http://eprints.iab.edu.my/v2/id/eprint/1699 2026-07-01T01:32:57Z info:eu-repo/semantics/descriptiveMetadata http://eprints.iab.edu.my/v2/1699/ Human-centred academic leadership in digital transformation of higher education: insights from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Inda, Abdulmumini Saleh, Sofia Zianti Tasir, Zaidatun Ajmain@Jima’ain, Muhammad Talhah Jamilu Sa’idu, Sabo Mohd Yusof, Sanita Sihes, Ahmad Johari Alhaji Rabiu, Aliyu Yusuf Usman, Abdullahi Al Murshidi, Ghadah L Education (General) This study explored the lived leadership experiences of two former Deans at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), with particular attention to how human-centred leadership was practised during and after the COVID-19 pandemic in the context of digital transformation in higher education. A qualitative narrative inquiry design with reflexive thematic analysis was employed to investigate critical leadership incidents, decision-making processes, and adaptive strategies in the shift to remote learning, and digital pedagogy. The analysis identified five interrelated leadership themes, namely empathy-driven engagement, fairness in digital resource allocation, reciprocal trust-building through virtual communication, empowerment of faculty and students in technology-mediated learning, and adaptive responsiveness in technology-intensive contexts. The findings demonstrate the importance of emotional intelligence, ethical leadership, and situational agility in developing resilient, inclusive, and digital-ready educational ecosystems. By situating leadership within institutional transformation, the study provides practical insights for academic leaders seeking to promote innovation, digital well-being, and technology-enhanced teaching and learning in the post-pandemic era. Penerbit Universiti Sains Malaysia Article PeerReviewed application/pdf en http://eprints.iab.edu.my/v2/1699/1/Human-Centred%20Academic%20Leadership%20in%20Digital%20Transformation%20of%20Higher%20Education%20Insights%20from%20Universiti%20Teknologi%20Malaysia.pdf Inda, Abdulmumini and Saleh, Sofia Zianti and Tasir, Zaidatun and Ajmain@Jima’ain, Muhammad Talhah and Jamilu Sa’idu, Sabo and Mohd Yusof, Sanita and Sihes, Ahmad Johari and Alhaji Rabiu, Aliyu and Yusuf Usman, Abdullahi and Al Murshidi, Ghadah Human-centred academic leadership in digital transformation of higher education: insights from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. Asia Pacific Journal of Educators and Education, 41 (1). pp. 189-217. https://ejournal.usm.my/apjee/article/view/apjee_vol41-no-1-2026_9/pdf info:eu-repo/semantics/objectFile info:eu-repo/semantics/humanStartPage