ongoing efforts to digitize and normalise data while empowering its staff to take ownership of this transformation leading to a digital aware academic community.

Workshop Objectives and Key Themes

Dr. Rostam began by providing a foundational understanding of the importance of normalised data in creating high-quality, distributed digital information assets. He highlighted the shift in educational paradigms, where traditional, physical learning environments are increasingly complemented—or replaced—by digital, non-physical education. This transition underscores the need for universities to prioritize the quality and organization of their digital data.

The workshop aimed to build a foundational understanding of the importance of data normalization and its role in creating robust digital information assets that support UOD’s visibility and academic excellence in the digital age.

Key Highlights:

1. Understanding Stakeholders and Evolving Education Models:

   • Dr. Rostam emphasized the transformation of education from traditional, formal methods to a digital, informal paradigm. This transition highlights the importance of valuing accurate, high-quality data for creating educational materials and services.

2. Phases of Digital Transformation:

   • The workshop outlined UOD's structured approach to digital transformation, beginning with the digitization of current data, followed by the normalization of digitalized data to ensure consistency, accuracy, and usability.

   • A significant component of this effort is the Data Normalization of UOD’s manpower—academic and administrative staff—which began in April 2024 and is now nearing completion.

3. Empowering Colleges Through Distributed Information Hubs:

   • Dr. Rostam presented UOD’s distributed information hub strategy, enabling each college to manage its own website under the DOIS framework.

   • A sample website for the College of Nursing (CNUR) at cnur.uod.ac was showcased, illustrating the types of data required and how these localized hubs contribute to a unified yet decentralized university presence.

4. Academic Digital Portfolios (ADP):

   • The role of ADPs in connecting faculty achievements, research, and educational contributions to a broader network was highlighted. ADPs are key to enhancing UOD’s global academic visibility, providing a cohesive digital footprint for individual academics and the institution as a whole.

Key Takeaways

Dr. Rostam emphasized that the university’s digital transformation is an inclusive journey, where every academic and staff member plays a pivotal role in producing and maintaining digital content within a policy-driven framework. The overarching goal is to empower each individual to contribute to the university’s long-term strategic plan, enhancing its visibility and reputation on the global stage.

The workshop concluded with a call to action for participants to lead by example in promoting digital literacy and actively engage in the transformation process. By embracing this change, UOD positions itself as a forward-thinking institution, ready to provide a seamless, future-ready academic experience.

Engagement and Outcomes

The workshop included an interactive Q&A session, where participants explored practical aspects of the digital transformation process. They examined sample projects and gained insights into the technical feasibility of creating policy-driven, decentralized digital ecosystems. Key takeaways included:

• The vision of an inclusive digital transformation journey, where all university members actively manage their digital data.

• The importance of a policy-aligned academic community in enhancing the university’s visibility and reputation.

• The opportunity for every faculty and administrative member to contribute to the university’s global presence through well-curated digital portfolios.

Conclusion

This workshop marked another significant step in the University of Duhok’s digital transformation journey, reinforcing the collective responsibility of staff and faculty in achieving the university’s long-term goals. By fostering a digitally aware academic community, UOD is paving the way for a seamless and globally connected university experience. The event concluded with a resounding message: “Every member of UOD has a vital role in shaping the university’s digital future and securing its place on the global academic stage.”

Join the Transformation

The University of Duhok invites its academic community to take ownership of this transformative journey, contributing to a digitally empowered future for the university and its stakeholders.