EasyTransfer was delighted to support the Universities UK International (UUKi) International Higher Education Forum (IHEF) 2026, hosted at the University of London on 6–7 May. EasyTransfer Partner Guohao Sun, Senior Advisor David Stringer-Lamarre, Director of UK Operations Daniel Akiva, and VP Global Operations Sahil Suri attended the event. The forum brought together higher education leaders, policymakers, and sector experts through keynote speeches, plenaries, and thematic breakout sessions, offering timely insights into the evolving international higher education landscape and informing the UK’s global strategy. As part of the forum, EasyTransfer hosted a panel on student recruitment and mobility trends in China and India, with representatives from the University of Nottingham and AdmitKard. Drawing on data-driven insights, the discussion explored changing student decision-making patterns and provided perspectives from both universities and recruitment partners.
At the opening of the forum, David Latchman, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of London, delivered the welcome address, setting the tone for two days of dialogue among attendees from across the sector, while Jamie Arrowsmith, Director of Universities UK International, set the scene on behalf of UUKi, framing the key themes and priorities shaping international higher education in 2026.
The forum also featured a series of insightful panel discussions exploring international strategy, student mobility, sustainable recruitment, and the future direction of collaboration. Professor Sally Mapstone, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of St Andrews, moderated a thought-provoking discussion featuring Professor Sir Steve Smith, UK International Education Champion, UK Government, exploring how geopolitical shifts, policy changes, and deglobalisation are reshaping international strategies across the higher education sector.
Dr Alexis Brown, Head of Global Insights at British Council, chaired a valuable session with Elizabeth Allen from the University of Reading, Jake Duffin from the University of Sheffield, and Professor Li Li from Newcastle University, discussing postgraduate taught education as an important pathway within international higher education, alongside evolving trends in sustainable student recruitment, global mobility, and transnational education that are shaping future talent pipelines.
On the second day of the forum, EasyTransfer Senior Advisor David Stringer-Lamarre hosted a panel discussion on student recruitment and mobility trends in China and India, featuring EasyTransfer Partner Guohao Sun, and our partner university and agency representatives: University of Nottingham Head of International–East Asia, Scarlett Peng and AdmitKard Co-Founder, Piyush Bhartiya.
The discussion explored what drives student decision-making, how prospective applicants perceive UK universities, and ways institutions can strengthen their global competitiveness.
Guohao shared timely, authentic insights from EasyTransfer's platform, highlighting recent mobility trends among international students applying to UK universities. Scarlett provided perspectives from UK universities on East Asian students' expectations, while Piyush highlighted what international students value most in a destination and how recruitment partners can guide UK universities in improving outcomes. The panel was very well received, with many questions and discussions based on institutional experiences.
The forum also featured sessions on international research collaboration, crisis support for students, and UK–EU partnerships, with contributions from professionals across government departments and leading global universities, including the Department for Education, EU Delegation, University of Liverpool, University of Sussex, and University of London.
EasyTransfer was pleased to support the UUKi International Higher Education Forum 2026, which provided a valuable platform for dialogue and collaboration across the international higher education sector. Through data-driven insights into international student trends and needs, EasyTransfer supports universities in making informed decisions and enhancing the student experience. As a long-term partner of UUKi, EasyTransfer remains committed to advancing global student mobility and contributing to a more connected and student-centred international education ecosystem.
About EasyTransfer
Founded by international students for international students, EasyTransfer is a leading global payment platform focused on simplifying cross-border tuition payments. The company processes over US$3.5 billion in payments annually to thousands of universities and education institutions worldwide, and is trusted by more than 800,000 students and families across 170+ countries. With backing from major banks and investors, strategic partnerships with global financial leaders such as Mastercard, Tencent, and EbixCash, and a relentless focus on student experience, EasyTransfer is redefining what it means to move money for education.
Learn more at: www.easytransferglobal.com
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