Every successful student journey begins with a conversation. For Taifur Khan, an IDP student counsellor in our Dhaka, Bangladesh office, those conversations are the most important part of his work.
Having once been a student searching for guidance himself, Taifur understands the uncertainty many students face. Today, he uses both his personal experience and IDP’s digital tools to help students move forward with clarity and confidence.
We sat down with Taifur to talk about what motivates him, how he builds trust, and how technology is changing the counselling experience.
What inspired you to become a student counsellor, and what keeps you motivated in this role?
It’s overwhelming, in the best way, to put into words what this role truly means to me. I chose this career because I was once a student searching for guidance myself. I know firsthand how confusing and uncertain the journey toward higher studies can feel. That experience shaped my purpose.
Seeing a student achieve admission to their dream university, receive their visa, and begin a new chapter overseas is what motivates me every single day. We don’t just change a student’s future; we uplift an entire family, sometimes even a generation.
Students trust us with one of the biggest decisions of their lives. How do you build trust and connection with the students you support and their families?
In an industry full of options, students often struggle to know whom to trust. For me, trust comes from intention. When I speak with a student, I focus purely on transforming their life through education.
I offer tailored guidance based on their goals, aspirations, and preferred destination. When students sense that genuine intention, and when it’s backed by IDP’s decades of credibility, they naturally build trust and confidence in the process.
Can you share a student moment that captures why this work matters to you?
A story that has stayed with me is of a young boy from Dhaka who faced significant challenges in his family, including the death of one of his parents. The student was emotionally shaken, financially uncertain, and had nearly given up on his dream of studying abroad.
When he came to me, he was filled with doubt. Together, step by step, we rebuilt his confidence, reorganised his financial and academic profile, and slowly reignited his belief in himself.
Today, he is studying in Australia. Knowing I played a small part in restoring hope to that family is something I’ll carry with me forever.
How have IDP’s AI and digital tools changed your day-to-day work as a counsellor, and how has that supported your students?
IDP’s digital and AI tools have been game-changing. There was a time I had multiple Chrome tabs open, manually searching for courses, fees, and intakes. That took up nearly 70% of my initial counselling session.
With our new digital tools, that time has dropped to less than 20%. It allows me to spend more time truly listening to students. FastLane gives students instant confidence in their eligibility, and Navi helps us qualify leads and follow up faster than ever.
The IDP Live app empowers students by letting them track every step of their process in real time, which strengthens transparency and trust between the counsellor and student.
What advice would you give to someone considering studying overseas but feeling unsure or overwhelmed?
Take a leap of faith. A better education has the power to transform your life, reshape your future, and eventually contribute to the growth of your country through your expertise and experience. Your journey starts with one brave step.