BIRMINGHAM, England, March 11, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

The two day Jisc Digital Festival exploring the latest policies, issues and technologies at the heart of the further education (FE), higher education (HE) and research begins on Tuesday 11 March at the ICC in Birmingham, with its pioneering programme of content streamed live to online delegates from 9.40am.

Award-winning keynote speakers, education experts and futurologists such as Sugata Mitra, Dr Diana Oblinger and Ray Hammond join leading practitioners from the FE, HE and research for a programme of content that mixes inspiration and futurology with practical advice and guidance. The online audience can also join in with debates via live feeds and Twitter conversations using #digifest14. Sessions cover topics such as preparing new generations for the digital future over the next 20 years, aligning IT and university strategy, the student experience, big data, organisational change and mobile technology.

Keynote Dr Diana Oblinger, CEO of EDUCAUSE, commented: "I'm looking forward to attending and speaking at the Digital Festival. As well as sharing insight, I hope to come away from the Digital Festival with tangible and innovative ideas on how we can collectively advance the use of information technology in higher education."

Day-two keynote, Sugata Mitra, commented: "It is refreshing to see Jisc hosting a conference like this. Ours is a time when we need to factor in the Internet into every aspect of education. It is time for teachers and lecturers to be ready for change."

Speaking about the event, Jisc's CEO, Professor Martyn Harrow comments: "Following a two year break from our annual conference, the Jisc Digital Festival offers a programme that encompasses the achievement and innovation that is enhancing education and opening the door to exciting new possibilities in teaching and learning. The headline speakers embody the purpose of this festival, which is all about sharing cutting edge ideas and best practice. I am confident that visitors to the event, both onsite and online, will come away with useful advice they can implement in their institutions."

Jisc was established to support use of digital technologies in the FE, HE, research and skills sectors, and to help position the UK as the centre of digitally advanced education and research. The Digital Festival, which replaces Jisc's annual conference, will offer the sector an opportunity to share ideas of best practice and learn and discuss innovative ways to harness digital technology.

To follow the live streamed coverage of the festival, visit the Jisc website.

Notes to editors
Jisc offers digital services for UK education and research. The charity does this to achieve its vision for the UK to be the most digitally advanced education and research nation in the world.

Working together across the higher education, further education and skills sectors, Jisc provides trusted advice and support, reduces sector costs across shared network, digital content, IT services and procurement negotiations, ensuring the sector stays ahead of the game with research and development for the future.

Find out more at http://www.jisc.ac.uk or contact the press team on press@jisc.ac.uk

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SOURCE Jisc