ICEF Monitor Global Summit 2024

Envisioning a growth strategy for international education in the United States 10:30 - 10:55, ICEF Monitor Global Summit room 1Speaker:Fanta Aw - Executive Director & CEO, NAFSA - Association of International Educators
Description: The US has long been the leading global destination for international students. It is also the only major study destination without a coordinated national strategy for international education. It also happens that the US has been losing market share to other competing destinations over the last 20 years.

However, a newly established coalition of international education organisations is working to reverse that trend, and those key stakeholders are now closely engaged with government in an effort to make it easier for students to pursue their studies in America, and to make the US an even more attractive study destination.

This keynote will provide an insightful look at the landscape for international education in the US, and at the major issues and trends that will shape the future of student mobility for US educators

Getting past policy shock: How the sector is responding to new migration settings 11:00 - 11:55, ICEF Monitor Global Summit room 1Moderator:Sara Sandford - Consultant, Edified
Panelists:Marie Braswell - Associate Vice President, Global Strategy & Market Development, Centennial College
Rachel MacSween - Director of Client Partnerships, UK & Europe, IDP
Andy Howells - Chief Marketing Officer, NCUK
Bobby Mehta - Pro-Vice Chancellor Global Engagement, University of Portsmouth
Description: Needless to say, student mobility has been disrupted in a number of leading study destinations this year with the introduction of more restrictive policy settings for international students. Especially in Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom, new rules around – variously – enrolment caps, visa application fees, minimum funds requirements, accompanying dependants, and post-study work rights have all been accompanied by a great deal of confusion and uncertainty in the marketplace, not to mention critical media coverage.

This featured panel will consider the immediate-term and long-term implications of those changes, and explore how educators and partners are adapting their recruitment strategies in response

The Canadian reset: Building a more sustainable future 12:00 - 12:30, ICEF Monitor Global Summit room 1Speaker:Larissa Bezo - President & CEO, Canadian Bureau for International Education - CBIE
Description: Canada has been one of the fastest-growing study destinations in the world over the last decade. After two years of 30%+ year-over-year growth between 2021 and 2023, foreign enrolment in the country surpassed one million students at the end of 2023.

Shortly after, however, the Canadian government began to introduce more restrictive policy settings, including changes in post-study work rights for some students, increased minimum funds requirements, limitations on accompanying dependants, and a cap on student commencements for 2024 and 2025.

All signs now point to a substantial slowdown in application volumes and student enrolments for the 2024/25 academic year, with educators and stakeholders across the country working to adapt their long-term recruitment strategies as a result.

This insightful keynote will provide the latest on the fast-moving developments in the Canadian market, and an outlook for rebuilding Canada’s foreign enrolment for the long-term.

Networking lunch 12:30 - 13:30, ICEF Monitor Global Summit room 1

Starting with why. Future directions for international education in the UK 13:30 - 13:55, ICEF Monitor Global Summit room 1Speaker:Jamie Arrowsmith - Director, Universities UK International (UUKi)
Description: The international education sector in the UK has been under considerable pressure this year, with new rules for accompanying dependants, a review of the Graduate Route’s post-study work rights, a barrage of negative media coverage, and considerable financial challenges for higher education institutions throughout the country.

In the midst of these changes the UK sector is now working to reframe the conversation around international students in a more strategic light. Universities UK is bringing forward a new blueprint for government, and this session will highlight some key aspects of that new framework.

Reality check: International recruitment and the financial health of education systems 14:00 - 14:55, ICEF Monitor Global Summit room 1Moderator:Craig Riggs - ICEF Monitor, Editor in Chief, ICEF
Panelists:Sally Jeffery - Leader, Global Education & Skills Network, PwC Middle East
Roger Brindley - President - North America, Acumen | Sannam S4 Group
Judith Lamie - Pro Vice-Chancellor International, Swansea University
Lil Bremermann-Richard - Group CEO, Oxford International Education Group
Description: Some of the world’s major study destinations – notably the UK, Canada, and Australia – are reporting significant declines in international student numbers this year. That downward trend has been accompanied by widespread media reports of financial distress among post-secondary institutions, as well as a growing number of staff redundancies and programme cuts.

