Global Reach has kicked off a milestone celebration, marking its 35th anniversary with the 2025 edition of the Global Reach Regional Meet (GRRM) in New Delhi. The two-day gathering over 28–29 November brought together staff from across India and South Asia, university partners from around the world, and leaders from the international education sector—all united in honouring Global Reach’s remarkable journey from a pioneering consultancy in 1990 to one of the most trusted names in South Asian student mobility today.
Day 1: A Celebration Rooted in Legacy and Looking Ahead
The event opened with a welcome from Chairman Dr Sitasaran Singh. Managing Director Ravi Lochan Singh, and key senior leaders then led a ceremonial lamp-lighting. Ravi Lochan Singh then addressed the team, reflecting on Global Reach’s evolution, its mission, and its ongoing role in shaping ethical, high-quality international education pathways.
A panel discussion on “2026 Opportunities in Global Education Markets” followed, moderated by Aditeya Lochan Singh, where I joined fellow industry leaders to share insights. During our conversation, we explored the major shifts likely to shape the coming year—from rising regional competition and evolving supply–demand pressures to the increasing importance of diversified recruitment markets.
Later in the afternoon, university representatives arrived for networking over tea, followed by a session delivered by yours tuly on the International Education Landscape – aimed to set the context for discussion over the next two days. Next up was a panel: “International Student Mobility in South Asia 2025 with Outlook for 2026”. With representatives from Macquarie University, La Trobe University, the University of Galway, the University of Waikato, Queen Mary University of London, the University of Melbourne, and Deakin University, the session unpacked demand trends, regulatory environments, and student expectations across the region.
The day continued with a candid panel on “International Students – Fears, Feedback and Futures”, where Global Reach’s regional heads from India, Sri Lanka, and the Northeast shared real-time insights from front-line counselling teams.
An entertaining keynote address by Mr George Thiveos, Minister Counsellor (Education & Research, South Asia) at the Australian High Commission, served as a highlight—underscoring Australia’s commitment to genuine partnership in the region.
To conclude the formal program, GR unveiled its refreshed Uapp and the launch of AUSMUN (Punjab), signalling Global Reach’s expanding role in academic enrichment and leadership development. The evening then shifted into networking, followed by Shaam-e-Suhani, a special performance by illusionist Suhani Shah.
Day 2: Learning, Leadership and the Future of Global Reach
The second day opened with a networking breakfast and remarks by General Manager Ratan Mukherjee and Principal Consultant (HR) V. Natarajan, setting the stage for a day centred on global market intelligence and organisational growth.
Navitas Chief Insights Officer Jon Chew delivered a data-rich session on global overseas education markets, followed by a panel coordinated by Global Reach’s Minakshi Basak exploring the implications of those trends.
The day’s marquee keynote came from legendary cricket coach John Buchanan—facilitated by the University of Queensland. Drawing from his book If Better Is Possible, Buchanan connected elite sports leadership with high-performance organisational behaviour, offering lessons directly applicable to the Global Reach team during its 35-year milestone.
Education New Zealand’s Jugnu Roy then presented “New Zealand: The Amazing Story for 2026”, and Austrade’s Vik Singh followed with “Australia: There is No Better Place for International Students in 2026”, reinforcing the strong positions of two key destination markets.
A major panel on Transnational Education (TNE) in India brought together leaders from Austrade, Careers360, Education New Zealand, OneStep Global, UQ, and Acumen/Sannam S4. The discussion tackled critical questions: Which students will choose TNE? Will it meaningfully offset outbound mobility? And are institutions prepared with the right price points and academic models?
Founder & CEO of Careers360, Maheshwar Peri, then delivered a keynote on Student Aspirations in India and the Future of Overseas Study, offering a reality check on what Indian learners truly value.
The afternoon focused inward, celebrating Global Reach’s culture and achievements. Sessions on the organisation’s Great Place to Work (GPTW) journey, new initiatives, branch achievements, financial insights, and strategic planning for 2026 highlighted Global Reach’s commitment not only to industry leadership but also to continuous internal development.
The day concluded with the highly anticipated Awards Night at Habibi Lounge—an evening dedicated to honouring outstanding performers across Global Reach.
As Global Reach celebrates its 35th anniversary, GRRM 2025 serves as a powerful reminder of the organisation’s enduring values: integrity, innovation, student success, and an unwavering commitment to quality. The event showcased both the depth of expertise within the Global Reach network and the global partnerships that have shaped its journey.
With new programs, strengthened collaborations, and fresh insights pointing to an ambitious 2026, Global Reach’s milestone year is not just a celebration of its past—it is a launchpad for its future.
The Koala News thanks Global Reach for the invitation to join GRRM 2025.
