ICEF Berlin 2023 - Seminar Programme

14:00 - 14:25Bellevue

British Council Certificate and training for Agents and Counsellors and the Agent Quality Framework (AQF)

Presentation

Helen Obaje

Helen is the product manager for the British Council Engagement and Training hub for agents and counsellors. Prior to working at the British Council she has worked in a diverse range of education institutions from community education to FE. With an MA in Technology, she has focused on developing the use of technology for teaching.

PresenterSenior Consultant ISMM Agents, British Council

The presentation outlines how the UK agent and counsellor training and engagement hub fits into the new UK Quality Agent Framework. It covers registration, content and the global database of agents and counsellors highlighting features requested by agents and counsellors.

14:00 - 14:25Charlottenburg

Don’t Fit In, Add Value: why diversity is good for business, and what you can do to encourage it

Presentation

Hannah Youell

Hannah is the Diversity & Inclusion Advisor at IHWO and an experienced international education professional. As an inclusive wellbeing specialist and a champion of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), Hannah has dedicated her career to advocating for equitable practices within organisations that not only enhance individual wellbeing but also cultivate a culture of inclusivity and respect. Hannah is passionate about implementing initiatives that drive positive change and empower teams to reach their full potential.

PresenterDiversity & Inclusion Advisor, International House World Organisation

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) is a big conversation in 2023. As leaders in International Education, we have a duty to create environments where our staff and students can bring their whole authentic selves. Not only is it our responsibility, it also makes excellent business sense. Embracing an inclusive approach increases our capacity for student attraction, retention and satisfaction, as well as promoting innovation and creativity within our teams - and we all have the power to facilitate this.

We know that diversity is integral to sustainable success in international education. Inclusive practice and equity of opportunity are essential steps along the way, but where do we begin?

In this session you’ll learn why diversity is good for business; be reminded of the excellent work already going on in our industry; and get practical tips to foster a deeper culture of belonging in your company. Together we will unpick some of the ever-changing terminology, and you’ll leave the talk with concrete ideas of steps you can take right away, whatever stage of the journey you’re at.

14:00 - 16:00Check

ICEF Coach - Pre-registration in the ICEF Coach Programme is required

Presentation

Birgit Hartel

Birgit Hartel held the position of Director of International Education for the 42 schools of a public school district in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada for 16 years. She developed the school district’s Int’l Programme from the ground up and was responsible for all aspects of the research, development, implementation, administration, programme evaluation and maintenance, daily operations, marketing and recruitment. Birgit served 2 terms as an elected and founding President of the Manitoba Council for International Education (MCIE). She also assisted MCIE in an interim role as the Council’s Executive Director. MCIE is the Province of Manitoba’s affiliation of universities, colleges, public school districts, independent schools, private language schools, government departments, non-governmental organizations as well as educational and professional organizations (private and public). During the span of Birgit’s career, she had a diverse range of experience at the K to 12 and post-secondary levels as a teacher, consultant and director. She also has 19 years of experience as an adjunct sessional instructor at the University of Winnipeg and the University of Manitoba, where she taught undergraduate methodology and pedagogy courses for the Faculty of Education. Birgit is fluent in German and French. She has a basic working and functional knowledge of Spanish and is pursuing a personal interest to learn Arabic. She has successfully led professional development sessions and delivered keynote addresses locally, nationally and internationally. Her areas of expertise are in foreign language learning, equity, diversity & inclusion (EDI) education and international education. Birgit has worked with the ICEF team in the Coach Programme since 2015. She loves her role as Coach, helping those newer to the International Education industry make the most of their experience at ICEF agent events and beyond.

PresenterICEF Coach, ICEF

This 2-hour ICEF Coach Seminar continues the mentoring which began with the one-on-one, individualized consultation, correspondence and interactive training session each pre-registered Coach Programme participant has already completed with the coach before the ICEF event.
The Coach Programme trains and guides first-timers as well as those newer to the international education industry and international student recruitment, so their networking meetings with agents at an ICEF event are as effective and productive as possible. There are 3 phases to the Coach Programme: Before - During - After ... the ICEF event.

The coach also provides ongoing support to the Programme participants during the entire ICEF event, so they maximise their experience meeting with agents overall.

After the event, each Coach Programme participant also receives post-event consultation with the coach as a follow-up. This provides the opportunity to de-brief, give feedback pertaining to their experience at the event and importantly, provides a framework how to move forward as effectively as possible to begin to establish productive agent relationships.

This session is full and closed to new registrants.

14:00 - 14:55Köpenick I-II

How to build effective relationships in 25 minutes • Providers

Presentation

Nick Stevenson

Nick has been at ICEF since 2014, and is VP for Global Sales, helping education and service providers build lasting relationships with quality agents. He studied Spanish & Management at the University of Leeds, including an Erasmus Year at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Faculty of Economics & Business. Since graduating from university in 2008, he has been working within the international education sector, previously in business development positions with Study Travel Magazine and Inline. Marketing. He has also completed an MBA at the University of Salford, which included a research project focused upon the future of agents.

PresenterExecutive Director, EMEAA, ICEF

Vanessa-Sophia Verworn

Vanessa-Sophia Verworn is the Director of Client Experience & Growth for ICEF's USA and Canada team. Over the last decade within the international education space, Vanessa’s background includes recruiting at the secondary education level, where she served as an international admissions officer at a Canadian boarding school, managing a global team that recruited in various regions and developing student markets. Over several years she was active attendee at ICEF who utlizied the (IAS) Agent Network for promoting her school's programs. This gave her a practiced expertise in international recruitment and now works with institutions to build and optimize their agent partnerships for enrollment success. She enjoys guiding ICEF clients to analyze global trends to craft effective international enrollment strategies.

PresenterBusiness Development Manager, USA & Canada, ICEF

This session will provide educators with a step-by-step guide on how to make the most out of their participation at ICEF events in general and ICEF Berlin in particular.

The session will cover the following topics:
- How to maximise your time during the event
- Post-event follow-up and agent contracts
- How to maximise your working relationship with providers

14:00 - 15:30Schöneberg

ALTO Professional Development with Michael G Jacobides

Presentation

Michael G Jacobides

Michael G Jacobides is the Sir Donald Gordon Professor of Entrepreneurship & Innovation and Professor of Strategy at London Business School and the Lead Advisor of Evolution Ltd, a boutique advisory firm helping clients adjust to a shifting context. He is Academic Advisor to the Boston Consulting Group, and has recently been a Visiting Scholar at the New York Fed and Visiting Fellow at Cambridge. Since 2019 he is one of the Thinkers50, the top 50 management thinkers worldwide, and is a leading expert on business ecosystems, value migration and how firms navigate shifting, digital environments. A frequent keynote speaker, he engages in corporate, industry, and broad-appeal events such as TEDx and the Global Drucker Forum. A winner of the 2022 Best Paper award from the California Management Journal for his framework on building ecosystems and the 2018 Theory to Practice Award from the StrategieForum co-sponsored by E&Y, he advises disruptive start-ups and Fortune500 firms alike in Europe, the US and Asia. He works on thought leadership with consultants such as E&Y, McKinsey, IDEO, Accenture, PwC, Deloitte, Keystone and ECSi, and on strategy with corporates such as SAP, Haier, Huawei, Spotify, MasMovil, Vodafone, Nokia, Enel, Santander, Helvetia, Zurich, CS, Airbus, DeBeers, Lavazza, Burberry, MerckSerono, SpringStudio and the NHS. He has visited Harvard, NYU, Cambridge, Imperial, Bocconi and Wharton, where he obtained his PhD, after studying at Athens, Cambridge and Stanford. His work, which has received the Sloan Foundation Award, has appeared in the top academic journals such as SMJ, AMJ, AMR, OrgSci and Industrial & Corporate Change, where he is a co-Editor, as well as HBR and FT. He appears on CNN and BBC. On policy, he has worked with the UK parliament (on the future of financial services), the European Council (on innovation in Europe) and has worked on the regulation of platforms & ecosystems, contributing views to the OECD, the EU, the US’s Senate Antitrust Sub-committee and the IRG, and is the Chief Digital Economy Advisor at the Hellenic Competition Commission (pro bono.) He is also the Strategy Advisor (pro bono) of ELLET, Greece’s key NGO on environmental & cultural preservation, working with Europa Nostra. He served on the Global Agenda Council of the World Economic Forum, he is a co-author of the WEF’s White Paper on Digital Platforms and Ecosystems, and has presented in the Davos Annual meetings. He is a member of the AI Governance Alliance set up by the WEF, and helps coordinate its working group on transformation and sustainable applications. He is also the coordinator of LBS’s AI Taskforce which explores how AI will transform business education and certification. He is responsible for the turnarounds portfolio in LBS, and has written a dozen cases on turnarounds and has spoken at industry events and advised clients on issues pertaining to transformation and strategy.

PresenterProfessor of Strategy at London Business School, ALTO Where Leaders Meet

ALTO invites those leaders and decision makers of agencies and schools who would like a taster session from the association's top quality professional development: Michael G Jacobides – Succeeding in a world of platforms and digital ecosystems
One of the most dramatic changes over the last few years has been the meteoric growth of firms like Big Tech who have based their success on the judicious use of platforms and digital ecosystems. Michael G. Jacobides, one of the worlds’ authorities on the subject, will consider how you can take advantage of these opportunities and how you can avoid the trap of building an ego-system, but instead build a solid ecosystem strategy.

14:00 - 14:25Tegel

Online education: a vital addition to any agency's portfolio

Presentation

Alina Grygorian

Alina Grygorian – expert in international education for 7 years, CEO at StudyGRI – boutique agency based in the Netherlands. Every year we send 120+ students to study at TOP universities and boarding schools in the USA, United Kingdom and the Netherlands. 20% of StudyGRI clients choose studies online while 80% choose studying overseas. For partnership, we choose ranking universities and schools that provide quality service, customer support, study, and great living conditions to our clients. StudyGRI has launched first online school for deaf kids in cooperation with American School for Deaf.

PanelistCEO, StudyGRI

Sergey Krasnyanskiy

Sergey studied in Russia, Ukraine and Germany and achieved two Master of Science degrees in Economics, Marketing and Controlling. He started his career at ICEF in 2000 and has been working in a variety of positions with agents as well as with educators and service providers from all over the world while focusing on the CIS market. Since 2012 he holds the position of Director CIS and manages parts of Eastern and Western Europe, Central Asia and the Caucasus. Since 2022 Sergey has been actively involved in ICEF's newly established division that focuses on growth opportunities and strategical developments in the area of Online Education, Digital Technologies and AI powered innovations.

PresenterDirector CIS, ICEF

Especially due to the Covid lockdowns in 2020, educational providers rapidly had to embrace virtual and hybrid learning formats, ultimately turning them into serious players in the world of e-learning. At first, there were doubts and concerns about online learning competing with in-person education. However, the common consensus now is that digital learning formats, including online programs, digital credentials, virtual internships, hybrid learning, and blended programs, provide substantial value to the international education sector, such as convenience, flexibility, and affordability. Much of the credit for this rapid growth belongs to student recruitment agencies, who serve as valued business partners to educators and trusted advisors to millions of international students.

In this seminar, we will explore the various benefits of digital, virtual, and online formats and discuss why they cannot be overlooked in any agency's portfolio. We will also explain and address questions related to the ‘ICEF Student Recruitment for Online Programs’ networking initiative in January: a unique virtual event where providers of e-learning formats, solutions, and products have the opportunity to meet with agencies experienced in the promotion of online learning.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vuICCCYWZ6FBxkeqfSydlYGbwTe9uzTN/view?usp=sharing

14:00 - 14:25Tiergarten

Navigating the Canadian high school landscape more effectively and efficiently

Presentation

Bonnie McKie

Bonnie’s career in international education began in 2001 with her starting the International Student Program for the Surrey School District. The program grew steadily under her leadership until she relocated to Calgary, AB in 2007. Shortly thereafter and upon incorporation of CAPS-I in 2008, Bonnie took on the role of Executive Coordinator, later becoming the Executive Director and continues to provide leadership for the organization today. Bonnie currently serves on the Canadian Bureau for International Education’s Immigration Advisory Committee and is a member of CANIE, Climate Action Network for International Educators. She led the Global Alliance of Education and Language Associations with a membership of leading education and language association from around the globe, as Co-Convenor from 2017-2020. Bonnie also served on the Executive Committee of IPSEA (International Public School Education Association of BC) as Treasurer and Vice-President from 2005-2007. Bonnie resides in a suburb of Vancouver and has two grown children.

PresenterExecutive Director, CAPS-I, Languages Canada

Lisa Williamson

Lisa Williamson is the Marketing and Communications Manager for the Canadian Association of Public Schools – International (CAPS-I), a position she has held since August 2017. She brings over 20 years of experience in International Education within the public K–12 sector and holds a Master of Business Administration from Royal Roads University, specializing in International Business and Innovation. Based in the Vancouver, British Columbia area, Lisa enjoys spending her free time with her family and in the beautiful outdoors, dragon boating, skiing, cycling, and running.

