The success of this important event is a new milestone for ICEF on its mission to support and connect the international education industry. 

“After months in the making, we couldn't be prouder of the role the ICEF World Student Scholarship Education Programme has played in bringing together international education and scholarship professionals, all with the shared goal of supporting the best possible outcomes for students from the Middle East. ” Markus Badde, CEO of ICEF. 

The inaugural ICEF World Student Scholarship Education Programme took place last week with two full days of seminars and meetings between heads of global scholarship programmes from across the Gulf region and higher education institutions from over 20 countries. 

The interest in, and support for this event has been outstanding, with 175 representatives from over 100 scholarship organisations across the Gulf Cooperation Council countries attending, including: Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar.  ICEF is proud to have hosted some of the most prominent senior officials in this industry from government, public and private sectors, as well as VIP guests including Her Royal Highness Princess Nujud bint Hathloul bin Abdulaziz Al Saud from Saudi Arabia.  

With over 2,000 meetings held within just 2 days, the opportunities these new connections will generate is significant, and will go a long way in achieving the GCC’s long term vision of investing in their students. 

Gil Latz, Vice Provost for Global Strategies & International Affairs at the Ohio State University comments: 

"The ICEF World Scholarship Conference was a significant, eye-opening event, full of energy and enthusiasm for bridge-building between the Gulf region and the world. There is clear linkage between Vision 2030 and international strategic thinking at the Ohio State University. We look forward to welcoming government and foundation sponsored students to our campus where talented students will learn, research, and engage on an array of topics to deepen understanding between the U.S. and the Arab world.”

In addition, Jean-Philippe Tachdjian, Executive Director of International Education at Global Affairs Canada notes the long term value:

"This has been an invaluable event for us, in order to make the contacts that we need to build stronger partnerships between Canada and the Gulf region.”

And from Australia, MENA Senior Advisor Adam Hadid from Torrens University remarks:

 "I really appreciate all the hard work that ICEF has put in for the success of this great event, key stakeholders within the GCC sectors came and committed to attending a very well organised event with great seminars and exposure to future planning; definitely worth our participation all the way from Sydney.”

From a scholarship provider’s perspective, Michael Armour from the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge comments on the immediate impact this event has had: 

“It’s been great. I’ve had 5 meetings so far this afternoon, and I’ll be sending students to 4 of those institutions without a doubt. All in all, I’ve found 80-100 student placements in the last 24 hours.”