From Data to Action: Modernising Higher Education IT through Benchmarking and Agentic AI
Join us in a discussion and think-tank about IT benchmarking and how AI may be changing our future in keeping track of our costs and changes in our reporting processes.
Across Europe, universities are navigating a rapidly evolving digital landscape. Yet despite growing demands for modernization, many institutions remain constrained by fragmented systems, outdated infrastructures, and the absence of actionable benchmarking data. This session brings together two complementary approaches to address these challenges: the evidence-based insights of the BencHEIT survey, and the transformative potential of OpenCampus’ agentic AI-driven platform.
First, Ilkka Siissalo presents the latest developments from BencHEIT—a long-standing, collaborative benchmarking initiative that empowers IT leaders across European higher education with data on IT costs, performance, and trends. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how peer comparisons and longitudinal analysis help institutions improve cost-efficiency, service quality, and strategic planning. The session also opens a dialogue about the future of BencHEIT in the face of project group changes and evolving sector needs.
Following this, Melissa Mitchell and Dr. Kirsten Heiss introduce OpenCampus: a modular campus management platform that uses Open Adoption Software and embedded agentic AI to reimagine how institutions manage the student lifecycle. Through real-world examples, attendees will see how OpenCampus integrates legacy systems, automates workflows using no-code tools, and enables personalized digital experiences at scale—without the need for custom development.
Moderated by Christa Winqvist and Vlad Petcu, this session invites dialogue between data-driven governance and innovative digital transformation strategies. It is an essential conversation for IT leaders, CIOs, and strategists seeking to benchmark wisely and act decisively in shaping the digital future of higher education.
