Delivering Tangible Solutions For Real-World Issues

HEPN SOUTH 2024 AGENDA

HEPN is a unique, two-day learning and networking event which brings together the most inspirational leaders and transformational suppliers in the Higher Education sector to share cutting-edge insight, knowledge and experience. Our agenda is carefully curated to address the most relevant and emerging challenges in the sector.

HEPN South 2024

19 - 20 November, Radisson Blu, Edwardian Hotel, Heathrow

Day 1
Day 2

19 November 2024

8:00 am - 8:50 am

Main Room

Registration
8:50 am - 8:55 am

Main Room

Chair's Opening Remarks

Richard Michel

Chief Information and Digital Officer
University of London

Welcome to the Higher Education Partnership Network (HEPN)
8:55 am - 9:35 am

Main Room

Panel discussion - Data-driven student retention

Richard Michel

Chief Information and Digital Officer
University of London

Adnan Akbar

Head of Data Science and Innovation
The Open University

This panel discussion will explore strategies for using data to identify at-risk students and measure student satisfaction.

Learn about key data points to consider, insights that can be gleaned, and best practices for implementing...

This panel discussion will explore strategies for using data to identify at-risk students and measure student satisfaction.

Learn about key data points to consider, insights that can be gleaned, and best practices for implementing data-driven initiatives.

Discover how to harness the power of data analytics to enhance student retention and foster academic success.
9:40 am - 10:00 am

Main Room

Navigating the Future of Higher Education

Anna Artemyeva

Google Head of Education - UK, Ireland, Italy, DACH, Central Asia
Google for Education

In a rapidly evolving educational landscape, discover how Google for Education tools can empower institutions and students to thrive. This keynote explores innovative solutions and strategies to enhance learning experiences, streamline a...

In a rapidly evolving educational landscape, discover how Google for Education tools can empower institutions and students to thrive. This keynote explores innovative solutions and strategies to enhance learning experiences, streamline administrative tasks, and foster collaboration in the digital age. Join us to explore the transformative potential of technology in shaping the future of higher education.
10:05 am - 10:40 am

Main Room

Dragons' Den - Speed presentations

Our signature ‘Dragons’ Den’ session provides each solution provider with an opportunity to deliver a short pitch, explaining why they are here and how their services can help tackle some of the sector’s ongoing challenges.
...

Our signature ‘Dragons’ Den’ session provides each solution provider with an opportunity to deliver a short pitch, explaining why they are here and how their services can help tackle some of the sector’s ongoing challenges.
10:45 am - 12:00 pm

Main Room

Networking and business meetings

15 minute meetings with suppliers who are offering solutions most relevant to your challenges. Please check the schedule on the back of your delegate pass for your meeting timings.
12:05 pm - 12:25 pm

Main Room

Enhancing Financial Sustainability in Higher Education

Martin Weal

Business Development Specialist - Procurement Solutions
OneAdvanced

OneAdvanced aims to streamline work processes. For higher education, this means user-friendly solutions that reduce admin tasks and enhance finance and procurement decisions. Our Purchasing eMarketplace Solution has helped over 30 UK uni...

OneAdvanced aims to streamline work processes. For higher education, this means user-friendly solutions that reduce admin tasks and enhance finance and procurement decisions. Our Purchasing eMarketplace Solution has helped over 30 UK universities improve purchasing processes and achieve significant savings amid budget cuts. Discover how our solution curbs maverick spending, empowers finance and procurement teams, and provides real-time spending visibility.
12:30 pm - 12:50 pm

Main Room

Student recruitment: how to make sure your university stands out in a crowd

Michelle Amos

Associate Director, Marketing and Digital
University of Salford

Vicki Hennessy

Associate Director of Recruitment
University of Salford

This presentation will delve into a comprehensive strategy employed by University of Salford to enhance student recruitment and overall university experience.

Key focus areas include:

Digital transformation: Explore the suc...

