Muhammad Anis UR REHMAN

Abstract: Universities across the Asia-Pacific region face growing pressure to diversify international student recruitment, reduce dependence on individual source markets, and demonstrate clear ROI. While education agents are widely recognised as valuable, many institutions lack a clearly defined strategy for selecting, managing, and measuring their performance. When implemented with clear oversight, strategic agency partnerships can significantly accelerate sustainable international growth. In this panel discussion, educators and agents come together to move beyond theory and share practical experiences in building and governing high-performing networks. Aligning with the APAIE 2027 theme, this session explores how to balance the vital human relationships at the core of international recruitment with the strategic use of technology and AI to improve efficiency and oversight. The panel addresses three core challenges facing university leaders: diversifying recruitment, identifying trusted partners, and evaluating whether a strategy is working. Attendees will gain actionable insights into creating a robust agency strategy, vetting partners for high ethical standards, motivating performance, and measuring success using KPIs and practical benchmarking tools. By examining real-world examples, institutions will learn how to demonstrate concrete ROI and secure senior management buy-in. Learning objectives: • Formulate a strategic approach to agency partnerships that accelerates sustainable international growth and diversifies student recruitment. • Implement practical vetting processes to identify, select, and trust high-quality education agents while ensuring the highest ethical standards. • Manage and motivate agent networks effectively to drive ongoing performance and achieve institutional goals. • Leverage AI and technology to improve efficiency, decision-making, and oversight, while preserving the trusted human relationships central to recruitment. • Measure success and demonstrate ROI using KPIs, performance data, and benchmarking tools to drive continuous improvement and secure senior management buy-in. Target audience: This session is relevant to anyone that is directly or indirectly involved in international student marketing, recruitment admissions, support.

Abstract: As international student decision-making continues to evolve; institutions are using AI and automation to keep pace at scale. While AI tools can drive efficiency and more personalised experiences, conversion still comes down to something more human: trust, reassurance, and a real sense of belonging. Drawing on findings from IDP’s Emerging Futures surveys, this session will explore what students think about AI and peer-to-peer interactions in the search process, and how they are actually using it as part of their decision-making journey. Additionally, the session will examine how to design recruitment journeys that combine smart automation with meaningful human interaction by using real-life examples. We’ll explore where AI genuinely improves the student experience, but also where it can risk feeling impersonal or undermine trust if overused. A key focus will be identifying the right “human intervention moments” throughout nurture cycles, so students feel supported when it matters most. The session will also unpack how roles are evolving, particularly for counsellors and peer ambassadors, and how institutions can use behavioural data and AI to personalise engagement at scale, without losing authenticity. At its core, this session focuses on building recruitment journeys that feel both smart and human. Learning objectives: - Identify where AI enhances the student experience, but where it risks undermining trust and authenticity. - Learn how to design recruitment journeys that balance intelligent automation with meaningful human interaction. - Explore how the roles of counsellors and peer ambassadors are evolving in an AI-enabled environment. - Apply practical strategies to create recruitment experiences that foster trust, reassurance, and a sense of belonging. Target audience: - Senior University and RTO Leaders - Student Recruitment and Admissions Teams - International Office and Partnerships Teams - Marketing and Communications Professionals