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Article · IEEE Access · January 1, 2026

Digital Transformation in Higher Education: A Review of Challenges, Opportunities, and Humanism Through the DDDD Model

Tamara Kokenovna Zhukabayeva, Lazzat Zholshiyeva, Dilaram Baumuratova, Kairat Abdrakhmanov

Lazzat Zholshiyeva
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Abstract

The process of digital transformation in higher education is dynamic and fast-paced; however, research in this field is not well-defined. In this study, a new concept of digital transformation is presented through a DDDD model consisting of four stages: digitization, digitalization, digital transformation, and digital humanism. This research is based on a systematic literature review (SLR) that has been carried out in accordance with the PRISMA and PICOC methodologies and consists of 88 peer-reviewed studies from major databases. This research is based on four research questions related to the DDDD process: What is digitalization? How should digitalization be applied? Where is digital transformation required? And why digital humanism? The results show that digitalization is widely implemented, but it is focused on technical and procedural improvements and is also short-term. Our study shows that digital transformation allows for large-scale pedagogical and organizational changes and highlights the importance of digital humanism. The core contributions of this study are the application of the DDDD model as an analytical framework for structuring digital transformation research in tertiary education, which includes a systematic identification of current trends, achievements, and research gaps and the formulation of directions for future research, including the integration of human-centered principles and the development of measurable indicators for digital humanism.

Educational Innovations and ChallengesDigital Education and SocietyUniversity Challenges and Reformsdigital transformationhigher educationdigitalization

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