Published on 01/10/25 – Noticia extraida de Study Travel Magazine
Strengthening internal and external communications has been a priority for Spanish agency association ASEPROCE, while plans to achieve sector regulation continue, confirms President, Pablo Martínez de Velasco.
What has ASEPROCE been up to over the last 12 months?
Since December 2024, we’ve welcomed four new agencies into ASEPROCE, and we’re pleased to report that no members have left the association during this period. Strengthening internal communication has also been a key focus, and we recently launched Circle, a dedicated online platform that helps members share updates, collaborate more easily, and stay connected.
Earlier in 2024, a group of members took part in a fam trip to Dubai organised by ES Dubai, where they had the opportunity to explore the school’s academic programmes, visit its modern campuses, and experience the vibrant international environment it offers. The trip helped strengthen ties and deepen mutual understanding between our members and the institution.
In June 2024, we bid a heartfelt farewell to Marta Galea, who stepped down as General Secretary after 15 years of dedicated service to ASEPROCE. Marta was a true pillar of the association — widely admired for her professionalism, wisdom, and unwavering commitment. Her legacy was honoured with a warm and emotional farewell event, and her contribution will remain a lasting part of our history.
We were also thrilled to win the StudyTravel Secondary School Award for Star Agency Association 2025 — our fourth time receiving this honour. It’s a recognition we deeply value, and we’re feeling hopeful about joining the ranks of Super Stars in the near future.
On the events side, we co-hosted a workshop in Madrid with EMA (The Enrollment Management Association), focused on American private high schools. It was a very positive experience, and we’re already considering a second edition in 2026, potentially in Barcelona.
Our own XII ASEPROCE Workshop in Madrid was a major success — it sold out for the first time in our history, and at the pace we’re going, this October’s edition looks set to do the same.
We also renewed our strategic sponsorship agreement with AON and welcomed new collaborators who are providing valuable support to both the association and our members.
We launched ASEPROCE Insights, our new online magazine designed to share industry knowledge, highlight member experiences, and give voice to the professionals, schools, and partners who shape the international education sector.
Finally, we’ve started working with a communications agency, which is helping us strengthen ASEPROCE’s public presence and amplify our voice in national media. The growing attention around key issues — such as the recent difficulties with U.S. student visa appointments — has further boosted our visibility and positioned us as a reference point in the international education industry.
How did the outbound student market perform for ASEPROCE members in 2024? How is 2025 looking so far?
There hasn’t been much change compared to 2024. Sales remain challenging — families are more cautious and take longer to confirm — and competition in the market is strong. However, overall performance has been relatively stable, with figures similar to last year. It’s not a period of growth, but we’re not seeing a decline either, which gives us some optimism moving forward.
The association had plans to carry out a market study with a view to presenting the findings to government authorities and achieving specific regulation. Please explain/give us an update.
Yes — this remains a top priority for us. We are currently working with a specialised tech company to develop a custom digital application that will allow us to collect confidential, reliable market data directly from our members. This will finally give us the foundation we need to present solid, evidence-based insights to public authorities, and advocate for specific regulation for our sector. We expect to launch the platform in 2026, and we’re very excited about its potential impact.
Agency accreditation is a current hot topic in the industry. What’s the association’s position on agency accreditation? How does ASEPROCE differ from other national agency associations?
At ASEPROCE, we have our own internal quality standard that all our members must adhere to, and we believe this is more than sufficient to guarantee professionalism, transparency, and reliability. Our Code of Conduct, combined with ongoing peer oversight and shared best practices, ensures a high level of service and ethical behaviour across the board. While we respect external accreditation systems, we feel that true recognition must come from within the sector itself. That’s why one of our key objectives is to strengthen our role as a lobbying force — both in Spain and internationally — to ensure that Spanish agencies are recognised and respected for their expertise and rigorous standards.
We strongly believe that schools should prioritise working with Spanish agencies that are members of ASEPROCE, as they operate under a clear framework, have our full backing, and are committed to continuous improvement and ethical practices. This not only protects the reputation of the industry but also provides greater security and guarantees for students and their families.
What can attendees expect from this year’s ASEPROCE Workshop 2025 in Madrid?
Attendees of the ASEPROCE Workshop 2025 can expect a vibrant, fully booked event bringing together top agencies, schools, and industry partners. With dynamic sessions and quality networking in a friendly, manageable setting, it’s designed for meaningful connections and real conversations. We’re proud to keep it boutique — no need to go bigger when we already have great global events like ST Alphe Conferences!
What does the association have planned for the next year?
As mentioned earlier, one of our main goals is to complete and launch our secure application for collecting reliable, real-time data on the outbound education industry in Spain — a much-needed tool that will help us better understand and represent our market. We’re also working closely with the Ministry of Education to push for an update to the current legislation on homologation and validation of foreign studies, so that it reflects today’s educational landscape and the realities faced by our agencies and students. In February, during our General Assembly in Vigo, there will be a change in our Board, marking a new chapter for the association’s leadership. And of course, we will continue to actively promote ASEPROCE and its member agencies as trusted leaders in the international education industry — both in Spain and beyond.
Pablo Martinez de Velasco is the President of ASEPROCE and CEO of Ad Astra Estudios Internacionales in Spain. An abridged version of this interview featured in the October 2025 issue of StudyTravel Magazine. To view the digital version, please click here.
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