Australia hosts top international education leaders at AIEC 2023

The Australian International Education Conference (AIEC), together with IDP Education and the International Education Association of Australia (IEAA), are hosting international education leaders in Adelaide this week.

Taking place from Oct. 10 to Oct. 13, the conference will explore how the A$26.6 billion sector can continue to  “transform people, places and ideas to create a more inclusive and connected world” under the theme “International education: visionary and transformative.”

The conference assembles the most influential figures in government, industry and NGOs, including ministers, vice-chancellors and CEOs.

The programme will look at market insights and updates, best practices, research, innovative use of technology, new models of learning and teaching, government policies and industry trends across a broad range of topics and subject matters. These include employability, English language, marketing, as well as vocational education and training.

The conversations will also dive into topical issues such as artificial intelligence, the future of international student markets and the cost-of-living crisis in the context of international education.

“At AIEC 2023 will be able to reflect on how we can best build a sustainable future for the industry, and  how we can promote the importance and benefits of international education to those outside our industry who make decisions and shape policies,” says Tennealle O’Shannessy, IDP Education Chief Executive Officer.

Education is Australia’s fourth-biggest export, with exports peaking at A$42.31 billion in 2019.

For the January to July 2023 period, there were 710,893 international students enrolled in Australian courses, an increase of 34% compared to the same period last year.

After border closures smashed revenues. top institutions are expecting a snapback to pre-COVID levels as early as 2025.

“Australia has long played an instrumental role catalysing the development and transformation of the global education sector,” says Phil Honeywood, IEAA Chief Executive Officer.

“It’s only fitting that this week the sector’s leaders will come together in Adelaide to find ways to continue to drive these advancements and support the sector’s ongoing growth.”

The most influential international education experts at AIEC 2023

AIEC 2023 has once again amassed an all-star list of speakers, including:

• The Hon. Jason Clare, Minister for Education
• The Hon. Brendan O’Connor, Minister for Skills and Training
• Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, Governor of South Australia
• Jane Johnston, CEO of StudyAdelaide
• Dr. Catherine Ball, scientific futurist
• Yeganeh Soltanpour, National President of the Council of International Students Australia
• Prof. Kent Anderson, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Global), The University of Newcastle
• Jessica Gallagher, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Global Engagement), The University of Adelaide
• Emma Talbot, APAC Account Director, Hybrid

International Generation Alpha are spending more time in worlds they’ve created and they control. Emma Talbot is set to bring deep insights into these peer-to-peer moments and show marketeers how to engage with new communities online. Source: Hybrid

Reflecting the conference’s “visionary and transformative” theme, Emma Talbot, Account Director of Hybrid, will describe what’s what next in student marketing channels in her session “Gen Alpha: multi-channel strategies for global connections.” Hybrid are content and creative specialists in education and technology.

The session will showcase fresh ideas and perspectives around AI tools, in-game immersion, interactive placements, digital communities and the power that comes with being authentic in these spaces.

“I look forward to the AIEC every year as we always come away from it with new insights for reaching our audience,” says Talbot.

“The first Gen Alphas could be applying to university in as little as two to three years. Knowing how to communicate with them will be fundamental for universities to ensure they are able to maintain market share.”

For more information about the conference schedule and speakers, visit www.aiec.idp.com/program