This study explores the complex dynamics of handling augmented reality (AR) data in higher education in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Although there is a growing interest in incorporating augmented reality (AR) to improve learning experiences, there are still issues in efficiently managing the data produced by these apps. This study attempts to understand the elements that affect AR data management by examining the relationship between the investigated variables: faculty readiness, technological limits, financial constraint, and student engagement on data management in higher education institutions in the UAE, building on earlier research that has identified these problems. The research analyzes financial constraints, technological infrastructure, and faculty preparation to understand their impact on AR data management. The study collected detailed empirical data on AR data management in UAE higher education environments using a quantitative research methods approach, surveys. The reasons for choosing this research method include cost-effectiveness, flexibility in questionnaire design, anonymity and confidentiality involved in the chosen methods. The results of this study are expected to enhance academic discourse by highlighting the obstacles and remedies to improving the efficiency of AR technology data management at higher education institutions. The findings are expected to enlighten decision-making in higher education institutions on maximizing AR technology’s benefits for improved learning outcomes.

Abad-Segura, E., Gonzalez-Zamar, M. D., Rosa, A. L. D. L., & Morales Cevallos, M. B. (2020). Sustainability of educational technologies: An approach to Augmented Reality research. Sustainability, 12(10), 4091. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12104091

Ahmed, K. G. (2020). Augmented Reality in remote learning: a proposed transformative approach for building construction education. In: Proceedings of the 2020 Sixth International Conference on e-Learning (econf). pp. 115–120.

Alahmari, M. (2023). Exploring the Influential Factors Affecting Staff Willingness to Adopt Augmented Reality. International Journal of Information and Education Technology, 13(7), 1078–1084. https://doi.org/10.18178/ijiet.2023.13.7.1907

Al-araibi, A. A. M., Mahrin, M. N. R. B., & Yusoff, R. C. M. (2019). Technological aspect factors of E-learning readiness in higher education institutions: Delphi technique. Education and Information Technologies, 24, 567–590. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-018-9780-9

Ali, M. (2024). Fostering cultural heritage awareness through VR serious gaming: A study on promoting Saudi heritage among the younger generation. Journal of Infrastructure, Policy and Development, 8(3), 3084. https://doi.org/10.24294/jipd.v8i3.3084

Almulla, M. A. (2022). Investigating important elements that affect students’ readiness for and practical use of teaching methods in Higher Education. Sustainability, 15(1), 653. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15010653

AlQallaf, N., Elnagar, D. W., Aly, S. G., et al. (2024). Empathy, Education, and Awareness: A VR Hackathon’s Approach to Tackling Climate Change. Sustainability, 16(6), 2461. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16062461

Alzahrani, N. M. (2020). Augmented Reality: A systematic review of its benefits and challenges in e-learning contexts. Applied Sciences, 10(16), 5660. https://doi.org/10.3390/app10165660

Augmented RealityKamat, Y., & Nasnodkar, S. (2021). Empirical Investigation of the Impact of 3D Printing on Multiple Dimensions of Student Engagement in STEM Education. Journal of Empirical Social Science Studies, 5(1), 48–73.

Calik, A., Ozkul, D., & Kapucu, S (2024). Smart glasses use experience of nursing graduate students: qualitative study. BMC Nursing, 23(257). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-024-01852-w

Carneiro, J., Rossetti, R. J., Silva, D. C., & Oliveira, E. C. (2018). BIM, GIS, IoT, and AR/VR integration for smart maintenance and management of road networks: a review. In: Proceedings of the 2018 IEEE international smart cities conference (ISC2). pp. 1–7.

Chandra, S., & Kumar, K. N. (2018). Exploring Factors Influencing Organizational Adoption of Augmented Reality in E-Commerce: Empirical Analysis Using Technology-Organization-Environment Model. Journal of Electronic Commerce Research, 19(3).

Christopoulos, A., Styliou, M., Ntalas, N., et al. (2024). The Impact of Immersive Virtual Reality on Knowledge Acquisition and Adolescent Perceptions in Cultural Education. Information, 15(5), 261. https://doi.org/10.3390/info15050261

Delello, J. A., McWhoRteR, R. R., & Camp, K. M. (2015). Integrating Augmented Reality in higher education: A multidisciplinary study of student perceptions. Journal of Educational Multimedia and Hypermedia, 24(3), 209–233.

Drljević, N., Botički, I., & Wong, L. H. (2022). Investigating the different facets of student engagement during Augmented Reality use in primary school. British Journal of Educational Technology, 53(5), 1361–1388. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjet.13197

Drljević, N., Botički, I., & Wong, L. H. (2022). Observing student engagement during Augmented Reality learning in early primary school. Journal of Computers in Education, 11(1), 181–213. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40692-022-00253-9

Elfeky, A. I. M., & Elbyaly, M. Y. H. (2021). Developing skills of fashion design by Augmented Reality technology in higher education. Interactive Learning Environments, 29(1), 17–32. https://doi.org/10.1080/10494820.2018.1558259

