ICEF Podcast

News & developments: - Netherlands reports first-ever decrease in foreign enrolment for 2025/26 - Ascending in world university rankings and highly affordable, Azerbaijan is strengthening its offer to international students Main topic: “Good, steady, and disciplined’’: New Zealand's plan for sustainable international enrolment growth This episode is sponsored by: ICEF Academy with Rod Hearps (mode...

News & developments: - US immigration officials allege OPT is being widely abused and say “more actions are forthcoming” - UK universities bracing for a further decline in international enrolments Main topic: Student flows are shifting - are agencies following suit? with Alexandre Argenta President BELTA - Brazilian Educational & Language Travel Association Craig Riggs  Editor in Chief  ICEF Monit...

News & developments: - A common challenge: Strengthening student confidence in the ROI of study abroad - Study finds strong agent interest in partnering with Japanese universities Main topic: Sustainable international student recruitment from a UK-China perspective This episode is sponsored by: ICEF USA with Kiran Patel Senior Director Commercial & Deputy Head of China CBBC Jian Li Deputy Director...

News & developments: - Irish higher education reports a fourth straight year of foreign enrolment growth - Canada and India deepen educational ties; India repositions as an equal player in international education Main topic: Are you using the right digital channels to reach international students? This episode is sponsored by: ICEF USA with Jennifer Parsons Exec Director of Partnerships UniQuest N...

News & developments: - Canada’s foreign enrolment has fallen by nearly 300,000 students over the last two years - Inside Spain’s growing appeal for international students Main topic: Students are switching to AI for search. Are you ready? with Tim O'Brien SVP - New Partner Development INTO University Partnerships Guus Goorts Education Marketing Coach & Author Guus Goorts Online Marketing Training...

News & developments: - Global agent survey highlights the most important factors influencing study abroad decisions - The ChatGPT Generation: How AI Is quietly rewriting the global student search experience Main topic: Stop losing applicants: How qualification recognition drives seamless international enrolment with Noah W. Sobe Chief of Section, Higher Education UNESCO Esther T. Benjamin  CEO and...

News & developments: - There are now more than 400,000 international students in Germany - New Zealand’s international student numbers climbing amid strong public support Main topic: Engine of growth: The true value and impact of the international education sector with Jeremy Neufeld Director of Immigration Policy IFP Natalie Lulia Regional Director Americas, Europe & Gulf Cooperation Council, Cou...

News & developments: - Kazakhstan sets its sights on being a regional hub for international students - US: Study estimates that changes to international student policies could reduce GDP by up to US$481 billion per year Main topic: Live from ICEF Berlin 2025: Current trends in international student recruitment with Novie Tajuddin CEO Education Malaysia Shawn Silverstone Director of international m...

News & developments: - Mystery shopping study finds broad improvement in student enquiry handling this year - South Korea hits its 300,000 student target two years ahead of schedule Main topic: Beyond the offer letter: The services that drive international student success   Sarah Todd Principal Consultant QS Gordon Scott Managing Director Successful Graduate Craig Riggs  Editor in Chief  ICEF Moni...

• Main topic: From 'policy focused' to 'student centred': A new era in international education?  with Craig Riggs  Editor in Chief  ICEF Monitor Martijn van de Veen (host) CBDO ICEF

• News & developments  - Search data highlights surge in student interest in Asian and Middle Eastern destinations at mid-year - Australia raises enrolment limits for 2025/26 but are they reachable? • Main topic: From ‘Big Four’ to ‘Big Fourteen’: Redrawing the map of global student flows with Kym Nguyen Vice President, Student Recruitment QS Andrew Ness Senior Vice-President, Analytics and Consul...

• News & developments  - Dutch government walks back controversial measures to constrain English-taught degrees  - New Zealand announces strong foreign enrolment growth along with a new international education strategy • Main topic: Bridging borders: Why cultural intelligence is essential now • Keys to the market: Uzbekistan with Leanne Linacre  Co-Founder Lead5050 Sagar Bahadur Executive Director...

Episode Notes • News & developments  - Irish ELT sector sounds note of “cautious stability” for 2024 - US ELT numbers moving toward pre-pandemic norms • Main topic: Together for transparency: Building global standards for ethical international student recruitment • Keys to the market: Egypt with Gordon Lunan VP, Commercial Operations INTO University Partnerships Ghadah Khojah Founder Cayenne Educa...

