Digitalization, Webometrics, and Its Impact on Higher Education Quality During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the inadequacies of Indonesia's digital infrastructure for higher education, presenting a significant challenge. This article not only discusses the potential of digitalization in enhancing higher education but also addresses how it could undermine education quality. It identifies potential strategies to mitigate these issues. Employing a qualitative-explorative approach, this study gathers primary data from interviews and focus group discussions, complemented by secondary data from desk research. It concludes that digital methods aimed at lessening the pandemic's impact on higher education have inadvertently compromised educational quality. This is attributed partly to users' limited proficiency with necessary technologies and partly to infrastructure deficiencies, such as internet and cellular connectivity, leading to substantial obstacles in online learning. The article advocates for the creation of a dedicated institution to support the surge in demand for digital technology and infrastructure necessitated by the pandemic.