PresenterMarketing & Communications Manager, Languages Canada

Canada continues to be the most popular destination for international high school students because of the excellence of education and variety of programs and destinations from coast to coast. However, ‘more to choose from’ could mean it’s time consuming and challenging to find the ‘best fit’ for a young, minor student. This presentation will provide practical insights as well as useful tips and tools to support agents in navigating the Canadian high school landscape more effectively and efficiently. Agents will also learn about the professional learning opportunities available at no cost, to help build ‘Canadian’ expertise within their staff.

Canadian Association of Public Schools - International is celebrating it’s 15th years in 2023 and is a national non-profit association comprised of 130 public school /boards districts offering education from the primary grades through to high school graduation.

14:30 - 14:55Bellevue

The German language travel market: Aspects – Figures – Issues

Presentation

Olaf Bärenfänger

Prof. Dr. Olaf Bärenfänger is the director of the Language Centre at Leipzig University. He studied German Philology and Philosophy at Heidelberg University and at the Université de Paris-Sorbonne. After receiving his M.A. from Heidelberg University in 1998, Olaf Bärenfänger received his Ph.D. from Bielefeld University with a thesis on research methodology. In 2016, Leipzig University awarded him the venia legendi for German as a Foreign and Second Language. Olaf Bärenfänger’s research interests include multilingualism, language(s) for academic and specific purposes, assessment, quality management, research methodology, and foreign and second language acquisition research. Olaf Bärenfänger has published widely on these topics in international journals. He also directed a considerable number of research projects covering the topics mentioned above. Olaf Bärenfänger has lectured at many universities in Germany, in Europe and overseas. He is also a frequent instructor in staff trainings. Olaf Bärenfänger is vice president and co-founder of the Institute for Test Research and Test Development (ITT). He is member of the academic boards of the Federal Ministry of the Interior, of the Federal Ministry for Labour and Social Affairs, of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and of the Goethe Institute. Olaf Bärenfänger has been a member of the FDSV’s Academic Advisory Board since 2017. In this role, he evaluates the language stays and courses offered by the FDSV members.

PresenterMember of the Academic Advisory Board, Fachverband Deutscher Sprachschulen und Sprachreise Veranstalter (FDSV)

Language travel provides excellent opportunities to acquire the linguistic and cultural skills required by our increasingly globalized world. In this presentation, I will first highlight the most important features of products and services related to language travel. In a second step, I will discuss results from a market survey conducted in 2023. For this survey, a significant number of German language travel agents provided data on the target groups related to linguistic stays, target languages, main destinations, the average duration of stay, purposes of linguistic stays, and market developments. In the third section, I will discuss recent developments in the German language travel market.

14:30 - 14:55Charlottenburg

Five student research insights to take with you into 2024

Presentation

Ross Holmes

Ross Holmes is Vice President, Global Brand Solutions at ICEF, where he leads commercial strategy and revenue growth across ICEF’s global portfolio of service provider clients. He also oversees ICEF’s Market Intelligence division, including ICEF Monitor and ICEF Insights. Ross began his career in international education in 2007, organising student fairs and agent workshops across Brazil and Latin America. After five years, he returned to the UK to help major brands such as HSBC, British Airways, and Harrods develop strategies to engage international students. Since joining ICEF in 2013, Ross has played a central role in connecting education institutions, student recruitment agencies, and service providers around the world.

PresenterVP, Partnerships and Publishing, ICEF

A round-up of key research findings to guide planning and strategy over the year ahead.

This presentation draws from 232,000 international student responses to three key surveys to draw five insights. These insights concern student motivations, career services, use of agents, feelings about mental health counselling, and expectations regarding how quickly they should receive answers to their enquiries

14:30 - 15:25Tegel

How to build effective relationships in 25 minutes • Agencies

Presentation

Stephanie Zimmermann

A leader in international education and partnership development, Stephanie brings nearly 20 years of experience in fostering global education opportunities. As Agent Relations Director at ICEF, she specializes in assisting agents to develop strategic partnerships that strengthen international student recruitment networks and enhance global collaboration. Stephanie is highly skilled in supporting student recruitment agents, helping them establish effective communication strategies and align their approaches with institutional recruitment goals. She has also played a key role in the development and implementation of the ICEF Agency Status (IAS) accreditation program, working closely with agencies to promote rigorous industry standards. A recognized thought leader, Stephanie is a regular speaker at industry conferences and webinars, providing insights into global education trends, agent engagement strategies, and international student mobility. She also shares her expertise in cross-cultural collaboration and data-driven decision-making to support the evolving needs of the international education sector.

PresenterAgent Relations Director, ICEF

Tiffany Egler

Tiffany is a leading professional in the field of agent relations. As Director of the Agents Department at ICEF, her knowledge and dedication has been crucial to the development of ICEF events and agent recruitment. During her tenure of over 20 years at ICEF, Tiffany has overseen the successful organisation of most of ICEF’s agent events and today manages an international team which continues to develop and to increase efforts to ensure the recruitment of professional study abroad agents worldwide.

PresenterExecutive Director Event Management & Agent Relations, ICEF

This session will provide student recruitment agencies with a step-by-step guide on how to make the most out of their participation at ICEF events in general and ICEF Berlin in particular.

The session will cover the following topics:
- How to maximise your time during the event
- Post-event follow-up and agent contracts
- How to maximise your working relationship with providers

14:30 - 14:55Tiergarten

How much will your students earn after graduating in Canada?

Presentation

Diego Sanchez

Diego is Director, International Affairs at Languages Canada. He has over 10 years’ experience in the private and public sectors, having worked at Global Affairs Canada and different international NGOs. Past experiences entailed working with education agents, government, associations, and chambers of commerce to organize trade missions around the globe. Diego is fluent in English, French, Spanish and Portuguese and has advanced knowledge of German.

PresenterDirector, International Affairs, Languages Canada

Do you know what the ROI is when your students choose to study in Canada? In how much time can they recuperate thousands of dollars paid towards international tuition fees?

Formal education in Canadian educational institutions provides newcomers with high-quality occupational skills tailored towards the Canadian labour market and good knowledge of Canadian society and economy.

Research evidence shows that a large part of the earnings advantages associated with Canadian study experience originated from better official language skills. The higher the knowledge of English or French, the more will newcomers earn once entering the Canadian labour market.

Join this session to learn how to better prepare your students for their financial success in Canada! After all, their success is the success of your institution.

15:00 - 15:25Bellevue

Study abroad and beyond: an overview of English proficiency and assessment for successful student exchange experiences

Presentation

Cynthia Werner

Cynthia Werner (Ph.D.) works as Academic and Government Relations Manager for ETS Global DACH. In her position, she strives for adding value to the national and international education sector including secondary and tertiary education, ministries, governmental institutions, language schools, test centres, and other education-relevant bodies and associations. She specializes in English language methodology and assessment, strategic development and quality in Higher Education, and international student career and mobility. Her background ranges from lecturing at Victoria University of Wellington (NZ), directing a high school in Germany, establishing and managing an academy of teacher training, acting as a consultant for school development, quality and international affairs, and teaching English.

PresenterAcademic and Government Relations Manager Central Europe, Eastern Europe, Nordics ETS, ETS Global B.V.

English language proficiency facilitates effective communication across national and cultural borders and provides access to a wide range of study opportunities, career advancements, and self-development. Thus, English language assessment forms a valuable pillar for educational consultants and recruitment agencies and generates benefits and advantages for international student mobility programs. ETS Global provides a latitude of worldwide recognized and accepted English language assessments. TOEFL iBT® is a popular and renowned English language test that allows students to measure and evaluate their academic English skills. TOEFL iBT® is accepted at more than 12,000 institutions worldwide in more than 160 countries and therefore a student`s entry ticket to conquering the world of study and career.

ETS Global cooperates with educational agents to expand and enhance their services, operations, and reputation.

15:00 - 15:55Charlottenburg

The formula to success: enhancing the international education journey

Panel discussion

Martijn van de Veen

Martijn van de Veen is the Chief Business Development Officer at ICEF, a leading global organisation that facilitates connections within the international education industry. In his role, Martijn oversees strategic growth initiatives, with a current focus on emerging study destinations, particularly in East and Southeast Asia. He also explores the synergies between online learning and international education and is responsible for strategic growth within relevant industry verticals, especially digital/AI, accommodation, and finance. On top of being the host of the leading ICEF Podcast series for international education professionals, Martijn frequently moderates ICEF webinars as well as panel discussions at ICEF events around the world, covering topics from policy changes and digital innovations to student flows and emerging destinations. In addition, in 2023 Martijn was recognised as one of the 50 leading voices in European international education by The Pie News. Martijn's extensive career in international education includes his time as the Global Director of the International Student Identity Card (ISIC) and as the Founder and MD of ‘Student Card Service Japan’. With a degree in Japanese, French, and International Business Communications, and having lived and worked in multiple international locations including Tokyo, Paris, Ho Chi Minh City, Vancouver, Bangkok and Amsterdam, Martijn brings a wealth of international education sector insights and a broad global perspective.

ModeratorChief Business Development Officer, ICEF

Courtney Gillan

Courtney Gillan leads Global Business Development Initiatives for Educate Online. Over the past 20 years, she has been involved in International Education through various leadership roles in Universities, Public & Private K-12 schools, and language institutes in Canada, the US, the UK, South Korea, and Russia. She has spent the majority of her career fortifying institutional partnerships and collaborating with education agents worldwide to boost school enrolment and to provide the experience of study abroad to thousands of students. It is the opportunities afforded to students with a global education that motivates Courtney and one of the reasons she is so passionate about borderless learning online.

PanelistGlobal Business Development Advisor, Educate Online Inc.

Jonathan Burdick

Jonathan Burdick has led admissions for 38 years at three USA universities: his alma mater, USC; the University of Rochester; and most recently as former Vice Provost for Enrollment at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. Throughout his career he pioneered innovative approaches in marketing and outreach, admissions review, financial aid and scholarships, technology, partnerships with schools and organizations, mentoring staff, and bringing a practitioner’s focus to data-driven strategies and decisions.

PanelistMember of NOIC Academy Advisory Board, NOIC Academy

Fredrik van Huynh

Fredrik van Huynh is an award-winning Swedish-Cambodian Entrepreneur, World Traveler and Martial Artist. Co-Founder of Absolute Internship, an award-winning leading global internship program matching students with internships at top companies around the globe. Frequently covered by Forbes Magazine, The New York Times, Bloomberg Businessweek, Financial Times, Entrepreneur Magazine and BBC News, Fredrik is recognized as one of Sweden’s top entrepreneurs, having built a multi-million dollar business from the ground up.

PanelistCEO & Co-Founder, Absolute Internship

Securing a degree from a quality institution in a renowned study destination is traditionally a guarantee for a head start on the employment market, whether in the host country or back home. However, mainly due to the widening 'skills gap,' employers are shifting their focus beyond degrees alone. They're seeking candidates not only with the right degree but also with additional skills such as project management expertise, proficiency in multiple languages, strong interpersonal and intercultural skills, and the capacity for creative thinking, for example.

How can agents and educators best assist students in preparing for a more demanding job market? What options are available during, in between, or after their studies? What additional opportunities exist, whether offline or online? And what other factors can help students improve their education outcomes and increase their chances on the job market?

15:00 - 15:25Köpenick I-II

Fostering multicultural integration in the classroom: a pathway to career success

Presentation

Jannyree Gongora

With over 15 years in international higher education, she has built her career at the intersection of education and culture, guiding students worldwide. Holding degrees in International Relations, International Business, and International Conflict Communications, she combines academic insight with hands-on experience in global student recruitment. As a member of the Executive and Management Committees, she leads a team of 60+ professionals from 35 nationalities, driving growth strategies, scalability, and sustainable business development. Passionate about education and intercultural exchange, she creates initiatives that expand opportunities for students while keeping people and purpose at the heart of her leadership.

PresenterSales and Marketing Director, EU Business School

In today's increasingly globalized world, the importance of multicultural integration in the classroom cannot be overstated. This encapsulates a profound concept that serves as the cornerstone for individual and societal advancement.

In educational settings, multicultural integration refers to the harmonious coexistence and interaction of diverse cultural backgrounds within a single learning environment. It is a dynamic process that involves embracing and celebrating differences while promoting inclusivity and understanding among students and educators alike. This not only enriches the educational experience but also cultivates essential life skills.

The classroom is where the seeds of multicultural integration are sown, nurturing the development of cultural competence, empathy, and open-mindedness. These attributes, in turn, become valuable assets on the journey towards career success. In a global job market, individuals who have been exposed to diverse perspectives and worldviews possess a competitive edge. They are better equipped to communicate, collaborate and navigate the complexities of our interconnected world.

