Buzzmint

Alumni engagement - now more important for FE than HE?

The crisis in confidence that’s hobbling Gen Z

FE Tech Training and Technology Summit It was a great privilege today, to attend FE Tech’s Training and Technology Summit in London. This was a fabulously curated event, with some remarkable presentations from the Rt. Hon Lord Holmes of Richmond and Alice Little, amongst many others. Thought provoking observations included the inequity in student access to premium AI, and the increasing challenges faced by exam invigilators as technology based cheating devices become more prevalent. Also considered, was the role of teachers being squeezed as AI takes over lesson planning and marking. As a counterpoint, Glyn Pickering’s upbeat thoughts underlined the positivity and resilience of the sector in facing these challenges.   The thread which connected almost every presentation, though, was trust. The reality is that fake identities, AI-generated work submissions and the ability to create counterfeit certificates is creating a crisis of trust right across the sector – something which needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency. Very many thanks to the fabulous team at FE Tech for delivering such a tremendous event. 

Activate, LSIP and Surrey Chamber of Commerce Employers event It was an enormous pleasure recently to spend time at Surrey Chamber of Commerce, LSIP and Activate Learning’s Createch Hub Breakfast Briefing event at Guildford College. Guildford College’s Neil Shoulder reminded us of the vital importance of colleges engaging with local businesses and welcomed initiatives that could bring the two together more frequently. Thanks also to Sam Byrne for some wonderful insights into the work Activate is doing to secure meaningful, mutually beneficial placements for its students. Many thanks to Tom and his colleagues at the Chamber for organising this thoroughly worthwhile session.