The University of San Francisco has partnered with the automated taxi company Cruise to provide free driverless rides for students. What could go wrong? Cruise highlights that the programme is a “first-ever” (so they’re using students as guinea pigs?) with USF's chief information officer saying "there's a cool factor here... [Students] feel like they’re part of the future." Wow. Sounds like they understand their audience.

The University of Hertfordshire knocked it out of the park with a video game campus tour. Honestly, we expected a horror story, but it clearly has taken inspiration from Animal Crossing. You run around campus completing tasks and learning about the uni. You even get to try out facilities - we made our own hoodie (but screwed up the stitching.) It never feels forced and above all: It’s fun!

ChatGPT made waves when it was launched in Q4 2022. Is this the iPhone moment for Artificial Intelligence? Now it's freely available and easy to use - what does this mean for marketers and educators? Do we all need to learn prompt writing skills?  

Have a go for yourself: https://chat.openai.com/chat 

#AI #ArtificialIntelligence #HigherEducation

Not a big player university? Neither were National university. But they're bucking the US trend of terrible financial health. They took lessons from one specific type of business. We go through the incredible story as posted on Forbes.

We are joined by very special guest Joel Goodman from Bravery Media! You can find him on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/joelgoodman/

Watch the article for yourself - https://www.forbes.com/video/6313563662112/how-a-littleknown-school-earned-top-marks-on-forbes-2022-college-financial-grades/?sh=19f7bcf56bea

#HigherEducation #NationalUniversity #Forbes

Google is extending its “Grow with Google” education initiative to university partners. Similar to degree apprenticeships, each programme addresses in-demand skills gaps like Data Analytics, however, there is no work experience offered as part of the package. That said - the cost is attractive. $49 a month is the price to enrol on a programme which takes around four to five months to complete.

Considering the average cost of a college degree now stands at $35,000 per year - it feels like a no-brainer for time and cash-strapped adult learners. The portfolio isn’t bad either. Right now, students can study qualifications in finance, engineering and even sustainability. Another model nipping at the heels of the traditional 3-year campus degree.

Find out more: https://fortune.com/education/articles/a-tipping-point-for-higher-ed-google-launches-new-low-cost-online-programs-for-high-demand-jobs/

#Google #HigherEducation #University

UCD have u-turned on their email for life policy - but in fact, it's more than that. And students aren't happy.

Read the full article now: https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/education/former-ucd-students-told-they-will-no-longer-have-access-to-their-college-email-accounts-42043414.html

£236 million, anyone? With the majority of universities in the UK classed as public institutions, they are subject to open procurement procedures to ensure fair competition. This also means you can spy on what your competitors are thinking of spending cash on. We take a look at an investigation from The PIE and check out some awarded contracts.

We’ll see the death of the social media newsfeed within five years (if not sooner.) The warning signs are here: Instagram trialling an “immersive feed, ”every OG social platform pivoting to discovery and teens primarily consuming content via creators.  In today's episode, we talk about the opportunities for university marketers. The newsfeed has been a staple of social media. But it's giving way to something new.

Great State have released a report on digital experiences from HEIs in the U.K.  What did students tell them? And what do Great State say that universities need to be doing?

Read the report - https://prismic-io.s3.amazonaws.com/greatstate/bfb40d4d-a437-49ae-81f8-3d3cab55ad50_The+Higher+Education+Digital+Experience+Report+2022.pdf

The cost of living crisis has reopened a discussion on the return of maintenance grants. Fun fact: The maximum maintenance loan available to students this year is £1,000 less than a job paying the national minimum wage – the biggest gap between the two since 2004.

In this episode, we discuss how the cost of living affects student decisions and how education marketers can respond.