04 December 2023 - CISG-PCMG23 Reflections - Bukky Adetayo
UCISA NOV 2023: CISG-PCMG23 - Out with the old and in with the new.
My Expectations.
It is my first experience of working in Higher education institution and it was a great opportunity to be a participant of the CISG-PCMG23 conference. I looked forward to it with excitement. Although, I was not sure what to expect but the prospect of engaging with professionals from varied backgrounds, sharing insights on the challenges and opportunities within the sector was a major attraction. I was keen to be exposed to the latest trends, innovations, and collaborative solutions that would be discussed at this prestigious event.
First impressions.
Upon arrival at the conference venue, my first impressions were very positive. Right from the registration desk to the various activities, the atmosphere buzzed with energy as like-minded individuals and subject matter experts from various institutions assembled to exchange ideas and experiences. The well-organized layout of the event aided seamless navigation between different sessions, workshops, and networking areas.
The key speakers set a remarkable tone for the conference in line with the theme of the event, offering interesting insights into their roles, achievements, challenges, and the solutions proffered to resolve issues.
The exhibition area provided the opportunity to have interesting conversations with various exhibitors some of whom were already service providers to some of the Higher Education institutions.
My top 3 key takeaways having attended.
Collaboration is crucial: The importance of collaboration across the institutions was evident throughout the conference. Fostering such an environment through a conference like this will help increase knowledge, productivity, and creation of innovative solutions to tackle common challenges.
Approach to Change: As people and organisations, we need to be highly receptible to change. The dynamism of technology which plays a key role in daily activities demands a positive approach to change. Organisations who embrace change have a higher success rate.
Common challenge: It was interesting to discover that although there were a lot of institutions, they all faced similar challenges. This meant that you could leverage on the lessons learnt from projects, processes, and way of working to avoid making similar mistakes and provide a better chance of success.
My top recommendation for someone attending the conference for the first time.
For anyone attending the conference for the first time, my advice is to be open-minded and fully involve in the process. Network and interact with other participants as the conference brings together people with wealth of knowledge and experiences that can add value to you.
Plan your schedule ahead and choose the workshops that best align with your personal interest and professional goals. Be bold to ask questions during Q & A, it is a friendly environment.
Overall, my experience was pleasurable and educative. I felt honoured to have been part of it. I left the event refreshed and empowered.
