Aim/PurposeThe purpose of this initiative is to create a Smart Education Index (SEI) for higher education institutions in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The index will facilitate a comprehensive assessment of various components of smart education, such as learning, teaching, assessment approaches (pedagogy), digital and physical infrastructure (campus), learners, instructors, and governance.

BackgroundThe process of digitalization is advancing in higher education globally, although not equitably. In recent years, there has been a significant rise in research focused on smart education, leading to the development of frameworks and models encompassing several aspects of education, including smart pedagogy, learners, teachers, learning environments, and campus. However, no set of comprehensive indicators is currently available to allow higher education institutions to monitor their progress in implementing smart education.

MethodologyThe index was assessed by subject matter experts using a structured interview method to verify their relevance and suitability for their intended purpose.

ContributionThe proposed index will provide significant insight into the Bahraini higher education system and facilitate the achievement of the government’s digital transformation strategy. Moreover, being the first in the Arab region, the proposed index possesses the capacity to elevate higher education in Arab countries, serving as a mechanism for assessment and comparison. The next stage of this project will involve normalization, allocating weights to the indicators, and conducting a pilot of the index.

FindingsEducational experts in the Kingdom of Bahrain have stated that higher education institutions are implementing digital transformation and facilitating smart education. However, the rate of adoption varies depending on the institutions’ capabilities. Furthermore, there is a lack of effective mechanisms to monitor their development and advancement. The proposed index can potentially elevate the Bahraini higher education system significantly. It aligns with the government’s Digital Transformation Strategy. However, since there are currently no mechanisms or tools for monitoring and facilitating digitalization and the implementation of smart education locally or regionally, this index is a significant initiative.

Recommendations for PractitionersUtilizing the established index, a standardized index throughout the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries can be constructed to guarantee uniformity and ensure that higher education is continually advanced and elevated throughout the GCC. In terms of quality assurance of higher education, the identified set of indicators and their sub-indicators can be integrated into the quality assurance standards to advance higher education in collaboration with the Education and Training Quality Authority (BQA), locally, and the Arab Network for Quality Assurance in Higher Education, regionally.

Recommendation for ResearchersResearchers might utilize the developed index as a framework to examine the degree to which HEIs have the necessary infrastructure, resources, and competencies to support smart education. The identified measuring items of SEI can serve as a foundation for examining the barriers that may hinder HEIs from adopting smart education and the pedagogical competencies necessary for smart teachers.

Impact on SocietyEstablishing a robust SEI in the Kingdom of Bahrain could facilitate the assessment of its competitive standing in the global education sector and enhance its competitive advantage in the global economy. SEI, conversely, might facilitate the establishment of continuous learning environments and encourage lifelong learning. The index would foster a societal and cultural emphasis on education beyond conventional schooling, which is crucial in an age where workforce skills are perpetually changing.

Future ResearchNumerous countries worldwide have initiated digital transformation efforts; hence, performing a comparative analysis will facilitate the identification of the positive and negative aspects of these projects and highlight gaps and potential areas for improvement. Another research field is to assess the impact of such initiatives on the education sector. Exploring how smart education may assist students with disabilities and promote inclusivity, together with the impact of such support concerning the SDGs, constitutes another important study topic.