Experience of Digital Transformation in a Small University, 2021

Abstract

In Fukuyama University, we have an educational affairs system and a course management system for education for more correct work and increasing efficiency of educational affairs and education. However, we do not have a common computer system for our office work except Office 365. Most procedures for office work are currently processed using pieces of paper and seals, which are time consuming and annoying. There is a tendency to promote digital transformation in Japan in the 2020s, but it is not easy to transform previous paperwork to effective digitalized work in a small university. This paper discusses the experience of digital transformation in Fukuyama University. The president of our university asked us to digitalize one of our procedures. We made a prototype system for the work using Office 365, discussing with officers who are in charge of the work. The system is going to be deployed shortly. Our educational affairs system is not perfect. There are many things to deal with by the faculties’ hands. In order to reduce such chores, we showed some examples of Python programs using Selenium, which is a tool for automating the handling of a web page, to a group of the faculty.