• News & developments  - Sector and students shocked as US State Department says it will “aggressively revoke visas for Chinese students” - Trump administration orders a pause on new student visa interviews • Main topic: Study destination USA in times of political turmoil - live from NAFSA 2025 • Keys to the market: Bangladesh with Vern Granger  Director of Undergraduate Admissions  University of...

• News & developments    - International student policy in the spotlight during Australian election   - Ireland: Non-EU international students will be most affected by a new, increased threshold for available funds • Main topic: Domestic enrolment cliff: A global phenomenon? • Keys to the market: Thailand with Angel Ahmed Founder and CEO GNET-Global Network Kirsten L. Feddersen VP of Partnerships,...

• News & developments       - ​​Global survey highlights new phase of internationalisation: From a “market era” to a “managed era”      - Report projects need for greater diversification in international student recruitment this year • Main topic: How are schools and agents adapting to rising visa rejection rates?  • Keys to the market: East Africa with Michal Sestak Managing Director and Principa...

• News & developments       - ​​The Netherlands: Debate around student recruitment and retention continues amid foreign enrolment decline      - Student mobility in MENA boosted by foreign partnerships and branch campuses • Main topic: Shifting horizons: Global trends in international secondary education • Keys to the market: Mexico with Elizabeth Drake  Director of Partnerships, US  Illume Studen...

• News & developments       - ​​Irish higher education booked another strong year of foreign enrolment growth in 2024      - Malaysia’s growing appeal as a study destination • Main topic: A whole new world: International student recruitment in 2025 • Keys to the market: Sri Lanka with Roger Brindley President - North America Acumen | Sannam S4 Group Sarah Todd Vice President (Global) Griffith Univ...

• News & developments       -   Three international education trends for 2025: Revenue optimisation, marketing personalisation, and on-the-ground local intelligence • Main topic: How new technologies impact international student employability • Keys to the market: Japan with   Puneet Kohli  Chief Executive Officer Careerflow.ai Sue Attewell Head of AI Jisc Craig Riggs  Editor in Chief  ICEF Martij...

• News & developments       -   The human factor in international student recruitment • Main topic: Live from Berlin: Current trends in international student recruitment • Keys to the market: Germany with   Holly Sanders Chief Transformation Officer World Education Services Matt Hird Director of Sales Malvern International Brett Blacker Managing Director, Australia and New Zealand Duolingo Ilaria...

• News & developments       -   International education has a data problem. It’s time to do something about it      -  In a time of shifting student demand, a speedy response to enquiries is a must • Main topic: Getting past policy shock: How the sector is responding to new migration settings • Keys to the market: China With Rachel MacSween Director of Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement IDP M...

• News & developments       -   Australia announces cap on student commencements for 2025      -  What is the cost of policy intended to reduce international student flows? • Main topic: The future of ELT: A call to action • Keys to the market: Colombia With Ian Aird CEO English Australia Jodie Gray Chief Executive English UK Craig Riggs  Editor in Chief  ICEF Martijn van de Veen (host) CBDO ICEF...

• News & developments       -   Quarterly survey finds rents for student housing in Europe increasing ahead of new academic year      -  UK reports record foreign enrolment for 2022/23 • Main topic: Is Artificial Intelligence the biggest threat for digital agent recruitment platforms? • Keys to the market: China With Louise Nicol  Founder & CEO Asia Careers Group SDN BHD Craig Riggs  Editor in Chi...

This special episode of ICEF Podcast is produced in collaboration with Housed - The shared living Podcast and our sponsor is VITA STUDENT . With Sarah Canning Co-Founder The Property Marketing Strategists Deenie Lee Co-Founder The Property Marketing Strategists Daniel Smith Managing Director Student Housing Consultancy Martijn van de Veen CBDO ICEF

• Useful links       - The global student experience by Etio       - European Commission - Study in Europe • News & developments       - UK ELT providers report restricting enrolment because of bed shortages      - Would a second Trump presidency make the US more or less attractive to foreign students? • Main topic: Europe's unique and diverse array of attractive study destinations • Keys to the m...