Engagement management in a competitive market – lessons learned UK

Engagement management in a competitive market – lessons learned UK

Holink - 2–3 June 2025 · Hotel Papendal, Arnhem

Join DUO and Stichting Studielink for two energising days of ideas, inspiration and connections across the higher-education chain.

Engagement management in a competitive market – lessons learned UK

Tom Lowe, University of Westminster, Chair of RAISE (Researching, Advancing & Inspiring Student Engagement)      

Tom at the recent Simac IDS  conference in Manchester.                                                                      Data-Driven Engagement: Shaping the Future of Student Success Conference - 1st May
Tom at the recent Simac IDS conference in Manchester. Data-Driven Engagement: Shaping the Future of Student Success Conference - 1st May

Back in 2015, UK universities mostly treated student-engagement monitoring systems (SEMS) as a box-ticking exercise for visa rules. Ten years later, those systems have grown into something much more useful: a proactive, student-focused way to spot problems early and keep students on track.

Why it matters now:

  • Rising costs + high fees – students feel the pinch, so losing momentum can be costly.
  • Blended learning is normal – it’s harder to notice when someone drifts away.
  • Early warning signs – catching disengagement early boosts wellbeing, enriches the study experience and cuts dropout rates.

Put simply, when universities use SEMS to reach out sooner, everyone wins—students are happier and more likely to stay, and universities keep more learners on course.

Tom Lowe from the University of Westminster has spent more than a decade helping universities rethink student engagement. He’s written two books on the topic, chairs the RAISE network (which focuses on student engagement and partnership) and is keen to hear your ideas.

Har Heuberger, Simac-IDS.com

Why attend?

  • Celebrate a decade of HOlink with peers from student services, IT, policy, finance, marketing, research and more.
  • Get ahead of the cuts. This year’s theme—“Smart & Innovative Higher Education: Doing More Together with Less”—dives into practical ways to protect quality while budgets shrink.
  • Pick your path. Four focused tracks deliver fresh insights and hands-on tactics: Legislation & Regulation – navigate new rules with confidence. Collaboration – amplify impact through strategic partnerships. Process Optimisation – lean, agile and automated workflows. Innovation & Transformation – bold ideas shaping the next 3–5 years.
  • Legislation & Regulation – navigate new rules with confidence.
  • Collaboration – amplify impact through strategic partnerships.
  • Process Optimisation – lean, agile and automated workflows.
  • Innovation & Transformation – bold ideas shaping the next 3–5 years.

Who’s it for?

Student-administration teams, CIOs, SIS suppliers, policy makers, ICT leaders, finance & marketing managers, ministry representatives, international-office staff—and anyone shaping the future of higher education.

Secure your place: holink.nl

Come ready to rethink, rebuild and rise together.

Most Recent Posts

blogs

In the spotlight

Data-Driven Engagement: Shaping the Future of Student Success Conference
Where and how to have impact on students’ employability – ‘embedding’, ‘integrating’ and ‘baking it’ into the curriculum.
University estates and their role in student engagement

system partners

Our Partners