This presentation will delve into a comprehensive strategy employed by University of Salford to enhance student recruitment and overall university experience.

Key focus areas include:

Digital transformation: Explore the successful implementation of a new CRM system and its integration with applicant communication through automation and AI.

Revolutionising clearing: Showcase a unique approach to clearing campaigns, featuring a cloud-based telephony system that has delivered exceptional results.

Brand management and onsite experience: Discuss strategies for strengthening brand identity and creating memorable on-campus experiences.
12:55 pm - 1:15 pm

Main Room

How to optimise business processes and improve the staff experience across Professional Services functions

Daniela Possin

SAP Industry Principal
NTT DATA Business Solutions UKI

With increasing financial pressures in the sector, it is even more critical to transform operations and optimise the staff experience in Professional Services functions to create efficiencies. This presentation will outline:
• Ho...

With increasing financial pressures in the sector, it is even more critical to transform operations and optimise the staff experience in Professional Services functions to create efficiencies. This presentation will outline:
• How the modernisation of business applications with personalised and guided experiences, infused intelligence and real-time embedded analytics can result in improved productivity.
• How the simplification, automation, and integration of business processes across functions can drive effectiveness.
• How Universities can leverage process insights to identify transformation opportunities and adopt a low-cost approach to innovation.
In summary, the focus will be on how to streamline operations and achieve better outcomes.
1:15 pm - 2:05 pm

Main Room

Networking lunch

An opportunity to connect with your peers and suppliers to talk over the learnings from the event. Lunch is served buffet style and a range of options are available to cater for different dietary requirements.
2:10 pm - 2:40 pm

Main Room

Group discussion - Embracing the gaps: improving student experience through rethinking educational media and XR

Daniel Mitelpunkt

Director of Digital Media Lab
Imperial College London

With student expectations rising, budgets falling, and technology evolving, re-thinking learning media (XR, blended, online and beyond) – what to do, how and why – becomes imperative.

Using examples of novel approaches, re-thi...

With student expectations rising, budgets falling, and technology evolving, re-thinking learning media (XR, blended, online and beyond) – what to do, how and why – becomes imperative.

Using examples of novel approaches, re-thinks and pivots, Daniel will point to opportunities, some surprisingly cost effective, arising from changing pervasive mindsets and perspectives on learning media.

Conversation with delegates would enable to jointly ponder what this could mean in practice, and how HE could better collaborate to meet opportunities and manage risks
2:40 pm - 3:00 pm

Main Room

Education 4.0: Unleashing Innovation, Resilience, and Human Potential

Michael Conlon

Education Transformation Consultant
XMA in Partnership with Sync

Education 4.0 blends technology and teaching to equip students with essential skills for the future. We must embrace technology, not resist it, to enhance learning and human connection. This involves rethinking “”assistive te...

Education 4.0 blends technology and teaching to equip students with essential skills for the future. We must embrace technology, not resist it, to enhance learning and human connection. This involves rethinking “”assistive technologies”” and acknowledging the role of AI in education. By strategically integrating technology, we can empower students while retaining a human-centric approach. This session explores how to adapt and thrive in this evolving educational landscape.
3:05 pm - 3:25 pm

Main Room

Empowering the AI Generation with Future-Ready Skills

Mike Done

Enterprise Account Executive UK & Ireland
Adobe

The rapid rise of generative AI has been a catalyst in institutions across the sector re-thinking their approaches to learning, to assessment and the student experience.
Over the past year Adobe had been partnering with institution...

The rapid rise of generative AI has been a catalyst in institutions across the sector re-thinking their approaches to learning, to assessment and the student experience.
Over the past year Adobe had been partnering with institutions through the creative campus programme as they embark on these strategic transformations. Each working in a different way but with a common focus on seeking to prepare students (and faculty) with the skills knowledge and mindsets that will help them thrive.
In this session we will share some of these stories and introduce you to the Adobe Express and Adobe firefly Generative AI platforms and explore the role they can play in providing access and equity to your university community to develop impactful stories, promote collaboration across disciplines and functions
3:30 pm - 4:45 pm

Main Room

Networking and business meetings

15 minute meetings with suppliers who are offering solutions most relevant to your challenges. Please check the schedule on the back of your delegate pass for your meeting timings.
4:50 pm - 5:30 pm

Main Room

Panel discussion - How have we been using AI in our learning environment?

