Smart Universities: An Innovative Approach to Higher Education

Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are undergoing a constant process of transformation, which entails rethinking their daily operations. Decision-making thus becomes crucial to adapt and respond to social demands and technological advancements. Universities are compelled to evolve by employing various strategies, notably technological and digital transformation. These strategies, complemented by effective management models, facilitate efficient administration, leading to the concept of the "Smart University." This methodology has a qualitative, descriptive approach, gathering detailed information and relevant particularities. Additionally, semi-structured interviews with experts provided valuable insights, and the hermeneutic method was used for a better understanding of this new concept. The aim is to describe the characteristics of "Smart Universities" as a vision towards which HEIs should orient themselves to align with societal demands. The results focus on describing these characteristics from two perspectives: technological and managerial. These approaches will guide governance models, processes, and technological resources towards achieving high-quality standards and a culture of continuous improvement for the benefit of the community.