Acumen and ICEF Forge Partnership to Elevate Global Standards in International Student Recruitment

Acumen, part of Sannam S4 Group, announces a new strategic partnership with ICEF (International Consultants for Education and Fairs), a global leader in uniting the international education industry and raising professional standards

This alliance is poised to transform the international student recruitment landscape by elevating quality standards, strengthening compliance, and delivering unmatched expertise and insights to educational institutions and recruitment agencies worldwide.

This collaboration is rooted in a shared commitment to upholding the highest standards of professionalism and ethics in international student recruitment. At its core, the partnership aims to empower educational institutions and recruiters to achieve excellence, ensuring better outcomes for students globally.

Key Initiatives and Benefits

The partnership introduces several pioneering initiatives, including an accelerated Agency Accreditation Programme tailored for recruiters within Acumen’s expansive global network. This programme is designed to facilitate their attainment of the prestigious ICEF IAS (ICEF Agency Status), a hallmark of quality that sets the gold standard in the industry. Additionally, university partners will benefit from counsellor training offered through a series of events designed to equip them with in-depth knowledge of global trends and best practices in international education.

Further, the collaboration will see a series of cross-promotional activities that will enhance the thought leadership of both Acumen and ICEF. These initiatives will include the publication of joint reports, participation in roundtable discussions, and the release of insightful publications, all aimed at positioning both organisations at the forefront of shaping the future of international education.

One of the most significant aspects of this partnership is the enhancement of ICEF’s Agent Accreditation and Certification of Agent Counsellors. Through a series of dedicated events, these globally recognised qualifications will be promoted, emphasising their crucial role in ensuring student success and improving counselling standards.

Sagar Bahadur, Executive Director of India and South Asia at Acumen, highlighted the importance of this collaboration stating, “This partnership with ICEF aligns perfectly with our commitment to raising the bar for international student recruitment across South Asia. By working closely with ICEF, we can ensure that our network of recruiters and institutions are not only meeting but exceeding global standards. This collaboration provides a unique opportunity to influence and elevate the quality of student recruitment in the region, making a lasting impact on the educational journeys of countless students.”

Strategic Vision and Industry Impact

Acumen and ICEF share a common vision and a set of principles aimed at achieving a minimum quality benchmark and standardisation in international student recruitment. This unique partnership leverages access to a global network of institutions, agents, governments, and sector-focused associations. By aligning their goals, both organisations will be recognised for ensuring quality standards and delivering support that ultimately enhances compliance, counselling standards, and provides deeper insights into international student recruitment.

Through this partnership, Acumen and ICEF intend to engage international government and policy makers to discuss more efficient ways of solving real and perceived issues in the sector. The goal is to ensure all international students receive the highest quality of support and guidance throughout their educational journeys.

Adrian Mutton, Founder and Executive Chairman of Sannam S4 Group, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, “We are excited about our partnership with ICEF and the impact we can make together in establishing and maintaining high standards and compliance in international recruitment. This initiative is part of a wider strategic project Acumen is embarking on to address the tension between government immigration policy and student mobility. International students are truly a force for good in local communities and economies—their positive impact on their host nation stretches far beyond the years they study at their chosen institution. At Acumen, we are on a mission to put that debate to rest once and for all—but to do that, high-quality standards need to run through the student journey, end to end, and that’s why the work ICEF does is so important. We are proud to partner with them.”

Nick Golding, Vice President of Government Relations & Strategic Partnerships at ICEF echoed this sentiment, adding, “Our partnership with Acumen represents a significant step forward in our mission to enhance the quality of international student recruitment. By combining our expertise and resources, we can ensure that educational institutions and recruiters worldwide are equipped to meet the highest standards, ultimately leading to better outcomes for students. We are setting a new benchmark for the industry and driving meaningful change that will benefit all stakeholders in the international education community.”

The partnership between Acumen and ICEF combines Acumen’s strategic vision with ICEF’s decades of expertise in setting industry benchmarks. This collaboration not only strengthens compliance and elevates counselling standards, but also provides deeper insights into international recruitment trends and opportunities. This marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the international education community, with both organisations committed to driving ongoing progress that benefits students, institutions, and recruiters alike.

As the international education landscape continues to evolve, this partnership is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping its future, ensuring that all stakeholders are equipped to meet the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

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About Acumen:

Acumen, part of the Sannam S4 Group, is dedicated to helping globally ambitious universities and education partners expand their presence in South Asia, South East Asia, and beyond. A knowledge and implementation partner to multiple governments and with a presence in over 20 countries with more than 300 industry practitioners, Acumen offers a comprehensive range of services designed to drive recruitment, student enrolment, transnational education, and research partnerships.

About ICEF:

At the heart of the international education community for over 30 years, ICEF leads the way in raising industry standards with a global network of thousands of ICEF accredited agencies and certified student counsellors who have graduated from ICEF Academy, their professional development platform. They connect screened agencies with international education and service providers through their unrivalled B2B networking events around the world, and inform strategic international student recruitment through their market intelligence arm, ICEF Monitor. 

For press enquiries please contact Katrina Hutchings-Nichols, Executive Director of Marketing and Communications, Sannam S4 Group: [email protected]