COVID-19: Accelerating digital transformation for university's research administration

This study examined how COVID-19 has accelerated the digital transformation of research administration at the State Islamic University of Syarif Hidayatullah (UIN Jakarta). A mixed-method embedded approach was used in this study, with data obtained from a web-based survey and also focus group discussions (FGDs). The survey involved 137 grant recipients from UIN Jakarta. The FGDs included eight research administrators from the Center of Research and Publication (Puslitpen) UIN Jakarta, who six of them are also the researchers for this report. The data revealed: 1) COVID-19 has accelerated the use of digital technology in research administration 2) 67.9 percent of grant recipients stated that it was easy to use the national integrated research management system for Islamic Higher Education (Litapdimas app), but there are still some issues that need to be improved; 3) 94.4 percent of the grant recipients found that the online service provided by the center was very helpful and they suggested to continue its use. As COVID-19 is a worldwide issue, these findings are also useful for other research administration offices to learn how different forms of digital technology can improve the delivery of research administration services.