Integrating Semantic Web Technologies in Higher Education: A Decision Support System for University Selection
Download| Volume 6 Issue 2, 2025 | |
|---|---|
| Author(s): |
Shabir Ali Shah Preston University Islamabad, shabiralishah@gmail.com Malik Sikandar Hayat Khiyal Preston University Islamabad, drsikandarhayat@preston.edu.pk Mohammad Daud Awan Preston University Islamabad, drdaudawan@hotmail.com |
| Abstract | Selecting a suitable university is a critical and often challenging task for students as well as academic professionals, as it involves evaluating large amounts of diverse information that is scattered across multiple online sources. Existing search engines and ranking systems generally provide generic results and offer limited support for personalized, multi-criteria decision-making. To address these shortcomings, this study presents an intelligent decision support system that combines semantic web technologies with data aggregation and visualization techniques to support informed university selection. The proposed system automatically collects and integrates data from various sources, such as official university websites and publicly available datasets, using attributes including research performance, student composition, geographic location, and institutional rankings. A user- oriented visualization interface allows individuals to customize rankings and perform comparative analysis according to their specific preferences. To evaluate the effectiveness of the system, data from 301 universities in the United Kingdom were gathered through a combination of automated and manual methods. The results indicate that the proposed approach enhances efficiency, accuracy, and personalization in the university selection process. Overall, the system offers a scalable and practical decision support solution for higher education, serving the needs of students, faculty, and other stakeholders. |
| Keywords | Information aggregation, Semantic web, Information visualization, Information retrieval, Decision Support System. |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 6 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Type | Research paper, manuscript, article |
| Recognized by | Higher Education Commission of Pakistan, HEC | Category | Journal Name | ILMA Journal of Technology & Software Management | Publisher Name | ILMA University | Jel Classification | -- | DOI | - | ISSN no (E, Electronic) | 2790-590X | ISSN no (P, Print) | 2709-2240 | Country | Pakistan | City | Karachi | Institution Type | University | Journal Type | Open Access | Manuscript Processing | Blind Peer Reviewed | Format | Paper Link | https://ijtsm.ilmauniversity.edu.pk/arc/Vol6/i2/pdf2.pdf | Page | 51-58 |