Challenges and opportunities – what leaders told us at our Scotland engagement forum

The forum gave members in Scotland the opportunity to engage directly with Jisc, helping to shape our strategy, priorities and national activity. Jason Miles-Campbell, our director for Scotland and Northern Ireland, reflects on vibrant and constructive discussion.

This year’s event brought together a senior and experienced group of participants, comprising 13 representatives from colleges, 12 from universities and five from sector agencies. Of the 25 college and university participants, 23 were at executive or senior leadership level, ensuring a strongly strategic discussion.

The conversation took place in the context of Scotland’s distinctive tertiary education landscape. Scotland benefits from strong sector agencies and a recurring message from participants was the importance of those agencies working together more closely. The direction of policy and reform in Scotland has been towards a tertiary and connected approach, with stronger integration across schools, colleges and universities, with particular ambition in data flows and learner journeys.

There is growing collaboration and collegiality in the Scottish tertiary sectors, with a clear focus on ‘community’ over competition, with the potential for shared services and collaboration that brings. There was a clear appetite to build on this further, with a strong call for sector agencies, working together, to provide leadership and coordination.

The here and now: the value of Jisc

We asked participants a series of questions about the value of Jisc.

What one wish would make digital, data and technology easier or better?

Participants highlighted the need for simpler, more joined-up data management and information systems, shared digital infrastructure, and improved staff digital skills to streamline institutional processes. Colleges told us they wanted more affordable digital storage, clearer interoperability between management and student information systems, and training that helps staff apply digital tools more effectively in their day-to-day roles. Universities emphasised unified data models that make it easier to move between systems and suppliers, alongside support to manage the rapid growth of AI tools through shared due diligence, governance frameworks and training.

From this, we will look at support for the development of common data models, shared data protection impact assessments and supplier due diligence, and the delivery of targeted training on core digital platforms and digital literacy.

What does Jisc deliver that is most valuable?

The Janet Network was consistently identified as the most valuable Jisc service, with eduroam highlighted for enabling seamless connectivity for staff and students across institutions. Cyber security services, including network reliability, protection and advice, were also highly valued. Participants highlighted the value of in-person events, and digital networking. Some expressed interest in exploring a curated, education-focused Scottish large language model to provide clearer guardrails for AI use across the sector.

Colleges told us they particularly valued the engagement provided by our relationship managers, the provision of digital advice and guidance, practical support through AI-focused webinars, and the digital elevation tool to assess digital maturity and plan future development. Universities echoed the value of cyber security and advice services, alongside the reassurance that comes from our trusted, sector-focused role.

We will look at the continued strengthening cyber security services, increasing awareness of Janet’s capabilities, maintaining robust incident response and threat reassurance, and ensuring key stakeholders across government and the sector understand the protections offered.

What stands out as most valuable when done on a shared basis?

Sector-wide cyber defence was seen as one of the clearest examples of shared value, alongside our procurement and licensing activity for digital resources and software. Participants also highlighted the importance of shared guidance on the appropriate, moral and ethical use of AI.

I was interested to hear how college and university representatives alike raised the importance of improving student data flows between schools, colleges and universities, where current processes are often fragmented and labour-intensive.

For Jisc, we’ll be considering how we can further facilitate collective negotiation with resource and software suppliers, and how we might support sector-wide approaches to data sharing that reduce duplication and administrative burden.

Looking to the future

The second session focused on future challenges and opportunities.

What is the top challenge and opportunity for the coming year?

Financial pressure emerged as the most significant challenge across Scottish colleges and universities, alongside ensuring that digital skills development for staff and students keeps up with expectation and need - recognising the importance of learners gaining the digital skills required for a rapidly changing workplace.

Colleges highlighted the pace of change and the need to keep digital capability aligned with teaching and administration. Universities pointed to resourcing pressures and the challenge of making the case for investment in digital transformation.

We will consider how it might support the development of return on investment toolkits for digital transformation, the provision of AI upskilling focused on assessment and curriculum reform, and support for cloud and hybrid migration, including guidance on funding models and legacy systems.

What could be done better together?

Participants identified a range of systems currently managed individually that could benefit from collaboration, including enterprise resource planning, student information systems, authentication and curriculum management.

There was strong interest in better tracking of the learner journey from school through college and university, and in exploring a more unified approach to digital identity across education and lifelong learning.

Areas for possible Jisc focus included exploring integrated curriculum management systems, promoting shared virtual learning environments, and developing data-sharing frameworks that support a more joined-up experience for students through their learning journey, from school through to college and university.

How can Jisc support Scotland over the next three years?

Participants asked us to continue focusing on digital transformation, AI, cyber security and digital skills, supported by more case studies and stronger policy engagement. There was also interest in exploring whether we could support rural connectivity in partnership with other public sector networks. Participants also saw the value in further AI and digital transformation case studies with a focus on return on investment, and further support in benchmarking, assessing and developing digital skills and capability across Scotland’s tertiary education sectors.

Next steps

Find out more about our work in Scotland and how we can support your organisation: