Three representatives from Boundless Learning spent two productive days presenting knowledge, building relationships, sharing information, and exchanging strategies with other education and technology leaders and professionals at Digifest 2026.

The conference, presented by Jisc, took place March 10 and 11 in Birmingham, UK, and focused on building an ethical, inclusive, and human-centered future for EdTech and related sectors.

“Jisc Digifest 2026 once again demonstrated the strong appetite across the UK higher education sector to engage seriously with the future of digital learning,” said Joël McConnell, Senior Director of Portfolio Management and Growth for Boundless Learning.

Joël, who is also a doctoral researcher at University College London’s Institute of Education (IOE) — the top place in the world to study education, according to the QS World University Rankings by Subject — presented during day one of the event. Fiona McGill, Manager of Enterprise Solutions, and Kelly Cocks, Senior Director of Product Solutions and Success, joined him in representing Boundless Learning.

Here’s a look at how they helped Boundless Learning share thought leadership, build and strengthen connections, and collaborate on empowering the future of education with peers from across the industry.

Joël took the main stage on the first day of the event to share knowledge and strategy through his presentation, “Ready, Set, Go! Launching New Degree Programmes in a Highly Competitive Marketplace.”

Informed by Joël’s experience working across higher education institutions and online programme management (OPM) providers, the talk covered a range of topics including the importance of providing online degree and certificate options, online provision migration, mediated delivery systems, the multifaceted roles OPM partnerships play, and developing and launching new programmes at pace.

The presentation sparked fruitful discussion and an interest in development with respect to scale and pace in an increasingly competitive field.

“The conversations that followed reflected a shared recognition that online provision is no longer a peripheral activity for universities, but an increasingly central part of their operating model,” he says.

During the presentation, Joël outlined how OPM providers can enable both speed and alignment during the development and launch cycle. The best modern OPM partnerships are built to fit the exact, unique needs of each institution and offer a full suite of support solutions, including market intelligence, programme design and production, marketing, recruitment, and operation.

Joël also addressed critical concerns around partnering, such as how to ensure partnerships tackle university needs and challenges while also setting institutions up for further capability and future success. With the right partner, universities and education providers can achieve faster launches in competitive markets with lower risk, stronger institutional learning, and reduced dependency.

With leaders from dozens of businesses and organisations present at Digifest 2026, Joël, Fiona, and Kelly had the opportunity to share knowledge, discuss strategy, and make connections with professionals working in an array of areas relating to higher education and online learning.

The organisations represented diverse solutions and products like online learning management systems (LMSs), AI-powered soft skills training, IT and infrastructure development, secure exam proctoring, content creation and delivery, accessibility and compliance management, and career readiness resources.

Even with such a variety of services and interests, common themes arose throughout the event.

“Many discussions focused on the importance of integrated education services, spanning programme design, instructional development, learner support, and operational delivery, to help institutions accelerate new programme launches while strengthening their internal capabilities,” Joël said.

A To keep pace with the competition and continue to meet modern learner expectations, today’s education providers are looking for ways to provide academic programmes at scale. But they want solutions that are sustainable and intelligently implemented.

“What stood out most during the event was the level of interest from institutional leaders in how universities can scale high-quality online provision while maintaining academic integrity and institutional autonomy,” Joël said.

Through presentations and discussions, organisations like Boundless Learning expressed their dedication to providing solutions that address these concerns, empower learners, and help move higher education forward.

“Events like Digifest play an important role in bringing together universities, sector bodies, and solution partners to share practical approaches to these challenges,” Joël says. “It was encouraging to see such strong engagement from across the UK higher education community.”

Are you ready to start or scale your online education programs? Learn how Boundless Learning can help you keep pace and thrive in a competitive marketplace.