ICEF Africa

Array ( [0] => Array ( [id] => a1XbG000004PnmPUAS [title] => When the worst happens: How to support students when an application fails [summary] =>

As an industry, the international education sector tends to focus on how we attract, convert, and retain students. However, less discussed is what happens when an application fails. With students and their families having invested both emotionally and financially in the process, it is imperative that they are advised and supported whether they choose to revoke their application, or if they are unable to continue through no fault of their own (for example, visa rejection).

In this informative panel discussion, we look at real-life examples of what happened to students who were unable to take up their studies. Over the course of the discussion we look at:

Possible reasons for an application to fail
The importance of effective communication between all stakeholders
Where, when, and how refunds should be considered within the process
Providing effective support to students and their families
Strategies to streamline the process

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Start your ICEF experience with the collective intelligence of the room. In this fast-paced, 25-minute "Mastermind" session, we move beyond the handshake to tackle the real-world challenges of 2026. Participants will be seated at mixed tables of educators and agents to engage in a series of "lightning round questions" focused on student success, and the future of the industry. You will leave this session not just with new contacts, but with a toolkit of proven strategies and fresh perspectives to fuel your meetings for the rest of the event.

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With the international education landscape evolving to offer more opportunities than ever before for international students, we turn to our panel of agents for a picture of what students want, where they wish to go, and how they can best be supported to achieve their goals.

The session considers:

The current study destination landscape
- The enduring popularity of the “big four”
- Emerging study destinations
Shifting student preferences
The benefit of study destination training
Strategic tips for providing clear, ethical, transparent advice

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The international education sector comprises hundreds of actors working across borders in order to create opportunities for the growing number of international students. However, with each country enacting its own rules and regulations, it can be difficult for agencies and institutions to feel like they have a voice.

This has created both the space and the need for associations who, by working with and for their members, are able to engage in collective negotiations with stakeholders. In this panel discussion, we consider how associations are helping to work with governments, decision makers, institutions, and agencies to ensure that sensible regulation does not become over regulation.

As distinct from a panel session or keynote, the roundtables provide a space for a less-structured discussion but with guidance from an informed specialist. To provide that guidance, each table is led by a host whose role is to moderate and animate the discussion around the topic at hand.

- There will be two sittings of all tables, each lasting 25 minutes. The first begins at 18:00; the second at 18:30.

Roundtable topics:

Maximising efficiency in your role: How to incorporate CRM software into international student recruitment - TBA
International student finance: Available loans and how they work in practice - TBA
The online education debate: How useful is it and what benefits does it bring? - TBA
TBA
TBA

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- There will be two sittings of all tables, each lasting 25 minutes. The first begins at 18:00; the second at 18:30.

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- There will be two sittings of all tables, each lasting 25 minutes. The first begins at 18:00; the second at 18:30.

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- There will be two sittings of all tables, each lasting 25 minutes. The first begins at 18:00; the second at 18:30.

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- There will be two sittings of all tables, each lasting 25 minutes. The first begins at 18:00; the second at 18:30.

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- There will be two sittings of all tables, each lasting 25 minutes. The first begins at 18:00; the second at 18:30.

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- There will be two sittings of all tables, each lasting 25 minutes. The first begins at 18:00; the second at 18:30.

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- There will be two sittings of all tables, each lasting 25 minutes. The first begins at 18:00; the second at 18:30.

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- There will be two sittings of all tables, each lasting 25 minutes. The first begins at 18:00; the second at 18:30.

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- There will be two sittings of all tables, each lasting 25 minutes. The first begins at 18:00; the second at 18:30.

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- There will be two sittings of all tables, each lasting 25 minutes. The first begins at 18:00; the second at 18:30.

Wed • Jun 2414:00 - 14:25Seminar room

Sharing industry best practices & insights: Peer-to-Peer exchange

Discussion

Wed • Jun 2414:30 - 15:10Seminar room

The agent perspective: Where students want to go and how to support them effectively

Panel discussion

The session considers:

The current study destination landscape
- The enduring popularity of the “big four”
- Emerging study destinations
Shifting student preferences
The benefit of study destination training
Strategic tips for providing clear, ethical, transparent advice

Wed • Jun 2415:15 - 15:55Seminar room

Working together: The benefits of associations in the era of regulation

Panel discussion

16:00 - 16:30

Refreshment break

Wed • Jun 2416:30 - 17:10Seminar room

TBA

Panel discussion

Wed • Jun 2417:15 - 17:55Room 1

When the worst happens: How to support students when an application fails

Panel discussion

In this informative panel discussion, we look at real-life examples of what happened to students who were unable to take up their studies. Over the course of the discussion we look at:

Possible reasons for an application to fail
The importance of effective communication between all stakeholders
Where, when, and how refunds should be considered within the process
Providing effective support to students and their families
Strategies to streamline the process

Wed • Jun 2418:00 - 18:55Seminar room

Roundtable series

Roundtables

- There will be two sittings of all tables, each lasting 25 minutes. The first begins at 18:00; the second at 18:30.

Roundtable topics:

Maximising efficiency in your role: How to incorporate CRM software into international student recruitment - TBA
International student finance: Available loans and how they work in practice - TBA
The online education debate: How useful is it and what benefits does it bring? - TBA
TBA
TBA

14:00 - 14:25Seminar room

Sharing industry best practices & insights: Peer-to-Peer exchange

Seminar room

14:30 - 15:10Seminar room

The agent perspective: Where students want to go and how to support them effectively

Seminar room

The session considers:

The current study destination landscape
- The enduring popularity of the “big four”
- Emerging study destinations
Shifting student preferences
The benefit of study destination training
Strategic tips for providing clear, ethical, transparent advice

15:15 - 15:55Seminar room

Working together: The benefits of associations in the era of regulation

Seminar room

16:30 - 17:10Seminar room

TBA

Seminar room

17:15 - 17:55Room 1

When the worst happens: How to support students when an application fails

Room 1

In this informative panel discussion, we look at real-life examples of what happened to students who were unable to take up their studies. Over the course of the discussion we look at:

Possible reasons for an application to fail
The importance of effective communication between all stakeholders
Where, when, and how refunds should be considered within the process
Providing effective support to students and their families
Strategies to streamline the process

18:00 - 18:55Seminar room

Roundtable series

Seminar room

- There will be two sittings of all tables, each lasting 25 minutes. The first begins at 18:00; the second at 18:30.

Roundtable topics:

Maximising efficiency in your role: How to incorporate CRM software into international student recruitment - TBA
International student finance: Available loans and how they work in practice - TBA
The online education debate: How useful is it and what benefits does it bring? - TBA
TBA
TBA

Seminar Programme ICEF Africa 2025