At EU Business School, we highlight the symbiotic relationship between multicultural integration and career success, emphasizing how the classroom serves as the incubator for the skills and attitudes that pave the way for personal and professional achievement. We underscore the idea that embracing diversity is not only morally imperative but also a practical strategy for thriving in today's multifaceted, multicultural society.

15:00 - 15:25Tiergarten

The Canadian college advantage: pathways to success

Presentation

Kiley Fithen

With a career spanning over two vibrant decades, Kiley Fithen is the Senior Project Officer, International Marketing and Recruitment with Colleges and Institutes Canada. She plays a key role in developing strategic trade missions in target markets for members of Colleges and Institutes Canada, an association comprising over 140 institutions from across Canada.

PresenterSenior Project Officer - International Marketing and Recruitment, Languages Canada

Explore the distinctive advantages of the Canadian post-secondary education system, with a special focus on the remarkable flexibility and exceptional value it offers to international students.

In this session, Kiley Fithen from Colleges & Institutes Canada (CICan) will offer a comprehensive overview of recent immigration statistics related to study permits and international students enrolling in Canadian colleges. You will discover how pursuing higher education in Canada can be a transformative experience, providing unparalleled opportunities for growth, career advancement, and cultural enrichment.

Uncover the unique strengths that make Canadian colleges an ideal choice for students seeking a world-class education in a diverse and welcoming environment.

15:30 - 15:55Bellevue

Technology, Training and Compliance: strengthening trust and success together

Presentation

Scott Harper

Scott Harper is a seasoned, global sales leader with more than 20 years of comprehensive sales and business development experience. Scott, as Vice President of Global Sales at ApplyBoard, has driven the company's dynamic growth with teams in more than 30 markets that has helped more than 150,000 students through their international student journey. His past roles in the technology and software sector have always looked global and is what drives his vision for the positive impact he continues to deliver for students and partners.

PresenterChief Revenue Officer, ApplyBoard Inc.

International student trends are shifting every year, but one thing is clear: more and more students are going abroad to further their education. With more students year-over-year taking the leap overseas, how can institutions and governments ensure students are adequately supported by those they wish to work with? Training and compliance are essential and technology will have a significant role in ensuring both meet the highest standard. Hear from ApplyBoard's Chief Revenue Officer, Scott Harper, as he discusses the challenges and solutions to this important topic that is already creating positive outcomes for institutions and students alike.

15:30 - 15:55Köpenick I-II

The transformation of Global Education Group: unlocking new partnership opportunities

Presentation

Raj Kapoor

With over 35 years of leadership experience in higher education management, Raj has successfully bridged academic and administrative functions to deliver sustainable growth and innovation. In his current role with GEDU, he designs and implements strategies to enhance international student enrolment while fostering diversity and inclusion. He has recruited and developed talent across 40+ countries and works closely with a global network of more than 3,000 recruitment partners. Raj is a regular contributor at international conferences, university exhibitions, and education forums, where he shares insights on global student recruitment and higher education trends.

PresenterHead of International Student Recruitment, Global Education Group (GEDU)

Leo Falcone

Leo is the Group Managing Director of GEDU. He initially joined the GEDU group as Managing Director of GBS in 2021, bringing a wealth of experience having worked internationally as a strategy, transformation, and higher education leader for over 25 years. His most recent position was as Vice President, Transformation, Strategy and Planning at Richmond at the American International University in London. As Group Managing Director, Leo is responsible for the day-to-day operations of all GEDU group businesses and plays a key role in the development of the future strategic direction of the business worldwide.

PresenterGroup Managing Director, Global Education Group (GEDU)

This engaging session has been carefully designed to provide valuable insights into the transformation of GEDU (Global Education Group). The audience will have the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the core principles and objectives that have driven the organisation's growth and expansion, from its inception to its current status as a globally recognized success story.

As we delve into this journey, we will share GEDU's expansion into global markets and highlight the unique qualities that define each of our current brands. Additionally, we will outline our vision for the future of GEDU and provide an overview of how our partners can leverage our expansion in the coming years.

15:30 - 16:30Schöneberg

ALTO Projects for the International Education Industry: Best Practice Guidelines and Dynamic Pricing working group

Presentation

Selim Dervish

Selim has been in the education industry for over a decade now in different capacities and has experienced both the school and the agent sides. He is highly passionate about the industry due to many facts. He believes the connections that are being created by industry stakeholders help people gather from all around the world and start to understand each other on better grounds and on many different levels. Also, intercultural interactions enable the global society to ease off their prejudices about several stigmas they may have been culturally exposed to in their home countries. Serving a cause much greater than commercial concerns, he believes that the industry has a very bright and exciting future with lots of potential development opportunities ahead, especially in the technology field regardless of the many challenges it is facing today as a result of the pandemic.

PresenterDirector, ALTO Where Leaders Meet

Reka Lenart

Reka has been working in the international education industry for 25 years. She started as an educational consultant sending students abroad from Hungary and when she moved to London in 2003, she worked as the Marketing Director of a chain school. When ALTO became an independent association in 2010, the Board approached her with an opportunity to assist them overseeing the membership and looking after all aspects of operation. It has been a great experience for Reka working with the “crème de la crème” of the industry, seeing how closely knit and supportive industry players are even in the most challenging times we’ve ever experienced in our lives.

PresenterAssociation Manager, ALTO Where Leaders Meet

Find out more about the ALTO Best Practice Guideline which aims to create a framework for organisations within the international education industry, where each acknowledges and accepts their reciprocal commitments to work as true partners (presented by Reka Lenart) Get up to date with the latest discussions of our Dynamic Pricing working group within the association (presented by Selim Dervish)

15:30 - 15:55Tegel

Develop successful agent/educator relationships for great student outcomes

Panel discussion

David Anthonisz

David is the Director, International Student Recruitment at St. George’s University, Grenada. He has over 30 years’ education industry experience working in the private sector both as a business owner and for international education groups, Oxford International and Study Group, and in the public sector as Commercial Director International at De Montfort University, UK. David is also the former Chair of ALTO.

PanelistExecutive Director, International Student Recruitment, St. George's University, School of Medicine

Hadeel Albik

Hadeel Albiek is a marketing and business development manager at Yes Atlas. She has experience in the fields of business management, marketing analytics, business development, marketing strategies, research, and relationship sustainability. She has gained 8 years of experience in the Middle East market, and especially the Language market in Saudi Arabia. Hadeel holds a bachelor degree of Software Engineering from the Arab International University, Damascus, Syria.

PanelistMarketing Director, Yes Atlas

Stacey Crosskill

With a 15 year background in international education, Stacey has enjoyed a varied career in the sector, spanning marketing, content, and digital platform development. Having built and led a variety of teams, and coached and trained colleagues from across a range of disciplines within the industry, Stacey transitioned fully into the professional development space in 2021, leading the creation of product training solutions for education agents. Joining ICEF in early 2022, Stacey spearheaded the evolution of ICEF’s industry training portfolio, which was relaunched in October 2022 as ICEF Academy. Since then, ICEF Academy has expanded its footprint, offering a rich portfolio of professional development and certification offerings for both agents and educators. The evolution will continue across 2025, with new course releases and an exciting new self-service training platform for educators.

PresenterDirector, ICEF Academy, ICEF

In this session a panel will discuss their best strategies for building strong and fruitful agent/educator relationships, share some of their success stories, and discuss the potential challenges involved and how to overcome them. All with a view to delivering the best possible outcomes for agent, institution and student.

15:30 - 16:25Tiergarten

Beyond admission: supporting international students' well-being

Panel discussion

Vanessa-Sophia Verworn

ModeratorBusiness Development Manager, USA & Canada, ICEF

Susan Fang

With over 20 years of experience leading one of East Asia's most successful education agencies focused on international student recruitment to 120 UK higher ed and 400 K12 independent school partners, Susan Fang is THE go-to champion of British education, bridging the information gap between the East and the West. After joining NLCS and the University of Cambridge as an international student, she became inspired to empower scholars from around the world to receive a world-class education in the UK. When not parenting her two teenage daughters and advocating for British education, she enjoys running marathons in the great outdoors. In 2023 alone, Susan and her company have amassed the following recognitions: - Asian Women Achievement Awards Finalist in the Entrepreneur Category - EducationInvestor Awards Finalist in the Business Woman of the Year Category - Lead5050 Inspiring Women of the Year Finalist - Mulan Annual Awards Contribution to Education Finalist - The PIE 50 Voices in Education (Europe) - University of Exeter Annual Awards Winner of Most Innovative Education Consultancy - StudyGroup Annual Awards Winner of Best Education Consultancy - University of Sussex Annual Awards Winner of Best Education Consultancy - The PIEoneer Education Consultancy of the Year Finalist

PanelistCo-founder & CEO, OxBridge Holdings Inc.

Glenn Jones

PanelistProduct Manager, Educatius

Ann MacDonald

Ann MacDonald is the Associate Registrar and Director of Recruitment and Admissions at Dalhousie University. Prior to joining Dalhousie in 2019, Ann worked in a variety of leadership roles within the English language training and testing sector. She has experience in recruitment and international partnerships and has worked with students, partners and colleagues around the world to advance Canada’s language training and post-secondary education sectors for over twenty years.

PanelistDirector, Recruitment & Admissions, Dalhousie University

Katy Nicketakis

Katy Nicketakis has worked in education for over 20 years as a teacher, summer programs director, coach, marketing director and admissions director. She loves making international connections to spread the power of education across the globe and therefore encourage cultural communication and peace. In her free time, she enjoys travel (obviously), cooking, tennis, skiing, reading, and hiking.

PanelistDirector of Enrollment, Lincoln Academy

Student recruitment professionals have a responsibility to provide comprehensive guidance and support to their international students throughout the recruitment journey, from inquiry to admission. But what happens next? Where does the responsibility of the recruitment professional really end? Do recruitment professionals have an ongoing responsibility for the well-being and success of their students? And if so, until where and when?

This panel discussion will aim to provide answers to these questions and assess recruitment professionals' responsibilities for student well-being, using examples and use cases. Panellists will also provide guidance on how recruiters can identify and address student needs, give best practices for recruiters to maintain contact with students after acceptance, and stress the importance of collaboration between recruiters and other student support services.

16:00 - 16:25Bellevue

Best practice for booking student accommodation in the UK

Presentation

Jools Horton-Lakins

Jools Horton-Lakins has been Head of Operations for Britannia Student Services for 5 years, joining the company with over 15 years experience in multiple roles within the EFL industry. Originally an international student himself, studying in Spain, he became an English language teacher, working both in the UK and Europe for 12 years, including 5 years as a summer language centre manager. He then moved into operations for a major English language school, with multiple campuses across the UK and globally, developing best practise procedures for the group. In this role, Jools gained valuable experience in student accommodation for adult and junior programmes. As Head of Operations for Britannia, Jools oversees the daily running of the business, ensuring alignment to strategy, developing opportunities for growth and maintaining relationships with our partners. He has successfully helped transition the business to cope with the global market during the pandemic and has been instrumental in devising strategies to enhance recovery.

PresenterHead of Operations, Britannia Student Services

Jools Horton-Lakins will share insights for international agents into best practices for booking all types of student accommodation in London, and across the UK.

He will provide and discuss industry data from various sources which will assist international agents in both short- and long-term planning to meet the needs of their students. This presentation will also explore the challenges facing international agents and their students in the UK market, and how these might be overcome.

Jools’ has established best practices across many disciplines, from booking processes to safeguarding compliance, and will use this expertise and industry data to guide discussions.

This will be an interactive session where questions and observations will be welcomed.

16:00 - 16:55Charlottenburg

Transparency of data in the aggregator era

Presentation followed by panel

Kirill Mirgorod

Kirill Mirgorod is a Business Development Manager at ICEF. His primary focus is the new ICEF Digital initiative designed to build the bridge between the rapidly growing digital market and Education Institutions around the globe. Kirill started his international business development career in China, where he spent six years assisting high-tech, digital and innovative companies to attract investments, relocate and adapt their products and services to the local market. Having linguistic and pedagogical training, he took a natural step towards the Edtech industry, having worked at an Edtech unicorn - Skyeng, bringing a line of digital products to the ESL markets, mainly in Asia and Latin America. Kirill speaks English, Chinese and Russian, and a tiny bit of French.

