Higher Education Policy and Solution-Finding with Academic Leaders in the UK
Boundless Learning partners with leading academic institutions across the US, UK, and Australia to address the real-world challenges of delivering high-quality, scalable online programmes to learners worldwide.
Key takeaways:
- Boundless Learning monitors policy closely and participates in major UK sector events.
- WonkHE Festival brought together leaders to discuss pressing issues facing universities.
- HEPN South focused on actionable solutions for online learning challenges.
- Presentations covered smarter partnerships, digital maturity, and the rise of unbundled OPM services.
- Engagements included hosting lounges, podcasts, and direct meetings with dozens of leaders.
- Ongoing UK event participation continues to support partners navigating policy and digital delivery.
Because higher education (HE) policy directly influences how institutions design and deliver their offerings, we closely monitor developments in this space. Our teams also participate actively in major sector events to support current and prospective partners as they navigate shifting policy landscapes and the practicalities of offering online degree programmes across multiple jurisdictions.
WonkHE and a convening of higher education leaders
The WonkHE Festival of Higher Education brings together sector leaders, policy influencers, and experts to discuss the most pressing issues facing universities.
Held at Senate House, the University of London’s iconic headquarters, the event featured a series of thought-provoking sessions with speakers including Jacqui Smith, UK Minister of State for Skills; Edward Peck, Chair of the Office for Students (OfS); and Katherine Newman, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs for the University of California (UC) System. Delegates included senior leaders from across the UK and representatives of international institutions.
Boundless Learning hosted the Delegates Lounge and delivered a full brand takeover, giving participants the opportunity to learn more about our services, meet our team, and explore how we support institutions in delivering scalable online learning.
Joël McConnell, Senior Director of Portfolio Management and Growth, and Fiona McGill, Enterprise Solutions Manager, were on hand throughout the event to speak with university leaders.
Higher Education Partnership Network (HEPN) South: A focus on actionable solutions
Following the WonkHE festival, Joël and Fiona travelled to HEPN South, shifting from policy-focused engagement to action-oriented discussions with senior leaders. Their aim was to help institutional representatives identify practical solutions to their most pressing online learning challenges.
Across the two-day event, they met with more than 45 higher education leaders. Fiona delivered a fast-paced, Dragon’s Den–style presentation designed to generate interest in the Boundless Learning brand and our service offering. Joël presented a session titled “An Evolving Relationship: OPMs, HEIs, and the Rise of Unbundled Services” highlighting the key trends shaping how universities and OPM providers collaborate to deliver high-quality digital learning at scale.
What’s next for Boundless Learning in the UK?
Alongside our presence at Times Higher Education’s Student Success UK event last week, Fiona and Joël are preparing to attend the QS Reimagine Education Awards and Conference in December, where Joël served as a judge for this year’s awards.
Looking ahead to the new year, Boundless Learning is already confirmed to participate in JISC’s Digifest and The PIE Live Europe, with additional events to be announced.
We look forward to meeting partners, peers, and new collaborators, and we hope to connect with you at an event in the year ahead.
Photos courtesy of: The Festival of Higher Education.