Webinar: Global by Design: International Student Experience, AI, and the Future of Canadian Higher Education

Canadian higher education institutions are navigating a period of profound change. Shifting immigration policies, enrolment volatility, heightened student expectations, and the rapid adoption of AI are reshaping how institutions attract, support, and prepare international students for successful global careers. Senior leaders are being asked to make high stakes decisions with limited, and often fragmented, insight into the lived experiences of today’s students.

In this timely webinar, Nannette Ripmeester, is joined by Dr Douglas Proctor (York University, Canada) and Wendy Curtis to explore the evolving Canadian higher education landscape through the lens of global student voice and institutional strategy. Drawing on early insights from the forthcoming 2026 Global Student Experience report, powered by data from the International Student Barometer (ISB), Nannette will highlight emerging patterns in international students’ expectations, engagement, wellbeing, and value perceptions – and what these mean for Canadian institutions competing in an increasingly complex global market.

The session will also offer a preview of findings from Etio’s upcoming NAFSA 2026 presentation, “How do students use AI? Findings from 100,000+ international students.” These insights shed light on how currently enrolled students are interacting with AI in their studies and career planning, how institutions can make informed, evidence based decisions about AI adoption, and what AI means for employability outcomes for a generation that is truly global by design.

Grounded in practical insight and institutional reality, this webinar will help senior leaders:

•  Better understand the pressures and priorities facing international students in Canada today.
•  Assess how AI is already shaping learning behaviors and career readiness.
•  Connect student experience data to strategic decisions around recruitment, support, and educational design.
• See how the International Student Barometer can act as a critical evidence-base for navigating uncertainty and driving sustainable competitive advantage.
  

This session is designed for leaders who want more than anecdotes, and who recognise that student voice, at scale, is essential for shaping the future of Canadian higher education.