This paper examines strategic information systems' role in academic program planning, emphasizing department heads' perspectives at emerging universities. Employing a descriptive survey method, it gathers data from 54 department heads across three universities via a validated questionnaire, addressing system implementation and challenges. Despite acknowledging the significance of the systems, the study only demonstrates a moderate level of implementation due to issues with environmental analysis and concerns about setting goals. It highlights major barriers such as incentive scarcity, budgetary restrictions, vague adoption regulations, and the need for enhanced technical support and training. Notably, training in information systems markedly affects perceptions of these obstacles, with many department heads participating in such courses, underscoring their commitment to system activation. The study advocates for increased awareness, improved communication, the establishment of strategic planning units, tailored training programs, and sufficient infrastructure to support system activation, aiming to bolster decision-making and academic planning competitiveness.