Category: Five mins with

  • Phil Honeywood, IEAA

    Phil Honeywood, IEAA

    Describe yourself in three words or phrases.
    Optimistic global citizen.

    What do you like most about your job?
    My job represents my life journey: teenage exchange student in Japan, government minister for multicultural affairs and higher education, and then running two international education colleges. The journey’s culmination being IEAA CEO!

    Describe a project or initiative you’re currently working on that excites you.
    As convenor of our National Council for International Education, advocating and negotiating with government to maximise exemptions (for all providers) from the recently imposed enrolment limits (caps) policy.

    What’s a piece of work you’re proud of – and what did it teach you?
    Travelling to India with our federal education minister, I pointed out to him that we could not promise that students who commence their Australian degree in our offshore campuses might then be guaranteed the opportunity to complete their course in Australia because of his government’s planned enrolment limits policy (caps) policy.

    This conversation directly led to successful negotiations to permit TNE students to, for the most part, not be counted in an education providers’ annual enrolment limit if they come to Australia to complete their studies. This experience taught me to keep travelling with relevant ministers whenever possible!

    What’s a small daily habit that helps you in your work?
    A triple shot flat white coffee (Melbourne being the coffee capital of the world) on my way to the office!

    What’s one change you’d like to see in your sector over the next few years?
    We need a concerted and coordinated public relations campaign that effectively educates the wider community on the benefits that world class international education delivers.

    What idea, book, podcast or conversation has stayed with you recently?
    My recent meeting in Beijing with China’s minister of education, Huai Jinpeng, reminded me that education is the most wonderful topic that builds bridges across cultures and breaks down misconceptions. 

    What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone starting out in this field?
    Be willing to put your hand up for new job challenges as often as possible in our dynamic sector. However, if you are going to be a marketing and recruitment “road warrior” be kind to yourself and prioritise family as much as possible!

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  • Priyanka Roy, York University

    Priyanka Roy, York University

    Introduce yourself in three words or phrases. 

    Borderless thinker, story collector, quietly fierce.

    What do you like most about your job?

    Connecting people to possibilities. It blends everything I’ve studied and lived through, connection, culture, and human behavior.

    With a background in clinical psychology, I lean into the why behind choices, but I also love thinking big: What changes access? What drives outcomes? What makes strategy stick? Helping students dream bigger is what I do daily, but assisting institutions to see differently is what I’m growing toward.

    Best work trip/Worst work trip?

    Best: Nepal. A place where spirituality meets ambition, and every conversation felt like a masterclass in purpose. I met students who challenged assumptions,
    asked global questions, and reminded me why this work isn’t just recruitment, it’s relationship-building across borders.

    Worst: One of those everything-goes-wrong kind of trips – delayed flights, tech glitches, and a schedule that changed by the hour. I remember the panic, but
    more than that, I remember pivoting fast, staying present, and making it work. It showed me how adaptability and clarity under pressure aren’t just nice-to-haves;
    They’re the bones that build leaders.

    If you could learn a language instantly, which would you pick and why?

    Arabic. I was born in Saudi, so it’s always felt like the soundtrack of my early life. Learning it would be more than linguistic. It’d be a way of reconnecting with
    something I’ve always found myself drawn to.

    A close second would be Japanese. With how they’re innovating in education and global engagement, it feels like a language that’s about to take centre stage.

    What makes you get up in the morning?

    The fact that someone out there is making a life-changing decision, and I might get to play a small part in it. That, and the promise of good coffee.

    Champion/cheerleader which we should all follow and why?

    Tunde Oyeneyin. Peloton coach turned powerhouse. She speaks about purpose, identity, and growth like she’s been reading your journal. I was never athletic or sporty and exercise never felt like it belonged to me.

    But something shifted when I found her. She made movement feel like a celebration, not a punishment. Her energy is magnetic, her story is powerful, and her voice makes you believe you can rewrite your narrative, and when used intentionally, can move people.

    Best international ed conference and why

    APAIE in India earlier this year. My first global panel! Sitting among leaders I Googled in awe and quietly learn from, now contributing to the conversation at the same table as them was surreal. It was one of those “you’re not in the audience anymore” moments.

    Worst conference food/beverage experience

    One conference served “fusion” snacks. I tried something that was somewhere between dessert and deep regret. Coffee didn’t salvage it either. It’s fine.
    Character was built.

    Book or podcast recommendation for others in the sector?

    The One Thing by Gary Keller. This sector moves fast. There’s always something to do, someone to help, somewhere to be. This book forces you to pause and ask: “What’s the one thing I can do right now that actually makes a difference?” Game changer for anyone juggling a million priorities.