This suggests a strong link between international student numbers and the financial stability of higher education systems in the world’s leading study destinations? Is that the case, and, if so, why? And what can institutions now do to improve their financial standing in the face of shifting student demand?

This expert panel will share their insights, drawn from a variety of perspectives across the sector (and beyond) and building on real-world examples in a number of study destinations.

Coffee break 15:00 - 15:30, ICEF Monitor Global Summit room 1

Moving at the speed of government: The view from Australia 15:30 - 15:55, ICEF Monitor Global Summit room 1Speaker:Sarah Todd - Vice President (Global), Griffith University
Description: Dating back to late 2023, the Australian government has made no less than nine major policy or rule changes affecting international students. These range from increased minimum funds requirements to a doubling of visa application fees to new restrictions on “visa hopping” for onshore students. They have been accompanied by a deliberate approach to both slow visa processing and apply greater scrutiny to visa applicants, the latter of which has resulted in historically high visa rejections rates for year-to-date 2024. And that was all before the announcement last month of a cap on international student commencements that will come into effect in January 2025.

Needless to say, that is a great deal of change for any institution or school to adapt to. And this special presentation will provide the perspective of a lead practitioner from Australia on the significant headwinds facing the sector this year and what the way forward may look like into 2025 and beyond.

Who decides about quality? Building a better framework for quality recruitment 16:00 - 17:00, ICEF Monitor Global Summit room 1Moderator:Adam Pettit - Director of Partnerships, AECC
Panelists:Jacqui Jenkins - Global Programme Lead for International Student Mobility, British Council
Dan Harris - Global Financial Crime Compliance Director, Kaplan International Pathways
Catriona McCarthy - Chair, BUILA
Description: There has been a surge in international student mobility since the pandemic, and that rapid growth has tested many of the quality assurance measures in place across the international education sector. Student services have struggled to keep pace, the global stock of student housing has been overstretched, and several models for recruiting and teaching international students have come under greater scrutiny.

Parallel to a pattern of more restrictive rules around international students in many destinations has been a call for increased regulation of education agents. However, partly because the agent space is so large, varied, and lacking serious barriers to entry or to the expansion of agent networks, it has also been highly resistant to regulation.

This expert panel will explore the key components of strengthened quality assurance for education agents, and discuss some of the more promising models emerging in the industry today.

Coffee break 17:00 - 17:30, ICEF Monitor Global Summit room 1

Beyond the "Big Four": Alternative destinations and the growing competition for global talent 17:30 - 18:15, ICEF Monitor Global Summit room 1Moderator:Peter Thompson - VP Data Analytics, Market Research & Insights, INTO University Partnerships
Panelists:Edwin van Rest - CEO & Co-founder, Studyportals
Joanna Kumpula - Head of International Education and Integration Support, Tampere University
Florian Hummel - Vice-Rector International Affairs, IU International University
Jessica Turner - CEO, QS Quacquarelli Symonds
Oliver Jawara - Director, Nous Group
Description: Sometimes referred to as the “Big Four”, the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada are the world’s largest study destinations. But with persistent challenges in visa processing, new policy settings, and rising concerns around affordability, we are now seeing greater student movement to emerging destinations in Asia, Europe, and elsewhere.

Featuring new findings from recent research in the field, this session will be a conversation among leading practitioners and analysts. The discussion will focus on the factors behind this shifting student demand, and how institutions – both within the Big Four and without – can respond.

