Seminar Programme ICEF Vancouver

Canada continues to be the most popular destination for international high school students because of the excellence of education in English and French, value and variety of programs offered by our member schools from coast to coast. This presentation will share information about resources and tools to support agents in navigating the Canadian high school landscape. CAPS-I staff will also provide agents with useful insights and tips to enable them to better meet the needs of their clients/students. Agents will also learn about the Canada Course, a professional learning opportunity available at no cost, to help build ‘Canadian’ expertise within their staff.

Canadian banks play a crucial and responsible role in supporting international students facing rising living costs and tuition fees. In this joint interview, we will highlight the financial challenges international students typically encounter in Canada and discuss solutions, including funding options, navigating the Canadian banking system, and the financial impact of recent policy changes. These insights will help education providers and agencies improve their student financial guidance in partnership with Canadian banks.

Join us on this session to learn how Languages Canada and BorderPass are joining forces to help agencies and institutions improve students' visa experience.

In the first quarter of 2025, BorderPass has filed the most judicial reviews for refused study permits out of any firm in Canada for applicants from 35 different countries and 40+ Colleges and Universities across Canada. 80% of refusals have been overturned by BorderPass's judicial review!

Do you want to:

  *   Improve your client's visa acceptance rates for study permits, TRV and visa extensions?

  *   Ensure your clients are vetted for visa application success and submit flawless visa applications?

  *   Gain access to an effective process for appealing visa rejections and further improve acceptance rates?

Stay in Control: continue advising your clients while BorderPass handles compliance and legal complexities, streamlining your workflow and improving approval rates. Students have a clear path forward, increasing their chances of success without overwhelming agents, institutions or applicants with complex legal proceedings.

BorderPass is a lawyer-backed digital platform designed to simplify and support international student immigration processes.

This is a critical moment for Canadian institutions to reimagine our approach to international student recruitment. We must remember that we are not the default #1 choice for students anymore. We have to earn our place, again! We must put students first, adopt a conversion mindset, and seize every lead as a valuable opportunity. With Canada’s student visa approvals dropping 34% in 2024 and a projected 20–30% further decline in 2025, the urgency to adapt is undeniable. Direct or Independent applicant channel offers a great opportunity for institutions.

In this session, Emrah Oyman from Georgian College and Saurabh Malhotra from Student Direct will delve into transforming student recruitment amidst these challenges. We’ll explore how to grow direct and independent applicants by aligning with evolving student demands: meeting their 24/7 information needs, embracing direct communication via WhatsApp and phone over outdated emails, crafting compelling value propositions to showcase Canada’s promise, and delivering authentic insights from institutional leaders and peers to inspire their future success. We will showcase how performance marketing and strategic content production—proven to convert 50-70% better than traditional campaigns—can amplify outreach, drawing from data of our recent West Africa and South Asia campaigns with institutions. Join us for a thought-provoking session that goes beyond the tried and tested and offers an approach for the future.

In 2024, the Canadian government enacted a number of policy decisions that directly affected the country’s international education sector. With institutions, and the agents with whom they work, forced to navigate a rapidly evolving policy environment that includes absolute caps, as well as a tighter visa application process, there has been considerable uncertainty, and the situation remains challenging. 

However, as the industry has adapted to the changes, a number of opportunities have emerged. With Canada still a popular study destination, thanks to the world-class education it provides, anecdotal evidence has suggested that the more stringent visa process has led to schools and agents vetting more effectively, with the result that a higher proportion of genuine students are being recruited. 

In this session, we look at the extent to which the new regulations have led to better recruitment standards. We also question whether student outcomes are being effectively aligned with labour needs and, finally, we look at whether the new rules are dissuading potentially successful students from applying to Canadian institutions.

In today’s competitive education landscape, aligning recruitment strategies with labor market trends is essential for long-term success. This session will equip agents with the tools to expand their recruitment portfolio by identifying high demand programs that resonate with workforce needs.

The presentation will focus on two key areas:

1. Labor Market Needs Data – Understanding current and projected labor market demands is critical for guiding students toward programs that offer strong career prospects. We will explore reliable sources of labor market data and demonstrate how agents can use this information to match students with programs that lead to in-demand careers.
2. Strategic Program Alignment with PGWP eligibility – Beyond well-established fields like business, emerging programs in areas such as AI, sustainability, and healthcare present exciting opportunities for students. However, program selection must also consider Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility, as this significantly impacts students’ ability to gain work experience and transition into the labor market. This presentation will discuss how agents can identify programs that not only align with industry demand but also support students' long-term goals.

By the end of this session, participants will have a better understanding of strategic fields of study to refine their recruitment approach, ensuring alignment with both student aspirations and Canadian workforce trends.

The Canadian inbound market has seen a tremendous shift in the international enrolment landscape in the past year. With all study levels affected, we look at what these changes have meant for the Canadian K-12 sector. 

This session will explore both the positive and negative impacts of the recent changes and highlight the importance of taking a proactive approach in order to create new opportunities. We will look at the key areas where K-12 institutions can enhance existing offerings and innovate further in order to attract new students. We will also consider the many benefits of leveraging agent partnerships, working constructively to tap into new markets. Finally, we’ll spend some time on how strategic agent engagement can yield viable results for institutions amidst these challenging times.

Quebec’s private schools offer a unique blend of high-quality education, French Immersion, and a secure environment for international students. In this session, you’ll discover top institutions that provide student residences, gain insights into Quebec’s distinct education system, and learn how these prestigious schools can be the perfect fit for your students. Join us to explore the opportunities your students await in Canada’s only French-speaking province!

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Les écoles privées du Québec offrent un mélange unique d'éducation de haute qualité, d'immersion en français et d'un environnement sécurisé pour les étudiants internationaux. Dans cette session, vous découvrirez des établissements prestigieux avec des résidences étudiantes, explorerez les particularités du système éducatif québécois et apprendrez comment ces écoles renommées peuvent être une option idéale pour vos étudiants. Rejoignez-nous pour découvrir les opportunités qui les attendent dans la seule province francophone du Canada !

In 2024, a number of countries, including the UK, Australia, and Canada, enacted stringent new policies with regard immigration. Not only do these policies have a direct effect on international student recruitment - whether through caps or through tougher visa regulations - but they also impact student perception of a destination, encouraging them to consider alternative study options. 

In this session, we are joined by a group of students for a frank discussion around the impact of immigration-related policy changes on student choices. We not only consider the potential reputational damage that such restrictions create, but also the best approaches that institutions can take to mitigate these issues and encourage students to apply. The session then concludes with a Q&A, allowing the audience the chance to expand on points raised during the discussion. 

Perfect for regular attendees to both refresh their knowledge and share their experiences with first timers, this special session provides practical tips and strategies for making the most out of any ICEF event, and ICEF Vancouver in particular. 

With community at the heart of the international education industry, this session presents a unique opportunity for ICEF regulars and newcomers alike to pool their knowledge in a supportive environment, fostering a more productive event experience. 

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

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.

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:

1. Encouraging diverse applicants: The importance of postgraduate work permits - Luc Laroche
2. Widening opportunities for students: How can embedded colleges support high-school students? - Sana Amjad
3. How to address the accommodation challenges faced by international students in Canada - Avie Estrin
4. Ensuring effective training: Keeping offshore representatives up to date - Jelena Bogunovic
5. How does experiential learning prepare students for post-secondary education? - TBA
6. Achieving your work, study and residency goals through quality on line French programs - John DeFranco
7. The use of AI in student recruitment processes: Pros and cons - Philippe Taza