International higher education forum 2022

Session A - Unwrapping EdTech in international student recruitment

Session B - How can universities track their sustainability?

Session C - The strategic importance of your education agents: understanding your biggest student recruitment channel

Please see 'thematic roundtables' tab for more details on each session including speakers.

Professor Dame Janet Beer, Vice-Chancellor, University of Liverpool

Alex Burghart MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Skills, Department for Education

Stephen Wordsworth, Executive Director, Cara

An update from Cara on current priorities, and how universities can support these endeavours.

Hearing from senior leaders at four different institutions, this session will provide insight into how the most pressing issues are discussed within executive teams and how decisions are made on the most challenging of topics. Sector leaders will speak about the tough choices they have to make – and crucially, how do conflict, principles, ​and values affect these choices?

• Professor Andrea Nolan, Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Edinburgh Napier University
• Professor Colin Bailey, President and Principal, Queen Mary, University of London
• Professor Svein Stølen, Rector, University of Oslo
• Professor Nishan Canagarajah, President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Leicester
• Chair: Professor Dame Janet Beer, Vice-Chancellor, University of Liverpool

Professor Dame Janet Beer, Vice-Chancellor, University of Liverpool

Navigate to the virtual hub on our conference platform to find pre-recorded content.

Choose one session to join live. You can access the recordings of all sessions on the conference platform following the event.

• Session A - With great growth, comes great responsibility: where next for the UK’s international student recruitment?
• Session B - The surprising international activities of specialist and smaller universities and colleges
• Session C - A force for good: the role of higher education in international development
• Session D - League tables and litigation: Mitigating future risks and ensuring your international student experience remains world-class

Please see 'specialist sessions' tab for more details on each session including speakers.

Navigate to the virtual hub on our conference platform to find pre-recorded content.

Choose one session to join live. You can access the recordings of all sessions on the conference platform following the event.

• Session A - A phoenix from the ashes: future-proofing strategies for international experience
• Session B - A lost cause or a great opportunity? What the UK can learn from European student recruitment strategies
• Session C - Using English proficiency scores well in the recruitment and admissions processes
• Session D - Future of opportunities: top trends in international education for 2022 and beyond

Please see 'specialist sessions' tab for more details on each session including speakers.

Professor Dame Janet Beer, Vice-Chancellor, University of Liverpool

George Freeman MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Minister for Science, Research and Innovation, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS)

Universities’ high degree of international engagement provides significant benefits - to the quality and impact of UK research, to students (both domestic and international), to universities, and to the local and national economy. However, these activities may carry some degree of risk. It is incumbent on the sector to take steps to protect people and intellectual and other property from interference and misuse and, in some cases, support national security efforts. Internationalisation must be safe, secure, and sustainable. This debate, followed by a panel discussion will outline some of the risks associated with internationalisation, and how the sector and government are and should be responding to them. 

Debate 

• Professor Peter Mathieson, Principal and Vice-Chancellor, University of Edinburgh
• Graham Stuart MP, Former Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department for International Trade and Former Chairman of the Education Select Committee
• Chair: Vivienne Stern MBE, Director, Universities UK International

Wider discussion following debate 

• Paul Davidson, President, Universities Canada
• Dr Karen Salt, Deputy Director, Research and Development Culture and Environment, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
• Professor Thomas Hofmann, President, Technical University of Munich (TUM)

• Dr Anzhela Stashchak, Associate Professor, Head of the International Relations Office, Kharkiv National Medical University, Ukraine

Navigate to the virtual hub on our conference platform to find pre-recorded content.

Choose one session to join live. You can access the recordings of all sessions on the conference platform following the event. 

• Session A - Levelling up by thinking global: attracting foreign direct investment
• Session B - Offshore campuses and Global Britain: an aspirational partnership
• Session C - The international student experience: closing the perception gap
• Session D - The China student boom is coming to the UK. Are you ready?

Please see 'specialist sessions' tab for more details on each session including speakers.

Navigate to the virtual hub on our conference platform to find pre-recorded content.

Hosted by Sirin Myles and Charlene Allen of The IC Global Partnership and Elsa Zenatti-Daniels of Aston Business School, this afternoon networking session will provide a curated space for a global dialogue with delegates across the conference. Collectively, they have over 40 years of UK higher education internationalisation sector-specific operational and leadership experience and will help to facilitate a thought-provoking discussion on employability for international students. This networking is designed for those that prefer to have structure to their online conversations.

