IMPLEMENTATION OF SAP IN UNIVERSITY EDUCATION: A CASE STUDY IN THE COURSE "TECHNICAL AND ECONOMIC MANAGEMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS PROJECTS"
R. Oltra-Badenes1, V. Guerola-Navarro1, H. Gil-Gomez1, A. Gil-Santin2
The Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV) has actively participated in the SAP University Alliances program for several years, providing students with access to SAP, a leading Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system widely used in the industry. This integration has enriched various courses across multiple degree programs at UPV. However, despite its potential relevance as a career path for graduates, SAP had not been incorporated into any course within the “Master's Degree in Telecommunications Engineering.” Recognizing this gap, the professors of the course "Technical and Economic Management of Telecommunications Projects" in the Master’s program decided to integrate SAP into the practical sessions during the 2023/2024 academic year.
To evaluate the impact of this integration, a mixed-methods approach was employed. A structured satisfaction survey was administered to students enrolled in the course, featuring both closed-ended questions, which were analyzed quantitatively, and open-ended questions, allowing for qualitative insights. The quantitative analysis included descriptive statistics to assess overall satisfaction and perceived value, while the qualitative responses were subjected to thematic analysis to identify common themes and insights regarding the students' experiences. The survey focused on key areas such as the relevance of SAP to course content, the ease of integration into the existing curriculum, and its perceived impact on students' preparedness for professional roles.
The results indicate a highly positive reception of SAP’s inclusion in the curriculum. The findings suggest that integrating SAP into the course not only aligns with industry demands but also substantially improves students' readiness for the professional environment, thereby affirming the value of such initiatives in higher education. The study concludes that the incorporation of industry-standard tools like SAP in academic programs is critical for bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical skills, ultimately benefiting both students and future employers.
Keywords: Teaching-Learning Activities, SAP, ERP, Technology, Practices.