GUS Canada attended ICEF Toronto as a platinum sponsor and attended ICEF Montreal, where Trebas Institute provided platinum sponsorship. The ICEF events were an opportunity for English and French-language education providers across the Americas to meet student recruitment agents and network with English and francophone institutions from around the world.
The ICEF Toronto conference took place from May 13 – 16 and the 2nd annual ICEF Montreal conference took place from May 17 – 18.
Leading up to ICEF Toronto and Montreal, on May 12 and 13, GUS Canada in partnership with the International Business Development team hosted a FAM Tour of Niagara College – Toronto (NCT). The FAM Tour included welcoming remarks from GUS Canada CEO Cyndi McLeod, VP International Max Etingen, Managing Director GUS Canada Colleges Ehsan Safdari and Associate Director of Recruitment Natchayaa Weerawat. It also included a campus tour of NCT and presentations from our regional Directors of LATAM and South Asia and GUS Canada VP Partnerships and Business Development Diana Mockute.
On May 13, Trebas Institute signed an MOU with Factory Film Studio (FFS). FFS is a vertically integrated development, production, marketing, sales and distributing company with a catalogue of over 120 feature films from Canada and around the world inspired by a love of filmmaking.
The new partnership will provide students with high-quality training for creative careers. Proposed areas of collaboration include:
- Exploring mentorship, networking and guest speaking opportunities employing a ‘film studio in residence’ initiative;
- Creating a sustainable production model;
- Share effective practices, innovations and industry trends, including exposure to the experiences of accomplished film producers, screenwriters, and film executives;
- Co-developing customized training programs and/or micro-credentials and/or summer camps for domestic and international learners;
- Promoting other applied learning activities to foster mutual understanding and high-quality skills development through academic-industry collaboration.
May 13 also kicked off the ICEF Toronto Conference. GUS Canada institutions and partners settled into “GUS Town”. GUS Town consisted of seven booths at the conference with representation from:
- University Canada West
- Canadian College of Technology and Business
- Toronto School of Management
- GUS Canada
- The Language Gallery Canada
- Trebas Institute
- Niagara College – Toronto
- Fleming College Toronto
Event attendees received bottles of GUS Canada branded maple syrup in the ICEF gift bags. In addition, they also received giveaway prizes for participating in the “spin the wheel” game at the GUS Canada booth. Each institution contributed prizes to give away.
On May 13, GUS Canada CEO Cyndi McLeod, VP of Partnerships & Business Development Diana Mockute and UCW Executive Director of Marketing and Communications Midya U delivered a successful presentation on Leading the Future of Education in Canada and Closing the National Skills Gap during the conference.
On May 15, GUS Canada hosted an exclusive evening reception co-sponsored by CIBC Simplii Financial, guard.me and Niagara College Canada at the Globe and Mail centre with over 300 guests in attendance.
Many distinguished guests were in attendance including presidents from GUS Canada and partner institutions, the deputy Mayor of Toronto and C-Level executives and founders from the top recruitment agencies from across the globe.
The event started with a warm welcome from GUS Canada CEO Cyndi McLeod, UCW President Sheldon Levy and the Deputy Mayor of Toronto. The event also featured performances from Trebas Institute students, a group of actors who played members of the GUS Town community and other attractions, including coast-to-coast food and beverage stations highlighting the best of Canadian cuisine.
Custom chocolate GUS Town keys were given to guests during the event. One lucky guest received a very special key which contained a scholarship valued at $5000 to any GUS Canada institution of choice. Arnold Kelly of Tenn-K Consultants was the recipient of the GUS Town Scholarship.
On May 17 and 18 the 2nd annual ICEF Montreal Conference took place. At the conference, there were over 70 agents and 40 providers with the top five agent countries representing Colombia, Mexico, Brazil, Cameroon and Iran.
Mohamed Slimani Vice President of Operations and Racha Absi Associate Director of International Student Recruitment from Trebas Institute led a successful presentation on The Impact of Advisory Committees, A Clear Benefit to the Field of Education.
GUS Canada and Trebas Institute hosted a campus tour of Trebas Institute, Montreal, and a lunch after the ICEF Montreal conference concluded. Over 50 agents from around the world attended the campus tour and lunch.