18 November 2025 - DIG25 Ziemko Zuber
My Experience at DIG25
I attended the conference with my colleague, who had nominated me for the PlusOne bursary scheme due to AI work I have been doing at our university.My positive experience with the UCISA DIG:25 began before the event, while communicating with the fantastic events team. They really deserve a shoutout for making delegates feel informed, supported and welcome throughout the event, no matter the grade of their role.
Arriving at the hotel the evening before the conference, we were greeted warmly by the hotel staff, setting the tone for a friendly and inclusive event. On the first day, I attended the newcomer’s welcome session, where fellow UCISA first timers and I received an enthusiastic introduction. We were encouraged to dive in and make the most of all the opportunities on offer.
The welcome was followed by an exhibitor buzzer session in the ballroom main conference room, where each exhibitor was able to briefly explain their product and encourage attendees to visit their stands in the exhibitor hall. The atmosphere was upbeat and good-humoured. One product in particular caught our interest as it seemed aligned with a need we’d identified at our university, so we were looking forward to speaking with the exhibitor later.
We stayed in the ballroom for the first presentation. I found the talks hugely interesting as they related to the exploratory work around AI that I have been doing at our university. Even the talks focused on subjects slightly outside of my role, I felt I was still able to learn and be inspired.
Although I initially felt a little intimidated by seniority and not sure if I would be able to contribute to conversations, I was already feeling the buzz of the collaborative atmosphere.
Later, in the exhibitor hall, we sought out the company whose product had piqued our interest. Although their solution wasn’t quite the perfect fit, they were able to provide a contact for someone they had previously worked with, who was currently developing a solution closer to what we needed. This exchange was a perfect example of the valuable networking that UCISA fosters.
The initial query about the product was followed by a detailed discussion about students' wider use of AI as a sign of the times and the challenges that universities face as a result. It was clear that rather than just being there to make a sale, the exhibitors were also there to share knowledge and were genuinely interested in the topic of the conference.
Between sessions, we were warmly welcomed with refreshments that offered a chance to recharge and connect with others. Lunchtime featured a generous buffet with a variety of dishes to suit all tastes, and it was clear that dietary requirements had been considered, adding to the overall comfort and hospitality of the event. These informal moments provided further opportunities to catch-up and connect with fellow attendees.
By the end of the conference, the early nerves had faded, and I left feeling genuinely included, valued, and inspired.
