e-Learning Support Centers in Higher Education: Characteristics, Advantages and Challenges

Abstract Over the past two decades, e-learning has emerged as a crucial aspect of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), necessitating the establishment of an e-Learning Support Center (eLSC) as a fundamental part of the university's infrastructure. An eLSC provides centralized assistance for the digital transformation of education at an institutional level. Considering this development, our study explores the current state in various HEIs and, through the analysis and synthesis of best practices, concludes with a set of specifications that define a qualitative and effective eLSC. Our investigation covers a range of topics that require strategic management and decision-making at an institutional level. These include the key components that regulate the functions, services, administration, and roles within an eLSC, as well as the challenges associated with establishing such a unit. Methodologically, our research relies on the qualitative analysis of secondary data, focusing specifically on the content analysis of websites of corresponding eLSCs at both a national and international level. This approach enables us to gain insights into the characteristics of effective eLSCs across various institutional contexts, thereby contributing to the broader discourse on e-learning and its integration into higher education. Keywords: Higher Education Institutions, e-Learning Support Center, e-Learning, Digital Transformation.