Richard Michel

Chief Information and Digital Officer
University of London

Prof. Gunter Saunders

Associate Director of Digital Engagement and Library Services
University of Westminster

Adrian Ellison

Pro-Vice Chancellor - People and Digital
University of West London

Discover the latest innovations in AI education. Join this panel discussion to learn about the practical applications of AI in universities.

Explore personalised learning platforms, AI-assisted assessment, enhanced student support...

Discover the latest innovations in AI education. Join this panel discussion to learn about the practical applications of AI in universities.

Explore personalised learning platforms, AI-assisted assessment, enhanced student support, and ethical considerations.

Gain valuable insights into how AI is transforming higher education and shaping the future of learning.
5:30 pm - 5:55 pm

Main Room

Closing keynote - Digital accessibility: widening access to better outcomes

Jade Matos Carew

Head of Digital Accessibility and Usability
The Open University

Explore the importance of creating inclusive and accessible digital learning, teaching, and working environments.

Learn about institutional and strategic approaches to embedding best practice in digital accessibility.
5:55 pm - 6:00 pm

Main Room

Chair's closing remarks
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Main Room

Hotel check-in / free time
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Main Room

Drinks reception & networking dinner
12:30 pm - 12:50 pm

Breakout Room 1

Skilled up! Podcasting and employability

Catherine Chambers

Director of Keele Institute for Innovation and Teaching Excellence
Keele University

Discover how podcasting can be a powerful tool for preparing students for the future world of work.

Explore the benefits of podcasting for developing essential skills such as communication, creativity, and critical thinking.
<...

Discover how podcasting can be a powerful tool for preparing students for the future world of work.

Explore the benefits of podcasting for developing essential skills such as communication, creativity, and critical thinking.

Learn about strategies for creating engaging podcasts, building an audience, and leveraging podcasting as a platform for career advancement.
12:55 pm - 1:15 pm

Breakout Room 1

Activating AI for your student experience

Pete Moss

Business Development Director
Ellucian

Andy Garner

Senior Account Executive
Ellucian

Artificial Intelligence is the new paradigm for digital innovation. Hear from Ellucian as we share our global perspectives on what this could look like for you and your students in the near future.

We will discuss how to get yours...

Artificial Intelligence is the new paradigm for digital innovation. Hear from Ellucian as we share our global perspectives on what this could look like for you and your students in the near future.

We will discuss how to get yourself ready for an AI future, how to measure your readiness and how to think about ethics. We will also show output from Ellucians global AI in HE research project.

Throughout we will show how Ellucian has invested on a global scale to enable real world workable solutions which can be deployed to your students today, as well as what it is planning for the future.
3:05 pm - 3:25 pm

Breakout Room 1

Meeting Students Where They Are: The Power of Unified Commerce

Diego Mora

International Account Manager
TouchNet

Digital Natives Demand Seamless Experiences
Today’s students, digital natives, expect seamless interactions with their institutions, from enrolment to graduation. Institutions must adapt to this new reality by providing a uni...

Digital Natives Demand Seamless Experiences
Today’s students, digital natives, expect seamless interactions with their institutions, from enrolment to graduation. Institutions must adapt to this new reality by providing a unified, connected experience.
Unified Commerce: The Key to a Connected Campus
Unified Commerce is essential for modern institutions. By implementing this strategy institutions can:
● Enhance Student Experience: Improve satisfaction, engagement, and retention.
● Optimise Operations: Streamline processes, reduce costs, and boost efficiency.
● Bolster Security: Protect sensitive data and comply with regulations.
● Unlock Data Insights: Gain valuable insights to inform strategic decisions.
● Drive Innovation: Foster a culture of innovation and adapt to future trends.
In this session we will explore how institutions can create a truly connected experience for students and staff.
12:30 pm - 12:50 pm

Breakout Room 2

Leveraging technology to personalise the student experience

Dr Ikram Ur Rehman

Associate Professor in Computer Science
University of West London

Discover how technology can be used to create a more personalised and engaging learning experience for students.

