Seminar Programme ICEF Miami 2025

Perfect for regular attendees to both refresh their knowledge and share their experiences with first timers, this special session provides practical tips and strategies for making the most out of any ICEF event, and ICEF Miami in particular. 

With community at the heart of the international education industry, this session presents a unique opportunity for ICEF regulars and newcomers alike to pool their knowledge in a supportive environment, fostering a more productive event experience. 

Topic areas include: 

• Making the most of your time during the event
• Developing effective post-event follow-up strategies and agent contracts
• Building a mutually beneficial relationship with providers and agents

It's a little-known fact that many agencies undergoing AIRC Certification don't regularly seek customer satisfaction feedback from their institutional clients, and the same applies to institutions not evaluating their agency partners. However, we all know that regular and open feedback discussions are essential for successful partnerships and future outcomes. This practical learning session will share a few simple tools available to guide agencies and institutions through these evaluative processes.

Join us for an in-depth exploration of the latest ICEF Agent Voice survey results, offering valuable insights into current trends in student recruitment.

Key topics covered for 2025:

• Recruitment expectations & Decision-making factors
• Student interest & Visa approval rates
• Employability factors
• Enrolment challenges & Institutional support
• Online programmes
• Agency operations & Remuneration 

The ICEF Agent Voice survey is conducted annually with ICEF-screened agents from over 100 countries. The survey stands out for its frequency, extensive reach, and detailed insights, comparing the perspectives of agents worldwide. It provides fresh insights into how agents are adapting to and addressing global challenges.

Across major destinations (US, UK, Canada, Australia), international students are often rejected or asked for months of rent upfront because they lack local guarantors or credit history—even after visas are secured. In this session, Kaabo shares how we’re solving this globally, beginning with the U.S. case study, so students no longer worry about guarantors or large upfront payments.

Join us on this session to learn how Languages Canada and BorderPass are joining forces to help agencies and institutions improve students' visa experience.

In the first quarter of 2025, BorderPass has filed the most judicial reviews for refused study permits out of any firm in Canada for applicants from 35 different countries and 40+ Colleges and Universities across Canada. 80% of refusals have been overturned by BorderPass's judicial review!

Do you want to:

  *   Improve your client's visa acceptance rates for study permits, TRV and visa extensions?

  *   Ensure your clients are vetted for visa application success and submit flawless visa applications?

  *   Gain access to an effective process for appealing visa rejections and further improve acceptance rates?

Stay in Control: continue advising your clients while BorderPass handles compliance and legal complexities, streamlining your workflow and improving approval rates. Students have a clear path forward, increasing their chances of success without overwhelming agents, institutions or applicants with complex legal proceedings.

BorderPass is a lawyer-backed digital platform designed to simplify and support international student immigration processes.

This discussion will explore how international educators, agents, and service providers can leverage digital communications technology to build stronger, more transparent partnerships and effectively support the entire student journey. We'll move beyond transactional relationships to focus on fostering trust and ensuring seamless information flow from initial inquiry to arrival on campus. The session will cover practical strategies for improving communication with more and more individuals now expecting up to date information and centralized services. Our discussion will include: collaboration, digital platforms, social media and ultimately using technology to make the global education landscape feel more connected and accessible.

This session explains why Ireland has established itself as one the top destination for international higher education. The panellists, from Education in Ireland, Trinity College Dublin and South East Technological University will discuss the benefits of choosing an Irish university for undergraduate or postgraduate studies. They will reflect on the very post-study career opportunities that Ireland can offer international graduates.

A prime target for international student recruitment professionals, Brazil boasts a youthful population of around 213 million, 45% of which is under the age of 30, and a growing economy. With the number of Brazilian international students abroad estimated at around 110,000, it is clear that Brazil is a high-potential market, although there are challenges.

In this market update, delivered in the form of an interview, we look at the current recruitment landscape in Brazil, highlighting the opportunities as well as potential pain points, including student concerns over cost of study, the extent to which their chosen destination is welcoming of international students, the importance of a compatible culture and lifestyle, and the expectation of high-quality teaching. 

The session ends with a Q&A allowing attendees to dig deeper into the issues that most directly concern them. 

This session explores why Malta is rapidly emerging as one of Europe’s most dynamic destinations for higher education. Representatives from leading Maltese institutions will highlight the country’s growing reputation for academic quality, international validation, and innovative learning models. The discussion will also examine Malta’s strategic advantages — from its English-speaking environment and EU recognition to its strong links with Africa and Asia — and the attractive post-study opportunities that make it a gateway for global talent.

Alongside Brazil, Colombia is a key destination for international student recruitment professionals. With growing outbound flows across all study levels, it is clear that there is still untapped potential as young people, driven by a relatively high unemployment rate of 10%, seek to get ahead in a competitive jobs market. 

Challenges remain, however. Two key issues that need to be addressed are the relatively low English proficiency and the financial barriers that many Colombian students face. In this interview session, we look at how recruiters are attracting students from Colombia and at effective support options that can mitigate the main challenges. The session then wraps up with an in-depth Q&A allowing the audience to participate directly in the discussion.

The international education sector has been dominated by four key study destinations - Australia, Canada, the UK, and the US. These destinations, often referred to as “the big four”, offer safe, welcoming environments, attracting students with their world-class education and facilities, and they remain incredibly popular.

However, the sector is evolving. “The big four” now face increasing competition as they weather a range of challenges including internal political issues, changing student preferences, and the rise of competing destinations - many of which benefit both from heavy investment in their education sector itself as well as favourable policy environments. As a result, discussion is moving away from the “big four” towards the “big fourteen”. 

In this panel discussion, we look at the changing shape of the recruitment landscape, with specific focus on: 

• The internal challenges faced by the “big four” 
• Evolving student preferences
• Emerging destinations 
• How the “big fourteen” will affect student recruitment efforts in the next year and beyond.

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

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

Roundtables' topics:

1. Internationalisation in K-12: Strategies for long-term success - Wayne Pallett
2. Unlocking global pathways: How virtual learning expands student recruitment - Erwin Richter
3. Effective marketing in a competitive sector: What makes a school stand out? - Alexandra Michel
4. Who needs English? Matching students with the right ELT pathways - Andy Pulford
5. How international students and regional economies can benefit from strong partnerships between institutions and industry - Salvatore Moccia
6. Navigating compliance: Visa policy shifts and their impact on recruitment - Tom Wilmot
7. Tech, trends, and threats: What innovations are shaping the future of global education? - Ian Little
8. Winning in a competitive market: Identifying global recruitment strategies post-2025 - Mary Wilcox