TY  - JOUR
ID  - iab_repo1745
N2  - 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.
KW  - Human-centred leadership
KW  -  digital transformation
KW  -  narrative inquiry
KW  -  post-pandemic recovery
KW  -  academic deans
KW  -  Malaysia
A1  - Inda, Abdulmumini
A1  - Saleh, Sofia Zianti
A1  - Tasir, Zaidatun
A1  - Ajmain@Jima?ain, Muhammad Talhah
A1  - Sa?idu, Sabo Jamilu
A1  - Mohd Yusof, Sanita
A1  - Johari Sihes, Ahmad
A1  - Alhaji Rabiu, Aliyu
A1  - Usman, Abdullahi Yusuf
A1  - Ghadah, Al Murshidi
AV  - public
UR  - https://doi.org/10.21315/apjee2026.41.1.9
PB  - Asia Pacific Journal (APJEE)
JF  - APJEE USM
TI  - Human-Centred Academic Leadership in Digital Transformation of Higher Education: Insights from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
ER  -