Analysing the interrelationship among enablers affecting student engagement in online higher education using Interpretive Structural Modelling (ISM) and MICMAC analysis

The Engagement of students is an essential factor in the effectiveness of online university education. This study uses Interpretative Structural Modeling (ISM) and matrixed impacts of Croisés multiplication appliquée á un classment (MICMAC) analysis to identify key enablers affecting Students' Engagement and exploring their interdependence. The findings emphasize institutional support, technological infrastructure and faculty training as basic drive forces that create involvement strategies, design and motivation of students. Psychological and social factors, perceived easy to use and flexibility have proven to be dependent variables affected by these drivers. The ISM framework revealed hierarchical relations between enablers, while MICMAC analysis has classified them based on the power and dependence strength. This research concludes that the structured online educational environment, robust technological support and targeted engagement strategies improve the results of students' participation and learning. Practical recommendations include strengthening institutional policies, improving the faculty training, implementing interactive courses' designs and providing psychological support to support inclusive and engaging ecosystem of online education.