ModeratorBusiness Development Manager, ICEF

Jake Patidar

I am Jake Patidar the Regional Manager for India and Sri Lanka at De Montfort University. I have completed my Bachelors and Master’s degree from De Montfort University. I have been in the higher education industry for 6 years with vast experience in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. Over the years I have helped De Montfort University become one of the highest recruiters from India and Sri Lanka whilst ensuring strict compliance has been maintained. With compliance being at the forefront of many universities at the moment I have been instrumental in the credibility process implemented whilst improving the service offering from the university to ensure we are above the market standards. I look forward to meeting you all at ICEF Berlin

PanelistRegional Manager (South Asia), De Montfort University

Annie Deroo

In 2003, after almost 20 years of experience, I created my own cultural exchange agency in Lille, France. I used to work as an Export Manager for various French fashion and cosmetics companies, in the Middle East Area, Japan, the North and South American markets. 20 years ago, I decided to come back to France and settle. I used my international background to create Solution Education & Travel and convey the knowledge acquired throughout my experiences. I decided to help the younger ones to travel and lead them to open their eyes to the world. In 2010, life took me to Berlin where I work remotely for my French students. I consider my agency as a medium-sized European Cultural Exchange Agency. My motto is “Learning by doing” so I try to offer mostly Study & Work programs.

PanelistDirector, Solution Education & Travel

Christopher Price

LONG VERSION: Chris Price is a Director and the CEO/Principal Advisor of Adventus Education. He is a highly experienced international education professional with 20 years experience of internationalisation, teaching, marketing and recruitment in Higher and Further Education. Educated in both the UK and USA, he has a Bachelor’s degree in International Politics and History, a Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing, and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (FCIM) and a member of the Academy of Marketing. Chris held several international leadership positions in international education including on the Steering Committee and Board (latterly as the acting co-chair) of the EAIE Marketing and Recruitment Professional Section (for over 10 years), the international committee of the National Association of Graduate Admission Professions (NAGAP), representing London-based universities in the British Universities International Officers Association (BULIA) and several other leadership positions. He is also a regular speaker at international education conferences including NAFSA (USA), British Council, Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE), DAAD (Germany), Dutch Higher Education Network for International Marketing (Netherlands), ICEF, Education New Zealand, and many others. SHORTER VERSION: A highly experienced, multi award-winning international education professional, with over 30 years experience in internationalisation, marketing and recruitment in international and domestic higher education. Chris boasts extensive management and leadership experience having worked for both public and private sector institutions (the University of Westminster, the University of West London and Navitas (Brunel University). He is a former member of the General Council of the European Association for International Education (EAIE) and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (FCIM). Chris now holds the role of Senior Vice President - Partnerships (UK & Europe) at Adventus.io, the international student recruitment marketplace.

PresenterDirector of Business Development and Partnerships (UK and Europe), Adventus

The growth of agent aggregators and digital recruitment platforms generates mixed reactions from both education providers and recruitment agencies. On the one hand, there's excitement about the many benefits these platforms bring, such as increased reach and visibility, improved efficiency and access to data and insights. On the other hand, there are concerns, particularly regarding transparency. How is data used, traded and shared? Who are the platform’s recruitment partners and how can they guarantee their quality standards, transparency? In this session we will look at this important topic of transparency among agent recruitment platforms, debunk common misconceptions, and offer guidance on achieving the right level of transparency.

16:00 - 16:25Köpenick I-II

Career support in the Canadian labour market through ILAC’s Canada Employment Forum

Presentation

John DeFranco

As CEO of ILAC Education Group and a first-generation Canadian, John DeFranco is passionate about creating opportunities for international students to “Dream Big” in Canada. A graduate of Western University with a degree in business, John spent most of his career in retail and service organizations. He has held several executive leadership roles, including Chief Commercial Officer at Staples Canada, where he co-led a multi-year transformation which strengthened the brand and helped it grow into a working and learning company made for the changing needs of today’s entrepreneurs, teachers, parents and students. John was also President of PetSmart Canada where his leadership propelled the organization forward and made it the largest and fastest growing pet retailer in Canada. John also spent 13 years at Home Depot Canada in progressive roles in Store Development, Merchandising and Strategic Planning. John is currently on the board of Career Colleges Ontario helping to create quality outcomes for international students.

PresenterCEO, ILAC Education Group

Join us for a session where we will discuss the opportunities for our students to find the ideal co-op placements within their chosen fields of study amidst Canada's competitive job market.

In this seminar, we will explore how the international students can navigate the Canadian employment landscape and highlight the essential role that Pre-Arrival support plays in addressing these challenges. The Session will include such topics as pre-Arrival Preparation, higher education Insights, job Fairs, resume Preparation and other CEF’s initiatives to create career opportunities for the International students in Canada.

16:00 - 16:25Tegel

ICEF Agency Status: Build trust, save time & grow your business

Presentation

Tiffany Egler

PresenterExecutive Director Event Management & Agent Relations, ICEF

Stephanie Zimmermann

PresenterAgent Relations Director, ICEF

Find out how ICEF are leading the way in quality assurance for international education agencies with ICEF Agency Status

This session is for agencies and educational institutions wanting to find out more about ICEF’s expanded agency accreditation program: ICEF Agency Status (IAS). It is more important than ever for professional agents to distinguish themselves and demonstrate their standards to educational institutions and students - hear about how IAS benefits the whole sector, as well as the eligibility requirements for agencies such as background and reference checks and their endorsement of the ICEF Code of Conduct. You’ll find out more about how reputable agencies can be instantly verified using a unique badge, ID and QR code based on blockchain technology, and our new global online network of accredited agencies.

A must-attend session for anyone interested in how ICEF are driving professional standards in international student recruitment for improved student outcomes.

16:30 - 16:55Bellevue

Recruiting scholarship-funded students from the Middle East

Panel discussion

Nabil Najd

Nabil joined ICEF in 2011, initially serving as the Agent Relations and Business Development Manager for the Middle Eastern and North African markets. In 2018. He later became the Director MENA Region at ICEF and currently holds the position of Managing Director for the MENA Region at ICEF since 2023. During his tenure, Nabil has successfully expanded ICEF's reach in the region by cultivating a strong network of industry contacts. He has focused on introducing high-quality agents to global events and establishing strategic connections and partnerships with education providers in the MENA region. Nabil also plays a crucial role in supporting and advising educational institutions new to working with study abroad agents and/or participating in ICEF events. His expertise lies in helping clients select the most suitable ICEF services to enhance their international student enrollments. Nabil holds a Master's degree in Automation Technology from the Technical University Berlin, Germany, which he earned in 2010. He is fluent in English, German, and his native language Arabic. Nabil's extensive experience, industry knowledge, and linguistic abilities make him an invaluable asset to ICEF and its endeavors in the MENA Region.

PanelistManaging Director, MENA Region, ICEF

Omid Honari

Omid Honari (http://linkedin.com/in/omid-honari) is General Manager of EMEA (Europe, Middle East & Africa) & Director of Global Sponsor Engagement for pre-eminent international education provider, Navitas (www.navitas.com). Navitas partners with universities around the world to provide on-campus English language and academic pathway programs; as well as establishes and manages offshore / international branch campuses of universities. Navitas is a global leader in international student mobility. Omid overseas the recruitment of thousands of international students per annum to study at campuses across the globe. His expertise is in market development, key client account management as well as sponsor engagement - development of business partnerships with government instrumentalities as well as semi-government organizations and institutions to structure academic paths for cohorts of higher learners. Omid speaks frequents at conferences, seminars and with the media. He was the 2019 recipient of the Forbes Middle East Education Award for Excellence, as well as numerous other accolades.

PanelistGeneral Manager- Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) & Director - Global Sponsor Engagement, Navitas

Ian Cann

Ian Cann is CRO at ICEF and has spent more than 15 years in international student recruitment, helping institutions build successful internationalization programs. He is a regular speaker at global conferences, sharing insights on recruitment strategies, international marketing, and regional market intelligence, with a focus on agent partnerships and ethical recruitment practices. He began his career in publishing at Time Inc. in London before transitioning into international education. He spent three years managing student fairs in Brazil before joining ICEF in 2009. A year later, he relocated to Barcelona, where he continues to play a key role in developing internationalization programs. Ian’s global experiences have shaped him into a multilingual, internationally minded professional committed to advancing best practices in student recruitment and institutional growth.

PresenterVP Americas, ICEF

This seminar will present information on the opportunities currently available to recruit scholarship-funded students, as well as practical advice on how to work successfully with scholarship organisations in the Gulf region, and the latest updates on the various Scholarship Programs from the Middle East.

16:30 - 16:55Köpenick I-II

How do education providers and education agents work together in Australia and New Zealand? A critical relationship

Panel discussion

Brett Blacker

Brett is the Chief Executive Officer of English Australia, the national peak body for English language colleges in Australia. Previous employment includes Director International, the University of Newcastle, Director of Murdoch International at Murdoch University, and also General Manager – Health, Allianz Global Assistance. He was a long-standing Board member and former President of the International Education Association of Australia (IEAA) and has served on numerous state and national Boards focused on international education, including the first-ever National Council for International Education.

PanelistManaging Director, Australia and New Zealand, English Australia

Mark Falvo

In 2018 Mark was appointed as Vice President, International at Laureate Australia and New Zealand (LANZ) following his previous roles within the organisation as General Manager, Business, ELICOS & International and Director of Operations and Strategic Initiatives. LANZ is part of Laureate International Universities, the world’s largest university network. This includes Media Design School, Think Education and Torrens University, Australia’s fastest growing and only multi state university. Mark is responsible for the overall strategic direction of our international department, including ongoing global projects, international student recruitment and admissions, along with student mobility for Torrens University. He is also responsible for establishing and nurturing international pathways within the Laureate network, particularly in the Latin American region. Mark is involved in liaison with our offshore recruitment hubs and in country delivery options for Torrens University Australia globally. Mark has been in international education for the last 20 years, primarily in ELICOS and Higher Education and has lived and worked in a variety of overseas and domestic locations.

PanelistGeneral Manager - Future Students, EDU Holdings Ltd

PO Ingvarsson

PanelistSenior Advisor, Your Study Advisor

Melanie Macfarlane

Melanie is managing 6 offices both in and outside of Australia with total of 50 staff. 14 years’ experience as a registered migration agent MARN 0319166 specialising in student and training visas as well as employer sponsorship and general skilled migration. Provides regular visa training through the Migration Institute of Australia to other migration agents. Melanie Macfarlane & Associates Pty Ltd, t/a MMMigration and VETA Education Consultancy, Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, Australia, Bogota, Medellin and Ibague Colombia. Self-employed Registered Migration Agent and Education Consultant, assisting Australian companies with corporate sponsorship and international students with education placement and internships / traineeships.

PanelistCEO, VETA

Romez Moukachar

Romez joined UP Education in May 2023, bringing with him over a decade of senior leadership experience across several industries – 9 years within the International Higher Education sector. An International engagement and sales strategy specialist, with extensive experience in driving innovation and large-scale growth in education, he is a well-known and respected leader in the ANZ International Education space. Romez’s success and passion for the industry stems from cultivating and building relationships across the many areas involved in International Student Recruitment and is a big believer of the industry “building together”.

PresenterDirector, International, UP Education

Education is a powerful catalyst for personal and societal growth, and the collaboration between education providers and education agents is at the heart of ensuring international students access quality education experiences in Australia and New Zealand. Join us for an insightful panel discussion where we explore the dynamics, challenges, and opportunities within this vital partnership.

Our distinguished panel features renowned experts from the education provider and education agent sectors in Australia and New Zealand. Drawing from their extensive experience, they will provide valuable insights into the intricacies of this essential relationship.

Discussion Highlights:
- Building Pathways to Education
- Ensuring Regulatory Compliance
- Effective Communication and Support
- Adaptation and Resilience

16:30 - 16:55Tegel

Why should international students choose Germany: Understanding the German bureaucracy and how to make the international student life journey smooth

Panel discussion

Lilia Usik

Studied German, English and literature in Kyiv, Berlin and London. She has held positions in the German Bundestag and the Federal Association of the German Security and Defence Industry. Focus on foreign policy, Europe, Eastern Europe, security, defence, citizen communication and public relations. Member of the CDU since 2016. 2021 - 2023 Member of BVV Lichtenberg. There she was involved in the areas of urban development, public order and transport, as well as youth welfare. Committees: Committee on Education, Youth and Family Committee on Urban Development, Building and Housing

PanelistMember of Parliament, CDU parliamentary group in the Berlin state parliament

Shon A. J

I'm Shon AJ, and my journey began as a student in Berlin. As I pursued my studies, I found myself drawn into the immigration industry, assisting students arriving in Germany from around the world. After completing my masters, I took the leap and established my own consultancy, a venture that ultimately guided over 450 students and fostered a team of 30+ dedicated professionals over six fruitful years. With a strategic vision, I made the decision to sell my initial venture to a partner and launch "Three Sixty Nine GmbH," a firm dedicated to revolutionizing immigration services through digital innovation. Now, I specialize in aiding onshore students and employees in Germany while also offering crucial support for service providers within and outside the country. Along the way, I've had the privilege of providing consultancy services to esteemed entities like Barmer Insurance and ICICI Bank Germany and much more. I'm not just a seasoned professional; I'm a visionary leader shaping the future of immigration services in Germany. My story is one of relentless passion and unwavering dedication.