    Describe a project or initiative you’re currently working on that excites you.

    I’m working on a storytelling series that spotlights international students who’ve carved out unexpected paths. It’s about humanising the data and reminding
    institutions that behind every stat is a story worth telling. Still in early stages, but it’s one of those ideas that just won’t leave me alone.

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  • Erhan Sengur, GoBritanya

    Erhan Sengur, GoBritanya

    Introduce yourself in three words or phrases.

      Results-oriented, pioneer and problem solver.

      What do you like most about your job?

      What I enjoy most is the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on our customers’ experience – especially the students we accommodate. Knowing that we’re helping create a safe and comfortable environment for them is incredibly rewarding. I take great pride in the trust that families place in our team, and when they share positive feedback, it really reinforces why I love what I do.

      Best work trip/Worst work trip?

      One of the most memorable work trips for me was opening a new office in China. It was an incredible experience – being involved in launching operations in a new country, working closely with international colleagues, and seeing everything come together successfully was both professionally and personally rewarding.

      On the flip side, one of the more challenging trips was traveling from Japan to Korea. I overlooked the online visa requirement for Korea and was denied entry upon arrival, which meant spending the night at the airport.

      It was definitely a learning experience in preparation and double-checking travel requirements – one I’ve never forgotten!

      If you could learn a language instantly, which would you pick and why?

      I would choose Chinese. It’s a complex and sophisticated language, which makes it challenging to learn – but that also makes it all the more rewarding.

      Given that China is one of our key markets, being able to communicate fluently would strengthen relationships, enhance collaboration, and deepen my cultural understanding, which is incredibly valuable in our line of work.

      What makes you get up in the morning?

      What motivates me each morning is my vision and goals, along with the excitement of tackling new challenges at work. I’m driven by the opportunity to grow, learn, and make a meaningful impact through trying innovative approaches every day.

      Champion/cheerleader which we should all follow and why?

      I admire sir James Dyson primarily for his business style. His sharp business acumen, strong work ethic, and entrepreneurial mindset are truly impressive. I respect his appetite for calculated risks and his innovative approach to building successful companies.

      Best international ed conference and why

      The ICEF Higher Education Conference in Berlin stands out as the best international education conference I’ve attended.

      It provides a unique opportunity to connect with all of our education agent partners from around the world in one place. This centralised setting makes it incredibly efficient to build relationships, exchange insights, and strengthen our global network.

      Worst conference food/beverage experience

      At a recent conference, the organisers hired an external barista to provide high-quality coffee, which was a great idea in theory.

      However, they didn’t provide any standard coffee options on the tables, resulting in a long queue of around 200 attendees waiting for their coffee. This created unnecessary delays during an event designed for networking.

      Book or podcast recommendation for others in the sector?

      I highly recommend Housed: The Shared Living Podcast, which can be found on Spotify as well.

      What’s great about this podcast is that it provides insights across all stakeholders view to our industry. Presenters are consultants within the industry, which allows them to access the information that necessarily not available on the public domain.

      Describe a project or initiative you’re currently working on that excites you.

        Right now, I’m really excited about working on acquiring new Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) properties for our new brand, Stuhomes. It’s a great opportunity to help grow our portfolio and create better living spaces for students. Being part of this project means I get to help shape something meaningful that directly improves the student experience, which is really rewarding.

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      1. Prabhas Moghe, Rutgers University – The PIE News

        Prabhas Moghe, Rutgers University – The PIE News

        Introduce yourself in three words or phrases.

        I am an educator, an innovator, and a scholar.

        What do you like most about your job?

        Oh gosh, I love my job. I think what I really enjoy is the expanse, the scope, the landscape, it’s huge. I love that we are not just solving problems, we are actually defining them.

        Best work trip/Worst work trip?

        The best work trip? I have had so many good ones. This (APAIE 2025, Delhi, and overall India tour) has been a great work trip.

        But I also had a fantastic trip to London with my foundation president. We went together and ran a workshop on “friend-raising”, instead of just fundraising, the idea is to build genuine relationships. UK universities were trying to learn it, and since US universities are a bit ahead in that area, we worked with them. That was really fun.

        I also went to South Korea on a work trip. I love South Koreans, and I love the country, but they made me work so hard. The person who planned the trip, god bless her, packed the schedule so tight that I did not get even one hour of sightseeing.

        It was a 14–15 hour flight to Seoul, and the trip ended up being the kind of hard work that South Koreans put in every single day.

        If you could learn a language instantly, which would you pick and why?

