🎤 Speaker

Martijn van de Veen, Chief Business Development Officer, ICEF GmbH

🎤 Speaker

Gabor Kovacs, Professor of digital product development and innovation, SRH Hochschule Berlin


📝 Description

We will start with a brief lecture on Artificial Intelligence by professor Gabor Kovacs from SRH Universities | Berlin: What is AI exactly; how does it work, how does it learn, what are typical misconceptions or misunderstandings around AI, should we be excited or concerned - or both, etc.

This session is in cooperation with SRH Universities | Berlin.

Moderator

Martijn van de Veen, Chief Business Development Officer, ICEF GmbH

🎤 Panellists

Stephanie Levy, General Manager DACH, Inspera
Wouter Trumpie, Chief Architect, Education and Public Sector, Continental EMEA, Salesforce.org
Cal Barton, President & CEO, Global Study Technology


📝 Description

The lecture will be followed by a panel discussion with our AI professor, together with Wouter Trumpie, Chief AI Architect at Salesforce and 2 other industry experts, who will discuss
- the use and implementation of AI innovations in the different stages of the international student recruitment process, positive and negative
- the impact AI has on the roles and responsibilities of the recruitment professionals whether agency or educator
- its impact on education formats and educational travel
- The effect that AI innovations in international education have on our end-customer: the international student

🎤 Speaker

Bard, Google


📝 Description

The audience gets to ask questions, which will be answered live using AI technology. Then, our panelists will discuss, challenge and/or exemplify the AI-generated answers.

🎤 Speaker

Alex Calder, Head of Technology Solutions, Anything is Possible


📝 Description

An engaging session led by Anything is Possible’s resident AI and Martech expert, designed exclusively for higher education marketing professionals.. If Artificial Intelligence has been on your radar, but you're unsure how to harness its full potential, consider this the first chapter in your guidebook.

It's not just about understanding the game-changing impact of AI. It's about learning to adapt and thrive in this new era. Actionable insights you need to navigate the challenges and opportunities opened up by this new tech game-changer.

In this session, we'll look at the myriad ways AI is reshaping the marketing landscape. From automating repetitive tasks to crafting personalised customer experiences, AI is not just an add-on. It's becoming the vital cornerstone of marketing innovation and scale.

You'll walk away knowing how to integrate AI technologies into your day-to-day campaigns and start making serious steps on your AI forward roadmap.

We'll also look outward into the future, exploring how AI is set to disrupt traditional practices in SEO and digital advertising. Expect to learn how to future-proof your digital strategies, so you're not just keeping pace with change—but driving it.

🎤 Speaker

Elizabeth Newall, Senior consultant (HE) digital transformation, Jisc


📝 Description

We are all well acquainted with the concept of ‘culture shock’ and as professionals in international student recruitment we offer guidance, support, and a hospitable environment to ensure a seamless transition, fostering comfort and a sense of support for our students.

However, we must also consider the phenomenon of “digital shock”: it is often overlooked that our international students are likely unfamiliar with many of the applications, software, and the broader digital infrastructure they encounter overseas, be it for education, local services, government or transportation. This can lead to what's termed 'digital shock,' causing students to face difficulties on transition that can impact them negatively for weeks if not months.

In this session, Elizabeth Newall from JISC, the UK agency specialising in digital technology for education, research, and innovation, will guide us through their ongoing research on this issue, accompanied by recommendations on how to best ensure that international students enjoy an inclusive digital experience.

🎤 Speaker

Anabel Ternès von Hattburg, Futurologist and digital media expert, SRH Berlin University of Applied Sciences


📝 Description

Social media offers a wealth of unique opportunities to reach and engage with the next generation of international students. However, the wide array of apps and channels can be a labyrinth, or at worst even a minefield. Think of
- Buzzwords like reels, stories, lives, snaps, filters, augmented reality
- The challenges of an international context dealing with different platforms and channels across different countries or even regions
- Misconceptions about data transparency and concerns about privacy
- The use of AI generated content versus real content and how to make the distinction

In this session, Professor Dr Annabel Ternes starts with a keynote on the digital media landscapes of today and tomorrow.

Moderator

Kirill Mirgorod, Business Development Manager, ICEF GmbH

🎤 Panellists

Marc Oliver Nissen, Director Talent Solutions (DACH), LinkedIn
Denise Mancinone, Head of Marketing DACH, Snap Inc.
Jake Cuthbert, Head of Paid Media, Net Natives


📝 Description

The panel will discuss the different messaging and communication formats in social media, the specifics of GenZ and GenAlpha’s digital media behaviour and consumption, expectations and misconceptions about digital media channels, and visions/views of the social media world of tomorrow.

🎤 Speaker

Piero Tintori, CEO & Founder, Terminalfour


📝 Description

A common misconception about student recruitment is that the process starts once a student has clicked the Apply button. In reality, the student journey truly begins at the very first impression and touchpoint. Several trends are shaping the field of student recruitment, and there are several important factors for international student recruitment professionals to take into account, as they
- help attract and retain students
- improve their conversions
- enrich the personalised experience
- build a positive reputation for the institution

The good news is that there is an increasing amount of sophisticated and easy to implement student engagement tools and solutions available, based on digital technologies and innovations. These tools
- provide opportunities for international students to have a great user experience when they interact with your university
- offer personalised information that’s relevant to their needs
- incorporate engaging content on your program and course landing pages
- use data analytics to gain insights into student behaviour and preferences to drive recruitment.

