Shaping the Future: Western University’s Global Education Conference a Huge Success

International Education Summit at Western University Sparks Innovation and Collaboration

Professionals and experts from all over the world attended the International Education Conference held at Western University, which was a historic occasion that highlighted the value of international cooperation in education. The conference turned into a melting pot of conversations, ideas, and inventions to change the face of education globally. From 8 to 11 July, the university hosted 1,457 education counsellors and admission officers during the International Association for College Admission Counselling (International ACAC). This grand event gathered guests from more than 85 countries in London, where numerous events took place on campus and beyond, including three fairs, over 80 workshops, and social gatherings including a stargazing session, a golf competition, and a fun run. The event drew in several experts in different subjects including 706 experts in college and university admissions, 608 counsellors in high schools and 143 delegates from global organisations for education at a common platform. 

The opening ceremony started with a keynote speech by author and poet Matthew Dawkins, following a performance by Western cheerleaders and after that a reception in Thompson Arena with sports entertainment and cuisines from “coast to coast”. After welcoming International ACAC to campus in 2019, Western is the only university to host the conference twice. In observance, the topic for this year was "Welcome Home".  Florentine Strzelczyk, provost and vice-president (academic), stated, "Western is committed to creating a more dynamic global campus that thrives by incorporating diverse perspectives into our teaching, learning, and research," acknowledging the wide range of guests who shared insights from around the globe.

The International ACAC conference is the premier professional development event for international education professionals who are dedicated to serving students as they plan for and transition to postsecondary education. The organisers scheduled social activities like bingo, dodgeball, and stargazing for the evenings in addition to the daily programming. The main focus of this 4 days event was on developing and improving support for students as they are ready to begin their higher education journey. Over 4,000 members from almost every country in the world come together at International ACAC to support secondary students making the transition to higher education. "Our yearly gathering encourages our members to participate in significant dialogues, gain knowledge from colleagues, and exchange personal stories," International ACAC President Wilson Lee stated, expressing gratitude to Western for their hospitality. 

Editor’s Note: 

Students need proper guidance when they make a transition from secondary school to higher education. This conference organised by Western University addressed the critical issues of inclusivity in education as the experts from diverse fields shared their valuable insights in the conference to enlighten the right path for the students. The conference was a resounding success as it reinforced its reputation as a hub for academic excellence and global collaboration. Counsellors from different universities and schools make the path of students hurdle-free as students are juggling between which field they have to choose to secure their future. 

Skoobuzz shows gratitude towards the efforts of Western University to highlight the challenges and opportunities in education for the students and also foster a collective commitment to making a positive impact on the world by organising such a grand event.