PanelistFounder, Three Sixty Nine GmbH & Deassists

Stefan Ellmann

My name is Stefan Ellmann and I am International Sales Manager at CBS International Business School. I am 36 years old and have been working for CBS since January 2021. I completed my Bachelor's degree in International Business and Management in the Netherlands and my Master's degree in Sports Management in Heidelberg, Germany. During this time I had the opportunity to do several internships and an exchange semester in different countries, which gave me more experience in different areas. Before joining CBS, I worked as a Sales Manager for Berlitz Germany in various language centres. I also gained experience in finance during my 3 years as an accounting manager in a healthcare company in Germany. For me, the importance of education is the key to a successful future and helping young people achieve this goal is not just a job, it is a passion

PanelistInternational Sales Manager, CBS International Business School

Amit Herekar

Amit was born and raised in Dubai, UAE (with Indian roots) moved to Berlin, Germany as a Master’s student at a private state-recognised university in the winter semester of 2018. He has been working at BARMER Health Insurance since 2019 as an expat expert and work towards increasing BARMER’s reach to the international students planning to come study in Germany. As part of the Students & University Hub in berlin, we work towards making the process of navigating through the Healthcare system in Germany more smooth of these international students.

PresenterExpat Business Developement Specialist - Student & University Hub BARMER, BARMER Health Insurance

Germany is quickly becoming one of the world’s top education destinations for a number of reasons. But the students still face many issues before and after they get to Germany.

In this panel discussion, we would like to cover most of the key pain points to make student life in Germany better. Things international agencies should keep in mind, when offering Germany as a study destination to students.

Pain points that we will try to tackle: Visa process (including the German public health care system), German bureaucracy & labour market for students.

16:30 - 16:55Tiergarten

Navigating the Brazilian market: insights from the latest survey

Presentation

Alexandre Argenta

Academic background in foreign trade, marketing and law. International education consultant since 1994. CEO and Founder of Travelmate Intercâmbio since 2002. President of BELTA.

PresenterCEO, BELTA

In this session that zooms in on Brazil, Alexandre Argenta from BELTA (Brazilian Educational & Language Travel Association) will uncover trends that will help you gain a deep understanding of this dynamic market. Key highlights from a recent BELTA survey will be presented and will provide an in-depth analysis of consumer behaviour, market preferences and emerging opportunities in Brazil. Discover valuable data on market dynamics, customer expectations, and cultural nuances that can shape your business strategies.

Whether you are already recruiting from Brazil or considering options to include Brazil as a source country, this seminar will definitely help you with actionable insights, practical tips, and a comprehensive understanding of the Brazilian student recruitment landscape.

17:00 - 17:25Bellevue

AI in educational marketing: opportunities and outcomes

Presentation

Philippe Taza

Philippe founded HEM in 2008, a digital marketing agency dedicated to helping schools, colleges, agencies, and universities market themselves online. HEM offers expertise and services in lead generation, web design, content development, branding, PPC, SEO, social media, CRM, SIS, and analytics. Currently, HEM serves educational clients across North America, the UK, Europe, and Australia.

PresenterCEO, Higher Education Marketing

Few developments have had as much potential to disrupt and re-imagine digital marketing in recent years as AI. In the following presentation, Philippe Taza discusses the current state of AI in education marketing and outlines how it can be leveraged as a powerful tool in your school's digital marketing portfolio. He focuses on the role AI can play in content creation and branding, in opening up new advertising possibilities and stronger ROIs, as well as how AI is likely already impacting your ongoing marketing endeavours in the tools you use (such as Google, Meta, etc.). Ultimately, he will instill how AI is not the one stop "fix all" of marketing but another step in its gradual evolution.

- Big picture overview of AI or AI, ML, LLMs - Making sense of the acronyms
- Risks and Pitfalls of over-reliance on AI
- A captain at the helm" - tips to keep AI use on course
- Use cases in educational marketing

17:00 - 17:55Charlottenburg

Sustainability in international education: what needs to be done?

Panel discussion

Craig Riggs

Craig Riggs is the editor of ICEF Monitor, the industry's leading source of market intelligence for international student recruitment, and the publisher of ICEF Insights, an annual magazine focused on the most important trends and issues shaping international education. His work on both publications places him in constant contact with the latest research, best practices, and leading-edge strategies in the field. He has led international marketing for both private and public-sector institutions, is the co-founder of a longstanding consulting practice dedicated to publishing and education, and has more than 25 years’ experience in building international markets. Craig holds a Masters in Publishing and is an adjunct professor at Simon Fraser University.

ModeratorICEF Monitor, Editor in Chief, ICEF

Jonathan Dykes

Jonathan has spent most of his professional life in the language teaching industry. He started out as a teacher, working in Spain, Germany, and the UK, but soon moved into management, and ending up running a small multinational group of schools, several of which he started. Jonathan also set up Net Languages, one of the world’s first Web-based language schools, and in 2020 he co-founded Green Standard Schools, a global association of language schools that are committed to protecting the environment Jonathan is also working on six Erasmus KA2 projects, including Virtual Reality for Language Leaners (VR4LL) which was recently named as a finalist for the 2022 ELTons awards, in the category of Digital Innovation. He has also managed to obtain Erasmus funding to develop study materials for language learners that focus on environmental issues. Follow Jonathan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-dykes/ https://jonathandykesblog.wordpress.com/

PanelistOwner/Director Molehill Holdings and President Green Standard Schools, Green Standard Schools

Kirsten Matthes

PanelistDirector Global Cooperation Institute CANIE member, SRH Universities Germany I Berlin / CANIE member

The international education industry, like any other, needs to transform towards a more just, climate-conscious, and sustainable industry. With millions of students travelling overseas each year, we cannot ignore the sector’s significant carbon footprint, whilst international students themselves demand action from all industry stakeholders towards protecting their future and the well-being of our planet. In this panel discussion, we will discuss what the future of international education might look like in a world affected by climate change and discuss what can be done to make international education more sustainable.

17:00 - 17:25Köpenick I-II

Balancing your recruitment budget with inflation

Discussion

Katharine Ovens

Katharine Ovens has been working within the International Education Recruitment Sector for over 10 years. Starting with recruiting international students for UK boarding schools before moving into the higher education sector working across a wide array of regions worldwide. Currently working as the Interim Global Recruitment Director for University College Birmingham she is responsible for managing the UK and overseas recruitment teams as well as expanding the International Partnership Unit of the University.

PanelistInterim Global Recruitment Director, University College Birmingham

Karen Dancy

Karen is the Director of Recruitment and International at Olds College of Agriculture & Technology in Alberta, Canada. With extensive experience in international recruitment for public Canadian post-secondary institutions, working for larger universities with 20,000 students to her current role at a smaller college with 2000 students, maintaining tight budgets and being able to justify recruitment expenses has always been a requirement for her. At the start of her journey, Karen focused on figuring out how many recruitment activities she could cram into her schedule while still remaining within her budget. Now Karen’s focus is on balancing her department’s limited resources (time, budget, and personnel) while still achieving institutional diversity and growth mandates, and developing initiatives that will deliver the best ROI.

PanelistDirector, Recruitment and International, Olds College of Agriculture and Technology

Vanessa-Sophia Verworn

PresenterBusiness Development Manager, USA & Canada, ICEF

Let's take a deep dive into what school recruiters do as they look ahead at strategising an international recruitment plan while maximising an annual budget. This session will go through case studies, budget plans, the ability to cohort with other schools, and the use of proper channels to support a successful recruitment trip with maximum ROI. Join this session to get insights into how schools can navigate the challenging hurdles of where to spend budget effectively and how to manage and include third-party partnerships properly.

17:00 - 17:25Tegel

The needle in the haystack: how digital technologies are finding the best students

Presentation

Firoz Sait

Firoz has 21+ years of work experience in Sales, Sales Operation, Channel Management, Marketing and P&L management. He is a Law graduate and entrepreneur by heart, with experience working across industry, including Digital, Adtech, Media & Edtech. He has worked globally, for brands including Aviva and Monster before joining Edvoy. At Edvoy he has been instrumental in digitising the entire work flow and expanding into new regions. He has been a key player in building the business to 4X growth in his first year. An acclaimed Sales Professional, he is a well known Sales and Growth Coach who has enjoyed a role in developing people to achieve their goals. He has Won Vishista - Best Professional Award (IKON 2021) for his selfless support towards the educational sector and early stage startups. He was awarded, Excellence in Sales & Marketing at Guru World Summit 2021.

PresenterSenior Vice President - Global Sales, Edvoy

Competition for the best and brightest international students is accelerating. Pressure to recruit from a greater diversity of countries is increasing.

Recruiting in a wider world presents challenges. How do we find the right student, from somewhere in the world, and advise them on the right university for them, thousands of miles away? Compliance procedures to accommodate these requirements are also increasingly complex, with already over burdened administration.

We share insights into how to save time and costs with a data-driven approach. How using digital technologies for greater reach can support students in finding the right institution for them and ease compliance administration to university satisfaction.

Join us in our focus on bringing enthusiastic students, ready for the next step in their education journey, to their new study destination.

17:00 - 17:25Tiergarten

Argentina: positive perspectives of a market where reality overcomes fiction in a land full of opportunities

Presentation

Gabriela Ardito

Gabriela Ardito is Founder & CEO at VCE INTERNATIONAL and also the current the president of ARSAA Argentine Study Abroad Association. Passionate about progress, development and constant evolution, Gabriela started up as a very young ESL tutor to then be able to found her own language school, become a university lecturer & researcher and create her own Language Travel & HE consultancy business. Gabriela holds a Bachelor's in English Language, a Bachelor´s in Tourism & Hospitality, a PhD in Modern Languages, and has been involved in International Education for three decades - not only through her work as an agent but also in the Higher Education sector as Head of the Student Mobility Department at Universidad del Salvador in Buenos Aires and - most recently - as member of the ISEP Study Abroad Council of Advisors. Gabriela sometimes finds it hard to strike a balance between career and family life. However, that has not deterred her from engaging in diverse education industry collaborative projects and events with the aim of exploring new destinations for Latin-American students, working towards the growth of Argentina as a study abroad market and generating worldwide academic opportunities with the firm belief in international education as a transformative, life-changing means to foster understanding and promote cooperation among the peoples of all nations.

PresenterCEO & Founder, ARSAA - Argentine Study Abroad Association

In this seminar session, we will explore the best ways to collaborate with a resilient market through a combination of covert favourable circumstances. Nobody can understand the meaning of terms such as financial crisis, default, inflation and restricted currency better than an Argentinian, which may - on the surface structure - look rather daunting. However, that is exactly what has allowed Argentine education consultants to develop exceptional skills to keep study abroad programs alive despite all the hardships.

17:30 - 17:55Bellevue

GUS Germany universities: where German precision meets global vision

Presentation

Sagi Hartov

Sagi Hartov has been with GUS Group for more than 10 years, where he contributed to the successful development of BSBI, among others. Now he is focusing on the business units of GUS Germany GmbH with the aim to provide UE and htk, already today with future-oriented educational offers of tomorrow. After completing his master's degree at the Royal Academy of Music (RAM), Hartov served as a cultural attaché in London, working closely with the Mayor of London's office and organizing events at City Hall and other major venues in the UK. Between 2007 and 2011, he was director of the Tzavta Cultural Center in London.

PresenterCEO, Germany, Global University Systems

Laila Irfan

Laila Irfan is the Global Director of Recruitment for GISMA University of Applied Sciences, specializing in German education and global student recruitment since 2018. She expertly navigates the complexities of international recruitment, guiding students from diverse regions to Germany. Leveraging her deep understanding of the country’s educational landscape, Laila ensures students worldwide can access high-quality education in Germany. Her strategic approach has made her a key industry figure, dedicated to fostering global educational opportunities and building bridges between students and their academic aspirations in Germany. Laila is committed to expanding global access to education.

PresenterGlobal Director of Recruitment, University of Europe for Applied Sciences

We are united by a bold vision to cultivate a culture of innovation and excellence in education, empowering our students with the knowledge and skills they need to effect positive change in the world. Our mission is to nurture visionary leaders who are capable of driving meaningful impact for society. With a thriving student body of over 10,000+ learners across our various institutions, we offer a wide range of academic disciplines, including business, technology, data science, engineering, sports, and the fine arts. Students seeking to enroll in one of our esteemed institutions can choose from a selection of prime locations. Gus Germany GmbH is home to the following institutions:

- University of Europe for Applied Sciences (UE)
- Berlin School of Business & Innovation
- Gisma University of Applied Sciences
- htk academy
- IC University of Applied Sciences Amsterdam

Our institutions are located all around Europe (Berlin, Hamburg, Potsdam, Iserlohn, Barcelona, Paris, Amsterdam) as well as Dubai, where we offer the first german degree in the UAE.