Explore strategies for leveraging data analytics, AI-powered tools, and adaptive learning platforms to tailor educati...

Discover how technology can be used to create a more personalised and engaging learning experience for students.

Explore strategies for leveraging data analytics, AI-powered tools, and adaptive learning platforms to tailor education to individual needs and preferences.
3:05 pm - 3:25 pm

Breakout Room 2

Redesigning the employee experience: A digital perspective

Oracle offers integrated suites of applications plus secure, autonomous infrastructure in the Oracle Cloud. This includes Financial (EPM, ERP), Human Capital Management (HCM) and Customer Experience (CX) solutions that connect every process – and every person – across your organisation.

Leatham Green

Transformation Director
Oracle

This is a new time – Employees are choosing to redesign their expectations of work – with empowerment driven by personalised experiences. This session will explore why employee experience is important in the higher education sector a...

This is a new time – Employees are choosing to redesign their expectations of work – with empowerment driven by personalised experiences. This session will explore why employee experience is important in the higher education sector and how organisations are seeking to integrate and connect processes, systems and people in a simple, intuitive, and personalised way that brings benefit to the wider education eco-system – ultimately improving the experience for the student.

Key learning points:
· What is employee experience and why does it matter
· Why self-serve is key to empowering our employees
· How to maximise the impact of your employee experience for a better ROI on your digital investment

20 November 2024

8:55 am - 9:00 am

Main Room

Chair's opening remarks
9:00 am - 9:20 am

Main Room

Bridging the gap: digital skills for staff

Prof. Ale Armellini

Dean of Digital and Distributed Learning
University of Portsmouth

Explore the importance of equipping your staff with essential digital skills to thrive in today’s technology-driven world.

Learn about effective strategies for identifying skill gaps, providing targeted training, and fosteri...

Explore the importance of equipping your staff with essential digital skills to thrive in today’s technology-driven world.

Learn about effective strategies for identifying skill gaps, providing targeted training, and fostering a culture of continuous learning.

Discover how to empower your staff to embrace digital tools and enhance their productivity and job satisfaction.
9:20 am - 9:40 am

Main Room

Student living, an untapped source of insight for HE

As the UK and Ireland’s leading independent student accommodation provider, with over 40,000 university students living with us each year from all over the world we are focused on ensuring they thrive during their higher education journey. Managing properties from Aberdeen to Plymouth, Dublin to Norwich (and almost everywhere in between) our teams who deliver a best-in-class experience, are committed to supporting wellbeing, and are continuously innovating.

Lee Rawlinson

Director
Homes for Students

With over 20 years of experience in student housing and data insights, Director at Homes for Students Lee Rawlinson dives into the world of student living. He will explore how data analysis and corporate partnerships can help to not only...

With over 20 years of experience in student housing and data insights, Director at Homes for Students Lee Rawlinson dives into the world of student living. He will explore how data analysis and corporate partnerships can help to not only improve a student’s accommodation experience, but also keep institutions ahead of the curve when it comes to trends and changing behaviour patterns. According to his unique insights, what will the student of 2030 look like and how can universities and the wider property sector be best prepared for their arrival?
9:40 am - 10:00 am

Main Room

Realising digital education gains through tried-and-true learning experience design

Helen McKenna

Head of Interdisciplinary EdTech Lab
Imperial College London

Explore how a strategic approach towards end-to-end learning experience design can yield impact for your university.

Discover key principles, best practices, and innovative solutions that can be applied in order to deliver sustai...

