المستخلص: |
This research concerns the use of a Geographic Information System (GIS) as a Planning Support system (PSS), specifically in the higher education sector in Egypt. The research, which follows a descriptive and analytical approach, reveals that GIS as a standalone solution cannot reliably provide the required planning support system. If the higher education (HE) sector is to benefit from the use of GIS, then this is best achieved through the use of multi-criteria evaluation techniques based on multiple scenarios; these may include equity, relevance, integration of the concept with economic activities, return on investment, and cost reduction for students. With the analysis of the GIS system that was employed in the Egyptian higher education sector, and the projects conducted using it as a planning support tool, it was evident that a number of iterations were made to accommodate for the implementation of a multi-criteria evaluation for the outcomes resulted from the GIS use. Hence, from the Egyptian experience using GIS, it’s strongly advised for policy makers to identify the possible set of criteria that affects decision before integrating GIS in the planning support process.
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