17:30 - 17:55Köpenick I-II

Marketing & recruitment for medical degree programs: markets, tracks, methods

Panel discussion

Jennifer Stovall

A senior leader, with more than 10 years of international admissions & recruitment experience. Leveraging a charismatic, results-driven leadership style, highlights of my career include building positive relationships with stakeholders, government agencies, agents, graduates, and outside organizations to influence change, leading to increased collaboration, enhanced programs, and improved, novel processes. Whether in directing culturally diverse global teams, collaborating with partners, managing large-scale budgets, developing recruitment strategies, or drafting strategic plans, I regularly apply advanced business acumen and foresight to achieve organizational goals. Overall, I continually find my greatest successes to be achieved in the areas of operations management, team leadership and program execution, within higher education markets.

PanelistDirector, International Admissions & Recruitment, American University of the Caribbean, School of Medicine (AUC)

Philip Jaroslow

My name is Philip Jaroslow and I am the Director of International Recruitment for Adtalem Global Education. My 11 years with this organization have been extremely rewarding as we represent two medical schools and one veterinary program that give prospective students the opportunity to follow their goals of becoming licensed MD's and DVM's. I manage a team who covers markets around the globe to bring awareness to our programs through university relationships and partnership development with the pursuit of enrollment growth. I am originally from Seattle, WA and now live in Arizona with my wife and two kids who are 12 and 7. We are an active family who enjoy working out, playing sports as well as traveling and trying new foods

PanelistDirector for International Recruitment, Adtalem Global Education

Rachel Durcan

Rachel Durcan is responsible for establishing and developing partnerships with international organizations, agents, and international university systems to promote medical and veterinary programs at Adtalem Global Education. Rachel comes to Adtalem Global Education with over 18 years’ experience in international recruitment developing transparent partnerships and implementing market specific recruitment strategies within the international education and cultural exchange industries. She began her career working on J-1 cultural exchange visa programs managing eighty international partners across forty countries. She later developed a multi-million-dollar international student recruitment channel in Southeast Asia recruiting F-1 visa students, and in 2017 joined ICEF, helping shape the international marketing strategies and global recruitment plans for over 100 U.S. clients. Rachel graduated from the University of Texas at Austin and currently resides in Austin, Texas.

PresenterSr. Director, International Recruitment, Ross University School of Medicine

In this session, we discuss how to balance recruitment with an enterprise mindset, leveraging our two international medical schools and institutional partners. Learn how to connect with target audiences, promote program pathways, and understand marketing methods to increase the portfolio of options for inquiry generation.

17:30 - 18:25Tegel

The ICEF Agent Voice: insights into current recruitment trends

Presentation

Ian Cann

PresenterVP Americas, ICEF

ICEF Agent Voice is an annual survey of ICEF-screened agents from over 100 countries. It is unique in its frequency, reach, and level of detail – comparing perspectives of agents around the world and gaining fresh insights into how they are adapting and responding to global issues and challenges. This includes a year-on-year comparison of the attractiveness of international study destinations as perceived by agents recruiting for a wide range of international study programmes. Additional aspects covered include:

- Where ICEF agents plan to send students in 2024 and beyond
- How institutions can effectively provide support and work closely with their agents this year
- What agents see as the most effective marketing strategies
- Visa approval rates

The survey findings will help educators to build their reputation and relationships with agents and will also assist them in developing strategies to market themselves and their destinations more effectively.

New for Berlin 2023: we will also look at trends in the average number of students sent by agents from key markets over recent years.

17:30 - 17:55Tiergarten

Vocational studies in Germany: a new opportunity

Presentation

Matthias Jung

Matthias Jung is an expert for the teaching of foreign languages and German in particular. His credentials include numerous books, articles and lectures on relevant subjects, i.e. online learning or learning languages for and on the job. Well connected and listening to his colleagues he has a good overview of the German study abroad market and its latest trends. As head of IIK, a renowned provider of programmes to study or work in Germany, he is pushing for technology driven innovation in language teaching that is not an end in itself or ignores the teachers’s role but serves the quality and efficiency of language learning.

PresenterDirector, Institut für Internationale Kommunikation e.V. (IIK) in Berlin and Düsseldorf

Germany is not only one of the most open study-abroad markets considering visa and work permit regulations: As Germany becomes more and more aware of its growing need to attract a skilled workforce from abroad and outside the EU for demographic reasons the situation further improves not only for graduates who are incited to stay but for all kinds of well qualified personnel. At present the demand is already very strong in the fields of health care, engineering and craftsmen. New labour migration laws in 2019 and 2023 are a direct consequence of these developments. A particularly promising field here are Germany’s paid three-year-traineeships that can easily be accessed now also by non-EU high school graduates.

The better ones of these “Ausbildungen” pay between 1.000 and up to 1.200 EUR in the first year of training already and come with a work permit. They do not require any financial means on the student’s or his parent’s side once the trainee has arrived in Germany. At the end of the three-year period a job that will pay a regular, much higher salary is guaranteed. These traineeships create a new vocational study abroad market that is attractive for target groups who are not able to pay for studies abroad.

However, employers and official visa regulations for these so-called dual vocational trainings, for good reason, focus on German language skills on the job as well as for the professional studies part. Good chances for a successful and long-term integration into the German labor market only come with quality programs. They combine continuous language training and ongoing administrative support at home and abroad (including recognition of qualifications, visa & deadline management etc.) with a thorough selection and matching process where the candidates’ and prospective employers’ needs are taken into account.

In the seminar you will be informed about:
- key data for traineeships in Germany (demand, salary, special regulations)
- relevant legislation including visa regulations
- necessary level of German and recognized certificates
- information on free German courses to support labor mobility
- requirements to obtain a traineeship and the associated work permit
- examples of integrated programs for prospective trainees

18:00 - 18:25Bellevue

Invest in trusted test results and learn how they can boost global enrolment and employability

Presentation followed by panel

Tom Whittaker

Tom works with the University of Central Lancashire (Preston, UK) as International Recruitment Manager, primarily supporting the work of the global recruitment team, leading on initiatives across the South Asia region, and acting as Business Partner to UCLan’s internationally focused School of Medicine. He has extensive international experience across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, and the Americas, having worked with the University of British Columbia, the British Council, the University of Bolton over the course of his career. A keen advocate for student success both inside and outside the classroom, Tom’s counselling expertise has helped thousands of students find their best-fit university in terms of academic course and overall environment. Originally from the small Lancashire market-town of Chorley, Tom earned his BSc in Marketing and Master in Education degrees as an international student in the US.

PanelistInternational Recruitment Manager, University of Central Lancashire (UCLan)

Peter Birdsall

Peter has been involved in leading the design and implementation of international higher education and the recruitment and facilitation of international students in the Netherlands, in both the public and private sectors, since 1995. Since 2003, Peter together with his wife, Maggie Feng, has developed Wittenborg into the family owned, fully independent business school it is today. With around 1500 students representing 100 different nationalities and 200 staff members representing over 60 nationalities, Wittenborg is today the most international Business School of the Netherlands. Peter takes a keen interest in policy making, regionally and nationally, regarding internationalisation, migration, international students and their accommodation and their employment prospects. Wittenborg is often directly involved in discussions at local, regional, and national levels on these subjects, also representing the NRTO in the board of the National Commission of the Code of Conduct for International Students in Dutch Higher Education.

PanelistChair of Executive Board, Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences

Mirka Tzilivakis

Mirka Tzilivakis is the Global Government Relations Manager, focusing on government recognition and tenders. Her diverse experience provides her with a comprehensive understanding of the global professional and language certification market. She is well versed in the best practices and market requirements needed to support higher education institutions realise their international recruitment needs. A native of Toronto, Canada, she holds an Honours BA from the University of Toronto in History and Social and Cultural Anthropology.

PresenterGlobal Government Relations Manager, LanguageCert

Liam Vint

Liam Vint is the PeopleCert Portfolio Director Languages, having previously been Head of Business Development UK and Western Europe. He has over 30 years’ experience in the certification industry, working at Cambridge Assessment and the British Council previously. Liam has an MA from Cambridge University, an MA in TEFL from Reading University, an RSA Diploma in TEFLA, a PGCE (Dist.), and an honours degree in History and Philosophy.

PresenterPortfolio Director - Languages, LanguageCert

Join us for an insightful discussion on how to build resilience in an ever-changing international education landscape! A panel of specialists will focus on test validity and how it relates to international student success, as well as scholarship options and the ways they empower institutions to diversify and expand their recruitment reach. Last but not least, they will share views on how professional credentials can bridge the skills gap and prepare today's students for employability tomorrow.

Don't miss out!

18:00 - 18:55Charlottenburg

Cultural awareness in international student recruitment - Germany • India • Brazil • Nigeria

Panel discussion

Martijn van de Veen

ModeratorChief Business Development Officer, ICEF

Agnes Aigbinode

I am Agnes Aigbinode, the President/CEO of Virtue Educational and Allied Services Inc. ('Virtue' or 'Virtue Education') Virtue Education actively recruits students for educational institutions, and has an excellent track record in the field of international recruitment, particularly for Canadian schools. Virtue has successfully recruited over 2,500 students since its inception in 2007. Virtue has physical presence and representatives in Canada, Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, South Africa, and Uganda, with multiple sub-agents around the world, to ensure a breadth of coverage for prospective applicants from wherever they are. In addition, Virtue has a vibrant online presence through its website, www.virtueeducation.ca, and Social media for enquiries and applications. The president of Virtue is an educationist and a certified counselor. She is a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC), a member of the Canadian Association of Professional Immigration Consultants (CAPIC). She also holds the following professional certifications and designations: ICEF-Trained Agent Counsellor (ITAC); Canada Course for Education Agents (CCG); and the USA-Trained Counsellor (USATC).

PanelistPresident/CEO, Virtue Education and Allied Services

Manisha Zaveri

Manisha Zaveri is an entrepreneur and passionate advocate for international education, emphasizing diversity and inclusivity. She is the co-founder and managing director of Career Mosaic, Asia’s leading student recruitment organization, working with nearly 900 Universities across the globe. She's a leading figure in strategic consulting for international enrolment management, offering expertise in strategy development, growth initiatives, operational excellence, and technology integration. She's renowned as a thought leader in higher education and a sought-after speaker at international conferences like NAFSA, ICEF, and PIE. Her influence extends to the AIRC community, where she's a member of the Membership Committee. Driven by her mission to bridge gaps between universities and global students, Manisha aims to match the right students with the right institutions. Her vision goes beyond individual success stories, striving to create an organization that catalyzes positive change in higher education, offering innovative solutions to strengthen global university presence, and helping young minds gain access to the most cutting edge and up to date education.

PanelistJoint Managing Director, Career Mosaic Pvt. Ltd. India

Alexandre Argenta

Academic background in foreign trade, marketing and law. International education consultant since 1994. CEO and Founder of Travelmate Intercâmbio since 2002. President of BELTA.

PanelistCEO, BELTA

Benjamin Quaiser

For several years Benjamin has been a senior leader in the field of international education and surrounding industries. After receiving his diploma in international management and marketing he has been for more than nine years a vice president with the German airline airberlin, responsible for customer services & interactions. He received a PhD in marketing controlling in 2013 from Ruhr-University in Bochum and was visiting scholar at the Robert H. Smith business school of the University of Maryland, College Park. He was business development director in the executive education department of the European School of Management & Technology (ESMT) in Berlin, developing and conducting several executive training programs as program director. Since 2020 Benjamin is managing director of IEC Online, a recruitment agency for study abroad with offices in Berlin, Vienna, and Zurich.

PanelistManaging Director, IEC - International Education for Global Minds

Culture is a complex and multifaceted concept, but it is also one of the most important factors to consider when developing a successful international student recruitment strategy. Students must adapt and adjust to completely different cultures when they study abroad, including the culture of the study destination and the cultures of their fellow students. In addition, businesses are increasingly hiring talent from different countries and cultures, which puts additional pressure on themes like intercultural understanding and intercultural cooperation.

This panel discussion brings together agents from four very different markets and cultures: Germany, India, Nigeria, and Brazil. The panellists will discuss the role of cultural awareness in international student recruitment, how to best prepare students for culture shock, and how to create a more equitable recruitment process that takes into account the unique challenges faced by students from different backgrounds.

18:00 - 18:25Köpenick I-II

Creating tailor-made programs for study abroad

Presentation

Grazia Milone

International Business Development at the Universidad Europea de Madrid. I am the coordinator of 3 different programs: Double Degree - Study Abroad - Tailor made. I am interested in closing new collaborations and creating new programs.

PresenterInternational Business Development, Universidad Europea / Spain

In this seminar, it will be discussed how to create tailor-made study abroad programs for partners and universities. Grazia Milone from Universidad Europea (UE) will share their expertise in coordinating the international study abroad program, and provide insights on how to develop programs that meet the specific needs of different stakeholders.