Explore how a strategic approach towards end-to-end learning experience design can yield impact for your university.

Discover key principles, best practices, and innovative solutions that can be applied in order to deliver sustainable, learner-centred digital education that scales.
10:05 am - 10:25 am

Main Room

Learning from AI’s failures while digitally transforming and securing your environment

Mark Cunningham-Dickie

Principal Incident Response Consultant
Quorum Cyber

This presentation takes lessons from AI’s failures, focusing on biased datasets, adversarial examples, data loss, and AI manipulation for data extraction to identify some of the challenges you projects should be cognisant of to sec...

This presentation takes lessons from AI’s failures, focusing on biased datasets, adversarial examples, data loss, and AI manipulation for data extraction to identify some of the challenges you projects should be cognisant of to secure your data, your reputation, and the future of your funding.
10:30 am - 11:30 am

Main Room

Networking and business meetings

15 minute meetings with suppliers who are offering solutions most relevant to your challenges. Please check the schedule on the back of your delegate pass for your meeting timings.
11:35 am - 11:55 am

Main Room

Resilience for business continuity: Transforming cybersecurity in universities

Professor Madeline Carr

Professor of Global Politics and Cybersecurity
UCL

One very clear lesson from the Covid pandemic was that the digital estate of a university is much more central to business continuity than its physical estate. While cybersecurity in universities is similar in many ways to other large or...

One very clear lesson from the Covid pandemic was that the digital estate of a university is much more central to business continuity than its physical estate. While cybersecurity in universities is similar in many ways to other large organisations, there are some unique human and organisational challenges (and opportunities) when it comes to protecting that digital estate. For the past four years, Talion and researchers from UCL have been collaborating on better understanding these and on developing strategies to mitigate the challenges and optimize the opportunities. This talk will present some of our findings about how we can think differently about cybersecurity in universities and drive towards a new standard of resilience for business continuity.
12:00 pm - 12:40 pm

Main Room

Panel discussion - Building and developing our workforces

Richard Michel

Chief Information and Digital Officer
University of London

Dr Becca Ferrari

Deputy Associate Pro-Vice Chancellor for Education and Student Experience
University of Nottingham

Phil Vincent

Head of Digital Education Enhancement and Design
University of Leeds

Yvette Adams

Head of People, Organisations, Strategy and Entrepreneurship
University of Roehampton

Explore strategies for cultivating a thriving workforce in today’s competitive higher education landscape.

Discuss talent acquisition, professional development, and employee engagement initiatives.

Learn about best pr...

Explore strategies for cultivating a thriving workforce in today’s competitive higher education landscape.

Discuss talent acquisition, professional development, and employee engagement initiatives.

Learn about best practices for creating a supportive and inclusive work environment that fosters innovation and success.
12:45 pm - 1:10 pm

Main Room

Closing keynote - Ensuring financial sustainability: planning in uncertainty

Prof. Ebrahim Adia

Vice Chancellor
University of Wolverhampton

This session focuses on delivering financial sustainability in the context of an unpredictable policy environment, financial challenge and enhanced expectations from students.

What are the practical actions to reduce costs and, at...

This session focuses on delivering financial sustainability in the context of an unpredictable policy environment, financial challenge and enhanced expectations from students.

What are the practical actions to reduce costs and, at the same time, enhance quality.
1:10 pm - 1:15 pm

Main Room

Chair's closing remarks
1:15 pm - 2:00 pm

Main Room

Networking lunch

An opportunity to connect with your peers and suppliers to talk over the learnings from the event. Lunch is served buffet style and a range of options are available to cater for different dietary requirements.

