Tuesday 18 March
Partner showcase abstracts 15:55 - 16:25
TechnologyOne
EdTech scepticism and change fatigue – overcoming legacies to drive meaningful and positive change. How the journey really feels!
Alex Jones, Director of Academic Services - University of Lincoln, Cheryl Watson, VP Education, John Drew, Industry Director and Olivia Roberts, General Manager Student Management, Michael Mercer, Registrar, Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts and Stuart Hildyard, Chief Digital Officer, Victoria University and Trevor Powis, Director of Digital Transformation and Technology, University of Buckingham
In the Auditorium
Digital transformation in UK higher education is no longer a question of if but how. Universities know they cannot maintain the status quo in the current climate. An experienced CIO recently commented that the UK HE sector has a legacy of doing things for the right reasons, but not always in the best way. It’s a legacy perpetuating tech scepticism, vendor distrust and change fatigue. This session will bring together universities from Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, University of Lincoln and Victoria University to showcase that it is possible to do things for the right reasons and in the best possible way, using best-of-breed technology. Our speakers will share stories from the coal face, talking openly about strategic ambitions, practical considerations, and lessons learnt. The session will shine a light on why digital transformation in support of integrated academic operations is the thing that will deliver meaningful and lasting change to the UK higher education sector.
ServiceNow
Setting a new standard for Student Admissions at The Royal College of Art - The ServiceNow/EY Partnership
Heather Akif, Chief Operating Officer; James King, Director of Technology; and Seema Kisnay, Deputy Director of Digital Products, Royal College of Art; with Nicola Bamford, Local Public Services Partner and UK&I HE Consulting Lead, EY; and James Clarke, Higher Education Lead, ServiceNow
in Syndicate Room 2
For institutions like the Royal College of Art (RCA), a global leader in art and design education, the Admissions process is crucial. It goes beyond simply enrolling new students; it sets the standard for the College’s future, creating an environment where creativity and innovation flourish, and ensures top-talent maintains the RCA’s leading standard.
The Admissions process demands rigorous evaluation, efficient tracking, and a seamless experience for applicants and staff alike.
In partnership with EY, ServiceNow has developed a tailored Admissions solution – available now to all institutions looking to transform their Admissions processes. This solution streamlines the journey with workflow automation and process optimisation, enabling organisations to improve efficiency, enhance data management, and focus on strategic, high-value decisions.
Join us to hear directly from the RCA about how this transformation has elevated their Admissions process and its broader impact on the future of education.
AI-driven Service Delivery Transformation at The University of Warwick
Raja-Saleem Javaid, Chief Information & Transformation Officer, University of Warwick and Priyanka Sethi, Head of Education Strategy, TATA Consultancy Services
In Syndicate Room 4
The University of Warwick faced challenges with its legacy IT infrastructure and the increasing demand for advanced digital services, hindering the creation of a fully digital ecosystem. To address this, Warwick envisioned "brilliant basics"—a robust IT foundation that ensures reliability, security, and flexibility while providing a seamless user experience for students, faculty, and staff.
To support its growth ambitions, Warwick needed scalable digital services that could adapt to evolving needs and accommodate future expansion. Partnering with TCS, the university introduced managed services IT support—a rarity in the education sector. Central to this transformation is an AI-driven, human-machine collaboration suite, designed to optimise resources and enable proactive, agile responses to IT demands. This approach strengthens Warwick's information security and enhances its capacity for future innovation.
By adopting cutting-edge AI technologies and committing to round-the-clock service excellence, Warwick is setting new benchmarks for IT service delivery and positioning itself as a leader in digital transformation.