        Definitely Mandarin and Spanish. I was foolish enough to promise a class at the University of Puerto Rico that, “next time I visit, I promise I will give you the lecture in Spanish”, so it ain’t happening. But I do take pride in speaking multiple languages, I would say I am fluent in at least five. I even started learning Mandarin with Rosetta Stone (language learning software). I didn’t get too far, but I absolutely love how the language sounds.

        What makes you get up in the morning?

        I think what drives me is a genuine passion for the work. There’s just so much to be done.

        As the chief academic officer at Rutgers, my role is about having a deep, self-aware understanding of the institution, in ways that few others might. While everyone else is focused on their specific responsibilities, I am constantly looking at the institution as a whole.

        How do we stay true to our mission? How do we improve? How do we gain recognition? And how do we move the needle on our academic standing?

        These are broad, complex challenges, but that’s what makes the work so meaningful.

        Champion/cheerleader which we should all follow and why?

        There are so many influential people now, and they each teach you something different. I have learned a lot from Kailash Satyarthi, Nobel Peace Prize winner, especially his approach to life.

        For instance, I was really impressed by Jennifer Doudna after reading her biography, The Code Breaker, which is written by Walter Isaacson.

        I am actually very intrigued by Isaacson himself, someone who writes about others so insightfully. He’s also written about Steve Jobs. The way he pieces together these stories is fascinating.

        In The Code Breaker, what struck me was how science and research are portrayed as incredibly competitive fields. And yet, the breakthroughs often come in these magical, nonlinear moments, when the right people come together with the right tools, and suddenly, something clicks.

        That idea of serendipity, of miraculous intersections, it really resonated with me. No one creates miracles alone; you need a village.

        The book also shows how intensely competitive some of these research groups can be.

        But more than anything, what stood out was the brilliance, the hard work, and the value of good observers, people who can see the bigger picture. I think we need more of those champions.

        Best international ed conference and why

        I think this is a very cool conference (APAIE 2025). I was walking around the booths, and was at a roundtable with several presidents and vice-chancellors. It’s really exciting because this is not what higher education looked like 20 or 30 years ago.

        What you see here today is different countries like Canada, Hong Kong, Malaysia, the UK coming together. It’s like the whole world is showing up and saying, “Come be a part of us”.

        Worst conference food/beverage experience

        I was at a meeting at the World Biomaterials Congress, I think it was in Chengdu, China.

        We went out to eat, and let’s just say where we ate you’re pretty much eating reasonably raw food. That was pretty challenging.

        I mean I love Chinese food, I love Sichuan food, but that was challenging.

        Book or podcast recommendation for others in the sector?

        Definitely The Code Breaker by Isaacson, I would recommend that to people. I think it’s a pretty interesting book. If you are looking for something educationally oriented, then there’s Building Research Universities in India by Pankaj Jalote.

        I’m very impressed with how he’s drawn on the research in terms of how things have changed over the last hundred years, how India’s research landscape has changed.

        I am listening to a whole bunch of podcasts. Dementia Matters, a podcast about Alzheimer’s disease and other causes of dementia, is something I am really liking.

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      2. Marielle van der Meer, La Sagesse

        Marielle van der Meer, La Sagesse

        Introduce yourself in three words or phrases.

        Serial university starter.

        What do you like most about your job?

        The opportunity to do something new within a sector that is challenged by legacy, tradition and archaic systems – and to drive real change. And to transform  young people’s lives, of course… 

        Best work trip/Worst work trip?

        Difficult, as there have been so many. Corny as it sounds, perhaps my best trip is the first trip I ever made – to Cyprus, the British Council Clearing Fair in August 2007. I had just started as Europe officer at London Metropolitan University, and it was my first time ever to travel for work. I can still remember walking into my poolside hotel room in the Hilton Park and pinching myself. I couldn’t believe my luck!

        I met some great people that trip (again, poolside, and there may have been some cocktails involved) but mostly, it was a first realisation of how the work we do within this industry really matters. So I guess it was a trip of great promise – and in hindsight, one that cemented my subsequent career, and passion for what I do.

        Worst – I could talk about being tear-gassed in Istanbul, stuck in a riot in the West Bank, ducking underneath the passenger seat of a car at a traffic light in Karachi for fear of standing out (as a blonde female) and being mugged, losing my luggage for a total of three months on a simple work trip to Berlin, being pushed against a wall by a frisky, groping male at a conference party who mistook my smile and friendliness for consent… but ultimately we are the sum of all our experiences and even the not-so-good ones make for good reflections and stories to tell. 

        If you could learn a language instantly, which would you pick and why?

        Spanish. I am now at day 1,565 of Duolingo and still struggling. My husband and I got stuck in Spain during the pandemic and randomly ended up buying a house there, so we have been going back and forth a lot ever since. It would make my life a lot easier if I could instantly become fluent. 

