COVID-19 and the Digital Transformation of Saudi Higher Education

This paper examines the effectiveness of the fourth industrial revolution technologies in mitigating the COVID-19 effects on higher education, through using digital learning and technological work systems as substitutes for traditional learning and work systems in Saudi Arabia. However, due to COVID-19 pandemic, all universities shut down and continued its role of providing educational services and keeping work going on using digital learning and technological work systems. Using a survey implemented in different universities for various colleges directed to faculty staff and students, the study tries to explain how the fourth industrial revolution is influencing higher education and how universities are prepared to face their challenges resulted from COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia. The study tries to explain how the fourth industrial revolution can play the role of catalyst for improving productivity, learning outcome, and wellbeing -work environment in these uncertain circumstances. Results display that digital learning is distinct compared to traditional learning, it improves the students learning outcome, enhance the faculty member’s capabilities and implementation of technical systems, develops staff productivity and work environment.