New Technology Trends Are Reshaping Higher Education

Fortunately, higher education has long been a springboard for innovation, and today’s campuses are carrying on that tradition. One trend that is top of mind in education is the transformation of student interactions and administrative processes through technology. Although most institutions have long understood the value of learning, many have yet to fully integrate new digital capabilities in campus environments.   

According to the Inside Higher Ed 2024 Survey of Campus Chief Technology/Information Officers, almost two in three (61%) personally believe that the digital transformation (Dx) of their institution is essential or at least a high priority. However, only a third (35%) say their institution has set specific goals for digital transformation.

Transforming education and the campus experience

Dx initiatives are strategic in nature, going beyond simply making hybrid, remote, or online learning available to students. At its best, Dx is truly transformative in nature. It’s all about applying technology to deliver a delightful, personalized campus experience. This experience smoothly goes wherever students go, from classrooms and administrative offices to research labs and dorms. Dx also focuses on collecting and intelligently applying data to processes, empowering administrators to make more informed decisions more quickly.

Transformation isn’t only about using better technology but also thinking about it differently. It’s about refocusing technology on performing manual, repetitive tasks that take your faculty and staff away from more important priorities. By offloading menial jobs to technology, you give your team more time to make a bigger impact and think more strategically. It’s the brains behind the notifications that give students, faculty and staff more attention and make them feel more appreciated.

Is your institution keeping pace?

Big changes are happening at institutions worldwide as they focus on achieving Dx by creating a more cohesive digital universe through the cloud, learning management systems (LMS), and enterprise resource planning (ERP) software. By modernizing and bringing together disparate elements of their digital infrastructure, colleges and universities can become more efficient and better engage students, faculty, and staff. 

At the heart of these ambitious Dx plans is a robust, reliable wireless network. In a world where teaching, learning, and research happen everywhere, high-performance, always-on Wi-Fi® technology is fundamental to enable network software to accurately collect data, help students feel comfortable, and supporting a diverse array of internet of things (IoT) devices.

Unlocking real education outcomes with RUCKUS

RUCKUS Networks understands the importance of campus connectivity, and we’ve demonstrated our ability to empower colleges and universities to create and maintain purpose-driven networks. From small private colleges to large state-run universities, we offer robust network solutions that create a stable foundation for Dx. With exclusive patented solutions such as BeamFlex® and ChannelFly® technology, RUCKUS® Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7 solutions consistently outperform in high-density, high-capacity environments.

For example, Butler University partnered with RUCKUS to refresh and future-proof its aging wired and Wi-Fi network. Based in Indiana, this small private university now delivers dependable connectivity across 300 acres, with faster speeds, more bandwidth, and easy onboarding. With its rapid deployment and simple management and maintenance, the solution has dramatically reduced CapEx and OpEx, saving the institution $1 million. 

RUCKUS also helped Penn State modernize its network. Its new infrastructure supports 300 buildings on the University Park campus and 170 buildings across the state, while providing flexibility to grow with the university’s future needs. The institution has reduced power consumption in its buildings, minimized its carbon footprint, and saved millions of dollars.

Digital transformation is just one of several trends that are changing the face of higher education. Institutions are also exploring new innovative ways to make data-based decisions, streamline productivity, entrust technology to take on more responsibilities and enrich the campus experience.

To learn more about what lies on the horizon—and proactively plan for it—read our new eBook, “2025 Top 5 Trends for Higher Education.”

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