Seminar Programme ICEF Eurasia

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 Eurasia 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 and agents

With a population of 86 million people, nearly half of which is under the age of 30, Türkiye is a key destination for international student recruitment professionals. Driven by domestic capacity issues, especially within the higher education sector, demand for international education opportunities is high, with more than 52,000 outbound students currently identified by UNESCO, and the number expected to grow in the coming years. 

In this session, we provide a detailed market overview, including updates on the educational advances Türkiye has made, the relatively low English proficiency scores driving demand for ELT, pathway and foundation programmes, the ongoing impact of the devastating 2023 earthquakes and strategic tips helping attendees make the most of the strong market opportunity Türkiye represents.

Located in Central Asia, Uzbekistan’s youthful population of 36 million stands as the largest in the region. With roughly 20% under the age of 16, and an economy projected to become one of the fastest growing in the world, it is a country full of potential for educators seeking to diversify their enrolments. With the government seeking to further boost the local economy by ensuring the younger generation is well educated, UNESCO reported that Uzbekistan had some 150,000 internationally mobile students in 2022, a number expected to grow still further in the coming years. 

In this session, we explore the factors that have led to Uzbekistan’s emergence as a key source country for international students. Led by Temur Mukhammedov, the session provides insight into the country’s economic growth, the capacity issues that have encouraged the country’s large population of young people to seek education opportunities abroad, and the growth of TNE. Additionally, the session offers recruitment tips for the region, as well as ideal approaches to providing student support. 

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 2024:

• 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.

The F1 visa interview can be a daunting experience, but students who come prepared have a much higher likelihood of having their visa approved. Representatives from EnglishUSA and its membership will provide insight into preparing for the visa interview and participants will have the opportunity to role play the visa interview process. 

The seminar will cover essential topics such as common interview questions, appropriate dress code, required documentation, and strategies for demonstrating strong ties to one's home country.

While the US, the UK, Australia, and Canada - the “big four” - remain popular study destinations with hundreds of thousands of international students each year, their popularity has been dented by a range of factors, including the relatively high cost of living, as well as policy decisions aimed at restricting migration. At the same time, student preferences have evolved to take such factors as proximity, cost of living, ease of gaining a visa, and access to programmes in a range of languages, driving considerable demand across a number of emerging destinations. 

In this session, we look at the factors driving the shift in interest away from the “big four”. We look at what students expect in a newly competitive market, and how governments across a range of prospective destinations are responding to their needs in order to effectively drive up enrolments.

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:

• Reimagining K-12: Preparing students for tomorrow - Sofia Branca
• Cultural sensitivity in recruitment: Understanding the needs and expectations of Eurasian students - Damla Özdemir
• Building stronger partnerships: Meeting the challenges of quality student recruitment - Anthony Lee
• The impact of digital transformation and social media to expand study abroad opportunities in Eurasia - Burhan Pinarbasi
• Financial support and scholarships: Key factors for recruitment from Balkans - Masa Dragasevic