Last week, our team attended the Australian International Education Conference (AIEC) 2025 in Canberra — an inspiring week of ideas, collaboration, and connection under this year’s theme: Navigating Change.

As one of the most influential gatherings for the international education sector in the Asia–Pacific region, AIEC brought together educators, government agencies, and industry partners from across Australia, New Zealand and the world. For United Media Solution (UMS), it was a chance to connect with our partners, explore new collaborations, and share how digital innovation continues to shape the student journey from discovery to enrolment and beyond.

Why We Attended

UMS has been helping universities, education providers, and government organisations in Australia and New Zealand connect authentically with Chinese audiences for more than a decade.

Our presence at AIEC reflects our ongoing commitment to the education sector — strengthening relationships, understanding evolving needs, and showcasing how our digital solutions can support institutions to stay ahead in a fast-changing recruitment landscape.

Throughout the week, we met with a wide range of stakeholders, including Study Queensland, Visit Canberra, and institutions from across ANZ. These conversations were energising and full of shared purpose — focused on how we can better support students before, during, and after their study journey.

Highlights from the Week

AIEC is always more than just a conference — it’s a community.

From thought-provoking keynotes to the interactive “Braindates,” this year’s program encouraged open conversation about where international education is heading. One standout moment was the evening at the National Museum of Australia, where delegates gathered to celebrate and network in a relaxed setting. Events like these reminded us that the strength of this sector lies in its people — those driven to help students succeed globally.

Across the event, we had insightful discussions about recruitment, engagement, and changing student expectations. It reinforced that innovation isn’t optional anymore — it’s essential.

What We Learned

The AIEC theme Navigating Change felt especially timely. The international education landscape is evolving rapidly — not just in how students are recruited, but how institutions engage with them through every stage of their journey.

Our key takeaways:

• Digital-first recruitment is here to stay. Institutions investing in digital platforms and personalised content are engaging students more effectively than ever.
• Student experience is a key differentiator. Beyond academics, students value support, connection, and employability outcomes.
• Collaboration is growing. More organisations are recognising the value of shared insights and data to improve engagement strategies.

These shifts align closely with the direction UMS is already moving — helping partners meet students where they are, with meaningful and measurable digital engagement.

How AIEC Reinforced Our Purpose

At UMS, our goal is to help education providers navigate complexity with confidence.

Our suite of digital education products — including the Digital Prospectus, Job Platform, and Student Experience solutions — enables institutions to reach, engage, and support international students more effectively.

AIEC reinforced that combining technology, creativity, and data is key to building genuine connections between institutions and students. It also reminded us of the importance of storytelling — communicating not just what a university offers, but what it stands for.

Looking Ahead

Our week in Canberra may be over, but the conversations we started at AIEC are just beginning. Over the coming months, we’ll continue to follow up with partners, share demos, and explore new collaborations that enhance the student experience.

The event gave us renewed purpose — to keep innovating and helping education providers navigate change with clarity and confidence.

Final Thoughts

Attending AIEC 2025 was a reminder of how vibrant and collaborative the international education community is. We left Canberra inspired by the people we met, the ideas we heard, and the shared commitment to making education more accessible, connected, and student-centred.

A heartfelt thank you to the organisers, speakers, and everyone who took the time to meet with us throughout the week. We look forward to continuing the conversation — and to helping our partners navigate change, together.

If you’d like to learn more about our digital education solutions or schedule a demo, reach out to our team.