18:00 - 18:25Tiergarten

UK Guardianship: understanding the new ‘National Minimum Standards’

Presentation

Yasemin Wigglesworth

Yasemin Wigglesworth, CEO, joined AEGIS in 2012 and oversees the running of the charity. Previously, Yasemin worked in international student recruitment and marketing. Having studied and worked abroad, she is passionate about the benefits of international education and the welfare of international students.

PresenterCEO, AEGIS

International students rely on a combination of different professionals for support such as agents, schools, and in certain cases, on guardians.

In this session we will provide an overview of the guardianship sector in the UK, clarifying what educational guardianship is; why it exists, and the laws and regulations that are involved. There will be a particular focus on the new National Minimum Standards for Boarding Schools, set by the UK Department for Education, which have caused schools to increase their requirements for the care of international students outside of school.

We will use case studies to demonstrate the challenging scenarios which students, schools and guardians have found themselves facing, and will save some time towards the end of the session for a live Q&A.

18:30 - 18:55Bellevue

Why Torrens University is one of the fastest growing universities in Australia?

Presentation

Igor Velicky

Igor Velicky is the Area Manager for Torrens University Australia in Europe. His role is to support our partners (education agencies) all around the Europe and CIS region in the recruitment of students. Prior to joining Torrens University Australia, Igor worked as sales & marketing manager at EduCo Int. Group (AUS education provider) for more than five years. He has a strong interest in sales, marketing and international education, where he has been involved for almost a decade.

PresenterArea Manager - Europe, Torrens University Australia

Igor Velicky, Area Manager - Europe & CIS at Torrens University Australia, will talk to you about why Torrens University has become one of the fastest growing universities in Australia. We will explore why Torrens University is the provider of choice for more than 11,000 international students from 120 countries all over the world and what are the benefits of studying at Australia’s fastest-growing university. With over 90% fulltime employment rate for our international postgraduates, students can reach their global career goals with our globally recognised qualifications and practical work placements that maximise their employability. The presentation will highlight the benefits for students who choose to study in Australia, and our campuses in Adelaide, Sydney, Blue Mountains, Melbourne and Brisbane.

18:30 - 18:55Köpenick I-II

Changing demand in junior courses

Presentation

Hanna Banks

I am Hanna Banks, Global Sales Director - English Language UK and North America. I have built a successful career within the international education field, first starting as a TEFL teacher back in 2002. That is 20+ years and counting! I have worked across the full education spectrum: secondary and higher education, adult and junior language, gaining hands-on experience of challenges and sectoral needs. I have a deep understanding of the international education landscape and experience of introducing new business models and driving growth. My global expertise of the international education sector will help to guide Oxford International in its new chapter of the company strategic growth and is important for building relationships with key business partners and for increasing sales worldwide.

PresenterGlobal Sales Director - English Language UK and North America, Oxford International Education Group

To match the changing demand in junior courses, at Oxford International we are delighted to be offering two new junior courses that will equip young learners with the necessary skillset and prepare them well to advance in their future education and career choices.

These are:
1. Employability for the 21st Century
Available in all centres, this programme is designed to prepare students for the world of work. Our world of work themed lessons include advice and support on CV writing, presentation skills and job interview techniques. Lessons will follow the same timing as our standard programme, meaning groups can have students taking part in both programmes.
2. Academic Skills for Higher Education
Unlock your full potential with our comprehensive 30-hour English course, “Academic Skills for Higher Education.” Tailored to empower aspiring scholars, this program equips you with the essential tools to thrive in the academic world. Whether you’re an official exam candidate, or a recent high school graduate preparing for university, this course hones your language proficiency, critical thinking, research, and communication abilities.

Through interactive sessions led by experienced educators, you’ll master the art of crafting compelling essays, delivering impactful presentations, and engaging in insightful debates. Elevate your academic journey and excel in higher education by enrolling in this transformative course. Your academic success story starts here.

18:30 - 18:55Tegel

Four megatrends that are shaping the future of global student mobility

Presentation

Craig Riggs

PresenterICEF Monitor, Editor in Chief, ICEF

This session takes a high-level view of international student mobility by looking at long-term projections through 2050, and then drilling down into a more detailed overview of some of the major factors that will shape student flows over the next decade and more.
Along the way, we will consider the impact of:
- The shifting competitive landscape
- Key public policy levers: visas and work/settlement opps
- The affordability imperative
- Important changes in geopolitics and global alignment

18:30 - 18:55Tiergarten

Access to Spanish universities: visa and university admission challenges

Presentation

Gosia Kozyra

Polish international student in Spain who fall in love with the culture of such an amazing country. Promoting Spain internationally as a study destination from my own experience. Immigration lawyer and cofunder of Campus Spain. Currently managing the admissions team in Campus Spain.

PresenterAdmissions Director, Campus Spain

The admission and visa process to Spanish universities can be challenging, especially if you are not familiar with the requirements.

In this seminar, Gosia Kozyra from Campus Spain will discuss all the challenges regarding visa:
- Most important study visa requirements
- Most common causes of visa denial and how to face them
- Recent change in visas’ processing: from Consulates to BLS offices
- Obligatory immigration proceedings after arriving to Spain

and University admission:
- Brief explanation on formal requirements for admission to a - Spanish university
- What is homologation?
- What is UNEDasiss?
- Are EVAU exams (Selectividad) really necessary?

14:00 - 14:25Bellevue

British Council Certificate and training for Agents and Counsellors and the Agent Quality Framework (AQF)

Bellevue

Helen ObajePresenterSenior Consultant ISMM Agents, British Council

14:00 - 14:25Charlottenburg

Don’t Fit In, Add Value: why diversity is good for business, and what you can do to encourage it

Charlottenburg

Hannah YouellPresenterDiversity & Inclusion Advisor, International House World Organisation

14:00 - 16:00Check

ICEF Coach - Pre-registration in the ICEF Coach Programme is required

Check

Birgit HartelPresenterICEF Coach, ICEF

This 2-hour ICEF Coach Seminar continues the mentoring which began with the one-on-one, individualized consultation, correspondence and interactive training session each pre-registered Coach Programme participant has already completed with the coach before the ICEF event.

The Coach Programme trains and guides first-timers as well as those newer to the international education industry and international student recruitment, so their networking meetings with agents at an ICEF event are as effective and productive as possible. There are 3 phases to the Coach Programme: Before - During - After ... the ICEF event.

The coach also provides ongoing support to the Programme participants during the entire ICEF event, so they maximise their experience meeting with agents overall.

After the event, each Coach Programme participant also receives post-event consultation with the coach as a follow-up. This provides the opportunity to de-brief, give feedback pertaining to their experience at the event and importantly, provides a framework how to move forward as effectively as possible to begin to establish productive agent relationships.

This session is full and closed to new registrants.

14:00 - 14:55Köpenick I-II

How to build effective relationships in 25 minutes • Providers

Köpenick I-II

Nick StevensonPresenterExecutive Director, EMEAA, ICEF

Vanessa-Sophia VerwornPresenterBusiness Development Manager, USA & Canada, ICEF

This session will provide educators with a step-by-step guide on how to make the most out of their participation at ICEF events in general and ICEF Berlin in particular.

The session will cover the following topics:

- How to maximise your time during the event

- Post-event follow-up and agent contracts

- How to maximise your working relationship with providers

14:00 - 15:30Schöneberg

ALTO Professional Development with Michael G Jacobides

Schöneberg

Michael G JacobidesPresenterProfessor of Strategy at London Business School, ALTO Where Leaders Meet

ALTO invites those leaders and decision makers of agencies and schools who would like a taster session from the association's top quality professional development: Michael G Jacobides – Succeeding in a world of platforms and digital ecosystems

One of the most dramatic changes over the last few years has been the meteoric growth of firms like Big Tech who have based their success on the judicious use of platforms and digital ecosystems. Michael G. Jacobides, one of the worlds’ authorities on the subject, will consider how you can take advantage of these opportunities and how you can avoid the trap of building an ego-system, but instead build a solid ecosystem strategy.

14:00 - 14:25Tegel

Online education: a vital addition to any agency's portfolio

Tegel

Alina GrygorianPanelistCEO, StudyGRI

Sergey KrasnyanskiyPresenterDirector CIS, ICEF

14:00 - 14:25Tiergarten

Navigating the Canadian high school landscape more effectively and efficiently

Tiergarten

Bonnie McKiePresenterExecutive Director, CAPS-I, Languages Canada

Lisa WilliamsonPresenterMarketing & Communications Manager, Languages Canada

14:30 - 14:55Bellevue

The German language travel market: Aspects – Figures – Issues

Bellevue

Olaf BärenfängerPresenterMember of the Academic Advisory Board, Fachverband Deutscher Sprachschulen und Sprachreise Veranstalter (FDSV)

14:30 - 14:55Charlottenburg

Five student research insights to take with you into 2024

Charlottenburg

Ross HolmesPresenterVP, Partnerships and Publishing, ICEF

14:30 - 15:25Tegel

How to build effective relationships in 25 minutes • Agencies

Tegel

Stephanie ZimmermannPresenterAgent Relations Director, ICEF

Tiffany EglerPresenterExecutive Director Event Management & Agent Relations, ICEF

This session will provide student recruitment agencies with a step-by-step guide on how to make the most out of their participation at ICEF events in general and ICEF Berlin in particular.

The session will cover the following topics:

- How to maximise your time during the event

- Post-event follow-up and agent contracts

- How to maximise your working relationship with providers

14:30 - 14:55Tiergarten

How much will your students earn after graduating in Canada?

Tiergarten

Diego SanchezPresenterDirector, International Affairs, Languages Canada

15:00 - 15:25Bellevue

Study abroad and beyond: an overview of English proficiency and assessment for successful student exchange experiences

Bellevue

Cynthia WernerPresenterAcademic and Government Relations Manager Central Europe, Eastern Europe, Nordics ETS, ETS Global B.V.

15:00 - 15:55Charlottenburg

The formula to success: enhancing the international education journey

Charlottenburg

Martijn van de VeenModeratorChief Business Development Officer, ICEF

Courtney GillanPanelistGlobal Business Development Advisor, Educate Online Inc.

Jonathan BurdickPanelistMember of NOIC Academy Advisory Board, NOIC Academy

Fredrik van HuynhPanelistCEO & Co-Founder, Absolute Internship

15:00 - 15:25Köpenick I-II

Fostering multicultural integration in the classroom: a pathway to career success

Köpenick I-II

Jannyree GongoraPresenterSales and Marketing Director, EU Business School

15:00 - 15:25Tiergarten

The Canadian college advantage: pathways to success

Tiergarten

Kiley FithenPresenterSenior Project Officer - International Marketing and Recruitment, Languages Canada

15:30 - 15:55Bellevue

Technology, Training and Compliance: strengthening trust and success together

Bellevue

Scott HarperPresenterChief Revenue Officer, ApplyBoard Inc.

15:30 - 15:55Köpenick I-II

The transformation of Global Education Group: unlocking new partnership opportunities

Köpenick I-II

Raj KapoorPresenterHead of International Student Recruitment, Global Education Group (GEDU)

Leo FalconePresenterGroup Managing Director, Global Education Group (GEDU)

15:30 - 16:30Schöneberg

ALTO Projects for the International Education Industry: Best Practice Guidelines and Dynamic Pricing working group

Schöneberg

Selim DervishPresenterDirector, ALTO Where Leaders Meet

Reka LenartPresenterAssociation Manager, ALTO Where Leaders Meet

15:30 - 15:55Tegel

Develop successful agent/educator relationships for great student outcomes

Tegel

David AnthoniszPanelistExecutive Director, International Student Recruitment, St. George's University, School of Medicine

Hadeel AlbikPanelistMarketing Director, Yes Atlas

Stacey CrosskillPresenterDirector, ICEF Academy, ICEF

15:30 - 16:25Tiergarten

Beyond admission: supporting international students' well-being

Tiergarten

Vanessa-Sophia VerwornModeratorBusiness Development Manager, USA & Canada, ICEF

Susan FangPanelistCo-founder & CEO, OxBridge Holdings Inc.