From dreaming to reality: Connecting recruitment to labour markets and post-graduate outcomes 18:15 - 19:00, ICEF Monitor Global Summit room 1Moderator:Janet Ilieva - Director and Founder, Education Insight
Panelists:Nannette Ripmeester - Director - Performance Benchmarking Europe and North America, Etio
Anne Marie Graham - Chief Executive, UK Council for International Student Affairs
Nick Miller - CMO, QA Higher Education
Description: We see it time and time again: every major survey of international students or prospective students says that employability and employment outcomes are some of the top decision factors in terms of where and what students choose to pursue in their studies abroad.

What does that drive to better career outcomes mean in terms of how students approach study abroad? And what does it mean for educators, in terms of the programmes on offer and with respect to the services and supports that students need to ensure better post-graduate outcomes? How do we relate career opportunities and labour market requirements in study destinations to opportunities that students have at home? And how does this all factor in how we engage and recruit students in markets around the world?

This session will feature new research and expert insights on the link between study and career success.

Welcome reception 19:00 - 21:00, ICEF Monitor Global Summit room 1

ICEF Agency Status and Academy: The twin pillars of industry self-regulation 14:30 - 15:00, ICEF Monitor Global Summit room 2Speakers:Nick Golding - VP Government Relations and Strategic Partnerships, ICEF
Stacey Crosskill - Director, ICEF Academy,
Description: Find out how ICEF is setting new standards in international student recruitment with the ICEF Agency Status (IAS) accreditation programme, and supporting training needs through ICEF Academy certification.

This session is for agencies and educational institutions aiming to enhance their quality assurance measures through ICEF’s programmes. It is more important than ever for professionals to distinguish themselves and demonstrate their standards to partners and clients. Hear how reputable agencies can be instantly verified through their unique IAS ID, which features a QR code based on blockchain technology, and our global online IAS directory of accredited agencies.

Learn how ICEF Academy enhances knowledge and expertise through its training courses, helping increase credibility with partners and clients. Understand how IAS and ICEF Academy can become core components of your quality assurance and due diligence processes, driving professional standards and ethical practices in international student recruitment.

Join us to explore how ICEF’s quality assurance programmes can help your organisation stand out, improve student outcomes, and build lasting trust with partners and clients.

How to build effective relationships in 25 minutes • Providers & Agents 15:30 - 15:55, ICEF Monitor Global Summit room 2Speaker:Resh Kodabuckus - Business Development Manager,
Description: This session will provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to make the most out of you participation at ICEF events in general and ICEF Higher Education 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

The link between assessment, student outcomes & employability 16:00 - 17:00, ICEF Monitor Global Summit room 2Moderator:Josie Booth - EMEAA, Business Development Director, ICEF
Panelist:Bronagh Rolph - Head of Assessment: HE & Adult, Cambridge University Press & Assessment
Description: Over the last decade, there have been significant changes in teaching and learning, and this has led to some important changes and new challenges in assessment as well.. Institutions, policy makers, and other stakeholders are increasingly focused on student outcomes, in terms of performance, graduation, and career progression. And this has led in turn to a greater emphasis on the role of assessment in student preparation and selection, and to a greater interest in the relationship between assessment and student outcomes.

This special session brings together the leading providers of assessment within international education to discuss what the future looks like for students, what emerging trends in the job market are influencing the creation of new types of assessment, and how assessment can better prepare students for the demands of the future workplace.

Welcome refreshments 09:15 - 09:45, Plenary

Opening: The two contrasting trends that will shape the future of international student mobility 09:45 - 10:25, PlenarySpeaker:Craig Riggs - ICEF Monitor, Editor in Chief, ICEF
Description: The total number of internationally mobile students has grown steadily for decades, and further growth is projected through the rest of this decade and beyond. The factors behind this trend are by now well known: population growth of college-aged cohorts, economic development, expansion of the middle class, and persistent supply-side shortages in higher education in many countries will all continue to drive growth in student mobility for the long-term.

The context for that student movement, however, is becoming more complex with increasing competition among study destinations, greater mobility within global regions, and an expanding range of delivery modes and techniques for teaching and learning in the 21st century.

