The University of Leicester has today announced a collaboration with Microsoft to roll out Microsoft 365 Copilot to all students and staff, making it one of the first Microsoft frontier universities. The project puts them right at the forefront of AI adoption in higher education.
And we’re incredibly proud to share that Transparity is the frontier technology partner helping bring it to life.
This is a big moment, not just for the University, but for the wider education sector too. As more organisations start looking seriously at what AI could mean for the way they work, the University of Leicester is taking a thoughtful, practical approach from the start.
University President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Nishan Canagarajah said: “AI is already transforming the way we teach, learn, research and engage with each other – and if we want to remain a world-leading and inclusive University it is vital that we become early adopters and embrace the opportunity for change. This is a transformative moment for our University. It is an opportunity to think boldly, be creative, and grasp a once-in-a-generation opportunity to utilise the potential of AI to shape the world around us. We are Citizens of Change – committed to driving positive societal impact, championing diversity, and using education to create a fairer, more sustainable world – AI can turbocharge us along that journey. “
This Isn’t Just a Tech Rollout
Over the coming months, we’ll be supporting the University with a full programme covering adoption, governance and technical readiness.
That means helping prepare the environment for Copilot, putting the right security and governance measures in place, and making sure staff and students feel confident using the technology in a way that’s safe, useful and genuinely relevant to their day-to-day work.
The team will free up time on everyday admin, making collaboration easier, and helping staff and students build confidence with AI in ways that feel practical rather than overwhelming.
For Transparity, a successful rollout isn’t just about switching something on. It’s about putting the right foundations in place so Copilot can deliver real value from day one and continue to do so as the University’s use of AI grows.
“AI is reshaping the world of work students are stepping into, and the universities that prepare their communities now will define the next generation of talent. Leicester’s decision to give all students and staff full access to Microsoft 365 Copilot reflects a genuine commitment to future-ready skills. We’re proud to support an institution that pairs ambition with responsibility.”
Jen Wyatt, Director of Education, Microsoft UK
An Exciting New Era for Education
What makes this collaboration especially exciting is what it represents more broadly.
The University of Leicester is helping show what responsible, forward-thinking AI adoption can look like in education. This is about more than productivity. It’s about giving staff and students the chance to build confidence with tools that are already starting to shape the modern workplace.
As the world of work evolves, knowing how to use AI tools well, responsibly and with confidence will be an increasingly important skill, and vital for students after graduation.
As one of the first accredited Microsoft Frontier Partners, we’re excited to be part of that journey and proud to be working alongside the University of Leicester and Microsoft to help turn that ambition into something practical, secure and scalable. And as the rollout progresses, we’re looking forward to seeing the impact it has not just across the University, but in shaping the conversation around what responsible AI adoption in education can really look like.
“The University of Leicester is showing what’s possible when AI is introduced with purpose. From industry-leading rollout at scale to innovation within areas like their College of Business, they’re demonstrating how Copilot can enhance both teaching and operations in a meaningful way. At Transparity, we’re proud to help bring that vision to life -securely, responsibly and with real impact from day one.”
Josh Hutchison, Business Development Manager – Education, Transparity