        What makes you get up in the morning?

        Birds singing outside my window. An over-enthusiastic dog named Ted Hilton. The sense of duty to complete my Spanish Duolingo lesson (see above).

        Champion/cheerleader which we should all follow and why?

        So many! In all honesty, I have met so many great people over the years, along the way – some of whom are now very close friends. I think all of us are doing our part in making a difference. But if I were to give one shoutout – one  that’s only fitting considering this is The PIE – it’s Amy Baker. From humble beginnings around a kitchen table to what The PIE has grown into now, all with such grace, humility, great insight and kindness, and by building a kick-a*se team. 

        Best international ed conference and why

        I loved the Innovative Universities Summit hosted in Korea by the New Challenge Foundation last year. Not only did it bring together some fascinating, passionate global leaders in the international higher education innovation space, the format was brilliant – intimate, lots of space for meaningful dialogue, and extra-curricular activities such as Makgeolli making and rainforest walks on the island of Jeju. It was possibly also the only four-day conference I ever attended where they gave us a weekend off in the middle to do our own thing. How civilised! 

        Worst conference food/beverage experience

        I must admit, at any big conference such as NAFSA or ICEF or EAIE, I tend to sneak out for lunch. Not only do I despise the queues and the mediocre buffets, but I also like to take that moment in the day to NOT make small talk and find a nice place for lunch to enjoy a meal and glass of wine in silence. 

        Book or podcast recommendation for others in the sector?

        I don’t really peruse any sector-related content, but I can recommend anyone to stick a copy of Alan Watts’ book of quotes There is never anything but the present in their travel bag. A reminder of how we can all benefit to pause and ground ourselves a little bit more in the here and now rather than rushing off to the next thing and find joy in the small things around us. To quote: “Instant coffee is a well-deserved punishment for being in a hurry to reach the future”. Amen. 

        Describe a project or initiative you’re currently working on that excites you

        It’ll have to be The School of Innovation, an aspiring new university-in-the-making that  I am currently consulting for as fractional co-CEO.  An ambitious project aiming to launch with a first pilot cohort in the fall of 2025, TSOI is building a new university solely focused on the study, advancement and application of innovation.

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      3. Aritra Ghosal, OneStep Global – The PIE News

        Aritra Ghosal, OneStep Global – The PIE News

        Introduce yourself in three words or phrases.

        Perseverant, ambitious, and empathetic. 

        What do you like most about your job?

        The team, the work, and the people I get to interact with on a daily basis. 

        Best work trip/Worst work trip?

        My best work trip was my first visit to Ireland. My worst work trip, on the other hand, was when I had to travel by car from Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh to another city – it was a terrible experience.

        If you could learn a language instantly, which would you pick and why?

        I want to learn Spanish. Latin America is a place I really want to visit because I am a big football fan! So I want to learn the language. 

        What makes you get up in the morning?

        My daughter makes me get up in the morning. 

        Champion/cheerleader which we should all follow and why?

        There are many icons we can look up to, but perseverance stands out as a key quality – someone who keeps coming back despite multiple defeats. For example, Sourav Ganguly, who, despite being dropped from the Indian cricket team several times, made remarkable comebacks and proved critics wrong. 

        Best international ed conference and why

        I think The PIE conferences are genuinely good, especially The PIE Live Europe. Conferences like the ones by EAIE are a bit too big [in my opinion]. 

        Worst conference food/beverage experience?

        Many of these European conferences, not the British ones, have terrible food.

        Book or podcast recommendation for others in the sector?

        I think Atomic Habits is one good book that I have read and is useful for the sector. But I also think reading the works of someone like Oscar Wilde will give you a lot of life lessons. 

        People keep talking about self help books but reading Wilde, Ruskin Bond, etc, is far better. My suggestion is to read some classics. 

        Describe a project or initiative you’re currently working on that excites you.

        I think our plans to open a new office in Vietnam is definitely exciting and we are also looking at doing some transnational education activity in Sri Lanka, wherein we will take some of our partner universities to the country. 

        What are the major factors behind your decision to open a new office in Vietnam, and how will this enhance its presence in the broader Southeast Asian region?

        OneStep Global‘s decision to establish a presence in Vietnam is part of a strategy to strengthen our footprint in Southeast Asia. Alongside Vietnam, we are also planning to open an office in Indonesia.

        Similar to our approach in the Middle East, we will establish our own entity with fully operational offices in cities like Hanoi and Jakarta. 

        Southeast Asia presents a significant opportunity to help universities find sustainable solutions that align with their strategic goals in the region.

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