ICEF Secondary Education KL: student recruitment event

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This introductory session is a perfect fit both for first timers wishing to learn more about forming partnerships; and for regular event attendees, who can share their valuable experience in the field. It provides practical tips and strategies for making the most out of any ICEF event, and ICEF Secondary Education KL in particular.

The international education sector is built on close relationships, and is at its best when professionals are able to share best practice and learn from one another. This session represents a unique opportunity for attendees to pool their knowledge in a supportive environment, ensuring a more productive event experience for all.

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
Tips for breaking the ice in meetings

Join us for an in-depth exploration of the latest ICEF Agent Voice survey results, offering insights specifically tailored to trends and challenges in secondary education student recruitment.

Key topics to look forward to:

Recruitment expectations
Student Visa approval rates
Agency Remuneration & Partnership

The ICEF Agent Voice survey is conducted annually with ICEF-screened agents from over 100 countries. The survey stands out for its consistency, 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.

Faced with a growing number of government interventions, economic shifts, and rising geopolitical tensions, the international education sector is having to navigate an increasingly complex and competitive landscape. At the same time, the growing global middle class is driving demand for high-quality education, with the international K-12 and boarding school segment posting significant growth in 2025.

This session, which features ICEF’s Nick Stevenson in discussion with Marina Byakisheva (Allterra Education), and two panellists from international schools, aims to identify the key challenges across primary markets. It will also offer clear, data-backed strategies which will support schools in seeking out new, sustainable growth opportunities and building resilience at a time of significant change.

Born between 2010 and 2024, and defined by exposure to digital technology throughout their upbringing, Gen Alpha are sometimes referred to as “digital natives” who both consume online material heavily and are fluent in its creation. A diverse generation who communicate freely across borders, Gen Alpha requires very different support to the generations that preceded it.

In this panel discussion, we focus on Gen Alpha in the world of international education. We explore ways in which professionals responsible for both the recruitment and training of Gen Alpha students can effectively identify their needs and develop appropriate responses.

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.

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

Roundtables' topics:

Differentiating your message: How can we tailor our social media channels to reach both students and their parents? - Venus Shaw
To what extent are high schools and boarding schools preparing their students for an AI world? - Jared Greene
Fostering trust between institutions, students, and their families: The value of safeguarding - Karen Symonds
The teen mental health reset: What are the biggest challenges facing international students? - Paula Oliveira Demsky
K-12 marketing in 2026: What works and what doesn't - Nick Stevenson

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Seminar Programme ICEF Secondary Education KL 2026

View the full event seminar programme for ICEF Secondary Education KL, where we welcome guest speakers to discuss and debate the latest issues in international education. The seminars, panels, and round table discussions will take place on Monday, January 26 between 14:30 and 19:00.

Mon • Jan 2614:30 - 14:55Seminar room

Strategic networking: Building stronger partnerships • Agents & Providers

Professional Development

Discussion

Presenter

Josephine (Jo) Phinith

Josephine Phinith is a seasoned professional in international education, recognized for her dedication to driving positive change. With a solid foundation in the accommodation market, Josephine began her career at Student.com, where she quickly advanced to the role of Regional Manager for SEA. Her strategic insights and commitment to excellence contributed to notable growth in bookings and revenue during her tenure. Transitioning to Amber Student, Josephine played a key role in guiding the company's international expansion efforts. Drawing on her industry expertise, she contributed to shaping global strategies and cultivating valuable partnerships. With six years of experience in the accommodation market, Josephine brings a wealth of knowledge and a proven track record of success to her role as ANZ Business Development Manager at ICEF, where she aims to continue driving impactful initiatives within the international education landscape.

Global Business Development Manager, ICEF

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
Tips for breaking the ice in meetings

Mon • Jan 2615:00 - 15:25Seminar room

Market trends for secondary education: Findings from the ICEF Agent Voice survey 2025

Market Intelligence

Presentation

Presenter

Ahmad Alsagoff

Ahmad began his career in finance, quickly earning recognition for his ability to create dynamic and impactful Salesforce reports, leading him to be recruited into a special taskforce as a Salesforce consultant for a company in the Netherlands. When the ICEF Agent Voice initiative was launched, Ahmad’s exceptional expertise and visionary approach positioned him as the top choice to lead its implementation—a responsibility he has executed with unwavering dedication and remarkable success. Beyond his corporate achievements, Ahmad founded companies specializing in audio engineering and Industry 4.0, focusing on AI and Blockchain technologies. This entrepreneurial spirit, combined with his first-class honors degree in Mechatronics Engineering, has shaped his multidisciplinary perspective and innovative approach to problem-solving. Currently a CFA candidate, Ahmad continues to expand his expertise and turn visionary ideas into reality.