Eppard, J., Hojeij, Z., Ozdemir-Ayber, P., et al. (2019). Using mobile learning tools in higher education: A UAE Case. International Journal of Interactive Mobile Technologies (IJIM), 13(11), 51. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijim.v13i11.10823

Erdfelder, E., Faul, F., & Buchner, A. (1996). GPOWER: A general power analysis program. Behavior Research Methods, Instruments, & Computers, 28(1), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.3758/bf03203630

Faqih, K. M., & Jaradat, M. I. R. M. (2021). Integrating TTF and UTAUT2 theories to investigate the adoption of Augmented Reality technology in education: Perspective from a developing country. Technology in Society, 67, 101787. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2021.101787

Farhi, F. (2024). Examining the factors fostering metaverse experience browser acceptance under unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT). Journal of Infrastructure, Policy and Development, 8(3), 2594. https://doi.org/10.24294/jipd.v8i3.2594

Garzón, J. (2021). An overview of twenty-five years of Augmented Reality in education. Multimodal Technologies and Interaction, 5(7), 37. https://doi.org/10.3390/mti5070037

Gharaibeh, A., Salahuddin, M. A., Hussini, S. J., et al. (2017). Smart cities: A survey on data management, security, and enabling technologies. IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials, 19(4), 2456–2501. https://doi.org/10.1109/comst.2017.2736886

Govindan, K., Nasr, A. K., Saeed Heidary, M., et al. (2023). Prioritizing adoption barriers of platforms based on blockchain technology from balanced scorecard perspectives in healthcare industry: A structural approach. International Journal of Production Research, 61(11), 3512–3526. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207543.2021.2013560

Henseler, J. (2017). Partial least squares path modeling. In: Advanced Methods for Modeling Markets. Springer, Cham. pp. 361–381.

Henseler, J., Müller, T., & Schuberth, F. (2018). New guidelines for the use of PLS path modeling in hospitality, travel and tourism research. Applying Partial Least Squares in Tourism and Hospitality Research, 17–33. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-78756-699-620181002

Jamali, S., Shiratuddin, M. F., & Wong, K. (2014). An overview of mobile-Augmented Reality in higher education. International Journal on Recent Trends in Engineering & Technology, 11(1), 229–238.

Jarrah, H. Y., & Alkhasawneh, T. (2023). The impact continuous adaptation of augmented reality after Covid-19 in United Arab Emirates. International Journal of Instruction, 16(2), 719–734. https://doi.org/10.29333/iji.2023.16238a

Kshniakin, P. A., Mokeev, A. D., & Chaplygin, S. S. (2021). Infrastructure platform for creating and distributing VR/AR solutions. In: Economic Systems in the New Era: Stable Systems in an Unstable World. Springer International Publishing. pp. 189–196.

Lai, J. S., Crane, P. K., & Cella, D. (2006). Factor analysis techniques for assessing sufficient unidimensionality of cancer related fatigue. Quality of Life Research, 15, 1179–1190. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-006-0060-6

Lee, L. K., Wei, X., Chui, K. T., et al. (2024). A Systematic Review of the Design of Serious Games for Innovative Learning: Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, or Mixed Reality? Electronics, 13(5), 890. https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13050890

Li, M., & Liu, L. (2023). Students’ perceptions of augmented reality integrated into a mobile learning environment. Library Hi Tech, 41(5), 1498–1523. https://doi.org/10.1108/lht-10-2021-0345

Liarokapis, F., & Anderson, E. F. (2010). Using Augmented Reality as a medium to assist teaching in higher education. In: Proceedings of the Eurographics 2010—Education Papers.

López-Belmonte, J., Moreno-Guerrero, A. J., López-Núñez, J. A., & Hinojo-Lucena, F. J. (2023). Augmented Reality in education. A scientific mapping in Web of Science. Interactive learning environments, 31(4), 1860–1874. https://doi.org/10.1080/10494820.2020.1859546

Lu, S. J., & Liu, Y. C. (2015). Integrating augmented reality technology to enhance children’s learning in marine education. Environmental Education Research, 21(4), 525–541. https://doi.org/10.1080/13504622.2014.911247

Martín-Gutiérrez, J., Fabiani, P., Benesova, W., et al. (2015). Augmented Reality to promote collaborative and autonomous learning in higher education. Computers in Human Behavior, 51, 752–761. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2014.11.093

Matsika, C., & Zhou, M. (2021). Factors affecting the adoption and use of AVR technology in higher and tertiary education. Technology in Society, 67, 101694. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2021.101694

Moro, C., Štromberga, Z., Raikos, A., & Stirling, A. (2017). The effectiveness of virtual and Augmented Reality in health sciences and medical anatomy. Anatomical Sciences Education, 10(6), 549–559. https://doi.org/10.1002/ase.1696

Munnerley, D., Bacon, M., Fitzgerald, R., et al. (2014). Augmented Reality: Application in higher education. Office for Learning and Teaching, 10(1), 3121–7445.

Murrell, S., Wang, F., Aldrich, E., & Xu, X. (2020). MeteorologyAR: A Mobile AR App to Increase Student Engagement and Promote Active Learning in a Large Lecture Class. In: Proceedings of the 2020 IEEE Conference on Virtual Reality and 3D User Interfaces Abstracts and Workshops (VRW). pp. 848–849.

