Empowering education through AI training

Claire Halliday
The delivery of a bespoke AI training program is helping Flinders University staff use AI responsibly and effectively.

A new collaboration between a leader in intelligent AI and automation solutions and South Australia’s Flinders University will help equip staff with the tools and expertise to adopt AI securely and effectively.

Matt Dunn is Head of AI at The Missing Link and says that the delivery of the bespoke Microsoft 365 Copilot training program “empowers staff to adopt AI responsibly, unlocking innovation and improving collaboration” and is set to foster greater innovation and productivity across the university.

“Flinders University’s commitment to training demonstrates how investing in training people creates measurable outcomes,” says Dunn.

The customised program is delivered in two comprehensive phases:

  • Phase 1: Foundational training (online) – Introduces generative AI, prompt engineering, and Copilot’s features in Microsoft tools like Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook, with a focus on security and user
    empowerment
  • Phase 2: Advanced training (instructor-led) – Offers hands-on guidance for developing AI agents,
    optimising workflows and embedding best practices for scalable AI integration.

Forward-thinking success

Dunn believes the forward-thinking approach is geared for long-term success and aims to empower staff by focusing on real-world relevance driven by context-specific training that can have immediate impact.

Early feedback highlights the program’s success, with staff already leveraging Microsoft 365 Copilot to streamline workflows and improve quality of work.

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Looking ahead, Flinders University plans to expand the Copilot community to promote greater collaboration and innovation and refine governance frameworks for secure, scalable AI adoption.

“This collaboration has enabled us to stay ahead of rapid technological advancements, allowing our user community to focus on high-value experimental activities and effectively leverage emerging technologies,” says Tom Upitis, Associate Director IDS Strategy, Innovation and AI, Flinders University.

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Claire Halliday has an extensive career as a full-time writer - across book publishing, copywriting, podcasting and feature journalism - for more than 25 years. She lives in Melbourne with children, two border collies and a grumpy Burmese cat. Contact: claire.halliday[at]educationdaily.au