Business Intelligence Executive, ICEF

Join us for an in-depth exploration of the latest ICEF Agent Voice survey results, offering insights specifically tailored to trends and challenges in secondary education student recruitment.

Key topics to look forward to:

Recruitment expectations
Student Visa approval rates
Agency Remuneration & Partnership

Mon • Jan 2615:30 - 15:55Seminar room

International student recruitment: How to work with agencies

Thought Leadership

Presentation

Presenter

Josephine (Jo) Phinith

Global Business Development Manager, ICEF

16:00 - 16:30

Refreshment break

Mon • Jan 2616:30 - 17:10Seminar room

Adapting to change: Building resilience in an era of geopolitical upheaval

Thought Leadership

Panel discussion

Moderator

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.

VP, Global Sales, ICEF

Panelist

Marina Byakisheva

Marina holds an MA in International Education Management and brings 20 years of experience in the industry. She built her expertise from the ground up - advising families, working closely with schools, and implementing operational standards that shaped agency practices across the region. In 2013 she co-founded Allterra Education, now recognised as one of the leading consultancies in the CIS. As a business leader, Marina oversees strategy, operations and growth. She is strongly committed to raising professional standards in the sector and actively mentors the next generation of advisors. Outside her professional role, Marina trains in swimming, running and yoga.

Executive Director, Allterra Education

Panelist

Becky Wilkins

Becky Wilkins is a committed and enthusiastic Director at Haberdashers’ Monmouth School. She has worked in the education sector for over 20 years and in the independent sector for the last 4 years. Her background is in Marketing and Admissions and she enjoyes the challenges, changes and opportunities that the sector to bring to all involved. She travels extensively working with agents around the world to welcome students to the school. One of the favourite parts of her work is the ongoing support to students and families once they arrive at the school, ensuring that they are happy and settled. In her spare time, she is a keen runner and loves spending time in the Wye Valley which runs alongside the school.

Director of Marketing and Admissions, Haberdashers' Monmouth School

Panelist

Clint Colwell

Clint has been working in education for over 30 years, with the last 11 years at Saint Paul working in Admissions and, more recently, as the Director of Advancement. Clint graduated with a Master's in Business Administration in 2022. Saint Paul has a student body of under 200 students, comprising grades 9-12, with over 30% of the population representing more than a dozen countries outside the US.

Director of Advancement, Saint Paul Lutheran High School

Mon • Jan 2617:15 - 17:55Seminar room

Gen Alpha in Asia: Identifying and responding to evolving student needs

Thought Leadership

Panel discussion

Moderator

Josephine (Jo) Phinith

Global Business Development Manager, ICEF

Panelist

Jennifer Nguyen

Jennifer Nguyen is the Founder and Guidance Counselor of Studii Academy (Vietnam), where she has spent the past decade guiding adolescents to study abroad with confidence, clarity, and compassion. Through programs such as Transform, DOING, and the College Coaching Program, she and her team help students strengthen both inner power and global readiness. Believing that education is a journey of becoming, Jennifer focuses on helping young people and their families understand themselves deeply, cultivate emotional balance, and build the mindset needed to thrive in a changing world. Her work has supported hundreds of Vietnamese students in crafting purposeful, impactful study abroad journeys that begin with self-awareness.

Founder, Studii Academy

Panelist

Ambhika Rana

Ambhika Rana brings more than a decade of admissions leadership shaped inside some of London’s most academically selective British curriculum schools, including Habs Girls’ School and North London Collegiate School. She has guided large applicant pools through competitive entry points, working closely with families while safeguarding academic standards, pastoral fit, and long-term cohort balance. She now serves as Founding Head of Admissions and Marketing at Reigate Grammar School Kuala Lumpur, where she built enrolment strategy, admissions frameworks, digital systems, and market positioning from the ground up, translating a long-established UK school into a credible international context for families and partners.

Head of Admissions and Marketing, Reigate Grammar School Kuala Lumpur

Panelist

Nicole Oakes

Nicole Oakes is a dynamic leader in international student recruitment and program development, serving as Director of Student Recruitment at Oaks Christian School. With over 25 years of experience in global education, admissions, and residential life, she is known for building strong teams, fostering cross-cultural connections, and driving strategic growth. At Oaks Christian, Nicole launched the international boarding program, expanding the school’s global reach. Her leadership has increased international enrollment by 160%, welcoming students from 18 countries. She leads with empathy and precision, guiding a diverse team and overseeing all aspects of recruitment.

