By Katryna Snow, CIS Associate Director of Higher Education Services

 

 

Each year, the CIS Global Forum brings together a global community of guidance counsellors, university admissions teams, and student services professionals to learn from one another and shape how we support students moving from secondary school to higher education.

One of the most powerful ways to contribute is to present a session.

As past presenters have shared through CIS Perspectives, the experience of presenting is not only professionally rewarding, and it strengthens our collective practice and amplifies voices from across regions and roles.

As we look ahead to the 2026 CIS Global Forum this November in Prague, here are seven reasons to submit a proposal by 7 May, benefitting different roles in our schooluniversity community.

 

FOR SCHOOL GUIDANCE COUNSELLORS & FUTURE PATHWAYS ADVISORS

1. Because presenting accelerates your own professional learning

Guidance counsellors consistently describe presenting at the CIS Global Forum as a catalyst for deeper professional growth. Preparing a session helps you reflect critically on your own practice, explore emerging trends, and name what works in your context.

It also encourages exploration of a topic and reflection on the lifelong learning counsellors promote in their daily work with students. Many counsellors note that facilitating conversations—rather than only listening—can lead to some of the most meaningful learning at the Forum.

“I leave with an overall sense of hope, in the knowledge that everyone in international education is working together to ensure more inclusivity, flexibility, and real-world relevance in education.”
—2025 presenter, Rachel Doell, Future Pathways Advisor, Inter-Community School Zurich, Switzerland

2. Because your perspective helps shift practice across the community

Some of the most impactful Forum sessions begin when one person notices a gap or bias in how students are perceived or supported.

Presenting lets you bring underrepresented perspectives into the room, sparking dialogue, encouraging peers and university partners to challenge assumptions and advance equitable practice.

If you’ve been refining a school‑based approach, responding to changing student needs, or navigating complex transitions, your insights may be exactly what others need.

 

FOR UNIVERSITY ADMISSIONS PROFESSIONALS

3. Because presenting builds trust and relationships beyond the fair

For university admissions professionals, Forum sessions create space for meaningful engagement beyond recruitment. Presenting allows you to demonstrate expertise, transparency, and curiosity—qualities school counsellors value deeply.

CIS Global Forum sessions are designed to be peer‑led, discussion‑based, and grounded in shared problem‑solving, an approach that strengthens relationships long after the event ends. Many presenters report ongoing collaboration with counsellors they first met through sessions, not booths.

“Education is, at its heart, a collective effort—one that crosses borders, institutions, and perspectives to help every student reach their fullest potential.”
—2025 presenter, Mar Hurtado, VP Global Recruitment and Marketing, IE University, Spain

4. Because regional insight matters globally

Regional sessions allow professionals to explore issues in context, such as curriculum pathways, access, mobility, and local realities that cannot be captured through global data alone. The power of regional learning remains a consistent theme across CIS events.

Admissions representatives who share regional updates or recruitment insights help counsellors offer more accurate, ethical guidance to students—strengthening trust and improving student fit.

 

FOR UNIVERSITY STUDENT SERVICES PROFESSIONALS

5. Because student support improves when services teams share openly

Student services professionals play a critical role in shaping students’ experiences after enrolment—yet their expertise is often under‑represented in conferences.

Forum sessions create space to share approaches to transition support, well-being, culture, and belonging. Lessons from past CIS Global Forums show how conversations between schools, admissions, and student support teams strengthen continuity of care across the educational transition from secondary‑to‑higher‑education.

6. Because presenting creates ripple effects back on campus

Many presenters describe how Forum conversations influence internal policy, cross‑team collaboration, and institutional planning once they return home. Discussions sparked during sessions often lead to new frameworks, partnerships, or pilot initiatives that directly benefit students.

The most valuable outcomes often emerge after the session, through follow‑up conversations, shared resources, and continued dialogue across regions.

“Closer collaboration between key organisations in the international education sector is instrumental in the current climate.”
—Mervin Bakker, Executive Director, European Association for International Education (EAIE)

 

FOR OUR WHOLE SCHOOL-UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY

7. Because the CIS Global Forum depends on community voice

At its core, the CIS Global Forum is a community‑led learning event where we encourage first‑time presenters, niche topics, and innovative formats. Its strength lies in diverse voices, new presenters, and sessions that reflect real challenges and real practice.

We recognise that meaningful learning happens when many perspectives are represented. By submitting a proposal, you help ensure the Forum programme reflects the evolving needs of our global community.

 

Your voice belongs in Prague

Whether you work in a school, admissions office, or student services team, your questions and experiences—what you tried, what worked, what didn’t, what you’re still figuring out—matter. Presenting at the 2026 CIS Global Forum in Prague is an opportunity to learn deeply, contribute meaningfully, and help shape how we support students worldwide.

We encourage you to put your ideas forward and join us in building the Forum with the community, not just for it.