The Role of Covid-19 in Moving Towards a Paperless Campus: The Case of University of Sharjah

Abstract

As our concern to the environment is progressively growing, the transition to a paperless environment has become a driving force behind sustainable development. Evidence suggests that the traditional use of paper-based processes in daily working practices results in numerous flaws, risks, and financial burdens. Many higher education institutions are currently adopting this initiative of going paperless to make their operations more cost-effective, seamless and efficient. Thus due to the high consumption and use of paper within universities, this initiative implements ways to reduce paper usage. The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on moving towards a paperless campus. We will take the University of Sharjah (UoS) as a case study. UoS attempted to implement many practices and techniques to match the paperless system, including blackboard system and e-services. Data on paper usage was collected for the previous three academic years, and it was analyzed. Our results revealed a huge drop in paper usage during September 2019 to August 2020 (covid-19 peak period) and cost percentage drop of 53% in September 2019 to August 2020 academic year. Followed by a 38% decrease from September 2020 to August 2021. Thus, a paperless campus ensures providing an eco-friendly environment that reduces deforestation along with providing quality academic and administrative services.