Seyyed Mohsen Tabatabaei Mozdabadi
The role of business intelligence in universities' foresight / graduate employment and future labor market needs
Monday, October 13, 2025 8:29 AM
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شماره خبر: -4351435
The Secretary General of the Iranian Urban Economics Scientific Association emphasized: "In the past, decision-making in universities was often based on the experience of managers or traditional indicators, but today data is recognized as the main source of power and decision-making. Business intelligence in universities means collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data, research, budgets, graduate employment, etc. By analyzing this data, managers can predict educational, research, and technological development paths and make informed decisions."
The Role of Business Intelligence in the Future Outlook of Universities / Graduate Employment and Future Needs of the Labor Market
Seyed Mohsen Tabatabaei Mozdabadi, in an interview with the economic correspondent of ANA News Agency, regarding the role of business intelligence in the future outlook of universities and higher education institutions, and their dependent economies, said: Universities, as centers for the production of science, innovation, and training of specialized human resources, are at the heart of social, economic, and technological developments. In today's world, where data-based decision-making has replaced guesswork and experience, universities also need business intelligence to plan for the future and maintain their competitive position. By combining data, analysis, algorithms, and technology, business intelligence allows university administrators to design the path of growth, development, and innovation in a scientific and forward-looking manner. According to a faculty member of the Islamic Azad University, in the past, decision-making in universities was often based on the experience of administrators or traditional indicators, but today data is recognized as the main source of power and decision-making. Business intelligence in universities means collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data related to students, faculty, research, budgets, graduate employment, educational facilities, and even international interactions. By analyzing this data, administrators can predict educational, research, and technological development paths and make informed decisions. He clarified: For example, in Finland, business intelligence systems help universities redesign academic fields and align curricula with future labor market needs based on graduate employment data. In the Netherlands, data related to faculty research performance is intelligently analyzed to ensure evidence-based research funding allocation. In Singapore, universities use BI to analyze international enrollment trends, manage capacity, and evaluate the effectiveness of training courses. In Japan, business intelligence helps identify promising research areas and develop academic collaborations. In South Korea, educational data analysis has helped universities accelerate the path to digitalizing education and incorporating artificial intelligence into curricula. The Secretary General of the Iranian Urban Economics Scientific Association, pointing out that in some leading countries such as Canada and Australia, business intelligence is also used at the national level, said: "Big data from different universities is aggregated and analyzed so that policymakers can draw a comprehensive picture of the country's scientific status and future growth paths." These analyses play a key role in making decisions about research investment, developing new fields, attracting elites, and international collaborations. Tabatabai continued: Using business intelligence in university foresight has many benefits. First, it improves the quality of managerial decision-making. Data helps managers make their decisions based on scientific and factual analysis, not on guesswork or personal experience. Second, it predicts future scientific and educational trends; universities can identify future needs of the labor market and technology and adjust the education path accordingly. Third, it increases resource efficiency; by analyzing budget, research, and human resource data, waste of resources can be prevented. Fourth, it improves the student experience; through analyzing educational data, satisfaction, and academic performance, the university can design more accurate support programs. Fifth, improving the university's international standing through data analysis of scientific collaborations and rankings. The Secretary General of the Iranian Urban Economics Scientific Association emphasized: On the contrary, the lack of business intelligence in the university system causes numerous problems. Decision-making without data analysis often leads to incorrect choices, inappropriate allocation of resources, and loss of growth opportunities. The lack of a BI system prevents the university from accurately predicting future trends and lagging behind in global competition. Also, the weakness in identifying labor market needs causes disciplines and training to distance themselves from the realities of society. As a result, graduates may not have the necessary skills for future employment. Tabatabai referred to the conceptual model of the role of business intelligence in university foresight and stated that this model can be drawn as follows: Input data (education, research, students, labor market, technology) Data analysis and pattern discovery (BI Tools) Data-driven decision-making University strategic planning and scientific foresight Sustainable development, innovation and improving scientific standing According to a faculty member of Islamic Azad University, business intelligence is not only a tool for analyzing past data, but also a bridge between today's reality and tomorrow's vision. By using BI, future-oriented universities can institutionalize dynamism, flexibility and creativity in their structure. This tool helps managers have a precise understanding of the current situation, global trends and future needs, and as a result, transform the university into a learning, innovative and responsive institution. In conclusion, the Anawi news agency emphasized: It should be said that business intelligence is the backbone of forward-looking management in 21st century universities. Without BI, universities will suffer from ambiguity and error in macro-decisions; but by using data analysis, they can chart their growth path based on knowledge and evidence. The future of universities belongs to those who recognize data not as numbers, but as a source of understanding, prediction and transformation.
