Advertise on podcast: Keystone Higher Ed Chats

What does it take for a country to become a serious contender in global student recruitment? In this episode of Keystone Higher Ed Chats, host Steven Yun sits down with Shahrill Sabarudin, Chief Marketing Officer of Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS), the agency under Malaysia's Ministry of Higher Education tasked with growing the country's international student numbers. Shahrill shares how Education Malaysia blends data, diplomacy, and digital infrastructure to put the country in the conversation for families weighing where to study abroad. He unpacks the shift away from the traditional 'Big Four' destinations and the fastest-growing source markets EMGS is tracking. The conversation also covers what makes Malaysia distinct in terms of cost, quality, and cultural familiarity, as well as how Shahrill sees the country's higher education landscape evolving over the next five years.

What does it take to market one of America's most storied HBCUs to a global audience? In this episode, Scott Miller sits down with Candace Bazemore, Director of Digital Strategy and Transformation at Morehouse College, to explore how a 150-year-old institution rooted in the civil rights movement is building its presence on the world stage. Candace shares how Morehouse — alma mater of Martin Luther King Jr., Spike Lee, and Samuel L. Jackson — approaches international student recruitment across Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, and Latin America, and why the college's mission resonates far beyond Atlanta. She also talks about busting HBCU misconceptions, the power of alumni networks as a recruitment tool, and how she founded Profit Scholars to help organizations harness AI for growth.

Dr. Fanta Aw, Executive Director and CEO of NAFSA — the world's largest association dedicated to international education — joins Scott Miller to reflect on a career shaped by being a global nomad herself. Originally from Mali and an international student in Washington, D.C., Fanta shares how her own experience navigating foreign campuses drives her conviction that putting students at the centre of everything is non-negotiable. Scott and Fanta dig into the state of international education today: how NAFSA's advocacy work holds up against shifting geopolitics, why burnout among international educators is a field-wide crisis, and what AI can (and should) do in this space. Fanta also previews the NAFSA 2026 Annual Conference and Expo in Orlando, breaking down what "Global by Design" means as a rallying call for a field navigating real disruption.

What if everything we think we know about academic excellence is wrong? In this episode, Scott Miller sits down with Boris Walbaum, Founder and President of Forward College, to explore why traditional universities may be ill-equipped for an uncertain, AI-driven world. Boris makes the case for "deep skills", the cognitive, social, emotional, and practical foundations that no machine can replace, and explains how Forward College is putting that philosophy into practice through flipped classrooms, AI tutoring, and community-centred learning. He also shares his honest concerns about AI risks in education, from the collapse of assessment credibility to students delegating too much of their thinking to algorithms. A thought-provoking conversation for anyone who believes higher education needs more than a technology upgrade: it needs a change of mindset.

One year into the second Trump administration, U.S. higher education looks different in ways that aren't fully visible yet. Sarah Brown and Rick Seltzer, senior journalists at The Chronicle of Higher Education, join Keystone Higher Ed Chats to analyze what's actually changed, what's still playing out, and what it means for higher education trends in the months ahead. From sweeping legislative changes and DEI rollbacks to international student crackdowns and frozen research funding, Sarah and Rick break down what's actually shifting - and what it means for the future of American universities.

In this episode of Higher Ed Chats, Scott is joined by Dr. Maureen Manning, founder and principal strategist at the Global Nexus Collective, for a masterclass in strategic communications and brand positioning for universities. With three decades of experience spanning English composition teaching, international education leadership, recruitment, and marketing communications, Maureen brings a comprehensive understanding of how universities tell their stories and where those stories often fall short.

Tina Villareal is the Admissions and Outreach Manager at the University of Hong Kong's School of Future Media. During this conversation, we explore Hong Kong's emergence as a premier education destination and HKU's strategic position within this landscape. Tina examines what attracts international students to Hong Kong, the city’s strategic advantages, and the differences between targeting Asian students and those from beyond the continent. She also predicts a significant rise in international student applications to Hong Kong in the near future and explores the reasons behind this growth.

What happens when creative storytelling meets global higher education? Dan Mackler, Senior Vice President, Chief Strategy Officer, and Dean of the LA campus at the New York Film Academy, joins us to discuss the transformative power of international arts education in a rapidly evolving global industry. Drawing from a career that spans filmmaking, international advertising, and higher education leadership, Dan shares how NYFA's "learn by doing" philosophy, enable students to gain hands-on experience through real-world production, collaboration, and continuous creative practice. This episode highlights why international film education is not only culturally powerful, but strategically essential in preparing students for the global creative economy.

Clare Overmann, CEO of the Association of International Education Administrators (AIEA), sits down with Scott Miller to discuss the critical challenges global higher education is facing today. As AIEA's 2026 Annual Conference takes place in Washington, DC, this February, Clare shares insights into navigating political pressures, the demographic cliff US institutions face, and how AI is reshaping international education. Clare explores what entrepreneurial leadership looks like in international offices, how volatility can spark innovation, and why strong, courageous leadership matters now more than ever. A conversation that offers valuable perspectives on leading through uncertainty and positioning institutions for the future.

UNESCO's Global Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education entered into force in March 2023, and as of December 2025, 39 states have ratified it. Stig Arne Skjerven is the first elected Chair of this Convention, and for over a decade, he has been instrumental in establishing and implementing this first UN normative instrument in higher education. The conversation addresses what the Global Recognition Convention is, the principles behind it, why it matters, and how its adoption can modernize admission practices for higher education institutions worldwide.

Why is Abu Dhabi emerging as one of the world's fastest-growing destinations for international students? Dr. Hassan Ammari, Head of Student Recruitment at Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, joins us to unpack why international students are increasingly choosing the UAE over traditional study destinations. With over 20 years of experience in international education, Dr. Ammari explains how Abu Dhabi's long-term vision, safety, visa accessibility, and transnational education models are attracting international students worldwide.

We sit down with Fredrik Högemark, CEO and Co-Founder of Keystone Education Group, to discuss what defined international higher education in 2025, the biggest challenges universities are currently facing, and how student priorities have evolved over his 20+ years in the industry. Fredrik shares insights on AI’s growing role in student recruitment, examines shifting government policies across major destination countries, and reveals what’s on the cards for international higher education in 2026.

Hicham Abdallah, International Promotion Officer at ICN Business School in Paris, joins us to explore how English-taught programs in France are opening new doors for international students. With deep experience supporting students from Africa and the Middle East, Hicham reveals key trends in global student mobility, explains what makes France a compelling destination for English-language education, and discusses how ICN uses this in its recruitment strategy.

Mark Pettitt, CEO and Founder of Edified, explores the practical reality of AI in international student recruitment. Where is AI actually making a difference in higher ed beyond the hype? Mark also shares insights from the annual Enquiry Experience Tracker Global Report 2025 -developed by Edified in partnership with Uniquest- to reveal how universities worldwide are responding to prospective students' inquiries.

Are you sure you know what international students WANT — and even more importantly, what they DO NOT WANT — from your marketing? In this episode of Keystone Higher Ed Chats, Joanna Kumpula, Head of International Education at Tampere University, breaks down some of the key findings from our State of Student Recruitment 2025 report - based on insights from our survey of 42,000 international students. With over 20 years of experience in international higher education, Joanna shares what's really driving student decisions: the growing demand for authentic, in-person communication; how cost transparency can make or break an application; and why a program-first approach is creating new opportunities for universities to compete — regardless of brand recognition.