Six years of growth sees biggest ICEF Dubai Workshop ever

Feb. 8, 2012 - PRLog -- The ICEF Dubai Workshop (January 30 - February 01) grew for the sixth consecutive year in 2012, driven by an 8% increase in the number of agencies at the event over last year.

The event hosted a total of 407 participants, including educators from 126 international institutions and agents from 169 agencies in Turkey and 30 other countries in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia. “Thank you ICEF for giving me the opportunity to hold meetings with such a large number of quality education providers under one roof!” commented David Abiola Olawale ON, from David Abim Consulting, in Nigeria.

In total, 215 individual agents were present at the event. Educators were very impressed with the overall quality and range of contacts. Brian Burns of iStudy International, a language school based in Ireland said, “The Middle East is quite a new market for us. ICEF Dubai has provided us with an excellent introduction to the region”.

Institutions at the Dubai Workshop covered all education sectors and were well represented in the region’s two main areas of interest, higher education and language study (Language schools 43%, Universities & vocational 41%, Secondary/Boarding/High Schools 12%, Multi-sector 4%). “We met a range of quality educators from around the world. Simply put it, it does not get any better than this” said Asghar Aftab Khan, of AK Consultants, an agency in Pakistan.

On the first day of the workshop, the ICEF Agent Training Course certified its 100th ITAC (ICEF Trained Agent Counsellor). Yousuf Aleemuddin, from Data Education Destinations Adventure Tourism Agency, was recognised at a special presentation as the 100th candidate to successfully pass the formal exam. Mr. Aleemuddin was also the first ITAC to be certified from Saudi Arabia. ICEF Agent Relations Manager Nabil Najd said, “We are very pleased for Yousuf because as the first ITAC in his country, he sets a precedent for other agents”.

Given that personal contact is crucially important in this part of the world, the workshop schedule gave participants maximum opportunity to meet and get to know each other. Social events, such as the two evening receptions, allowed participants to relax, interact and enjoy Emirati hospitality. In particular, participants were very impressed by a whirling Dervish dancer.

The next ICEF Dubai Workshop will be held January 28– 30, 2013, once again at the Jumeirah Emirates Towers. Registration for this event is now open.

If you require further information please contact Korinne Algie at communications@icef.com

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ICEF connects educators and student recruitment agents to key markets and networks worldwide, helping them achieve the results and efficiencies they require in growing international student enrolments.

ICEF has built a reputation for quality through ICEF Workshops, the industry`s premier educator/agent networking events; ICEF Online Workshop, the collaborative Internet platform linking educators, agents and service providers; and ICEF Agent Training, professional development for the international education sector.

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