18 November 2025 - DIG25 Rizwan Mohammed
UCISA – DIG 25 - Rizwan
1. What were you looking forward to about DIG25?
I was really looking forward to hearing how AI is being used in higher education from both a strategic and practical point of view. There’s so much discussion around AI at the moment some of it very theoretical, so I wanted to see how universities are actually putting it into practice to improve digital services, operations, and the student experience. My role often involves identifying opportunities for collaboration and innovation, so events like DIG25 are a great way to stay ahead of what’s happening in the sector.I was particularly interested in the sessions that explored how AI can support digital infrastructure and learning environments. The mix of technical talks and real institutional case studies promised a good balance between vision and delivery. I was also keen to connect with colleagues from other universities, technology partners, and suppliers to exchange ideas. These kinds of conferences often spark valuable discussions that lead to collaboration or new ways of thinking about ongoing challenges.
2. What were your first impressions?
My first impressions were very positive. The event was well organised and welcoming from the start. It had a friendly and professional atmosphere, with people genuinely interested in learning from one another. The sessions were well thought out, and it was clear that the organisers had made a real effort to cover a broad range of perspectives from academic uses of AI through to cybersecurity, data management, and governance.I appreciated the mix of speakers too, there were university professionals sharing practical insights alongside technology experts offering a view from the industry side. The conversations felt grounded and relevant rather than just high level or overly technical. I also liked how much time was built in for networking and meeting exhibitors, which made it easier to have proper discussions instead of just rushing from one session to another.
3. What were your top three key takeaways having attended?
- AI needs to be guided by clear purpose and values. There was a strong message throughout that AI should enhance education, not replace the human element. The technology is powerful, but its success depends on how we use it ethically, responsibly, and with a focus on improving outcomes for staff and students.
- Collaboration and partnerships are essential. No institution can navigate the AI journey alone. The most successful examples came from universities working closely with vendors and sector bodies to develop solutions, share lessons learned, and avoid duplication of effort.
- Data quality and governance underpin everything. AI systems are only as effective as the data they rely on. Several sessions, particularly those on cybersecurity, reinforced the need for solid data foundations, robust governance, and clear accountability. Without that, scaling AI becomes risky and unsustainable.
4. What would be your top recommendation for someone attending DIG25 for the first time?
Go in with a plan, but keep it flexible. There’s a lot of great content, so pick sessions that align with your priorities but leave space to explore something new. Make the most of the networking breaks as they’re a brilliant opportunity to meet people who are facing similar challenges or working on ideas you might not have considered.
Also, don’t just take notes; think about what you can bring back to your own university. Share insights with your team, follow up with people you meet, and look for opportunities to turn the ideas from the conference into action. The event has a really good energy and a sense of shared purpose across the sector.
Thank you to UCISA for the ‘plus one’ which gave me the opportunity to attend.