• Charlene Allen, Co-Founder and Director, The IC Global Partnership
• Sirin Myles, Co-Founder and Director, The IC Global Partnership
• Elsa Zenatti-Daniels, Postgraduate Student Development Lead, Aston Business School and Chair, Business Education Expert Community for the International Association for International Education (EAIE)

Professor Dame Janet Beer, Vice-Chancellor, University of Liverpool

Scott McDonald, CEO, British Council

Join Chief Executive Officer of IDP Connect, Simon Emmett, as he unveils early findings from IDP Connect’s Emerging Futures research. Analysing the latest trends and student sentiment within the international student recruitment landscape, this exclusive preview will provide attendees with the most recent decision intentions of international students looking to study overseas in the coming intakes.

Simon Emmett, CEO, IDP Connect

This session will hear from senior leaders in international higher education from the UK, Australia, New Zealand and the  USA, about the present and future of international student recruitment, including in the context of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Discussions will revolve around competitive advantage, asking questions such as: how will Australia come back following the publication of their international education strategy, why is Canada so far ahead, and where does the UK need to improve to become a more attractive study destination? We will also explore emerging issues around EdTech and digital disruption and what the future may look like for international student recruitment strategies.  

• Maddalaine Ansell, Director, Education, British Council
• Dr Erik Lithander, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Strategic Engagement), The University of Auckland
• Robin Matross Helms, Assistant Vice President for Programs and Global Initiatives, American Council on Education (ACE)
• The Hon. Phil Honeywood, Chief Executive Officer, International Education Association of Australia (IEAA)
• Sunny Yang, Associate Vice-President (Student Recruitment and Admissions), Monash University
• Chair: Amy Baker, CEO and Co-Founder, The PIE News

Professor Dame Janet Beer, Vice-Chancellor, University of Liverpool

The UK has reached the target set in the government's International Education Strategy, to recruit 600,000 international students a year by 2030, almost a decade early. So, what now? How sustainable is this growth, how prepared was the UK for it and, with the target met, is the UK’s International Education Strategy still relevant?

• David Pilsbury, Chief Development Officer, Oxford International Education Group
• Bobby Mehta, Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor (Global Engagement), University of Portsmouth

• Dr Stephanie Harris, Acting Assistant Director, Policy and Global Engagement, Universities UK International 

• Chair: Mark Garratt, Global Director, International Student Recruitment, The University of Law and Chair, Universities Marketing Forum (UMF), Council for Advancement and Support of Education Europe (CASE Europe)

This session will look at how smaller and specialist institutions engage internationally and how they are developing their plans. It will build on recent work undertaken by GuildHE looking at international activities and feature senior leaders from smaller institutions. 

• Matthew Guest, Policy Manager (Knowledge Exchange, Places and Skills), GuildHE
• Clarie Middleton, Principal and Chief Executive, Rose Bruford College of Theatre and Performance
• Professor John Strachan, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Enterprise, Bath Spa University and Director, GuildHE Research 
• Chair: Gordon McKenzie, CEO, GuildHE

In this session, we will look at how the FCDO-funded SPHEIR programme (Strategic Partnerships for Higher Education Innovation and Reform) has enabled UK higher education to make a critical contribution to sustainable development in focus countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

As the current SPHEIR programme comes to a close this session will highlight the key successes of the programme, demonstrating the role higher education can play in sustainable development.

The session will have a particular focus on the experience of UK higher education partners in the programme. Panellists will reflect on their experiences of being involved in the programme including what enabled their institutions to successfully interact with the programme, what challenges they faced in doing so and the impact of participation in the programme on their wider institution.

• Susanna Carmody, Team Leader - SPHEIR, Education and Society, British Council 
• Jethro Pettit, Emeritus Fellow, Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex
• Laura Hucks, Director, King’s Global Health Partnerships, King's College London
• Dr Ewan MacLeod, Programme Director, International Animal Health MSc, University of Edinburgh
• Chair: Professor Richard Follett, Associate Vice President and Deputy Pro Vice Chancellor (International), University of Sussex 

With Symplicity 

Recent research on international students’ experiences before, during and after periods of study in the UK suggests potential disconnects between expectations and reality. From careers support to mental health and wellbeing, what are overseas students telling us and how can we support and safeguard them further? In an increasingly complex and ever-changing HE landscape, what risks to the student experience – and the university – does the future hold? And from policy, technology and professional services perspectives, what are universities doing now to tackle these?

