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Thought Leadership Conference

SEUG 2012 Thought Leadership Conference

A better education: Improving the Student Experience and Achieving Efficiency

This new conference aims to become a yearly event that is thought provoking and focused on institutional success and efficiency. It brings together industry leaders, political visionaries and Higher Education Executives from different European regions to hear, develop and share innovative approaches that will transform the student experience and assist institutions in overcoming the many challenges of today. Every institution is aware of the challenges ahead, and one of the core objectives of this conference is to provide intellectual stimulus and to set proactive thinking in motion.

2011 was a tumultuous year for institutions the world over. The Higher Education industry witnessed student protests over rising tuitions fees, large chunks of funding gaps, lower levels of student enrolment and tighter research support. In 2012 and in the years to come, Higher Education institutions will be challenged at many functional and operational levels. Aspects such as student experience, success and retention will have a renewed focus and will take precedence. Institutions will be forced to seek higher levels of efficiency and profitability and will focus on the analysis of their business processes.

While the current climate in the HE industry seems uncertain and risky, these challenges will create opportunities for those institutions prepared to become independent and strengthen their existing foundations. These challenges will force institutions to use innovative channels, take inspiration from worldwide best practices and make the most of existing technologies.

It is with this optimistic view in mind that we bring to you the Thought Leadership Conference at the European User Group meeting in Durham on Tuesday, 17th April 2012.

Please note that this is a free event.

Proposed Agenda

13.15 - 13.30: Opening welcome by Jonathan Garnett, SVP Europe to Asia Pacific

13.30 - 14.30: Revolutionising the student experience

Students have ever changing needs. With the current fee structure in place, their expectations will become more specific and demanding. Universities will have to compete with one another to secure and retain the best student. Whilst this competition is aimed at benefiting the student experience, what impact will it have on the profile of Higher Education as a sector?

This session will highlight success stories from institutions; strategic innovations that help elevate the student experience. Hear panellists speak on how efforts are being implemented on an enterprise wide scale and how these efforts are affecting the students' University experience.

Confirmed panel speakers:

Mr. Phil Baty, Times Higher Ed (Session Chair, Confirmed)
Ms. Janet Graham, Director, Supporting Professionalism in Admissions (Confirmed)
Ms. Liz Bromley, Vice-Chair (Operations) AMOSSHE and Director of Student Life, University of Salford (Confirmed)
Prof. Nick Petford, Vice Chancellor, Northampton University (Confirmed)

14.30 - 15.30: The role of technology in smarter decision making

The focus here should be on 'making better decisions'. How about: 'What is the role of technology in making better decisions?' or 'Is there a role for technology in making better decisions?'

Tools like Business Intelligence and Business Process Management are soon making way into the institutional world. With forecasted budget cuts, institutions will have to look at deploying innovative tools with high impact and effective returns. The current climate also calls for better management of data; Universities will need to provide 'smarter' data across the organisation. Shared services, use of data and benchmarking and cloud computing are some of the keywords that are influencing the way institutions function and operate.

This session will focus on how universities are doing more with less, using innovative and smarter techniques to run efficient operations and optimising resource allocation. Hear experts speak on various innovative projects like Business Intelligence are helping their institutions perform effectively and provide higher value to their constituents.

Confirmed panel speakers:

Mr. Andy Youell, Director of Standards and Development, HESA (Session Chair)
Mr. Chris Hale, Deputy Director of Policy, Universities UK (Confirmed)
Mr. James Lacey, Finance Director, Nottingham Trent University (Confirmed)

15.30 -15.45: Coffee/Tea Break

15.45 - 16.45: The rising significance of Constituent Relationship Management

Universities will continue to experience unprecedented challenges: increased expectations from students for improved access to learning, flexibility in communication, and better quality of services. To be successful in these uncertain and changing dynamic, Higher Education institutions will need to change the way they manage relationships across the entire student lifecycle. While most institutions have implemented one or more CRM tools, are they making the best of it?

In this session the panel of experts will emphasize some of the measures being put in place to provide superior services to students, right from admissions to graduation and beyond. Hear how they are managing constituent relationships in a holistic and actionable approach

Confirmed panel speakers:

Mr Phil Baty, Times Higher Ed (Session Chair, Confirmed)
Prof Neil Gorman, Vice Chancellor, Nottingham Trent University (Confirmed)
Ms. Kirsten Black, Director of Student and Learning Support, University of Sunderland (Confirmed)
Ms. Maggie Donnelly, Director of Student Progress Service, Newcastle University (Confirmed)

16.45 - 17.00: Closing remarks by Dr. Michael Gilmore, Registrar, Durham University (confirmed)

FREE EVENT!