Senior leaders from Australia’s top universities met with UK peers to explore student experience, graduate readiness, international mobility trends, and how data and systems can personalise the student journey at TechnologyOne’s annual Global Mobility Program (GMP).

The 2-week intensive meeting program took place across 5 UK cities and examined how institutions are using technology to improve student outcomes, enhance operational resilience, and respond to mounting financial and social pressures. While differences in scale and structure exist between UK and Australian institutions, the shared challenges of digital transformation, financial sustainability, and student-centred services were clear.

Hosted by leading UK institutions — including the University of Hertfordshire, London School of Economics and Political Science, York St John University, University of Lincoln, and University of Brighton — the tour facilitated in-depth discussions with Australian counterparts from QUT, Central Queensland University, James Cook University, University of the Sunshine Coast, and University of Queensland.

Inspired by academic study tours, GMP provides senior administrative leaders with a collaborative, cohort-based learning experience that mirrors the student journey, fostering global partnerships, shared insights, and sector-wide innovation. This tour also included briefings with Higher Education Policy Institute, UCISA and Academic Registrars Council.

TechnologyOne Executive Vice President of Education David Cope, said, “Our GMP study tour highlights just how much institutions around the world have in common — the pressure to modernise, the drive to improve student outcomes, and the need for smart, sustainable operations.”

“International experience not only enriches learning but also deepens collaboration between institutions and drives innovation in student services. We’re proud to help enable these critical cross-border conversations and to share learnings with the broader sector.”

TechnologyOne’s annual GMP reflects the company’s commitment to empowering the higher education sector through global partnerships, best practice sharing, and transformational technology.

First launched in 2019, the GMP has brought together leaders and seen reciprocal visits between UK and Australian institutions including Curtin University, La Trobe University, Macquarie University, QUT, Swinburne, TAFE Queensland, Victoria University and Western Sydney University. The focus has been to explore how institutions are reimagining operations to support students in a digital-first world.

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