From new approaches to Graduate Outcomes Survey data collection and the impact of new visa arrangements to the rise of reported instances of bullying, harassment and hate crime amongst overseas students, this session will share good practice examples from across the UK – and explore where we might be falling short. Take away practical steps and innovations to drive positive outcomes and success across your international student community.

• Dr Alexis Brown, Director of Policy and Advocacy, Higher Education Policy Institute
• Adam Powell, Director of Client Success (UKI and Europe), Symplicity

• Theo Cooke, Student Success Lead, Symplicity

• Lisa Umenyiora, Executive Director, Careers and Student Life, Imperial College Business School

Once far down the agenda of some university leaders, the profile of international experiences such as study and work abroad, Internationalisation at Home and virtual mobility has been boosted among universities, policymakers and the public alike.  

New initiatives such as the Turing Scheme and the Welsh Government’s International Learning Exchange programme are providing access to funding and generating renewed interest in the benefits of international experiences.

This session will explore how strategic thinking around student and staff international mobility and experience is evolving, and how institutions can future-proof their strategies. It aims to help colleagues build upon existing global partnerships, take advantage of emerging opportunities, deliver on sector priorities of widening participation and sustainability, and weather disruption from global events such as the Covid-19 pandemic.

• Professor Philip M Gilmartin, Pro-Vice-Chancellor International, University of Hull
• Dr Joanna Newman, Chief Executive and Secretary General, Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU)
• Susana Galván, Executive Director, Taith (Wales)
• Chair: Sarah Leach, Head of Global Programmes, University of York 

The latest HESA and UCAS data paints a very bleak, but not unexpected, picture of EU student recruitment in the UK. Meanwhile across Europe, universities are pondering their own recruitment strategies amid the ongoing uncertainty of the pandemic.  

This panel session will unite experts from the UK and across Europe to discuss recruitment strategies of the future and explore topics such as 'What is the impact of the new European Strategy for Universities announced by the European Commission?' and ‘How could knowledge sharing between UK and European universities be mutually beneficial?’

The student voice is central to this conversation and a student speaker will provide valuable insight into what European students value when choosing a study destination.  

• Ilona Myllyniemi, Postgraduate Student (Master of Arts), University of Edinburgh, International Student Ambassador, UKCISA
• Carle Bonafous-Murat, Senior liaison officer, French Rectors' Conference, Brussels office, and former President of Université Sorbonne Nouvelle
• Chair: Saskia Loer-Hansen, Interim Vice-Chancellor, Aston University, and Chair of the UUKi Europe Network

With ETS TOEFL

Information about English proficiency is an important part of the university admissions process for international students, but how can such information be obtained from language test scores for decision making? In this session, presenters will discuss best practices for using scores from any English language proficiency test. Audience discussion will allow institutions to share their experience in setting and re-evaluating their English proficiency score requirements.

Setting appropriate English proficiency score requirements can be daunting for those who are not language professionals. How can an institution know how much English is enough? Is there a right score? Setting scores that are too high can result in turning away applicants who would have been a good fit for your institution, but setting scores that are too low can slow down a class, place greater demand on English language support programmes, or even lead to student failure. Some test specific guidelines for using scores will also be offered.

• Fiona Orel, Director of Assessment and Testing, International Study and Language Institute, University of Reading and Testing Officer, BALEAP (Global Forum for EAP Professionals)

• Sandy Bhangal, Associate Director, TOEFL Client Relations, ETS Global

With ApplyBoard

Few sectors felt the impact of the pandemic more than international education. As the pandemic has waned and vaccination rates have increased, the sector is now on the road to recovery, future growth, and the new realities that COVID-19 has created. With all of this change also brings about plenty of opportunity. Join us for a glimpse at the opportunities and top trends in the international student sector in 2022 and beyond.

• Colin Lumsden, VP of Partner Relations, ApplyBoard
• Inji Maher, Associate Director of Partner Relations, UK, ApplyBoard

How can universities help attract international business investment to local economies?

Universities are magnets for global business investments, with a growing number of multinational corporations deciding to invest in the world-class research and innovation talent hosted by UK institutions. These investments can play a major role in levelling up the UK economy by creating high-skilled jobs in local industry.

In this session, delegates will hear from institutional speakers with experience of securing major international business investments. Speakers will also consider how efforts at a local, regional and national level could be better aligned to attract more global business interest.

