AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF BEIRUT

both parties . We can understand what the researchers are doing and then propose to them a way that they could do it better , more effectively , through technology .”

With a transformation of the size and scope that AUB is undertaking , challenge is inescapable . One of the most significant challenges that any digital transformation must overcome is a cultural one . After all , AUB was founded in 1866 and over the years , employees past and present have developed a particular culture and way of working . To transform that , particularly with technological advancement , is no small feat .

“ There are challenges everywhere , but the biggest challenge is the mind . The technology is easy , says Asfour . “ It starts with stakeholders . With technology comes risk and a belief as to why should you change a way of working that works and is proven . “ It ’ s about making people begin

to understand not how they can use technology in different ways , but how technology can be used to change the way they do things . And that ’ s a large part of what we ’ ve been doing at AUB .”

AUB is currently in year three of its five-year transformational journey , so to have come this far is a proof point that there has already been some considerable success along the way . Asfour actually believes this year , year three , is one of the toughest years as he feels that the first phase was spent “ getting the wheels on the track ”, and now is the time to really begin implementing . However , he can point to what he believes is a sure sign of success .

“ Only recently , I was at a strategic retreat with the senior staff at AUB , and I got stopped probably four or five times by senior members of the organisation ,” he says . “ They complimented me about the team that we have , about how

324 March 2018