AILC Fall 2025 NEWSLETTER
AILC Fall 2025 NEWSLETTER
Welcome to the Fall 2025 Newsletter
As we move through the second half of the semester, we are pleased to share the latest developments from the AI Learning Centre (AILC). This issue highlights continuing progress in the integration of artificial intelligence, automation, and educational technology to enhance teaching, research, and institutional practice.
Within Evolve, the University’s AI-enabled platform, we are planning to introduce Magic Researcher, a new capability designed to support academic inquiry by streamlining literature discovery and synthesis. The AILC’s HRDA-certified training programmes also continue this term, providing faculty and staff with applied training in AI, and automation tools that strengthen both instructional and administrative workflows.
Significant AILC-driven institutional transitions are also underway. The University’s migration from Moodle to Blackboard Ultra, and the move from Webex Meetings to Engageli, mark an important step forward in creating a cohesive, accessible, and interactive digital ecosystem. Supporting these changes are a range of new features and resources—including Blackboard Video Studio, the Blackboard Sandbox Course, and the Ally Accessibility Checker.
This issue further explores emerging themes in our academic and research landscape. Highlights include a comparative analysis of Veo 3 and Sora 2, a comprehensive review of current AI models integrated in Power Flow, and a forward-looking examination of Digital Twins as part of our evolving digital infrastructure. We also feature reports on responsible AI disclosures in higher education, the launch of agent automation services for UNIC departments and research centres, and a practical n8n workflow case study focused on regulatory automation in maritime research.
Finally, we spotlight recent AILC and faculty activities, including Dr Chris Alexander’s “Navigating AI” session at the UNIC Student Orientation, and new updates from the Journal of Teaching English with Technology (TEwT).
As we approach the end of the semester, we thank all faculty and staff for your engagement, collaboration, and ongoing contributions to advancing the responsible and innovative use of AI at the University of Nicosia.
Welcome to the Fall 2025 Newsletter
As we move through the second half of the semester, we are pleased to share the latest developments from the AI Learning Centre (AILC). This issue highlights continuing progress in the integration of artificial intelligence, automation, and educational technology to enhance teaching, research, and institutional practice.
Within Evolve, the University’s AI-enabled platform, we introduce Magic Researcher, a new capability designed to support academic inquiry by streamlining literature discovery and synthesis. The AILC’s HRDA-certified training programmes also continue this term, providing faculty and staff with applied training in AI, and automation tools that strengthen both instructional and administrative workflows.
Significant AILC-driven institutional transitions are also underway. The University’s migration from Moodle to Blackboard Ultra, and the move from Webex Meetings to Engageli, mark an important step forward in creating a cohesive, accessible, and interactive digital ecosystem. Supporting these changes are a range of new features and resources—including Blackboard Video Studio, the Blackboard Sandbox Course, and the Ally Accessibility Checker.
This issue further explores emerging themes in our academic and research landscape. Highlights include a comparative analysis of Veo 3 and Sora 2, a comprehensive review of current AI models integrated in Power Flow, and a forward-looking examination of Digital Twins as part of our evolving digital infrastructure. We also feature reports on responsible AI disclosures in higher education, the launch of agent automation services for UNIC departments and research centres, and a practical n8n workflow case study focused on regulatory automation in maritime research.
Finally, we spotlight recent AILC and faculty activities, including Dr Chris Alexander’s “Navigating AI” session at the UNIC Student Orientation, and new updates from the Journal of Teaching English with Technology (TEwT).
As we approach the end of the semester, we thank all faculty and staff for your engagement, collaboration, and ongoing contributions to advancing the responsible and innovative use of AI at the University of Nicosia.
Featured
Why the University of Nicosia’s Move from Webex Meetings to Engageli Enhances the Online Learning Experience
This move reflects the University’s continued commitment to offering students and lecturers a purpose-built, interactive, and pedagogically rich digital learning environment – one designed specifically for higher education, rather than adapted from corporate video conferencing.
Why the University of Nicosia’s Move from Moodle to Blackboard Ultra Marks a New Era in Digital Learning
This move represents far more than a change in technology — it reflects the University’s commitment to providing a modern, inclusive, and data-driven digital learning environment for all students and staff.
A Smarter Way to Research: How to Use Magic Researcher on Evolve
The Evolve platform is planning to offer a way to make research reports faster and more efficient through our Magic Researcher Agent.
