We are living in an amazing time of technological progress. There is no historical precedent for the accelerating pace of innovation. Digital transformation is reshaping every aspect of our lives—how we live, learn and work. This transformation impacts the skills students and employees need to succeed both in the workplace of today and in a future where the roles students fill may not even exist, yet, and where they will be tasked with solving the most complex issues of any generation in history. This creates a massive opportunity for lifelong learning and sparking innovation in higher education, and at the same time, it creates a set of challenges in meeting expectations of a diverse set of lifelong learners in the manner that best fits each learner’s life stage, learning style and individual expectations.

The possibilities of technology, analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) to transform higher education are endless. Microsoft is investing in technology to meet diverse-learner expectations, improve student outcomes and drive innovation through investments in artificial intelligence (AI), advancing research and innovation, and rethinking teaching and learning. Read how artificial intelligence (AI) can help higher education institutions achieve better student engagement, learning outcomes and more in the new IDC brief, “Unlocking the Transformative Power of Artificial Intelligence for Higher Education,” and check out the new, free AI Business School for Education learning path announced Oct. 1 to help your business leaders get started.

Microsoft continues to innovate and work with partners to help higher-education institutions improve student outcomes.

Last year at EDUCAUSE, Microsoft announced the Higher Education Accelerator for Dynamics 365 that enables partners to quickly and easily build customized apps and workflows for higher-education institutions without redefining their data model. Campus Management, Nuventive, Frequency Foundry and other partners have built solutions using the Higher Education Accelerator and we are seeing momentum with customers such as Cambrian College.

“At Cambrian College, we have a vision: to motivate everyone who studies with us to use imagination, inspiration and innovation to make the world a better place, no matter where they live in it. That’s why we’re such big believers in greymatter! By partnering with Frequency Foundry to implement Dynamics 365 greymatter solution and the Microsoft Higher Education Accelerator, we can build stronger relationships with potential students from anywhere in the world. We will be able to better understand their needs, which will allow us to make their post-secondary education more accessible and effective. We’re excited to use greymatter to change the world, one mind at a time.” 

– Renée Scott, Director of Student Success and Recruitment at Cambrian College of Applied Arts and Technology.

This year we have extended the data model to include scenarios around Business Partner Management, which involves tracking engagements that a business partner has with an institution. Scenarios include tracking internships, scholarships and grants. Institutions will now be able to track students who have applied for various positions offered by business partners and the status of the student’s application. In addition, schools will be able to track scenarios around student accomplishments which helps institutions and business partners evaluate students based on non-academic student achievements.

If you are planning to attend the EDUCAUSE Annual Conference in Chicago, October 14-17, the Microsoft Education team will be there, and we would like to engage with you!

To learn more about Microsoft’s higher-education investments, come to our pre-day event, visit us in our booth or join our sessions. We look forward to seeing you in Chicago!

1Microsoft Pre-Day

You’re invited to the Empowering Higher Education with Digital Transformation Microsoft Pre-Day on Monday, October 14, at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place. Join us for discussions and lectures with peers and solution providers.

Register today

2Visit us at booth 1431

Experience customer stories of transformation and see how the University of Maryland, Florida State University, Johns Hopkins University and other peers are realizing their strategic objectives using the Microsoft platform

3Join us in one of our sessions

Hear from institutional leaders and key partners on:

Oct. 15, 10:45 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Pedagogy & Practice: Balancing evolution and innovation for learning breakthroughs

DETAILS

Oct. 15, 3:15 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Speak Their Mind: Using student mindsets to drive personalized engagement

DETAILS

Oct. 16, 3:15 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Campus Reimagined for Humans: Propelling students to self-actualization

DETAILS