Graduate and postgraduate educational challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic period, its impact and innovations: A systematic review using PRISMA-2020

Abstract Background: The study aims to investigate the challenges experienced among undergraduate and postgraduate education and the strategies adopted to overcome those challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: A systemic review on PubMed and Google Scholar was performed from January to August 2020, yielding 8,847 articles. The PRISMA statement 2020 was followed. Title and abstract of the articles were used to scrutinize them followed by full-text screening based on the set inclusion and exclusion criteria. Twenty-seven of the obtained articles were selected for final data extraction. The facts and findings of the studies were also discussed based on per capita income, literacy rate, and internet accessibility. Results: The selected articles were from North and South/Latin America, Asia & Pacific, and Europe regions. Eighteen of the selected articles discussed undergraduate education, eight postgraduate, and one in both groups. The affordability of digital devices and availability of internet services were the major challenges observed for low and middle-income economies. The ZOOM platform was adopted by more than 90% of the education systems. Conclusion: In light of this review, it is suggested that harmonized and collaborative efforts should be made to design cost-effective and user-friendly tools to overcome the current challenges and prevent future education crises. Systemic review registration: The review was not registered.