Smart Campus Transformation Governance in the Global South

Insights from Papua New Guinea University of Technology

Bibliographic Data

ID24219009
AuthorsKen Polin (Queensland University of Technology), Tan Yigitcanlar (0000-0001-7262-7118, Queensland University of Technology), Tracy Washington (Queensland University of Technology), Sk Tahsin Hossain (0000-0003-0157-4199, Queensland University of Technology)
Year2026
Volume6
Issue3
Publication date2026-07-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueUrban Governance (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2664-3286 • E-ISSN: 2667-3800
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/26643286261493872
OpenAlexW7214912994
LanguageEN
References cited229

Digital transformation is rapidly reshaping higher education, creating a pressing need for governance frameworks that can address evolving stakeholder expectations. While much research has focused on high-income contexts, governance of smart campus initiatives in the Global South remains underexplored. This study examines smart campus governance at the Papua New Guinea University of Technology, adapting an existing framework to four key dimensions: components, activities, outcomes, and processes. Eighteen semi-structured interviews with university leaders were conducted and thematically analysed, revealing a strong emphasis on components (such as technology, infrastructure, and human resources) followed by processes including planning, coordination, and evaluation, with comparatively less attention given to activities and measurable outcomes. Word frequency analysis highlighted recurring terms such as ‘campus smartness’, ‘university campus’, ‘campus management’, ‘university students’, and ‘campus technology’, reflecting a focus on both technological and organisational aspects of transformation. The findings refine existing governance frameworks and offer practical insights for policymakers, university leaders, and campus planners in the Global South, emphasising the need for contextually tailored strategies that balance infrastructure, operational processes, and stakeholder engagement to enable inclusive, sustainable, and effective digital transformation in higher education.

campus technology · Digital transformation · Global South · governance framework · Higher education · inclusive digital transformation · smart campus · Stakeholder engagement · university governance · university leadership · Educational Innovations and Challenges · Engineering Education and Technology · Smart Cities and Technologies

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access