Towards a model of the digital university: A Generalized Net model for producing course timetables

Abstract

In a series of research papers, the authors have studied some of the most important models of contemporary universities, such as: the research university, the entrepreneurial university and the digital university and construct their generalized net (GN) models. This paper is based on the case-studies of Sofia University, the Technical University of Munich and the University of Edinburgh. The main focus is to put the analysis of the processes of the functioning of a university which effectively integrates information and communication technologies (ICT) in all university activities. A concrete example based on the process of course administration at University of Edinburgh is considered. This university is in a process of developing an integrated information system covering most of the university activities. The opportunity of using GNs as a tool for modeling such processes is analyzed as well.