Perceptions of Post-Graduate Students towards the Use of HEC Digital Library: Evidence from University of Engineering & Technology (UET) Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Abstract
In the era of digital transformation, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) has introduced a digital library initiative that provides access to thousands of scholarly databases, journals, e-books, and research materials to universities and higher education institutions across Pakistan. This initiative aims to promote a research culture and facilitate postgraduate students in accessing credible and up-to-date academic resources. However, despite the availability of such vast digital resources, the extent of usage among postgraduate students remains uncertain. This study specifically focuses on analyzing the factors influencing postgraduate students’ perceptions to use the HEC Digital Library at the University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Mardan and to understand the barriers that hinder its optimal utilization. The main objectives of this study are to determine the level of awareness among postgraduate students at UET Mardan about the HEC Digital Library, identify the factors affecting their perception to use it, and examine how variables such as perceived usefulness, ease of use, accessibility, and institutional support influence their behavioral intentions. The study employed the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) as the theoretical framework, emphasizing constructs such as Perceived Usefulness (PU), Perceived Ease of Use (PEOU), Attitude Toward Use (ATU), and Behavioral Intention to Use (BI). Additionally, external factors like awareness, training, and infrastructure support were explored to provide a holistic understanding of user behavior at UET Mardan. A quantitative project approach was adopted, using a structured questionnaire distributed among postgraduate students (MPhil) at UET Mardan. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, means and standard deviation to analyze the data. The findings provided valuable insights to policymakers, university administrators, and library professionals at UET Mardan to design effective strategies for increasing awareness, improving accessibility, and enhancing user experience. This research holds great significance as it may assist in improving the overall utilization of digital academic resources in higher education institutions like UET Mardan. Moreover, recommendations from this research can guide HEC and UET Mardan to conduct regular training sessions, awareness campaigns, and interface improvements to ensure that postgraduate students fully benefit from the digital library facilities provided.
Keywords: Digital library, Post Graduate Students, UET Mardan.
In the era of digital transformation, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) has introduced a digital library initiative that provides access to thousands of scholarly databases, journals, e-books, and research materials to universities and higher education institutions across Pakistan. This initiative aims to promote a research culture and facilitate postgraduate students in accessing credible and up-to-date academic resources. However, despite the availability of such vast digital resources, the extent of usage among postgraduate students remains uncertain. This study specifically focuses on analyzing the factors influencing postgraduate students’ perceptions to use the HEC Digital Library at the University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Mardan and to understand the barriers that hinder its optimal utilization. The main objectives of this study are to determine the level of awareness among postgraduate students at UET Mardan about the HEC Digital Library, identify the factors affecting their perception to use it, and examine how variables such as perceived usefulness, ease of use, accessibility, and institutional support influence their behavioral intentions. The study employed the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) as the theoretical framework, emphasizing constructs such as Perceived Usefulness (PU), Perceived Ease of Use (PEOU), Attitude Toward Use (ATU), and Behavioral Intention to Use (BI). Additionally, external factors like awareness, training, and infrastructure support were explored to provide a holistic understanding of user behavior at UET Mardan. A quantitative project approach was adopted, using a structured questionnaire distributed among postgraduate students (MPhil) at UET Mardan. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, means and standard deviation to analyze the data. The findings provided valuable insights to policymakers, university administrators, and library professionals at UET Mardan to design effective strategies for increasing awareness, improving accessibility, and enhancing user experience. This research holds great significance as it may assist in improving the overall utilization of digital academic resources in higher education institutions like UET Mardan. Moreover, recommendations from this research can guide HEC and UET Mardan to conduct regular training sessions, awareness campaigns, and interface improvements to ensure that postgraduate students fully benefit from the digital library facilities provided.
Keywords: Digital library, Post Graduate Students, UET Mardan.
In the era of digital transformation, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) has introduced a digital library initiative that provides access to thousands of scholarly databases, journals, e-books, and research materials to universities and higher education institutions across Pakistan. This initiative aims to promote a research culture and facilitate postgraduate students in accessing credible and up-to-date academic resources. However, despite the availability of such vast digital resources, the extent of usage among postgraduate students remains uncertain. This study specifically focuses on analyzing the factors influencing postgraduate students’ perceptions to use the HEC Digital Library at the University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Mardan and to understand the barriers that hinder its optimal utilization. The main objectives of this study are to determine the level of awareness among postgraduate students at UET Mardan about the HEC Digital Library, identify the factors affecting their perception to use it, and examine how variables such as perceived usefulness, ease of use, accessibility, and institutional support influence their behavioral intentions. The study employed the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) as the theoretical framework, emphasizing constructs such as Perceived Usefulness (PU), Perceived Ease of Use (PEOU), Attitude Toward Use (ATU), and Behavioral Intention to Use (BI). Additionally, external factors like awareness, training, and infrastructure support were explored to provide a holistic understanding of user behavior at UET Mardan. A quantitative project approach was adopted, using a structured questionnaire distributed among postgraduate students (MPhil) at UET Mardan. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, means and standard deviation to analyze the data. The findings provided valuable insights to policymakers, university administrators, and library professionals at UET Mardan to design effective strategies for increasing awareness, improving accessibility, and enhancing user experience. This research holds great significance as it may assist in improving the overall utilization of digital academic resources in higher education institutions like UET Mardan. Moreover, recommendations from this research can guide HEC and UET Mardan to conduct regular training sessions, awareness campaigns, and interface improvements to ensure that postgraduate students fully benefit from the digital library facilities provided.
Keywords: Digital library, Post Graduate Students, UET Mardan.