Nesenbergs, K., Abolins, V., Ormanis, J., & Mednis, A. (2020). Use of augmented and virtual reality in remote higher education: A systematic umbrella review. Education Sciences, 11(1), 8. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci11010008

Papaevangelou, O., Syndoukas, D., Kalogiannidis, S., & Chatzitheodoridis, S. (2024). Efficacy of embedding IT in human resources (HR) practices in education management. Journal of Infrastructure, Policy and Development, 8(1), 2371. https://doi.org/10.24294/jipd.v8i1.2371

Petrovych, O., Zavalniuk, I., Bohatko, V., et al. (2023). Motivational Readiness of Future Teachers-Philologists to Use the Gamification with Elements of Augmented Reality in Education. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning, 18(3), 4–21. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijet.v18i03.36017

Radosavljevic, S., Radosavljevic, V., & Grgurovic, B. (2020). The potential of implementing Augmented Reality into vocational higher education through mobile learning. Interactive Learning Environments, 28(4), 404–418. https://doi.org/10.1080/10494820.2018.1528286

Rodríguez-Abad, C., Martínez-Santos, A. E., Fernandez-de-la-Iglesia, J. D. C., & Rodríguez-Gonz´alez, R. (2023). Online (versus face-to-face) augmented reality experience on nursing students’ leg ulcer competency: Two quasi-experimental studies. Nurse Education in Practice, 71, 103715. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nepr.2023.103715

Sáez-López, J. M., Cózar-Gutiérrez, R., González-Calero, J. A., & Gómez Carrasco, C. J. (2020). Augmented Reality in higher education: An evaluation program in initial teacher training. Education Sciences, 10(2), 26. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci10020026

Saidin, N. F., Halim, N. D. A., & Yahaya, N. (2015). A review of research on Augmented Reality in education: Advantages and applications. International education studies, 8(13), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.5539/ies.v8n13p1

Salem, O., Samuel, I. J., & He, S. (2020). Bim And Vr/Ar Technologies: From Project Development to Lifecycle Asset Management. In: Proceedings of the International Structural Engineering and Construction; Angamaly, India. pp. 14–15.

Snyder, M. M., Kramer, S., Lippe, D., & Sankar, S. (2023). Design and Implementation of 360-Degree Video Vignettes in Immersive Virtual Reality: A Quality Management in Higher Education Case. The Qualitative Report, 28(7), 2113–2155. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2023.6140

Soltis, N. A., McNeal, K. S., Atkins, R. M., & Maudlin, L. C. (2020). A novel approach to measuring student engagement while using an Augmented Reality sandbox. Journal of Geography in Higher Education, 44(4), 512–531. https://doi.org/10.1080/03098265.2020.1771547

Sosnovska, O., & Zhytar, M. (2018). Financial architecture as the base of the financial safety of the enterprise. Baltic Journal of Economic Studies, 4(4), 334–340. https://doi.org/10.30525/2256-0742/2018-4-4-334-340

Srivastava, A. (2016). Enriching student learning experience using Augmented Reality and smart learning objects. In: Proceedings of the 18th ACM International Conference on Multimodal Interaction. pp. 572–576.

Stalheim, O. R., & Somby, H. M. (2024). An embodied perspective on an augmented reality game in school: pupil’s bodily experience toward learning. Smart Learning Environments 11(2), 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40561-024-00308-7

Suresh, K. P., & Chandrashekara, S. (2012). Sample size estimation and power analysis for clinical research studies. Journal of Human Reproductive Sciences, 5(1), 7. https://doi.org/10.4103/0974-1208.97779

Taha, S., Abulibdeh, E., Qunais, J., et al. (2023). Exploring the Utilization of Augmented Reality in Higher Education Perceptions of Media and Communication Students. Emerging Science Journal, 7. https://doi.org/10.28991/ESJ-2023-SIED2-016

Udeozor, C., Chan, P., Abegão, F. R., & Glassey, J. (2023). Game‑based assessment framework for virtual reality, augmented reality and digital game‑based learning. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 20(1), 1–22. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-023-00405-6

Visvizi, A., Lytras, M. D., & Sarirete, A. (2019). Management and administration of higher education institutions at times of change. Emerald Publishing Limited.

Wong, J. Y., Azam, A. B., Cao, Q., et al. (2024). Evaluations of Virtual and Augmented Reality Technology-Enhanced Learning for Higher Education. Electronics, 13(8), 1549. https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13081549

Xanthidis, D., Manolas, C., Paul, S., & Xanthidou, O. K. (2020). Virtual and Augmented Reality: Enhancing the learning experience in higher education in the UAE Current standing & research directions. In: Proceedings of the 2020 Seventh International Conference on Information Technology Trends (ITT). pp. 206–211.

Yuen, S. C. Y., Yaoyuneyong, G., & Johnson, E. (2011). Augmented Reality: An overview and five directions for AR in education. Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE), 4(1), 11. https://doi.org/10.18785/jetde.0401.10