Research Article

Priority Roles of Stakeholders for Overcoming the Barriers to Implementing Education 4.0: An Integrated Fermatean Fuzzy Entropy-Based CRITIC-CODAS-SORT Approach

Table 1

Stakeholder roles in overcoming the barriers of EDUC4 implementation.

StakeholdersCodesRoles

Government (i.e., CHED, DepEd, and TESDA)G1Investing in endpoint protection against cybersecurity attacks (e.g., malware, phishing, and trojans, among others)
G2Delivering up-to-date training of human resources (e.g., educators) about cybersecurity threats
G3Inclusion of cybersecurity awareness in the basic education curriculum
G4Allocating more funds to support the necessary inclusive activities in the implementation of EDUC4
G5Implementing initiatives to direct linkages among stakeholders in different areas of cooperation (e.g., industry-CHED and international organizations)
G6Updating of curricular offerings based on the labor market signals posed by I4.0
G7Forging heightened information dissemination drives about EDUC4 to all stakeholders
G8Designing an overall policy agenda, including road mapping, in the implementation of EDUC4
G9Positioning the EDUC4 implementation within the UN Sustainable Development Goals
G10Promoting cross-functional collaboration that involves different functional expertise in various relevant government offices
G11Designing the curricula in line with the implementation and sustainment of EDUC4
G12Designing appropriate measures for the emergence of new technologies that affect learning (e.g., addiction to gaming and social media)
G13Promotion and creation of initiatives that yield social and psychological benefits to foster healthy behaviors
G14Creation of network infrastructure to lessen the complexity of learning platforms
G15Fostering opportunities for the emergence of self-organization, dynamic activities with AIs
G16Streamlining alignment initiatives of the basic education agenda (e.g., human resources and curricula) to EDUC4

University management (from the top management down to academic departments)U17Engaging in initiatives in promoting cybersecurity awareness among university members (i.e., educators, learners, and staff)
U18Designing measures that are security-cognizant (e.g., centralized IT governance, uniform control, segregation of networks, enhanced strategic alignment, and accountability), including stringent access regulators to shield sensitive data and information
U19Investing in efficient technologies (e.g., virtual classrooms, enablement or process audit, analytic tools for strategic planning, and the hybrid or fully automated process of project management), which are known to reduce overall costs and improve the experience of the university stakeholders
U20Constant training and capability upgrading of educators in terms of technical competencies and behavioral stamina for supporting adaptability, reliability, productivity, and total well-being as they align with the demands of EDUC4
U21Fostering transformational support and environmental and institutional framework for university educators, learners, and staff for adapting to the EDUC4 atmosphere
U22Engaging stakeholders in dialogues that emphasize the alignment of EDUC4 with global inclusive agenda (e.g., UN-SDGs)
U23Exploring the translation of the EDUC4 framework into pedagogy, assessment, and the design of an instructional system
U24Forging extensive collaboration with various stakeholders (e.g., policy-makers, academic experts, university networks, educators, education leaders, learners, and industry partners) to provide space and training resources for implementing EDUC4
U25Benchmarking of established and favorable practices for EDUC4 implementation
U26Establishing measures that would allow more time for the educators in preparing learning materials, conducting research and development projects, and attending to continuous learning opportunities inclined to EDUC4
U27Established intensified policies of college entry requirements, particularly in evaluating the readiness of candidate learners in an EDUC4 environment

Human resource functionH28Incorporating data privacy and protection orientation during personnel hiring
H29Restricting access of any information and sites only to its trusted users or known parties
H30Designing non-ambiguous measures for the protection of the human resource from insider threats, which may expose potentially damaging contents
H31Implementing information drives for personnel and other stakeholders on how to protect themselves against phishing, social engineering (e.g., acquiring login credentials), and other cybersecurity attacks
H32Designing initiatives that would encourage cybersecurity culture among university educators
H33Participating actively in university-wide efforts for cost-efficient initiatives in building human capabilities required in EDUC4 implementation
H34Periodic training of the human resources on the skills (i.e., especially digital readiness and customization of curriculum design) fitting to the current demands of EDUC4
H35Designing policies for personnel hiring, merit, and promotions system (i.e., including collaboration as an indicator) relevant to EDUC4 to ensure that the most competent and qualified employees are hired and retained
H36Initiating forums among stakeholders (e.g., educators, parents, and local governments) to discuss the pressing need for EDUC4 adoption
H37Establishing programs to coach or support employees who seek to acquire external training grants and collaboration
H38Designing a recognition system that recognizes and acknowledges the collaborative endeavors of the educators and staff
H39Integrating health issues as an integral part of the personnel development efforts (e.g., periodic health monitoring and health benefits) of the university

ICT functionI40Investing in collaboration efforts with IT experts capable of addressing cybersecurity threats
I41Designing robust infrastructure against cybersecurity threats
I42Initiating inclusive programs (e.g., information dissemination, training, workshops, and continuous learning) that would encourage an IT culture among university stakeholders
I43Directing the IT infrastructure needs of the university, including maintenance of equipment, that would support the implementation of EDUC4
I44Forging constant collaboration with IT experts to seek efficient and effective IT solutions for EDUC4 needs

EducatorsE45Engaging in continuous learning initiatives about relevant cybersecurity threats at the university (i.e., data breaches on student information, denial of service attacks, and phishing)
E46Integrating awareness of applicable laws to cyberbullying in (virtual) classroom teaching
E47Devising alternative cost-efficient teaching strategies in the delivery of required learning outcomes while upholding the implementation of EDUC4
E48Initiating collaboration efforts with other educators (i.e., inside or outside the university) in the delivery of cost-efficient methods in EDUC4 implementation
E49Participating in inclusive efforts (e.g., training, workshops, formal education, focus group discussions, symposiums, and industry immersion) for upgrading and aligning necessary skills (including an emphasis on handling complex learning platforms) for implementing EDUC4
E50Taking part in efforts to demonstrate the need and relevance of EDUC4 to stakeholders (i.e., parents, investors, local governments, and immediate community)
E51Involvement in the planning, selection, and maintenance efforts of technologies to support teaching-learning under an EDUC4 environment
E52Establishing holistic initiatives for linkage and collaboration with foreign universities, industry, non-government organizations, government offices, and international organizations, among others, in the delivery of intended learning outcomes, along with their support infrastructure, within the context of EDUC4
E53Participation in efforts for increased visibility in online forums and platforms to possibly establish collaboration
E54Taking part in the design, development, and improvement of innovative curricula aligned to EDUC4
E55Integrating health standards, including the mental health of learners, in designing their intended learning outcomes consistent with EDUC4
E56Promoting ways to efficiently prepare learning materials, including the use of advanced ICTs
E57Participating in skills development initiatives aimed at equipping educators with the capabilities in handling different complex learning platforms