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Effects of Digitalisation on Higher Education in a Sustainable Development Framework—Online Learning Challenges during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Author

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  • Tudorel Toader

    (Faculty of Law, “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iași, 700506 Iași, Romania)

  • Marieta Safta

    (Faculty of Law, “Titu Maiorescu” University of Bucharest, 040051 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Cristina Titirișcă

    (Faculty of Public Administration and Management, Bucharest University of Economic Studies, 010615 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Bogdan Firtescu

    (Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iași, 700507 Iași, Romania)

Abstract

Throughout the planet, the medical challenges posed by the pandemic caused by the SARS-Cov-2/COVID-19 coronavirus have overlapped, inter alia , with the necessity to continue the academic process on every level. Romania was no exception. With the new vaccines against COVID-19, the hope of resuming face-to-face activity, considered as ‘normal’ before 2020, has emerged. In these circumstances, not at all far-fetched, certain questions have arisen, such as: should and must the online university education be completely removed? Should this form of education be continued? If so, to what extent? We have used econometric methods related to ARDL (auto regressive distributed lag models) such as pooled mean group (PMG) and mean group (MG) and used different tests for unit roots for the stationarity check of the series implied. The results show the positive effect of digitalisation on tertiary education and also the positive impact of the latter on sustainable development, as a base for future stimulation in public policies. The present study also aims to harness the university experience of these times, from some of the main Romanian university centres; the method used was a quantitative and qualitative research based on a questionnaire, which was answered by a number of 258 university teachers and 1569 students from prestigious public and private universities. The results of this analysis allowed us to conclude that most of the participants in the university educational process have adapted to the online activity, and the latter ‘saved’ the academic years 2019–2020 and, respectively, 2020–2021. The present study is useful for tertiary education institution and policymakers in terms of formulating strategies and policy recommendations to support teachers and students during any future pandemics.

Suggested Citation

  • Tudorel Toader & Marieta Safta & Cristina Titirișcă & Bogdan Firtescu, 2021. "Effects of Digitalisation on Higher Education in a Sustainable Development Framework—Online Learning Challenges during the COVID-19 Pandemic," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-25, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:11:p:6444-:d:569674
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    1. Mihai Curelaru & Versavia Curelaru & Mioara Cristea, 2022. "Students’ Perceptions of Online Learning during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-21, July.
    2. Jangwan Ko & Seungsu Paek & Seoyoon Park & Jiwoo Park, 2021. "A News Big Data Analysis of Issues in Higher Education in Korea amid the COVID-19 Pandemic," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-18, June.
    3. Andreea Barbu & Mirona Ana Maria Popescu & Georgiana Moiceanu, 2022. "Perspective of Teachers and Students towards the Education Process during COVID-19 in Romanian Universities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-21, March.
    4. Phanommas Bamrungsin & Buratin Khampirat, 2022. "Improving Professional Skills of Pre-Service Teachers Using Online Training: Applying Work-Integrated Learning Approaches through a Quasi-Experimental Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-17, April.
    5. Jian-Hong Ye & Yi-Sang Lee & Chiung-Ling Wang & Weiguaju Nong & Jhen-Ni Ye & Yu Sun, 2023. "The Continuous Use Intention for the Online Learning of Chinese Vocational Students in the Post-Epidemic Era: The Extended Technology Acceptance Model and Expectation Confirmation Theory," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-18, January.
    6. Lu Yu & Meng Du & Xiaohua Zhou, 2023. "E-Service-Learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Experiences of Mainland Chinese Students Enrolled at a University in Hong Kong," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-19, June.

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