MARK LUCAS

Chair

MARK LUCAS established iae GLOBAL in partnership with OJ Kim of iae EDUHOUSE in January 2006. iae GLOBAL is one of the world’s leading international education recruitment and marketing consultancies with over 90 offices in 16 countries recruiting in excess of 20,000 students per year to institutions around the world. In November 2014, iae GLOBAL entered into a private equity partnership with New Horizon Capital in Japan to form iae HOLDINGS, Inc. Mark is currently the Chief Corporate and Business Officer as well as a Board Member and shareholder of iae HOLDINGS, Inc. He is also shareholder and board member of Eduhouse Inc, Korea. With a career in education spanning 39 years, Mark has a teaching degree from the University of Newcastle and has taught high school, college and ESL in Australia and Japan. Prior to iae GLOBAL, Mark was the founding director and CEO of Technos Language and Commerce College (TLCC) – a private English language and vocational education college for international students in Sydney In 2001, TLCC merged with Aspect Education Holdings, a UK-based education group with 20 colleges in seven countries. Mark was the Managing Director and Australian shareholder of Aspect Education in Australia until March 2005. Mark has been active in the private export education sector and was a director of and past Chair of the Australian Council for Private Education and Training, a former convener of the Affiliation of International Education Peak Bodies and a founding member of the Commonwealth Government Contribution Review Panel in Canberra. Mark has been actively involved in the consultative process with both the Federal and State governments in Australia relating to industry issues that impact private education and training, both domestically and overseas. He was a board member of the NSW Government Task force for International Education and past board member of the American International Recruitment Council (AIRC) in the USA as well a current member of the Advisory Board of International Conferences and Education Fairs (ICEF). Mark has been an international presenter and panelist at key educational conferences such as the AIEF/IDP Conferences in Australia, ICEF Workshops in Europe, USA and Canada, IALC Conferences, NAFSA and AIRC Conferences in the USA, as well as having been involved in a wide range of government and industry advisory roles over the past 25 years.

REGINA DA SILVA

Deputy Chair

Ana Regina da Silva (Regina da Silva) was born and raised in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Regina has a law degree in Brazil and migrated to Australia in 2001 to study English and enrich her knowledge. In 2002 she opened her own agency called ABC Australia Education Consultancy, which over the years has proudly helped countless students reach their educational and professional goals. Besides her professional career, Regina has always been active in the community by helping people find their goals in many different spheres of life as a part of several non-for-profit organisations.  She was an executive board member at a Childcare Center for 7 years, monitoring and managing together with 6 other mothers the operation of the organisation with 118 children. One of her other achievements was being elected 3 years ago to be a part of The Brazilian Consulate in Sydney as one of the 14 counselors on their board known as CRBE (Council of Representatives of Brazilians Abroad). As a part of the board, Regina has contributed with her knowledge and has worked together with the committee in projects that influence and help the Brazilian community in Sydney. On top of that, she acts as a vice president for BRACCA (Brazilian Community Council of Australia), which is an institution that aims to deliver cultural events and social projects to the community in order to bring a little bit of the Brazilian culture to all of those living in Sydney. In addition, Regina represents ISEAA (International Student Education Agents Association) as its Deputy Chair and has achieved together with the executive board members great outcomes for the Association’s members. The organisation has taken an important role in the Education Industry in Australia as it aims to elevate the stands and practice of the industry as well as being the voice in between agents and Governments.

ROBERT PARSONSON

Executive Officer

Robert Parsonson (Executive Officer, ISEAA) has 28 years in education and education export services, working within Australia and internationally. He is an expert on the development and execution of international student marketing strategies and offshore market entry. With experience in ELICOS, VET and higher education institutions, Rob’s ability to take novice businesses on their first foray into international markets and guide their journey to build sustainable long-term international student businesses is widely recognised. 

Rob’s previous clients include StudyNSW, helping develop the IET Strategy for StudyNT, an education agency strategy for Study Queensland, and a VET study with education agents for the IEO of the SA Government.

In 2017 (in Melbourne) Rob facilitated the first education agent symposium in Australia – The Symposium on Leading Education Recruitment (sympled.com.au) - that was repeated in Brisbane in 2018.  The symposium encouraged the formation of the International Student Education Agents Association (ISEAA) in 2018. The International Student Education Agents Association (ISEAA) was started to provide a peak body for education agents to advocate to government, peak bodies, providers and change some of the perceptions around the role education agents. Since the formation of ISEAA, education agents have given evidence to the Migration Committee in Canberra, and are actively engaging with DoE, DHA, Austrade, the office of the Overseas Students Ombudsman, and other international education peak bodies

MICHAL SESTAK

Executive Secretary

Michal Sestak is an education and migration consultant with over 28 years’ experience, founder of SIS Consulting migration and AustraliaOnline education.

Michal was born in the Czech Republic and when he was 18 and finish HSC he moved to Germany to pursue further study.   

He arrived in Australia as an international student in late 1993 and immediately became involved in the international education industry.

As a student in Australia and later on as a permanent resident he completed degree in Management (CQU), Finance (UNSW) and Migration law (UTS), which lead to his registration as migration agent in 2002.  

His personal experience as an international student strongly influenced and shaped the culture of his company /agency.

SIS Consulting / AustraliaOnline under his leadership became highly focused boutique education and migration agency with 6 offices across the world (Aus, EU and Latam).

Michal’s work with education providers, migration associations, international students, migration pro bono work for legal centres etc demonstrates his huge enthusiasm and passion for the industry.

