Daryl FONG

Abstract: This panel addresses the student recruitment stream by exploring how AI-powered tools are transforming international student recruitment while maintaining the essential human connection that defines quality international education. The session examines the balance between leveraging AI for efficiency in admissions, personalized communication, and predictive analytics, while preserving authentic human engagement that supports student wellbeing and cross-cultural understanding. The discussion addresses challenges including maintaining genuine student engagement when AI has become integral in student application process, ensuring equity in AI-driven admissions processes across diverse Asia-Pacific contexts, and training recruitment professionals to use AI as a tool that enhances rather than replaces human judgment. The panel consist of one (1) university representative in Vietnam, one (1) university representative in Australia and one (1) major student recruitment agency, will share institutional case studies demonstrating successful integration of AI tools while maintaining personalized support for prospective students, particularly from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds across the Asia-Pacific region where access to technology varies significantly. Pearson, as the moderator, will provide insights from past test-takers' behavior data and market research reports to set the scene and facilitate the discussion on evolving student preferences, including change of student behaviour in using AI. Learning objectives: - Participants will understand how leading Asia-Pacific institutions are balancing AI efficiency with human-centered recruitment - Gain practical strategies for implementing AI recruitment tools while maintaining authentic student engagement - Learn approaches to ensure equity in student’s AI-driven application across diverse regional contexts Target audience: Admissions officers, university administrators responsible for enrollment management, university international student recruitment professionals, and policy makers shaping international education frameworks.