Alongside that strong momentum toward further growth, however, we have also seen the emergence of more restrictive policy settings in many study destinations. These arise in large measure from increasing public, and so political concern, around immigration. The world is facing what some have termed a global migration crisis, characterised by historically high numbers of people attempting to cross borders in search of safety and opportunity. And political concern that aims to stem that movement has now spilled over into the international education sector.

This session will set the stage for the day’s programme at the ICEF Monitor Global Summit by exploring the inevitable tension between these two countervailing trends that are shaping the future of international student mobility.

When crisis meets vulnerability: The exponential impact of accommodation issues on international students 10:30 - 10:55, ICEF Accommodation roomSpeaker:Olivia McCafferty - Research Director and Head of Accommodation, Red Brick Research
Description: The experience of international students differs considerably to that of domestic enrollments: the distance from their family and friends, culture shock, potential language issues, or even the challenge of having to adapt to a very different style of education. Moreover, it has become increasingly apparent that international students are less likely to seek help from either their institution or their accommodation provider, with the result that many simply suffer in silence.

In this session, Olivia McCafferty will provide an overview of the unique challenges that the accommodation experience holds for international students while identifying any similarities with other groups. Also covered will be the topic of disclosure, how this differs for international and home students, and with what impact. Finally, some points of reflection will be provided to encourage those working with international students to consider how to better support vulnerable individuals at a time of great change in their lives.

The factors that paint the future of international student accommodation 10:55 - 11:15, ICEF Accommodation roomSpeaker:Stephen Cleal - Customer Success Director, UCAS
Description: A comprehensive discussion on the future of student accommodation and the influencing factors. Hear first-hand from Stephen Cleal, Customer Success Director at UCAS for:
- A deep dive into the international student numbers for this current cycle and how this looks compared with previous years.
- An overview of factors that impact the UK international student numbers including current government policy and how potential changes can impact the sector, global competition – how will changes in other countries impact our student numbers, local economy, and geopolitics – factors beyond our control that can impact our international student numbers.

The crucial role of agents and educators in the accommodation booking process 11:20 - 12:10, ICEF Accommodation roomModerator:Martijn van de Veen - Chief Business Development Officer, ICEF
Panelists:Jan Capper - Executive Director, CUBO
Lisa Hayward - Head of International Partnerships, iQ Student
Amina Hofri - Head of Applicant Experience & Conversion, King's College London
Jyotan Singh - Director, SIEC - Melbourne
Description: Student recruitment professionals have a responsibility to provide the best possible support and advice to their students throughout the entire recruitment process. This includes accommodation: students deserve transparency and professional advice on cost, providers, formats, affordability and the booking process itself.

For recruitment professionals such guidance also comes with opportunities: Strategic partnerships with accommodation providers and/or booking platforms give educators and agents a competitive edge, increase their student recruitment success, and generate additional income through commissions made on accommodation bookings.

In this session we explore this crucial role of agents and educators in the accommodation booking process. Our panel of experts will provide insights from an agency, educator and accommodation provider angle, and share best practices.

The rise of co-living: A transformative housing solution for international students 12:10 - 12:30, ICEF Accommodation roomSpeaker:Katherine Rose - Cofounder and Managing Director, VervLife
Description: in partnership with Coliving Ventures

Coliving, also known as communal living or shared housing, is the latest buzzword in the rental sector and is increasingly popular among international students. It’s a concept where residents, often from different demographics or stages in life, live in a shared residence and share services and amenities. The concept has gained popularity as a solution for affordable housing and as a response to the desire for community.

During this session, Katherine Rose, Managing Director at VervLife will explain why coliving is an attractive offering for renters, specifically international and UK students; how coliving has evolved over the years, and touch on the challenges the sector is having.

