en تخصصي Special پژوهشي Research <div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:Source Sans Pro;"><span style="line-height:normal"><span lang="EN-US">Digital transformation in Higher Education (HE) enhances efficiency, academic experiences, and innovation but faces challenges like resistance to change, fragmented technology, and a lack of integrated frameworks in Iran&rsquo;s Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). This study examines academic leadership&rsquo;s role in overcoming these challenges through Human-Centered Design (HCD). Using a mixed-method approach, 19 qualitative interviews explored university managers&rsquo; perspectives, viewpoints, and challenges while a questionnaire with 63 participants assessed the feasibility of a strategic framework. Qualitative data were analyzed using Strauss and Corbin&rsquo;s model, while quantitative data employed descriptive statistics to assess the feasibility and relevance of the proposed strategic framework, evaluate its alignment with institutional goals, and measure stakeholder perceptions of its applicability. The research discovered a strategic framework for integrating leadership development into HCD transformation toward creating digital universities. By prioritizing the needs of managers, the framework demonstrated its applicability within the context of HE in Iran. The results also offer dynamic and innovative operational strategies for HEIs seeking to navigate the complexities of HCD transformation effectively.</span></span></span></span></div> Digital Transformation, Higher Education, Human-Centered Design (HCD), Leadership Development, Strategic Framework 76 90 http://johepal.com/browse.php?a_code=A-10-956-3&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Zohre Khajoueinejad 10031947532846003717 10031947532846003717 No University of Calgary Gholamreza Shams 10031947532846003718 10031947532846003718 Yes Shahid Beheshti University Farhad Seraji 10031947532846003719 10031947532846003719 No University of Tehran