Internet Management Practices at Higher Education Institutions in South Africa

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic the past years has forced Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to fast-track digital transformation, specifically moving to an online environment. The online environment requires students to have access to the Internet, mobile technologies and data. The past years, a number of HEIs have become a smart campus, using networked technologies to facilitate teaching and learning, communication, campus security and advanced information technology (IT). HEIs constantly need to monitor and improve Internet management practices and relevant IT resources for their users. The Internet has become the foundation on which most IT resources rely and thus Internet management is a distinctive competency for a HEI. South African HEIs have limited Internet resources and are expected to use these resources optimally to ensure efficient and effective Internet connectivity on all campuses for all users and applications. The aim of this study was to determine the present Internet management practices at South African HEIs and to determine which elements may require change to optimize South African HEIs’ Internet provision to their users. A best practices HEIs Internet management business model is presented.