Networking lunch 12:30 - 13:30, ICEF Accommodation room

HMOs and beyond: Understanding product fit in a changing market 13:30 - 13:55, ICEF Accommodation roomSpeaker:Richard Ward - Head of Research, StuRents
Description: Richard Ward, StuRents’ Head of Research, will delve into the specifics of two primary student accommodation types in the UK: HMOs (Houses in Multiple Occupation) and PBSAs (Purpose-Built Student Accommodation). He will compare these formats in terms of format, availability, pricing, and assess their suitability for different student demographics.
Additionally, Richard will examine how fluctuations in student demand, seasonal factors, or even booking speed have a direct impact on the accommodation landscape, including how they affect the crucial "clearing" period: the time when university offers are accepted or declined.

Tackling the triple A in student accommodation issues: Affordability, Availability, Accountability 14:00 - 14:55, ICEF Accommodation roomModerator:Josephine (Jo) Phinith - Business Development Manager, ICEF
Panelists:Hannah Chappatte - Founder & CEO, Hybr
Hui Zhao - Business Director, GoBritanya and Stuhomes
Arunima Dey - Research Manager, The Class Foundation
Speaker:Karen Best - Head of Accommodation, PWC
Description: Beyond choosing what and where to study, one of the most significant challenges that international students are faced with nowadays is finding accommodation. Popular study destinations worldwide are dealing with capacity and affordability crises, which affect international students’ decision making processes and limit their study options.

This session will start with a brief introduction and market insights by Karen Best, Head of Accommodation at PwC, followed by a panel discussion that will zoom in on the following points:
- Factors that contribute to the current availability, affordability and accountability challenges
- A comparison between different major study destinations and how they are responding to their accommodation challenges
- The role that technologically advanced accommodation booking platforms [can] play in terms of access to suitable and affordable accommodation for international students
- The need for transparency, convenience, safety and equal opportunity, allowing students to make well informed decisions and book their new ‘home from home’

Ultimately, the panel will debate which options and responsibilities recruitment professionals have to assist their students with access to appropriate accommodation in their study destination of choice.

Coffee break 15:00 - 15:30, ICEF Accommodation room

Live well, study better: The connection between accommodation and mental health 15:30 - 15:50, ICEF Accommodation roomSpeaker:Yeme Onoabhagbe - Chief Executive, Student Minds
Description: In recent years, the higher education sector has become increasingly aware of the challenges posed by student mental health. With approximately a third of the student body in the UK suffering “clinical levels of psychological distress” according to a study published in the E-Journal of Applied Psychology, it is an issue that needs to be addressed at an institutional level, with the role of accommodation and related services playing a crucial part.

In this presentation, Yeme Onoabhagbe (Chief Executive, Student Minds) provides a valuable overview of the student experience in purpose built student accommodation (PBSA). The session includes a discussion of the impact accommodation can have on mental health, an outline of the latest reports from a range of stakeholders (including partner universities and Student Minds), and concludes with a summary of the best practices adopted by universities to support students with accommodation-related challenges as seen through the lens of the University Mental Health Charter.

Going beyond accommodation: The added value of community, amenities, events 15:55 - 16:15, ICEF Accommodation roomModerator:Martijn van de Veen - Chief Business Development Officer, ICEF
Panelists:Laura Bosworth - Founder & CMO, REAL
Dawn Williams - Director of Marketing, Vita Group
Description: Especially for international students who typically embark on their very first trip overseas to immerse in an entirely new culture and environment, suitable accommodation will need to be their 'safe space', where they feel comfortable amidst the unfamiliar surroundings.

To achieve this feeling of security, of being welcome and supported in a new environment, it's crucial to look beyond the basics of a roof and a bed and offer access to a range of amenities, services, social functions allowing international students to thrive.

In this fireside chat, we'll discuss what's necessary and why, what's nice to have, which amenities cater best to different types of students, and who should provide these: the accommodation provider, the education provider, the local municipality, or the student union for example?

