Digitalization of Higher Education Using Cloud Computing : Implications, Risk and Challenges

Digitalization of Higher Education using Cloud Computing: Implications, Risk, and Challenges provides an insight into the latest technology and tools being used to explore learning in Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs). Cloud computing, being an up-and-coming technology, integrates with academia and industry, thereby enhancing the quality of education.

The opportunities and challenges faced by HEIs in recent times due to technological disruptions have forced both academia and industry to realign their strategies for survival and growth. With the acceleration of cloud computing in higher education, it has now become imperative for educators to constantly upskill and reskill in order to meet the requirements of the future of work, particularly in the digital age. Technological advancement is an unstoppable wave and the lack of relevant skills to handle the disruptions in higher education will become a huge challenge if not addressed promptly. This is the new phase of Education 4.0 where HEIs are aligning themselves using cloud computing implications, and thus are preparing both faculties and students to embrace the changes happening in the teaching and learning processes.

This book focuses on multi-faceted strategies to be adopted by HEIs to deal with the emerging issues related to teaching–learning processes using cloud computing, technological interventions, curriculum overhaul, experiential learning, multi-disciplinary approaches, and continuous innovations and digitalization.

The book offers comprehensive coverage of many academic areas, with the most essential topics including:

• Pedagogies in digital education using a cloud environment

• Risks and challenges in cloud platforms for teaching and learning

• Collaborative and group learning in a cloud environment

• Enhancing quality of education using e-learning methodologies

The sections in this book are "Cloud Enabled Digitalization of Higher Education" and "Innovations and Applications of Digitalization of Higher Education: A Cloud Perspective". The book will be useful for undergraduates, graduates, academicians, scholars, and policy makers. It will help readers acquire skills for a smooth transition from face-to-face teaching to cloud-based teaching.

S. L. Gupta is currently working as the Dean of Waljat College of Applied Sciences. Previous to joining WCAS, he had been the Director of Birla Institute of Technology (Deemed University – Ranchi, India) Patna Campus. He brings with him a rich experience of 27 years in academia. His Professional Qualifications includes, an Executive Programme in Retail Management from IIM-Kolkata and a PGDBM (Marketing) from CMD Modinagar, India and M.Com from University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, India. His Fields of Specialization are Sales and Distribution Management, Marketing Research, Marketing of Service, Retail Management, Research Methodology. He has to his credit many Publications in National and International Journals. He has published eight Books, which are internationally recognized and recommended in many universities and colleges, and Research Papers on his area of specialization.

Nawal Kishor is Professor and former Director, School of Management Studies, Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi, India. He is Ph.D., PGDIM and M.Com. He is the Managing Editor of the leading journal, The Indian Journal of Commerce and the Editor of Indian Journal of Open Learning. He has been engaged in teaching, training, research and other academic and administrative activities for the last 30 years. He has been involved in the development of B.Com, M.Com, PGDIBO, BBA (Retail), M.Phil and Ph.D programmes along with the conduct of Orientation Programmes, Workshops, Refresher Courses, Faculty Development Programmes, etc.. He has published more than 60 research papers in the International and National reputed journals. He has presented more than 15 research papers in the International and National Conferences. He has been actively involved as Key Note Speaker, Technical Session Chairman, Guest of Honour, Resource Person in various International and National Conferences. His areas of interest are : International Business Management, International Marketing, Marketing Management, Consumer Behaviour, General Management, Organizational Behaviour, Human Resource Management, Foreign Trade, Export Import Procedures and Documentation, Retail Management and Distance Education. He has visited USA, Canada, Australia, France, Germany, UK, Netharland, Italy, Switzerland, Ethiopia, Singapore, Hongkong, UAE, Nambia, etc. for academic purposes. He has received Best Researcher Silver Medal for the ‘Second Best Research Paper Award’ 2014.

Niraj Mishra is currently working as Head- Department of Management Waljat College of Applied Sciences, Muscat, Oman. Dr. Mishra completed his MBA degree from Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, India and PhD in Management from BR Ambedekar Bihar University, India. Dr.Niraj Mishra has published several research papers in areas of service marketing, e-services and quality management. Dr. Mishra has participated in many national and international conferences and presented research papers. He has also the received best paper award for one of his papers presented in an international conference. He is also guiding PhD scholars in various universities in India in the area of e-services. Dr. Niraj Mishra has served as Deputy Head-Department of Management, Quality Coordinator (Academic) at Waljat College of Applied Sciences) and is the Chairman of Risk Management Committee of the college. Dr. Mishra has played an active role in preparation of strategic plan and operational plans, risk register and various HR policies of the college.

Sonali Mathur is associated with JSS Academy of Technical Education, Noida since 2010 working as Assistant Professor in Computer Science & Engineering Department. She received B.E in Computer Science and Engineering from M.J.P. Rohilkhand University, Bareilly, M.Tech in Information Technology from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University and Pursing Ph.D in Data warehouse testing and security from Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, Ranchi.Having more than 16 years of teaching and research experience and published research papers in various Journals and Conferences. Her area of interest includes Data Warehouse, Data Mining, Security and Testing.

Utkarsh Gupta is currently pursuing MBA in Marketing and Business Analytics from University of Connecticut, US. He is also serving as the President at UConn Graduate Consulting, where he manages a team of 50 consultants. He also has extensive work experience with developing marketing and sales strategy for startups. He had worked as Decision Scientist in Mu Sigma delivering data-based strategy solutions to fortune 500 companies. He had a brief stint with The Coca-Cola company’s global headquarters in Atlanta developing marketing strategies.