ETS TOEFL Chief Calls for Smoother Student Journey
Omar Chihane of ETS argues that expanding study abroad choices require better-integrated support systems for students handling visas, costs, and
The head of the TOEFL program says the growing array of study abroad destinations and programs has made the student decision-making process more complex than ever. Omar Chihane, General Manager of TOEFL at ETS, states that students now weigh changing visa policies, rising costs, new study destinations, and employment prospects amidst a flood of information.
For the international education sector, he argues the next challenge is making these expanded choices easier to handle. Chihane points out that the current student journey remains surprisingly fragmented, with test preparation, university research, applications, financing, and enrollment often handled through disconnected systems.
The Role of Technology and Human Judgment
Technology, particularly AI, can play a key role in surfacing relevant opportunities and connecting disparate information. According to Chihane, its value depends entirely on how it is used. He emphasizes that the decision to study abroad is deeply personal, involving family, finances, career goals, and a major move away from home-factors no technology can fully grasp.
That is why human judgment, trust, and transparency remain irreplaceable. "The most promising use of technology is one that gives students and the people advising them a clearer picture of the opportunities available, while leaving the decision where it belongs; with the student," Chihane writes.
A New Partnership for Student Matching
This philosophy is driving a new collaboration between ETS and the platform Passage. The partnership aims to connect ETS's TOEFL and GRE assessment data with Passage's matching technology. The goal is to help institutions find students whose strengths and goals align with their programs, while assisting students in moving more smoothly from initial discovery through to enrollment.
ETS will continue its core work developing, delivering, and securing its standardized tests. The initiative seeks to create a more integrated pathway in a landscape where counselors, agents, and institutions often operate in separate silos.
Collaboration Across the Sector
Progress, Chihane contends, will require collaboration across the entire international education community. Institutions, counselors, agents, assessment organizations, and technology providers each possess unique expertise. Students benefit most when these pieces work together effectively.
The ultimate objective is not merely to provide a longer list of university options. For a student in Ho Chi Minh City or anywhere else, success means helping them discover overlooked opportunities, understand why those options might be a good fit, and make a confident decision with trusted advisers. As global mobility patterns shift, strengthening these connections can transform overwhelming choice into a clear sense of possibility.
