Navigating a Changing World: Why Partnership Matters in Global Education

by Ian Crichton, CEO of Study Group

Whatever your political perspective and wherever you are in the world, one thing we can all agree on is that change is accelerating. From the election of Donald Trump to shifting political alliances and the rise of new global powers, geopolitical and economic transformations are reshaping our societies at speed.

For those of us working in global education, these shifts are not abstract — they directly influence our business, our students and the choices families make.

Once the flow of international students was predictable: largely from the global south to traditional anglophone destinations. Today that landscape looks very different. Students now face a wider range of options and tougher questions:

• What kind of education will truly prepare them for the jobs of the future?
• What skills will safeguard their careers in an AI-driven world?
• Should they study close to home or take the leap abroad?
• And if they do, will they be welcomed, supported, and set up to succeed?

These aren’t just academic considerations. They are life-defining decisions, and families need trusted guidance more than ever.

The vital role of education agents

This is where education agents play a critical role. The best agents don’t just facilitate applications. They are trusted advisors, guiding families to make wise, long-term decisions that shape futures.

That’s why this week we are bringing together our most senior agents in Thailand. These aren’t just partners in business — they are leaders in global education. Meeting with them, alongside senior Study Group colleagues, is about more than strategy. It’s about a shared purpose: student success.

Facing the future together

Over three days, we will explore data, trends and challenges that define our sector. We’ll ask tough questions about how technology is reshaping recruitment, and how rising universities across Asia, the Middle East and beyond are changing the map of opportunity.

True, AI-powered platforms and digital tools are enabling more students to apply directly to universities. But technology cannot replace the work of an experienced agent. It cannot replicate deep personal knowledge of students, the wisdom of matching aspirations with the right institutions, or the honesty required to say: this path isn’t the right one for you — let’s find a better fit.

We all know that admitting a student into an environment they are unprepared for is a recipe for failure. That is why our mission is built on careful preparation, educational excellence and trust earned over decades.

A truly global education

As the world globalises, so too does education. We are blending our traditional strengths with new opportunities: enabling students to begin in one part of the world and transfer seamlessly to another, whether from China to the UK, Korea to the US, or Singapore to the Middle East.

We are developing new educational pathways that address the changing needs of students: more cost-conscious choices, new regional hubs, and intensive support for students preparing to articulate across borders. Our Bellerbys Global education programmes, for example, enable young people to start in one location and then articulate to a fantastic range of universities globally.

The way forward

Our job now is to communicate this value more effectively — aligning our activities together to give real value to students. The best agents are so much more than recruiters, they are trusted advisors at the very heart of international education. And as global education changes, their success and ours depend upon this.

This is a moment of challenge, but also of opportunity. By working in partnership, we can ensure international education continues to thrive, offering young people not just a qualification but the foundation for a lifetime of success. And that is a mission worth pursuing together.