Glenn JonesPanelistProduct Manager, Educatius

Ann MacDonaldPanelistDirector, Recruitment & Admissions, Dalhousie University

Katy NicketakisPanelistDirector of Enrollment, Lincoln Academy

16:00 - 16:25Bellevue

Best practice for booking student accommodation in the UK

Bellevue

Jools Horton-LakinsPresenterHead of Operations, Britannia Student Services

16:00 - 16:55Charlottenburg

Transparency of data in the aggregator era

Charlottenburg

Kirill MirgorodModeratorBusiness Development Manager, ICEF

Jake PatidarPanelistRegional Manager (South Asia), De Montfort University

Annie DerooPanelistDirector, Solution Education & Travel

Christopher PricePresenterDirector of Business Development and Partnerships (UK and Europe), Adventus

16:00 - 16:25Köpenick I-II

Career support in the Canadian labour market through ILAC’s Canada Employment Forum

Köpenick I-II

John DeFrancoPresenterCEO, ILAC Education Group

16:00 - 16:25Tegel

ICEF Agency Status: Build trust, save time & grow your business

Tegel

Tiffany EglerPresenterExecutive Director Event Management & Agent Relations, ICEF

Stephanie ZimmermannPresenterAgent Relations Director, ICEF

16:30 - 16:55Bellevue

Recruiting scholarship-funded students from the Middle East

Bellevue

Nabil NajdPanelistManaging Director, MENA Region, ICEF

Omid HonariPanelistGeneral Manager- Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) & Director - Global Sponsor Engagement, Navitas

Ian CannPresenterVP Americas, ICEF

16:30 - 16:55Köpenick I-II

How do education providers and education agents work together in Australia and New Zealand? A critical relationship

Köpenick I-II

Brett BlackerPanelistManaging Director, Australia and New Zealand, English Australia

Mark FalvoPanelistGeneral Manager - Future Students, EDU Holdings Ltd

PO IngvarssonPanelistSenior Advisor, Your Study Advisor

Melanie MacfarlanePanelistCEO, VETA

Romez MoukacharPresenterDirector, International, UP Education

Education is a powerful catalyst for personal and societal growth, and the collaboration between education providers and education agents is at the heart of ensuring international students access quality education experiences in Australia and New Zealand. Join us for an insightful panel discussion where we explore the dynamics, challenges, and opportunities within this vital partnership.

Our distinguished panel features renowned experts from the education provider and education agent sectors in Australia and New Zealand. Drawing from their extensive experience, they will provide valuable insights into the intricacies of this essential relationship.

Discussion Highlights:

- Building Pathways to Education

- Ensuring Regulatory Compliance

- Effective Communication and Support

- Adaptation and Resilience

16:30 - 16:55Tegel

Why should international students choose Germany: Understanding the German bureaucracy and how to make the international student life journey smooth

Tegel

Lilia UsikPanelistMember of Parliament, CDU parliamentary group in the Berlin state parliament

Shon A. JPanelistFounder, Three Sixty Nine GmbH & Deassists

Stefan EllmannPanelistInternational Sales Manager, CBS International Business School

Amit HerekarPresenterExpat Business Developement Specialist - Student & University Hub BARMER, BARMER Health Insurance

16:30 - 16:55Tiergarten

Navigating the Brazilian market: insights from the latest survey

Tiergarten

Alexandre ArgentaPresenterCEO, BELTA

17:00 - 17:25Bellevue

AI in educational marketing: opportunities and outcomes

Bellevue

Philippe TazaPresenterCEO, Higher Education Marketing

Few developments have had as much potential to disrupt and re-imagine digital marketing in recent years as AI. In the following presentation, Philippe Taza discusses the current state of AI in education marketing and outlines how it can be leveraged as a powerful tool in your school's digital marketing portfolio. He focuses on the role AI can play in content creation and branding, in opening up new advertising possibilities and stronger ROIs, as well as how AI is likely already impacting your ongoing marketing endeavours in the tools you use (such as Google, Meta, etc.). Ultimately, he will instill how AI is not the one stop "fix all" of marketing but another step in its gradual evolution.

- Big picture overview of AI or AI, ML, LLMs - Making sense of the acronyms

- Risks and Pitfalls of over-reliance on AI

- A captain at the helm" - tips to keep AI use on course

- Use cases in educational marketing

17:00 - 17:55Charlottenburg

Sustainability in international education: what needs to be done?

Charlottenburg

Craig RiggsModeratorICEF Monitor, Editor in Chief, ICEF

Jonathan DykesPanelistOwner/Director Molehill Holdings and President Green Standard Schools, Green Standard Schools

Kirsten MatthesPanelistDirector Global Cooperation Institute CANIE member, SRH Universities Germany I Berlin / CANIE member

17:00 - 17:25Köpenick I-II

Balancing your recruitment budget with inflation

Köpenick I-II

Katharine OvensPanelistInterim Global Recruitment Director, University College Birmingham

Karen DancyPanelistDirector, Recruitment and International, Olds College of Agriculture and Technology

Vanessa-Sophia VerwornPresenterBusiness Development Manager, USA & Canada, ICEF

17:00 - 17:25Tegel

The needle in the haystack: how digital technologies are finding the best students

Tegel

Firoz SaitPresenterSenior Vice President - Global Sales, Edvoy

17:00 - 17:25Tiergarten

Argentina: positive perspectives of a market where reality overcomes fiction in a land full of opportunities

Tiergarten

Gabriela ArditoPresenterCEO & Founder, ARSAA - Argentine Study Abroad Association

17:30 - 17:55Bellevue

GUS Germany universities: where German precision meets global vision

Bellevue

Sagi HartovPresenterCEO, Germany, Global University Systems

Laila IrfanPresenterGlobal Director of Recruitment, University of Europe for Applied Sciences

We are united by a bold vision to cultivate a culture of innovation and excellence in education, empowering our students with the knowledge and skills they need to effect positive change in the world. Our mission is to nurture visionary leaders who are capable of driving meaningful impact for society. With a thriving student body of over 10,000+ learners across our various institutions, we offer a wide range of academic disciplines, including business, technology, data science, engineering, sports, and the fine arts. Students seeking to enroll in one of our esteemed institutions can choose from a selection of prime locations. Gus Germany GmbH is home to the following institutions:

- University of Europe for Applied Sciences (UE)

- Berlin School of Business & Innovation

- Gisma University of Applied Sciences

- htk academy

- IC University of Applied Sciences Amsterdam

Our institutions are located all around Europe (Berlin, Hamburg, Potsdam, Iserlohn, Barcelona, Paris, Amsterdam) as well as Dubai, where we offer the first german degree in the UAE.

17:30 - 17:55Köpenick I-II

Marketing & recruitment for medical degree programs: markets, tracks, methods

Köpenick I-II

Jennifer StovallPanelistDirector, International Admissions & Recruitment, American University of the Caribbean, School of Medicine (AUC)

Philip JaroslowPanelistDirector for International Recruitment, Adtalem Global Education

Rachel DurcanPresenterSr. Director, International Recruitment, Ross University School of Medicine

17:30 - 18:25Tegel

The ICEF Agent Voice: insights into current recruitment trends

Tegel

Ian CannPresenterVP Americas, ICEF

ICEF Agent Voice is an annual survey of ICEF-screened agents from over 100 countries. It is unique in its frequency, reach, and level of detail – comparing perspectives of agents around the world and gaining fresh insights into how they are adapting and responding to global issues and challenges. This includes a year-on-year comparison of the attractiveness of international study destinations as perceived by agents recruiting for a wide range of international study programmes. Additional aspects covered include:

- Where ICEF agents plan to send students in 2024 and beyond

- How institutions can effectively provide support and work closely with their agents this year

- What agents see as the most effective marketing strategies

- Visa approval rates

The survey findings will help educators to build their reputation and relationships with agents and will also assist them in developing strategies to market themselves and their destinations more effectively.

New for Berlin 2023: we will also look at trends in the average number of students sent by agents from key markets over recent years.

17:30 - 17:55Tiergarten

Vocational studies in Germany: a new opportunity

Tiergarten

Matthias JungPresenterDirector, Institut für Internationale Kommunikation e.V. (IIK) in Berlin and Düsseldorf

Germany is not only one of the most open study-abroad markets considering visa and work permit regulations: As Germany becomes more and more aware of its growing need to attract a skilled workforce from abroad and outside the EU for demographic reasons the situation further improves not only for graduates who are incited to stay but for all kinds of well qualified personnel. At present the demand is already very strong in the fields of health care, engineering and craftsmen. New labour migration laws in 2019 and 2023 are a direct consequence of these developments. A particularly promising field here are Germany’s paid three-year-traineeships that can easily be accessed now also by non-EU high school graduates.

The better ones of these “Ausbildungen” pay between 1.000 and up to 1.200 EUR in the first year of training already and come with a work permit. They do not require any financial means on the student’s or his parent’s side once the trainee has arrived in Germany. At the end of the three-year period a job that will pay a regular, much higher salary is guaranteed. These traineeships create a new vocational study abroad market that is attractive for target groups who are not able to pay for studies abroad.

However, employers and official visa regulations for these so-called dual vocational trainings, for good reason, focus on German language skills on the job as well as for the professional studies part. Good chances for a successful and long-term integration into the German labor market only come with quality programs. They combine continuous language training and ongoing administrative support at home and abroad (including recognition of qualifications, visa & deadline management etc.) with a thorough selection and matching process where the candidates’ and prospective employers’ needs are taken into account.

In the seminar you will be informed about:

- key data for traineeships in Germany (demand, salary, special regulations)

- relevant legislation including visa regulations

- necessary level of German and recognized certificates

- information on free German courses to support labor mobility

- requirements to obtain a traineeship and the associated work permit

- examples of integrated programs for prospective trainees

18:00 - 18:25Bellevue

Invest in trusted test results and learn how they can boost global enrolment and employability

Bellevue

Tom WhittakerPanelistInternational Recruitment Manager, University of Central Lancashire (UCLan)

Peter BirdsallPanelistChair of Executive Board, Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences

Mirka TzilivakisPresenterGlobal Government Relations Manager, LanguageCert

Liam VintPresenterPortfolio Director - Languages, LanguageCert

18:00 - 18:55Charlottenburg

Cultural awareness in international student recruitment - Germany • India • Brazil • Nigeria

Charlottenburg

Martijn van de VeenModeratorChief Business Development Officer, ICEF

Agnes AigbinodePanelistPresident/CEO, Virtue Education and Allied Services

Manisha ZaveriPanelistJoint Managing Director, Career Mosaic Pvt. Ltd. India

Alexandre ArgentaPanelistCEO, BELTA

Benjamin QuaiserPanelistManaging Director, IEC - International Education for Global Minds

18:00 - 18:25Köpenick I-II

Creating tailor-made programs for study abroad

Köpenick I-II

Grazia MilonePresenterInternational Business Development, Universidad Europea / Spain

18:00 - 18:25Tiergarten

UK Guardianship: understanding the new ‘National Minimum Standards’

Tiergarten

Yasemin WigglesworthPresenterCEO, AEGIS

18:30 - 18:55Bellevue

Why Torrens University is one of the fastest growing universities in Australia?

Bellevue

Igor VelickyPresenterArea Manager - Europe, Torrens University Australia

18:30 - 18:55Köpenick I-II

Changing demand in junior courses

Köpenick I-II

Hanna BanksPresenterGlobal Sales Director - English Language UK and North America, Oxford International Education Group

To match the changing demand in junior courses, at Oxford International we are delighted to be offering two new junior courses that will equip young learners with the necessary skillset and prepare them well to advance in their future education and career choices.

These are:

1. Employability for the 21st Century

Available in all centres, this programme is designed to prepare students for the world of work. Our world of work themed lessons include advice and support on CV writing, presentation skills and job interview techniques. Lessons will follow the same timing as our standard programme, meaning groups can have students taking part in both programmes.

2. Academic Skills for Higher Education

Unlock your full potential with our comprehensive 30-hour English course, “Academic Skills for Higher Education.” Tailored to empower aspiring scholars, this program equips you with the essential tools to thrive in the academic world. Whether you’re an official exam candidate, or a recent high school graduate preparing for university, this course hones your language proficiency, critical thinking, research, and communication abilities.

Through interactive sessions led by experienced educators, you’ll master the art of crafting compelling essays, delivering impactful presentations, and engaging in insightful debates. Elevate your academic journey and excel in higher education by enrolling in this transformative course. Your academic success story starts here.

18:30 - 18:55Tegel

Four megatrends that are shaping the future of global student mobility

Tegel

Craig RiggsPresenterICEF Monitor, Editor in Chief, ICEF

This session takes a high-level view of international student mobility by looking at long-term projections through 2050, and then drilling down into a more detailed overview of some of the major factors that will shape student flows over the next decade and more.

Along the way, we will consider the impact of:

- The shifting competitive landscape

- Key public policy levers: visas and work/settlement opps

- The affordability imperative

- Important changes in geopolitics and global alignment

18:30 - 18:55Tiergarten

Access to Spanish universities: visa and university admission challenges

Tiergarten

Gosia KozyraPresenterAdmissions Director, Campus Spain

The admission and visa process to Spanish universities can be challenging, especially if you are not familiar with the requirements.

In this seminar, Gosia Kozyra from Campus Spain will discuss all the challenges regarding visa:

- Most important study visa requirements

- Most common causes of visa denial and how to face them

- Recent change in visas’ processing: from Consulates to BLS offices

- Obligatory immigration proceedings after arriving to Spain

and University admission:

- Brief explanation on formal requirements for admission to a - Spanish university

- What is homologation?

- What is UNEDasiss?

- Are EVAU exams (Selectividad) really necessary?

Seminar Programme ICEF Berlin 2023