Delegates and ECU colleagues come together at ECU City for the EMERGE26 Global Agent Summit.
The EMERGE26 Global Agent Summit brought the world to Edith Cowan University (ECU) this September, welcoming education partners from across Southeast Asia, North Asia, South Asia, Europe and Africa.
Led by International Business Operations (IBO), the team that builds and sustains ECU's global network of recruitment partners, the summit marked a first for the University in both scale and approach. An extensive program across ECU City and Joondalup Campus combined hands-on academic experiences, student conversations, collaborative challenges and discussions about ECU's future.
For IBO and colleagues across the University, it was the culmination of three years of planning, creativity and collaboration. For delegates, it was an opportunity to experience the University they recommend to international students—and return home with deeper knowledge, greater confidence and new stories to share.
From a bold idea to a shared experience
The EMERGE26 Global Agent Summit was the final phase of ECU NEXT, a three-year initiative led by IBO, developed in partnership with Growth, Engagement and Marketing, and delivered with Schools and colleagues across ECU.
ENVISION24 introduced ECU's vision through five global showcases. EVOLVE25 deepened that engagement through workshops involving 150 counsellors across five regions, building knowledge and developing recruitment ideas together. EMERGE26 brought that journey to Perth, turning anticipation into first-hand experience.
Dean (International Business Operations), Marko Remes, said the initiative had strengthened relationships and built momentum for ECU's future.
"ECU NEXT has been a cornerstone of our global partner engagement strategy, strengthening ECU's position in a rapidly evolving international education landscape. As the culmination of this three-part journey, EMERGE26 brought together key agents from around the world in a way that fostered loyalty, strengthened relationships and laid the foundations for future international growth."
Delegates heard from Laura Clarke MLA, Member for Butler, representing the Hon Dr Tony Buti MLA, and ECU Vice-Chancellor Professor Clare Pollock, alongside Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Students and Education) Professor Braden Hill and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International) Jake Garman.
Their contributions set the scene for the week, sharing ECU's vision and the role of ECU City in Perth's transformation.
A University-wide effort
The breadth of the Global Agent Summit reflected the expertise, energy and collaboration of teams across ECU. Schools developed interactive experiences that put delegates inside the learning environment, complemented by a School Expo, industry discussions and a curriculum transformation session exploring the future of learning.
The School Expo connected global education partners with ECU staff to explore courses and student opportunities.
Delegates tried practical activities, explored specialist facilities and spoke directly with academics about how ECU prepares students for their careers. These encounters gave partners a closer understanding of the learning experiences behind the courses they promote.
One participant described the impact: "It was an eye-opener and gave me an unexpected perspective on what students can learn."
A standout was the ECU City Unlocked Challenge, an interactive, gamified experience inviting delegates to discover the campus and the stories behind its spaces. Building on ECU City's Cultural Narrative Framework, the challenge connected their exploration with Noongar language and themes of Country, community, knowledge and aspiration.
ECU Vice-Chancellor Professor Clare Pollock shares the University's vision with delegates at the EMERGE26 Global Agent Summit.
Through puzzles, creative photo and video tasks, and discoveries across the building, delegates explored teaching spaces, performance venues and student facilities. The experience offered more than a campus tour: it helped partners understand how culture, learning and belonging come together at ECU City.
Students brought their own perspectives to the program. The Student Voices session offered personal insights into life and learning at ECU, while the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts' (WAAPA's) production of the musical &Juliet showcased student talent on stage.
Christopher, Director of Reachout in Mauritius, captured the impact: "I was awestruck! Couldn't believe what I was seeing, exceeded all my expectations. WAAPA is an easy sell now!"
Shaping what comes next
The Global Agent Summit also invited partners to help shape ECU's next chapter.
Designed and facilitated by ECU's Creative Futures team, a collaborative workshop brought delegates and ECU colleagues together in CreatorsLAB to develop ideas for reaching new audiences and inspiring more international students to choose ECU.
It was a fitting setting for imagining the University's future, combining partners' market knowledge with everything they had experienced during the week. With 26 countries represented, the discussion brought diverse perspectives to ECU's ambition to grow in emerging markets and strengthen its global presence.
Delegates contribute market insights and ideas for ECU's future during the workshop designed and facilitated by Creative Futures at CreatorsLAB.
Feedback showed how the week had equipped partners to take the ECU story home with greater confidence. One delegate wrote:
"This agent summit has given us a much deeper understanding of what ECU offers and will certainly help us guide our future students with greater confidence and a stronger understanding of their future opportunities."
ECU's broader international engagement has also earned recognition, with ECU NEXT featuring prominently in the University's submission as a finalist in the International Education and Training category of the Western Australian Export Awards 2026, where winners will be announced on Friday, 9 October.
Confidence in ECU's future
At a challenging time for the international education sector, with policy uncertainty and intense global competition, the EMERGE26 Global Agent Summit provided a strong foundation for what comes next.
Delegates' feedback conveyed enthusiasm for ECU's direction, confidence in the student experience and excitement about the opportunities created by ECU City. The new campus made a particularly strong impression, with one delegate describing it as "one of the best I have seen in Australia", while others praised its facilities, central location and the possibilities it opens for students.
That confidence is a significant outcome of three years of sustained engagement. Through the combined efforts of staff and students across the University, partners left with first-hand evidence of what sets ECU apart and compelling stories to share in their markets.
The EMERGE26 Global Agent Summit has positioned ECU strongly for the future, with deeper partnerships and a global network of informed, enthusiastic champions. The summit completed the ECU NEXT journey and opened a new chapter: building on that momentum together to help more students go further with ECU.