• Susie Kitchens, Deputy Director, Global Research and Innovation, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS)
• Alex Favier, Director of International Relations, Midlands Engine
• Rosalind Lowe, Head of Policy and Engagement, National Centre for Universities and Business (NCUB)
• Chair: Professor Paul Boyle, Vice-Chancellor, Swansea University

UK universities overseas campuses are a success story. They host over 61,000 students and employ upwards of 5,000 staff across campuses in over 20 countries. They also provide a significant reputational advantage to the UK, they bring high visibility to UK higher education and support other forms of UK education exports and soft power objectives. Offshore campuses also imply greater risk for institutions and the sector than other forms of transnational education, and are particularly exposed to domestic and overseas regulatory and reputational challenges.

In this session with leaders from the recently formed UK Overseas Campus Network, we will explore strategies that the UK Global Britain project could adopt to take full advantage of this unparalleled global asset, while mitigating reputational and financial risks in an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape.

• Dr Suzanna Tomassi, Higher Education Specialist, Department for International Trade
• Kylie Colvin, Director of Strategy and Business Transformation, Nottingham Malaysia Campus
• Jon Foster-Pedley, Dean and Director, Henley Business School Africa 
• Chair: Professor David Sadler, Provost, The University of Birmingham Dubai campus 

UKCISA are developing a new international student experience charter, based on perception of current international students - including their #WeAreInternational student ambassadors - to drive positive experiences for more international students. There seems to be a gap between the perceptions of prospective, versus current, international students on the student experience. Join colleagues from across the sector to discuss why this gap exists, how we can close it, and how UKCISA new charter can play a strong role in doing so.

• Jeremy Chan, Interim Head of Insights and Research, British Council East Asia
• Nancy Cooke, Associate Director: International Development, University of Salford, executive committee member, British Universities' International Liaison Association (BUILA)
• Natalja Nassonova, Undergraduate Student (Natural Sciences BSc), University of Leeds, International Student Ambassador, UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA)
• Chair: Anne Marie Graham, Chief Executive, UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA)

With Sinorbis 

The UK’s largest international student cohort is set for significant growth into the future, according to the latest report by Sinorbis. A predicted 50,000 Chinese students will apply to undergraduate courses at UK universities by 2030, with nearly half of those getting accepted into a program – which is a staggering 70% increase on 2021 numbers. It’s a billion-dollar opportunity for UK universities. However, in an increasingly competitive sector, there is no room for complacency. Growth will not be equal, or ubiquitous.

In this session, Sinorbis reveal new modelling on future Chinese student growth and profile trends in the UK. We’ll discuss what these insights mean for universities wanting to target the critical China market, and the tools universities need to deliver recruitment results into the future. Speakers include Sinorbis’ Desmond Kohn and Jeremy Phillips, along with dataHE’s Andrew Hargreaves.

• Jeremy Phillips, UK Partnerships, Sinorbis
• Desmond Kohn, Head of Partnerships, Sinorbis
• Andrew Hargreaves, Co-founder, dataHE

With Adventus.io

EdTech platforms are becoming increasingly important in the international student recruitment scene. This roundtable will take the form of an interactive Q&A session chaired by Adventus.io and a selection of their institutional reps.

• Chair: Chris Price, Senior Vice President - Partnerships (UK & Europe), Adventus.io

With QS

While other crises may have dominated the news cycles for some time, the climate crisis is not going away. Sustainability in its broader context as reflected in the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals is of increasing concern to organisations and consumers worldwide. Universities and their students are no exception. Indeed, in many ways universities are expected to stand as a positive example and to take the lead – an expectation that can be challenging to live up to.

Various external attempts have been made to evaluate universities in the context of sustainability; campaigns, such as the Race to Zero have sought to encourage universities, amongst other organisations, to commit to net zero targets – but what is being done inside universities to elevate these critical dimensions to belong to the central definition of institutional success? And what should the broader sector do to help institutions understand and undertake their journey towards a sustainable future? How can we help?

• Chair: Ben Sowter, Senior Vice President, QS Quacquarelli Symonds

With Edified

Research suggests that approximately 50% of international students use an education agent to study at UK universities, generating billions for the UK economy. Education agents have played a critical role in the sector’s Covid recovery, providing a crucial link between the UK and source markets.
 
Agents have partnered with the sector to develop the ‘National Code of Ethical Practice for UK Education Agents’ and the ‘Good Practice Guide for UK Providers Using Education Agents’; enabling documents designed to ensure the UK continues to recruit the brightest and the best. 
 
In this session we will investigate the strategic importance of education agents and help you to truly understand this critical international student recruitment partnership. The session is aimed at senior and executive leaders with or without experience of / responsibility for international education.

• Chair: Oliver Fortescue, Partner, Edified