Coinciding with the IEFT student fair series in Turkey, the EuroAsia Agent Workshop is distinct from other events in focusing on agents from this specific world region.

Co-organiser Deniz Akar of IEFT – who is organising the event with Turkish agency association YEDAB – believes 70% of the agents attending would not consider flying to other workshops in farther locations.

“We are aware of the major demand for Middle Eastern & central Asian students among international educators,” he told The PIE News.

“The student market in the greater Middle East and central Asia (Gulf region, central and northern Africa, central Asia) consists of 15-20% of the whole market.”

Akar anticipates 150 selected agencies will attend, to meet education institutions from various countries including in Turkey, which is becoming an international education destination in its own right.

“There will be at least seven Turkish universities attending this event,” said Akar.

“[Targeted] countries see Turkey as having a strategic and important position due to its location as a bridge between Europe and Asia, its shared cultural, religous and social values, and the convenient transport links and strong bonds between them.”