Presentation Information
[WS-4-01]Building Strategic Agency Partnerships: New Evidence-Based Insights and Case Studies within Japanese Higher Education
*Hiroshi Ota1, *Shigetoshi Akamatsu2, *Nobuo KANDA3, *Daejoong Son4, *Martijn van de Veen5, *Megumi Kawai5, *Hiroki Koyama6, *Octavio Seijas7, *Jeehye Lee8 (1. Hitotsubashi University, 2. Waseda University, 3. J. F. Oberlin University, 4. Konkuk University, 5. ICEF, 6. iae Global Japan, 7. Academic Programs International, 8. WorldStrides)
Keywords:
Education Agents,International Student Recruitment,University Internationalisation,Latest Research on Japan,Interest Gap,Recruitment Strategy
受講者に求められる 事前の知識・経験等
発表は、日本語と英語で行います。
受講者が受講前に取り組む 事前課題等
事前にアンケートを実施いたします。
概要
As Japanese Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) strive to expand and diversify their international student intake, collaborating with education agents – who play a central role in the global student mobility market – has become an essential strategy. However, for many domestic universities, agent recruitment remains an "uncharted territory", leaving many institutions interested but unable to take a concrete first step.
This workshop unveils the latest findings from the "Global Agency Perspectives on Japan" research (ICEF, March 2026), the first-ever comprehensive study of global education agents regarding Japanese HEIs. The survey revealed a striking "Interest Gap": while agent interest in partnering with Japan is remarkably high (4.41 out of 5), only 12.5% currently have active partnerships with Japanese institutions.
To address this disconnect between market expectation and institutional reality, this session shares evidence-based insights and case studies from both Japan and South Korea. This will be followed by an attendee-led interactive discussion. Through guest speaker round-tables and peer dialogue, participants will have the opportunity to honestly share their hesitations and expectations regarding this new challenge. Together, we will explore how to envision that "first step" within the unique organisational culture and existing structures of each institution.
発表は、日本語と英語で行います。
受講者が受講前に取り組む 事前課題等
事前にアンケートを実施いたします。
概要
As Japanese Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) strive to expand and diversify their international student intake, collaborating with education agents – who play a central role in the global student mobility market – has become an essential strategy. However, for many domestic universities, agent recruitment remains an "uncharted territory", leaving many institutions interested but unable to take a concrete first step.
This workshop unveils the latest findings from the "Global Agency Perspectives on Japan" research (ICEF, March 2026), the first-ever comprehensive study of global education agents regarding Japanese HEIs. The survey revealed a striking "Interest Gap": while agent interest in partnering with Japan is remarkably high (4.41 out of 5), only 12.5% currently have active partnerships with Japanese institutions.
To address this disconnect between market expectation and institutional reality, this session shares evidence-based insights and case studies from both Japan and South Korea. This will be followed by an attendee-led interactive discussion. Through guest speaker round-tables and peer dialogue, participants will have the opportunity to honestly share their hesitations and expectations regarding this new challenge. Together, we will explore how to envision that "first step" within the unique organisational culture and existing structures of each institution.