eprintid: 1699
rev_number: 11
eprint_status: archive
userid: 4
dir: disk0/00/00/16/99
datestamp: 2026-07-01 01:32:57
lastmod: 2026-07-01 01:32:57
status_changed: 2026-07-01 01:32:57
type: article
metadata_visibility: show
creators_name: Inda, Abdulmumini
creators_name: Saleh, Sofia Zianti
creators_name: Tasir, Zaidatun
creators_name: Ajmain@Jima’ain, Muhammad Talhah
creators_name: Jamilu Sa’idu, Sabo
creators_name: Mohd Yusof, Sanita
creators_name: Sihes, Ahmad Johari
creators_name: Alhaji Rabiu, Aliyu
creators_name: Yusuf Usman, Abdullahi
creators_name: Al Murshidi, Ghadah
title: Human-centred academic leadership in digital transformation of higher education: insights from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
ispublished: pub
subjects: L1
divisions: JPS
full_text_status: public
abstract: 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.
publication: Asia Pacific Journal of Educators and Education
volume: 41
number: 1
publisher: Penerbit Universiti Sains Malaysia
pagerange: 189-217
refereed: TRUE
official_url: https://ejournal.usm.my/apjee/article/view/apjee_vol41-no-1-2026_9/pdf
citation:   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.      
document_url: http://eprints.iab.edu.my/v2/1699/1/Human-Centred%20Academic%20Leadership%20in%20Digital%20Transformation%20of%20Higher%20Education%20Insights%20from%20Universiti%20Teknologi%20Malaysia.pdf