There are two events each year where the network comes together to consider and share experience on key strategic matters impacting higher education. A carefully curated agenda of presentations and discussions, shaped in partnership with the members of the network, provides leaders with precious quality time so often lacking in today’s environment. Time in which to network with peers from across the sector within a Chatham House Rules environment. Each event features a dinner and drinks reception.
We at Advance HE, recognise the value of these networking opportunities for our members and we are absolutely delighted to be able to see the face-to-face events return to our calendar. The network has proved to be an important and powerful group over the years for shaping sector response to key areas of policy, such as the TEF, and we look forward to supporting members in coming together for similar discussions and opportunities to share, connect and collaborate in May and on into 2022-23."Nick Skeet
Associate Director (Membership & Accreditation)
Advance HE
Can’t think of a better way to meet peers from across such a diverse range of universities in a relaxed and friendly environment. Fantastic sense of community and common purpose."Dr Tracey McClean, Deputy Vice-Principal for Education, Institute of Health and Social Care Studies
'The event provided an opportunity to prompt my thinking whilst being reassured that I am not alone in the challenges we face."Tony Michael, PVC Learning, Teaching and Student Success, QMUL
Network events
The event starts at 18.15 on 17 May with a networking reception followed by dinner with a pre-dinner speaker (to be confirmed).
The highlights of the second day (18 May) include:
1. Student Engagement Post-pandemic
The pandemic posed significant challenges for student engagement, particularly in relation to remote learning and isolation from peers and lecturers. Disabled and international students encountered particular problems. How far has student engagement returned to pre-pandemic levels? What is the future for student engagement?
Eve Lewis, Director of sparqs (Student Partnerships in Quality Scotland), will draw on 20 years of experience of promoting students to engage fully, not just in quality enhancement initiatives.
Dr Annie Hughes and Tamara Reid, Kingston University will report on a project to enabling institutional inclusive change through student engagement
Dr Harriet Dunbar-Morris, Dean of Learning and Teaching at the University of Portsmouth will address: 'Enhancing the student experience through partnership working'
2. Work-based and lifelong learning
Work-based learning whether it be through degree apprenticeships or integrating vocational experiences through the curriculum is a key ingredient in ensuring successful student outcomes. Throughout the UK, there is pressure to get this right, irrespective of the differing devolved policies. Degree apprenticeships and the proposed Lifelong Learning Entitlement should also facilitate access to higher education for older employees and career-changers. There are however, significant implications in these alternative modes of higher education: for employer partnerships, for HE-FE partnerships, for flexible programme development and for student demand. This session will explore the opportunities and challenges.
Greg Wade, Policy Manager at Universities UK, will address UUK’s 10-point plan to boost the number of degree apprenticeships.
Professor Edward Peck, CBE, Vice-Chancellor at Nottingham Trent University will explore the implications of the Lifelong Learning Entitlement
3. What’s the future for digital learning?
As the sector emerges from the pandemic and enters the mainstreaming of AI, how are HE institutions dealing with digital education? COVID showed that staff could use a range of technologies, perhaps not always to best effect. JISC believes that it is not enough to have technologies and appropriate support, HE providers need to embed and review digital strategies. Yet, as we review these strategies, the dialogue rapidly changes with the entrance new AI tools. How do we work effectively within this environment?
Simon Birkett, Senior Consultant in Digital Transformation (HE), JISC will speak to JISC’s recent report Digital strategies in UK higher education: making digital mainstream
New technologies present opportunities and challenges for teaching and learning. Professor Debby Cotton, Director of Academic Practice, Plymouth Marjon University will explore the opportunities and challenges of using ChatGPT in higher education.
Charles Knight, Advance HE, will show how the strategic use of digital tools can influence graduate outcomes.
The event will conclude at 15.30 on 18 May.
There will be plenty of opportunities to network and to share insights.
Excellent networking opportunities in person-a welcome experience (especially post-pandemic). Great to be able to share and discuss common challenges (and solutions) from a broad range of perspectives."Prof John Craig, Head of Institute, Kingston University
The PVC network is a great opportunity to discuss shared challenges with colleagues from other universities and colleges."
Professor Helen Scott, PVC Learning, Teaching and Student Success Sheffield Hallam University
Event sponsor
A leading provider of survey and evaluation solutions, evasys has more than 60 higher education customers across the UK and Ireland and over 1,000, worldwide.
evasys enables universities and colleges to streamline module evaluation and student surveys, whilst driving up response rates and helping to close the student feedback loop – and, ultimately, contributing to improvements in NSS outcomes, particularly around Student Voice.
Widely integrated with other education technology systems such as virtual learning environments (VLEs) and student portals, evasys provides instant and detailed feedback reports for course and module leaders, as well as extensive insights and management information for academic managers.
Fully supported pilots of evasys are available to allow institutions to easily understand the benefits of a central, digital system that enhances student engagement/retention and facilitates module and course leader engagement.