Join Piero Tintori, CEO and Founder of digital engagement and web content management platform TerminalFour, as he walks us through the latest innovations, solutions and case studies in terms of student recruitment and student engagement and how relevant they are for a successful student recruitment strategy.

🎤 Speakers

Benedict Kurz, CEO & Founder, Knowunity
James Cahill, Brand Partnerships Lead - Lifestyle & Education, TikTok (Bytedance)


📝 Description

An update on one of the world’s most engaging social media platform: TikTok. Learn about digital marketing engagement tools, formats and opportunities via the main player in short-form videos: TikTok. And hear about their involvement in the education vertical.

🎤 Speaker

Kira Grabner, Agency Partner, META


📝 Description

In this session you will receive an overview of the possibilities on Meta Platforms, what are the current trends we are seeing. You will find out how GenZ are using our platforms and the best way to engage with them as well as the role of social media in international education marketing. Additionally we will highlight Meta's work in the area of data and privacy and security features for younger generations.

🎤 Speaker

Sara Sandford, International Education Specialist, Edified


📝 Description

Digital student recruitment platforms and 'agent aggregator systems' come in various shapes and formats. However, many of these platforms lack clarity regarding the specific technologies, models, or formats that they are based on. The role of agents within these platforms, if any, is often unclear, and concerns persist regarding transparency, trustworthiness, and quality.

In this session, Sara Sandford from Edified will guide us through the diverse range of platforms, in terms of technologies, formats and business models. Sara’s presentation will help provide a deeper understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of these platforms, considering the viewpoints of recruiters, agents, and, most importantly, international students.

Moderator

Craig Riggs, ICEF Monitor, Editor in Chief, ICEF GmbH

🎤 Panellists

Sara Sandford, International Education Specialist, Edified
Giuliana Bonvini, International Sales Manager, UCD English Language Academy
Alyssa Snyder, Chief Technology Officer, Shorelight
Sanchari Sen Rai, Co Founder & CEO, ECC Hive


📝 Description

Following the keynote session “Aggregators and digital recruitment portals demystified” by Sara Sandford, we will moderate a panel that will discuss the impact, whether positive or negative, of the current or even future digital recruitment platforms and aggregators on the traditional educator agency relationship. The panel will provide insights based on their own experiences, views and expectations.

This session is in cooperation with Lead5050: the panel features Lead5050 Award winners and nominees: The Lead50 Awards celebrate and honour the leading voices in gender equality.

🎤 Speaker

Shileen Costain, Senior Director Global Stakeholder Relations, Pearson - PTE Academic


📝 Description

The stakes are high within English Proficiency testing. It changes lives. The World Economic forum research proves that gaining fluency in English for non-native speakers increases their salaries, standard of living and health.

This brings great responsibility to all those operating in this space. Delivering fairness must be the collective industry priority.

To achieve this, there are three challenges which must be addressed: Human Bias, Accuracy and Consistency and Security.

Inspired by academic research, test taker feedback, responsible AI and FBI tactics, we’ll explore potential solutions that work towards fairness in language testing.

Together we can make positive change happen.

🎤 Speaker

Misty Wilson, Head of Education, Immerse


📝 Description

Digital technologies, in particular those driven by VR and AI, are disrupting conventional language learning methods and programs. Language travel for instance is under pressure as advanced digital innovations enable learners to interact with native speakers and fellow learners in virtual environments that are becoming more and more sophisticated. In parallel, apps and online learning formats are becoming increasingly advanced and reduce the need for human language instructors. Some visionaries even speculate that we may eventually forgo learning foreign languages altogether, with technology and AI reaching a point where it can instantaneously translate while fully comprehending nuances like cultural context and body language..

Is disruption of the language sector really heading in this direction, or are the new innovations simply changing and improving the way we learn foreign languages, rather than making it unnecessary to learn any new language at all?

In this session, Misty Wilson from Immerse will walk us through some of the latest trends in language learning technologies. She will also provide insights into the future of language learning and - spoiler alert - explain how foreign language learning and language travel remain important within international education and society at large.

Moderator

Martijn van de Veen, Chief Business Development Officer, ICEF GmbH

🎤 Panellists

Klinton Bicknell, Head of AI, Duolingo
Dan Zbijowski, Chief Marketing Officer, GoStudent
Victoria Canduela, Client Partner E-Commerce, META


📝 Description

According to UNESCO, international students are defined as "individuals who physically cross international borders to participate in educational activities in a different country from their own."

In today’s rapidly evolving, multidimensional digital world one could argue however that a student who:
1) Studies online in their home country, in a fully immersive digital environment,
2) at an institution in another country;
3) collaborates with students from various nationalities in online projects;
and perhaps even
4) receives study support from a tutor in yet another country and
5) engages in a virtual internship internationally
could also claim that he/she is an international student, even without physically crossing any border. They obtain the same degree as the student who travels to said institution, they engage in a multicultural and multinational learning environment, and obtain valuable intercultural soft skills.

In this panel we will discuss:
- the different virtual, digital, augmented reality and AI powered learning and education formats of today and tomorrow
- How such formats are used to complement conventional learning methods
- The effect that these innovations have on the international education industry
- Their relevance to international students in terms of opportunities and access to education
- the opportunities they bring to the international education sector’s key stakeholders whether recruitment agent, education provider or other