Lean Six Sigma, traditionally used in manufacturing, offers a powerful framework for improving efficiency and quality in various domains, including educational processes. In academic settings, the application of Lean Six Sigma tools and methodologies can produce significant benefits, such as streamlined administrative operations, reduced waste, improved curriculum development, and enhanced delivery methods, ultimately leading to more effective learning environments.Current trends in industry such as Industry 4.0 involve the integration of the digital and the physical worlds. This has resulted in the emergence of Education 4.0, where new technologies and ideas can be incorporated into the educational system. These can greatly enhance the students’ learning experience and provide them with the skills required by jobs that might not even exist when they enter the education system.By incorporating tools from different sectors or disciplines, higher education institutions can not only optimize their internal processes but also better equip students with improved skills and competences.The goal of this Research Topic is to bring together the latest research aimed at improving the higher educational sector by examining the tools and methods which have proven to be successful in other domains.While practices such as Lean Six Sigma, Industry 4.0, and Design Thinking have revolutionized the manufacturing sector, they have often been limited in their applications to other areas. It is the aim of this Research Topic to rectify this issue.Submissions of manuscripts that are original research, reviews, case studies, and empirical or theoretical studies are encouraged. Topics within the scope of this Research Topic include, but are not limited to the following:• Lean Six Sigma in education: e.g. improvements in curriculum review, teaching methodologies, grading, student satisfaction, and student retention.• Lean Six Sigma in administrative and support service operations in an educational environment.• Industry 4.0 technologies and their applications in education (e.g. Education 4.0, VR and AR in education, personalized learning, digital games for learning, automating repetitive tasks).• Design Thinking in education: e.g. curriculum and programme design, teaching-learning approach, changes in organizational culture, management activities, teacher training & support for design thinking, development of students’ empathy and creative confidence.
Lean Six Sigma, traditionally used in manufacturing, offers a powerful framework for improving efficiency and quality in various domains, including educational processes. In academic settings, the application of Lean Six Sigma tools and methodologies can produce significant benefits, such as streamlined administrative operations, reduced waste, improved curriculum development, and enhanced delivery methods, ultimately leading to more effective learning environments.Current trends in industry such as Industry 4.0 involve the integration of the digital and the physical worlds. This has resulted in the emergence of Education 4.0, where new technologies and ideas can be incorporated into the educational system. These can greatly enhance the students’ learning experience and provide them with the skills required by jobs that might not even exist when they enter the education system.By incorporating tools from different sectors or disciplines, higher education institutions can not only optimize their internal processes but also better equip students with improved skills and competences.The goal of this Research Topic is to bring together the latest research aimed at improving the higher educational sector by examining the tools and methods which have proven to be successful in other domains.While practices such as Lean Six Sigma, Industry 4.0, and Design Thinking have revolutionized the manufacturing sector, they have often been limited in their applications to other areas. It is the aim of this Research Topic to rectify this issue.Submissions of manuscripts that are original research, reviews, case studies, and empirical or theoretical studies are encouraged. Topics within the scope of this Research Topic include, but are not limited to the following:• Lean Six Sigma in education: e.g. improvements in curriculum review, teaching methodologies, grading, student satisfaction, and student retention.• Lean Six Sigma in administrative and support service operations in an educational environment.• Industry 4.0 technologies and their applications in education (e.g. Education 4.0, VR and AR in education, personalized learning, digital games for learning, automating repetitive tasks).• Design Thinking in education: e.g. curriculum and programme design, teaching-learning approach, changes in organizational culture, management activities, teacher training & support for design thinking, development of students’ empathy and creative confidence.