He actively advocates protection of international students’ rights in the context of their Australian education and is helping fellow agents to navigate the complex issues of Migration Regulations, ESOS Act, National Code etc. Michal also represents international student at the Administrative Appeal Tribunal (AAT) in case of a visa refusal.

Michal has an ingrained sense of duty of care towards all his clients and constantly provides them with professional, up-to-date and realistic advice for their future.

His work is best reflected with ISEAA, which he is a founding member of. ISEAA

Michal is often invited to speak at forums, runs migration and education training sessions, attends international Expo and participates in discussion with various government departments.             

BADRI ARYAL

Treasurer

Belonging to one of the early batches of Nepalese international student cohort in Australia, Badri Aryal has successfully made positive impacts in the lives of international students. An IT graduate from Central Queensland University, Badri's career took a different path when he and his business partner started having conversations about the issues that the international students face in Australia, which later turned into their business venture. Expert Education and Visa Services was formed by Badri and his business partner in 2003 with the vision of providing genuine advice to international students regarding their further studies and stay in Australia. This bold vision has seen Badri's company spreading across ten countries employing 400 staff globally. With more than 16 years in the education industry experience, Badri brings with him an extensive knowledge of the school, the vocational and tertiary education system in Australia. His strong leadership has helped secure education and career pathways of more than 40,000 clients till date and his dedication to his work has earned EEVS many awards and accolades from the top educational institutions in Australia. One of the highlights of his career is being appointed as the Public Relations Representative for New South Wales by Nepal Tourism Board where his major focus was promoting Nepalese culture and tradition, as well as facilitating trade and business between Nepal and Australia. His association with ISEAA as one of the directors aims at developing and maintaining a high standard of practice in the education and migration consultation sector in Australia.

JULIAN FONSECA

Public Officer

Julian F. Fonseca, arrived in Australia 12 Years ago, with the dreams and the determination of learning a second language. Originally from Colombia, and with a Degree in Advertising & Marketing, Julian has worked across different industries in Australia and back at home, which allowed him to gain experience in different fields related to management, marketing, customer service, project management and International Education.

In 2008, and after living the experience of an International student in Australia, he had the opportunity of working at what it is today one of the largest International Student Agencies in Australia; here, Julian started a passionate and interesting career, where he contributed with his knowledge and passion for customer service, to the mutual growth of the brand and the improvement of their services by managing one of their branches in Brisbane Queensland.

Thanks to the mentoring and guidance from who was at the time the Director, Julian learnt all the ins and outs of the industry, and gained extensive knowledge in Student visa processes, study programs and institutions in Australia.

2010 was an important year, since Julian decided to travel around the world and was during these travels, where he had also the opportunity of working in Colombia for a well-known agency in the role of head of sales for Australia. With his experience and after achieving a high level of English, thanks to his studies and time as an international student, Julian managed to implement processes and procedures within his role, to make the experience of travelling to study in Australia, unique for this company and its clients.

2011, back in Australia, was a remarkable year, since it was the beginning of Julian’s dream to create a company that not only offer to its clients and unforgettable experience, but to lead and help his team growth professionally within the organization. His appetite for professional growth and collaboration with other business, has led him to work parallel with companies in industries like entertainment and events, as a consultant. Since then Mate Education & Migration, has worked towards making Australia The Experience for hundreds of students, wanting to further their studies, while living and working overseas.

Julian is a strong believer that International Education is evolving, and new methods of delivery are attracting young minds. He is also confident that throughout mentoring, we learn efficiently and progressively. He is passionate in leading his team and clients, by having a problem-solving mindset. Adaptability, creativity, honesty and reliability are key in our industry. We should always look for change and challenging opportunities. Finding gaps in the market and seeking connections in order to improve the experience of studying overseas is vital.

His collaboration and participation with ISEAA, is fundamental to determine the quality of education agents in our industry, since this will endure growth and benchmarks for all future agents.

URSULA NG

Executive Member

Ms Ursula Ng graduated from The Chinese University of Hong Kong in the early 70's and migrated to Australia in 1975.

In 1988, as a pioneer in the fledgling education industry, Ms Ng established the Advisory Centre for Australian Education to deliver a comprehensive suite of services to Chinese students.  Prior experience as a social worker in the Australian Chinese Community Association in Sydney and as a student counsellor of the Australian Catholic University ensured she truly understood the needs of overseas students in their study pursuits as well as their daily lives in Australia.

She has become the most recognised education consultant in Sydney after the successful launch of her "Education & Living in Australia" magazine in 1993.  Ms Ng has since been invited as a regular columnist on Australian education for many Chinese newspapers and magazines.  She has been interviewed on numerous occasions by the Australian and Chinese media, including regular appearances on SBS. 

DAVID RIORDAN

Executive Member

David's expertise has been shaped by his recent roles, CEO of DET International, Director of City Services at the City of Sydney and Director TAFE NSW – Sydney Institute and Council Member on the Ministerial Council of International Education. In these roles, he managed complex local, state, and federal government relations. 

David has been recognised for these achievements: the TAFE NSW Medal in recognition of service to students; the national winner of the Distinguished Contribution to International Education; leader of the winning team in the 2019 Leadership Awards for the City of Sydney and whilst Director of TAFE NSW Sydney Institute was awarded the inaugural International Training Provider of the Year award. I lived overseas for many years managing large VET projects in Europe, the Middle East and Asia as well as being the lead on four International Delegations with the Premier of NSW.