Unlocking global perspectives of student accommodation 16:15 - 16:55, ICEF Accommodation roomPanelists:Simeon Anyalemechi - International student,
Kat Mokrynski - International student,
Clara Wood - International student,
Speakers:Deenie Lee - Co-Founder and Director, The Property Marketing Strategists
Sarah Canning - Co-Founder and Director, The Property Marketing Strategists
Description: Sarah Canning and Deenie Lee from The Property Marketing Strategists discuss the findings from their recent research Unlocking The Global Perspectives of Student Accommodation.

Looking at the key data taken from the survey of 2,000 students studying globally, the session will cover:
- Price vs value
- Why not all ‘international students’ are the same
- Cultural differences
- Lease flexibility
- Nurturing a diverse community

As the student voice is the most important, a panel of students from The Youth Forum will be joining The Property Marketing Strategists to share their personal experiences of finding and living in student accommodation.

Coffee break 17:00 - 17:30, ICEF Accommodation room

From disappointment and despair to security and safety: Avoiding scams in student housing 17:30 - 17:50, ICEF Accommodation roomSpeaker:Victoria Tolmie-Loverseed - Deputy Chief Executive, Unipol Student Homes
Description: International students in the UK are likely to experience high housing costs and can be vulnerable to cases of scams or poor quality accommodation. This also has a significant impact on academic performance and as industry professionals we have a responsibility to assist students in finding safe, well-managed housing and make sure they avoid scams.

This is where Unipol plays an important role: the student housing charity runs a number of “Codes” that can provide the much needed security, reliability and safety. These codes are accreditation schemes that:
- set professional standards for student accommodation buildings and their management. Code members voluntarily commit to meeting these standards
- check compliance with those standards
- give students assurance and confidence about the quality of what they are signing up for when they opt for a Code property
- give students a robust complaints process if things go wrong.

In this session, Victoria Tolmie-Loverseed from Unipol will walk us through the different codes and their specifics; and explain how these codes help agents and educators in their efforts to avoid scams and secure access to proper housing for their students.

Meeting the accommodation needs of international students: Why data matters 17:50 - 18:10, ICEF Accommodation roomSpeaker:Paul Humphreys - Founder & CEO, StudentCrowd
Description: Understanding the needs, desires, concerns and opportunities for international students in terms of accommodation starts with collecting reliable data and insights. Not just industry statistics, but also and especially, data and insights generated from the students directly.

Through verified reviews, student generated rankings, responses to polls, we are able to answer important questions, for example: how do requirements from domestic students compare to international students? How is accommodation availability impacting international students’ decision making process in terms of their study options? Which trends can we identify in terms of student accommodation pricing?

In this session, Paul Humphreys, Founder and CEO of StudentCrowd, will explain why data matters when it comes to the needs of accommodation for international students.

Homestay: A safe space for students overseas 18:15 - 19:00, ICEF Accommodation roomModerator:Josephine (Jo) Phinith - Business Development Manager, ICEF
Panelists:David Bycroft - Founder & Chief Business Development Officer, MyStay International (MSI)
Lorna Clayton MBE - Managing Director, Founder, Academic Families
Adam Gregory Lee - CEO & Co-founder, StudentRoomStay
Description: Studying abroad is a great adventure, but navigating an entirely new environment, especially for the first time, can be very challenging and frightening. This puts extra emphasis on the importance of appropriate student housing: not just a place to sleep but their ‘home away from home’. The right ‘fit’ in terms of accommodation can and will have a significant positive impact on their overall study experience.

In this session, industry experts will discuss and outline the many advantages of homestay for international students as a perfect bridge between the trusted home situation in their country of origin and the 'dive into the deep': living without their family, in a foreign country. For example, homestay offers a safe landing for students in a completely new environment and helps to manage the culture shock, build a local network, and has a welcoming family that keeps an eye on them.

Welcome reception 19:00 - 21:00, ICEF Accommodation room

ICEF Monitor Global Summit - Seminar Programme

Seminars