About ICEF

At the heart of the international education industry, we facilitate access to the right relationships, insight, and training to drive growth for the sector’s educational institutions, student recruitment agents, and connected service providers.

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Our Mission

We are committed to driving excellence in recruitment for international education, striving to improve outcomes for international students around the world.

Our History

Early 1960’s
Karl Badde, a linguist and educator, established a chain of language schools around the Middle East.

1970’s
The chain of language schools expanded to include Bonn and London, providing Arabic language training for diplomats and executives.

1984
Karl Badde expanded into publishing with his son Markus, producing the “Where & How” series of language travel, distance education, and translation industry guides.

1991
Karl and Markus Badde started organising exhibitions and conferences, forming ICEF to develop a series of professional networking events for the international education sector.

2004
Markus Badde assumed the leadership of ICEF, increasing the number and type of events offered, and expanding ICEF’s core goal of facilitating professional connections within the international education space. New initiatives included the launch of ICEF Monitor as well as a range of agent training and accreditation services.

2022
Celebrating a history of over 30 years, ICEF is continually innovating to drive excellence in international education, through professional development, market insight, and gathering the industry together at an increasing number of specialist events.

Upcoming Events

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ICEF Miami (Latin America)

December 09 - 11, 2024 Miami, USA Learn more Register Now
Event Information

ICEF Miami returns with an exciting new format. In response to the increased interest in international education from Latin American students, ICEF Miami connects global educators and service providers, with ICEF-screened student recruitment agents from this prosperous region.

ICEF Secondary Education KL

January 15 - 17, 2025 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Learn more Register Now
Event Information

In 2025, ICEF Secondary Education KL arrives in Kuala Lumpur. Focused on recruiting international students for secondary, boarding, high school, foundation, and junior education programmes, it allows global educators to meet agents from around the world, and Asia in particular.

ICEF Student Recruitment for Online Programmes

January 28 - 30, 2025 Online Learn more Register Now
Event Information

ICEF Student Recruitment for Online Programmes is a virtual B2B networking event connecting providers of online education with pre-screened student recruitment agents who are experienced in promoting online and hybrid programmes across all study types, levels and durations.

ICEF South Asia

February 06 - 08, 2025 Goa, India Learn more Register Now
Event Information

ICEF South Asia provides a unique opportunity to connect with ICEF-screened student recruitment agents from India and other South Asian countries. These agents are valued business partners to educators and trusted advisors to thousands of students wishing to study abroad.

ICEF Dubai

February 12 - 14, 2025 Dubai, UAE Learn More Register Now
Event Information

ICEF Dubai returns in February 2025, enabling educators and service providers from around the world to meet with ICEF-screened agents specialising in student recruitment for the Middle East and North Africa.

ICEF Middle East Scholarship and Partnership Summit

February 16 - 17, 2025 Muscat, Sultanate of Oman Learn More Register Now
Event Information

Developed in partnership with the Sultanate of Oman’s Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, the ICEF Middle East Scholarship and Partnership Summit connects selected international education professionals with scholarship providers and HEIs from the region.