Director of Student Recruitment, Oaks Christian School

Mon • Jan 2618:00 - 18:55Seminar room

Roundtable series

Roundtables

Moderator

Paula Demsky

Paula leads international partnerships and admissions for Fusion Academy, a U.S.-based network of accredited private schools offering personalized 1:1 and small-group instruction. She has extensive experience building global education pathways that support diverse learners and their families, with a focus on inclusive, student-centered approaches to international education.

Director of International Programs, Fusion Academy

Moderator

Jared Greene

Educated at Harvard and Cambridge, Jared has been involved in K12 education for 20+ years - helping students access transformative learning opportunities that advance their passions and build university profiles. At Inspirit AI, Jared works closely with the curriculum and teaching teams to ensure delivery of top-tier AI education to students globally.

Chief Academic Officer, Inspirit AI

Moderator

Karen Symonds

A former teacher and high school counsellor, Karen has been an educator in Delta School District since 1998 an a member of the Delta International Student Programs team since 2013. She has been the Director of the program since 2019. As both a resident of Delta and an employee of the district, Karen recognizes the importance of building trusting relationships amonst all partners and stakeholders in the education system and with the agents and natural parents in students' home countries. Karen is also a Director-at-Large on the CAPS-I Board of Directors.

Director, International Student Programs, Delta School District

Moderator

Nick Stevenson

VP, Global Sales, ICEF

Moderator

Venus Shaw

COO, Win International Education & Investment

- 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:

Differentiating your message: How can we tailor our social media channels to reach both students and their parents? - Venus Shaw
To what extent are high schools and boarding schools preparing their students for an AI world? - Jared Greene
Fostering trust between institutions, students, and their families: The value of safeguarding - Karen Symonds
The teen mental health reset: What are the biggest challenges facing international students? - Paula Oliveira Demsky
K-12 marketing in 2026: What works and what doesn't - Nick Stevenson

14:30 - 14:55Seminar room

Strategic networking: Building stronger partnerships • Agents & Providers

Seminar room

Professional Development

Josephine (Jo) PhinithPresenterGlobal Business Development Manager, ICEF

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
Tips for breaking the ice in meetings

15:00 - 15:25Seminar room

Market trends for secondary education: Findings from the ICEF Agent Voice survey 2025

Seminar room

Market Intelligence

Ahmad AlsagoffPresenterBusiness Intelligence Executive, ICEF

Join us for an in-depth exploration of the latest ICEF Agent Voice survey results, offering insights specifically tailored to trends and challenges in secondary education student recruitment.

Key topics to look forward to:

Recruitment expectations
Student Visa approval rates
Agency Remuneration & Partnership

15:30 - 15:55Seminar room

International student recruitment: How to work with agencies

Seminar room

Thought Leadership

Josephine (Jo) PhinithPresenterGlobal Business Development Manager, ICEF

16:30 - 17:10Seminar room

Adapting to change: Building resilience in an era of geopolitical upheaval

Seminar room

Thought Leadership

Nick StevensonModeratorVP, Global Sales, ICEF

Marina ByakishevaPanelistExecutive Director, Allterra Education

Becky WilkinsPanelistDirector of Marketing and Admissions, Haberdashers' Monmouth School

Clint ColwellPanelistDirector of Advancement, Saint Paul Lutheran High School

17:15 - 17:55Seminar room

Gen Alpha in Asia: Identifying and responding to evolving student needs

Seminar room

Thought Leadership

Josephine (Jo) PhinithModeratorGlobal Business Development Manager, ICEF

Jennifer NguyenPanelistFounder, Studii Academy

Ambhika RanaPanelistHead of Admissions and Marketing, Reigate Grammar School Kuala Lumpur

Nicole OakesPanelistDirector of Student Recruitment, Oaks Christian School

18:00 - 18:55Seminar room

Roundtable series

Seminar room

Paula DemskyModeratorDirector of International Programs, Fusion Academy

Jared GreeneModeratorChief Academic Officer, Inspirit AI

Karen SymondsModeratorDirector, International Student Programs, Delta School District

Nick StevensonModeratorVP, Global Sales, ICEF

Venus ShawModeratorCOO, Win International Education & Investment

- 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:

Differentiating your message: How can we tailor our social media channels to reach both students and their parents? - Venus Shaw
To what extent are high schools and boarding schools preparing their students for an AI world? - Jared Greene
Fostering trust between institutions, students, and their families: The value of safeguarding - Karen Symonds
The teen mental health reset: What are the biggest challenges facing international students? - Paula Oliveira Demsky
K-12 marketing in 2026: What works and what doesn't - Nick Stevenson