A Breakdown of OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, Grok, Groq, AWS and Cerebras Models Thus Far Available in Power Flow [Updated]
The University of Nicosia is proud to offer faculty and staff access to some of the most powerful AI models available today through its advanced Power Flow tool.
Enhancing Learning Interaction with Padlet
As part of its continued investment in digital innovation, the University of Nicosia is expanding the use of Padlet across both its distance learning and on-campus courses. Padlet is an interactive, easy-to-use platform that enables lecturers and students to collaborate, share ideas, and create visually engaging content in real time.
Responsible AI Disclosures in Higher Education: Why They Matter
Artificial intelligence (AI) tools are becoming part of everyday academic life — from drafting research summaries to designing course materials or even brainstorming with students. These tools are powerful, but they also come with risks. That’s why Responsible AI Disclosures are so important.
AILC Agentic Platform Work
Building an Automated Maritime Regulatory Watchdog with n8n: A Workflow Report
Leveraging AI and low-code automation to ensure maritime training compliance. This system was built for the Cyprus Maritime Academy.
Building an Agentic Automated Crypto Intelligence Briefing: AILC Develops a Daily News Briefing for MOOC and MSc in Blockchain and Digital Currency Students!
Leveraging AI and low-code automation to master the crypto news cycle. This workflow was built by the AI Learning Centre.
Blackboard
Introducing Blackboard Ultra: A Smarter, Smoother Platform for Lecturers and Students
By prioritising ease of use over added complexity, Blackboard Ultra streamlines teaching, learning, and communication, allowing lecturers and students to focus on what matters most.
Explore, Experiment, and Learn: Introducing the Blackboard Sandbox Course
AILC is excited to introduce a Blackboard Sandbox Course—a dedicated space where lecturers and staff can safely explore, experiment, and build confidence with the new platform.
How to Use Blackboard SafeAssign Effectively
Everything you need to know about originality reports, plagiarism checks, and student submissions
Blackboard Ultra: Ally Accessibility Checker
Creating accessible course content is central to inclusive teaching. In Blackboard Learn Ultra, the Ultra Accessibility Checker (Powered by Ally) helps you review and improve accessibility.
The Blackboard Ultra Gradebook
The Gradebook is your home base for managing coursework, tracking student progress, and posting grades. Below is a concise tour of what’s there, how it’s organized, and a few pro tips to make grading faster and clearer for your students.
Bringing Your Blackboard Course to Life: Simple Ways to Add Interactivity
Below are some practical strategies to make your Blackboard course come alive — all using features you already have access to.
Enhance Your Course with Blackboard Video Studio
Blackboard Video Studio is a powerful, built-in audio/video tool that allows you to easily record, upload, and share multimedia content directly within your course.
Other Important Posts
UNIC AI Learning Centre Now Offers Agent Automation Services to Departments, Centres and Researchers
The University of Nicosia’s AI Learning Centre (AILC) is now offering Agent Automation Services to UNIC departments, research centres, and individual researchers. If you have ever wished that routine digital tasks could simply take care of themselves, this new service is designed for you.
Digital Twins: The Next Step in Our Digital Evolution
A digital twin is a virtual representation of something that exists in the real world — and increasingly, that “something” can be a person.
Veo 3 vs Sora 2: Real User Feedback on Access, Creativity, and Output
A clear, hype-free comparison of two leading AI video tools — what users actually think about their strengths, weaknesses, and real-world performance.
AILC HRDA Training: UNIC Evolve
We’re offering two face-to-face, four‑session courses on the UNIC Evolve Platform.
Engageli: The Power of the Poll: Igniting Active Learning in Your Virtual Classroom
The Power of the Poll: Igniting Active Learning in Your Virtual Classroom (by Anita Chawla, VP of Global Partner Success-Engageli)
Camtasia 2025: Information for the Latest Tools and Capabilities
Camtasia 2025: Training will be offered Tuesday, November 18th 10:00 – 11:00 register here: Registration Form.
Dr Chris Alexander – Navigating AI: AI Tools for Student Success at the UNIC Student Orientation
Dr Chris Alexander – AI Tools for Student Success at the UNIC Student Orientation
New Issue and Other TEWT News!
The Editors in Chief would like to announce some exciting recent news in this Issue-two message!