The rapid advancement of digital technologies such as big data, cloud computing, and AI is reshaping industries worldwide. In education, these innovations are driving a paradigm shift in governance, assessment, and performance evaluation, ensuring data-driven decision-making for continuous improvement.
A groundbreaking study titled “Research on the Application of Big Data in the Performance Management of University Teachers”, published by IEEE and presented at the 7th International Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Big Data (ICAIBD) 2024, explores how big data enhances teacher performance management in higher education. Among the esteemed researchers, Zhangjie Yuan from SEGi University plays a pivotal role in uncovering the transformative potential of digital performance systems for university faculty.
Revolutionising Teacher Performance with Big Data
With the Chinese government’s push towards a “Digital China” through its Overall Layout Plan for Digital China Construction, the study emphasises the need to integrate digital innovation into education governance. It highlights three critical areas where big data optimises faculty performance management:
- Digitising Performance Systems – Establishing a structured data governance model to improve evaluation efficiency and transparency.
- Redefining Performance Metrics – Leveraging big data analytics to enhance assessment accuracy, focusing on teaching quality, research impact, and student engagement.
- Designing a Smart Performance Platform – Developing AI-powered platforms to streamline faculty evaluations and support continuous professional development.
The research demonstrates how universities can move beyond traditional, manual performance tracking towards automated, scalable, and real-time evaluation systems that enhance both institutional efficiency and academic excellence.
Alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This study contributes to:
SDG 4 – Quality Education by fostering data-driven educational improvements and enhancing faculty performance management.
SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure through the application of cutting-edge digital solutions in governance.
SDG 16 – Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions by promoting transparent and accountable university management.
As the education sector embraces digitalisation, integrating big data in faculty performance management becomes a necessity, not an option. This study serves as a blueprint for universities worldwide, paving the way for a more efficient, transparent, and innovative higher education landscape.
Read more in IEEE’s publication: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10604518