More than 1,750 delegates came together in Sydney for AIEC 2026, marking a milestone moment as the conference celebrated its 40th anniversary.

Under the theme Future Thinking, this year’s conference celebrated four decades of connection, collaboration and progress, while looking ahead to the ideas, opportunities and challenges shaping the future of international education. Across four energising days, delegates connected, exchanged ideas and explored new perspectives on where our sector is heading and how we can shape what comes next.

From thought-provoking sessions and big conversations to new connections, shared experiences and memorable celebrations, AIEC 2026 brought together our community at its very best.

As we celebrated 40 years of AIEC, the conference honoured the people, ideas and achievements that have shaped our community while embracing Future Thinking and the conversations, connections and collaborations that will define the next chapter of international education.