A lover of education and supporting the next generation, Taleb Matar talks to us about working with local schools to inspire students and help them navigate their future to a successful international education journey.

“I have worked in schools for 23 years – 8 years in my home country Lebanon, and now 15 years in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The role of education is changing, it’s becoming more than teaching - encompassing extra-curricular learning and supporting the students. There’s more focus on lifelong learning, not just during the schooling years.

“With my IDP work skills and connections, and my experience as a Scout leader, I have worked with more than 35 schools to create and run activities with them. The activities include different types of competitions such as spelling bees, sports, writing, and music. Activities are run within schools and in different ethnic communities. For example, I have been invited to support the 25th foundation anniversary where they will choose the prom king and queen from the school students, and junior and senior student in the Filipino community. It is fun to be involved in so many different communities and celebrations where we can spread the word of education and highlight IDP Education as a part of the community service.

“We also run workshops on preparing resumes and application letters for the students and we run many sessions for the teachers and school counselors to enrich their knowledge about study abroad and encourage them to have IDP as their tool in the process to support their students. For example, I organised the English Language teachers conference that support teachers training and language. These types of activities are great ways for IDP to support education locally.

“Having the IDP presence in the school and community shows parents, teachers, and students that we care. It provides confidence to the parents of students (often the decision makers), to apply for their kids to study abroad. So, we can combine our business expertise and local and global education institutions to bring care and support to students, parents, and teachers. It allows us to be the source of knowledge and inspiration.

“In my interactions I try to focus on being kind and caring. I have some amazing colleagues such as Mishal Eshai and Kristianne Viher in IDP connect Canada and have made very good connections and relationships with embassies and universities supporting the work that IDP does. The students and parents are so grateful when their application is approved, and their lifelong education dream is realized. Students stay in contact; I even have one student in the US who calls me godfather! I believe my life, business experience, and community interaction are respected with the students and parents.

“Our job is not about numbers; it’s about supporting the next generation and helping students achieve their goals. Success is seeing happy students. If you love what you do and do it from the heart then it will reach the heart of everyone around us, and that’s success.

“To stay balanced, I like reading and enriching myself about education, camping and being a Scout leader. I spend time training Scout leaders and my family, and I am also active in the Lebanese community here. These are the things that bring me happiness and a feeling of success.”

Thank you Taleb, for sharing your passion, and showing us the IDP Values of Expertise, Caring and Community.

#ItsUpToMe to inspire the next generation.