New Delhi: Global Education Leaders Chart Future Of Student Mobility At ApplyBoard Top Recruiters Workshop 2026
· Free Press Journal
New Delhi: The evolving landscape of international education and the future of global student mobility took centre stage as the ApplyBoard Top Recruiters Workshop (TRW) 2026 concluded in New Delhi on March 15. The two-day event brought together universities, recruitment partners and education leaders from across the world to discuss emerging trends shaping the global study abroad ecosystem.
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Held over the weekend of March 14–15, the conference attracted a large gathering of stakeholders in the international education sector. More than 1,500 participants attended the event, including over 1,100 recruitment partners and representatives from universities across several countries. The workshop served as a platform for institutions and recruitment partners to exchange perspectives on the rapid changes affecting international education, including shifting government policies, evolving student expectations and the growing role of technology in student recruitment.
Changing patterns in student mobility
In the opening keynote address, ApplyBoard CoFounder and CEO Meti Basiri spoke about the future of international education and the changing priorities of students considering study abroad opportunities. Despite policy changes and tighter regulations in several traditional destinations, Basiri said global interest in overseas education remains strong. He noted that the number of international students worldwide is projected to exceed 10 million by 2030, driven largely by expanding middle-class populations and youthful demographics in countries such as India and Nigeria.
However, Basiri said the motivations behind study abroad decisions are evolving. “Students are no longer just asking which university or city they should choose,” he told the audience. “They want to know what career outcomes they can expect, what their salary prospects might be, and how their education connects to future job opportunities.”
He also highlighted the growing importance of artificial intelligence and data-driven tools in student recruitment. According to him, these technologies are transforming how students explore universities and programmes, while also helping counsellors provide more informed guidance.
Diversification of study destinations
Another key theme discussed during the workshop was the changing geography of global student mobility. While traditional destinations such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia remain popular choices for international students, Basiri said newer destinations are gaining attention.
Countries such as Germany, the United Arab Emirates, South Korea and Japan are increasingly attracting international students due to their expanding higher-education offerings, competitive tuition costs and growing employment opportunities. “Diversification will become essential,” Basiri said. “Students will consider multiple destinations, and institutions and partners who can navigate that complexity using technology and data will be better positioned in the coming years.
Industry leaders discuss policy shifts
Another session at the workshop featured a conversation between ApplyBoard CoFounder and President Massi Basiri and Steven McCalla, who discussed the broader challenges facing the international education sector. Reflecting on the growth of global education mobility over the past decade, Massi Basiri acknowledged the crucial role played by recruitment partners in helping expand access to overseas education.
“Over the past decade, together we’ve helped more than a million students pursue international education,” he said, emphasising the collaborative relationship between institutions and recruitment partners. However, the discussion also highlighted growing concerns related to policy changes in traditional study destinations.
Justin Wood, Country Director for the United Kingdom at ApplyBoard, said events like TRW are particularly important at a time when international education is undergoing rapid transformation. “We’re in a moment where a lot is shifting — for students, universities and government policy,” Wood told The Free Press Journal during the event. “The pace of change is extremely fast, and forums like this allow partners to learn from each other and better understand what students are looking for,” he added. Wood said universities also benefit from hearing directly from recruitment partners who interact closely with prospective students.