Day 1
Day 2

Delivering Tangible Solutions For Real-World Issues

Delivering Tangible Solutions For Real-World Issues

HEPN SOUTH 2024 AGENDA

HEPN South 202419 - 20 November, Radisson Blu, Edwardian Hotel, Heathrow

19 November 2024

8:00 am - 8:50 am

Main Room

Registration

8:50 am - 8:55 am

Main Room

Chair's Opening Remarks

Richard Michel

Chief Information and Digital Officer University of London

8:55 am - 9:35 am

Main Room

Panel discussion - Data-driven student retention

Richard Michel

Chief Information and Digital Officer University of London

Adnan Akbar

Head of Data Science and Innovation The Open University

9:40 am - 10:00 am

Main Room

Navigating the Future of Higher Education

Anna Artemyeva

Google Head of Education - UK, Ireland, Italy, DACH, Central Asia Google for Education

10:05 am - 10:40 am

Main Room

Dragons' Den - Speed presentations

10:45 am - 12:00 pm

Main Room

Networking and business meetings

12:05 pm - 12:25 pm

Main Room

Enhancing Financial Sustainability in Higher Education

Martin Weal

Business Development Specialist - Procurement Solutions OneAdvanced

12:30 pm - 12:50 pm

Main Room

Student recruitment: how to make sure your university stands out in a crowd

Michelle Amos

Associate Director, Marketing and Digital University of Salford

Vicki Hennessy

Associate Director of Recruitment University of Salford

12:55 pm - 1:15 pm

Main Room

How to optimise business processes and improve the staff experience across Professional Services functions

Daniela Possin

SAP Industry Principal NTT DATA Business Solutions UKI

1:15 pm - 2:05 pm

Main Room

Networking lunch

2:10 pm - 2:40 pm

Main Room

Group discussion - Embracing the gaps: improving student experience through rethinking educational media and XR

Daniel Mitelpunkt

Director of Digital Media Lab Imperial College London

2:40 pm - 3:00 pm

Main Room

Education 4.0: Unleashing Innovation, Resilience, and Human Potential

Michael Conlon

Education Transformation Consultant XMA in Partnership with Sync

3:05 pm - 3:25 pm

Main Room

Empowering the AI Generation with Future-Ready Skills

Mike Done

Enterprise Account Executive UK & Ireland Adobe

3:30 pm - 4:45 pm

Main Room

Networking and business meetings

4:50 pm - 5:30 pm

Main Room

Panel discussion - How have we been using AI in our learning environment?

Richard Michel

Chief Information and Digital Officer University of London

Prof. Gunter Saunders

Associate Director of Digital Engagement and Library Services University of Westminster

Adrian Ellison

Pro-Vice Chancellor - People and Digital University of West London

5:30 pm - 5:55 pm

Main Room

Closing keynote - Digital accessibility: widening access to better outcomes

HEPN South 2024

19 - 20 November, Radisson Blu, Edwardian Hotel, Heathrow

Chief Information and Digital Officer
University of London

Chief Information and Digital Officer
University of London

Head of Data Science and Innovation
The Open University

Google Head of Education - UK, Ireland, Italy, DACH, Central Asia
Google for Education

Business Development Specialist - Procurement Solutions
OneAdvanced

Associate Director, Marketing and Digital
University of Salford

Associate Director of Recruitment
University of Salford

SAP Industry Principal
NTT DATA Business Solutions UKI

Director of Digital Media Lab
Imperial College London

Education Transformation Consultant
XMA in Partnership with Sync

Enterprise Account Executive UK & Ireland
Adobe

Chief Information and Digital Officer
University of London

Associate Director of Digital Engagement and Library Services
University of Westminster

Pro-Vice Chancellor - People and Digital
University of West London

Head of Digital Accessibility and Usability
The Open University

Director of Keele Institute for Innovation and Teaching Excellence
Keele University

Business Development Director
Ellucian

Senior Account Executive
Ellucian

International Account Manager
TouchNet

Associate Professor in Computer Science
University of West London

Transformation Director
Oracle

Dean of Digital and Distributed Learning
University of Portsmouth

Director
Homes for Students

Head of Interdisciplinary EdTech Lab
Imperial College London

Principal Incident Response Consultant
Quorum Cyber

Professor of Global Politics and Cybersecurity
UCL