Laurence Holt

As colleagues meet at #NAFSA this week, it cannot be much fun being an #agent aggregator right now. Once the darling of #edtech, with eye-watering valuations & record levels of investment, the #future is looking far less rosy now. #Student caps, more regulation, a number of whistle-blowers & growing anti-#immigration rhetoric in three of the major Anglophone study destinations – #Australia #Canada & the #UK – mean that making the numbers add up is becoming increasingly problematic. What does this mean in real terms for aggregators & institutions alike? Aggregators work on various different models. Some, for instance, are members’ clubs for agents & universities who pay an annual membership fee, matched up to provide increased student applications, universities hope, admissions. This model will be hit by increased regulation & scrutiny of #agents & their numerous #subagents. The other more common model is where the aggregator takes a percentage of the agent’s commission for increasing the lead pool & reducing the administrative burden on the agent & #education institution. The issue with the split commission model is that the aggregator only gets a percentage of the agent’s commission, with the agent keeping the majority. Even if the aggregator’s share is as high as 30%, it means that for them to turn a profit they need a significant volume of prospective students to make it work. So if study permits are cut as they were in Canada by 20%, you can say ‘cheerio’ to 20% of your revenue. Increasingly problematic for many aggregators is their reliance on private sector colleges delivering their own or joint programmes with public institutions. The government net is tightening on private provision & public-private partnerships (PPPs)… #Artificialintelligence (#AI) now permeates every facet of modern life, with its impact on education poised to be profound & enduring. The response from #highereducation institutions – whether they advocate its integration, resist it or remain indifferent – is unfolding in real-time. Yet, amidst this dynamic landscape, few are considering the global #recruitment prospects & the subsequent winners and losers that will emerge. Crucially, AI is able to eradicate the frustrating bias of existing platforms, which often prioritise universities based on financial arrangements rather than merit. Consequently, there will no longer be a need to rely on intermediaries, such as agents & aggregators, as students can autonomously navigate their search process.” Asia Careers Group SDN BHD - Investing in International Futures AUIDF British Council BUILA Education New Zealand | Manapou ki te Ao International Education Association of Australia (IEAA) Innovative Research Universities (IRU) University Industry Innovation Network (UIIN) Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia Regional Universities Network The Group of Eight UCAS UKCISA Universities Australia Universities Canada Universities UK #nafsa24 #nafsa2024

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It's time to announce the experts we'll be having at next week's Boston New Technology (BNT) AI & EdTech At The Intersection -- a very special September startup showcase (the alliteration is immaculate): We are thrilled to announce the esteemed panel of experts for Boston New Technology's AI and EdTech Showcase, taking place on September 26th, 2024, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Microsoft NERD. Our lineup includes: Paul Baier: CEO & Co-Founder of GAI Insights and (to name but a few amazing things about Paul including the AI Blueprint Community): "With over 20 years of experience in software leadership, I am passionate about helping companies to achieve ROI through the use of GenAI. " Paul says it clear, concise, and precise -- his level of expertise and his passion for people, emerging technology, and diffusing knowledge makes him an ideal fit as an expert. Beth Porter: Serial EdTech Entrepreneur and Community Gem, Founder of Riff Analytics and Head of Studio Operations at C10 Labs. Beth has supported the work of BNT and several other tech and startup communities over the years with her knowledge, experience, and spirit. She now leads Cohort Programming at C10 and is blazing a brand new trail. Kiran Panjwani: CEO & Co-Founder of FounderWay, and one of the Boston startup community's most beloved contemporary founders. Along with Cody J., Kiran has created FounderWay as a unique solution for entrepreneurs seeking structure, access, and progress along the winding pathways of their individual startup journeys. Kiran has been involved in the innovation, education, and entrepreneurial intersection for quite some time and was acclaimed as one of Techstars Startup Weekend Boston's most impactful mentors. Parna Sarkar-Basu Brand & Buzz: Parna truly is a transformation expert in tech, business, and brand -- and yet she's also made a name for herself as a thought leader, as someone who knows the rigours of the entrepreneurial process like the back of her hand. She has been one of our ecosystem's foremost contributors through a combination of disseminating and distilling actionable knowledge and providing first-in-class expertise. Gustavo K Contreras, Ph.D.: Gustavo is an angel investor in the area of silicon EDA, silicon security, and secure AI, and sees the vast potential in the realm of AI and all the various interoperable verticals where it can leverage its full potential. With years spent at Microsoft, Intel, and as a founder himself -- Gustavo is gearing up for his first time at BNT serving as an expert and we couldn't be happier to have him! My friends -- these amazing humans bring a wealth of value across AI, EdTech, branding, and startup ecosystems. Join us for an evening of innovation, insight, and networking...and stay tuned for even more insights about them prior to the event itself. We're revealing our founders Monday! Register: https://lnkd.in/eehU4DV8 #AI #EdTech #BostonNewTech

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