In the bustling heart of India lies a city that pulses with dreams and aspirations: Mumbai. Known as the City of Dreams, Mumbai has been the cradle of many transformative ideas, movements, and stories.
Among these is the International Career and College Counseling (IC3) movement, a vision that began with the dream of bringing purpose to every child through counseling in every school. As IC3 returns to Mumbai for its 2025 Annual Conference & Expo, it’s not just a homecoming but a celebration of a journey that began in this very city nearly a decade ago.
The story of IC3 is intertwined with the passion and vision of Ganesh Kohli, an educationalist with an unwavering commitment to empowering students.
By 2010, he was already a stalwart in education and counseling, dedicating over 15 years to guiding young minds. This led to the founding of KIC UnivAssist, an initiative designed to connect higher education institutions with schools and students globally.
Over the years, KIC UnivAssist revolutionized international engagement, partnering with over 350 universities and impacting students across 70+ countries.
As KIC UnivAssist navigated the intricacies of global education, it identified a gap. While KIC UnivAssist excelled at helping students with higher education choices, it recognized that the foundational guidance students needed—beginning as early as primary school—was missing. This realization sowed the seeds for IC3, a movement dedicated to career and college counseling as a cornerstone of education.
In August 2016, the inaugural IC3 Conference was held in Mumbai. It was a modest yet powerful beginning, bringing together educators, counselors, and thought leaders to champion a mission that resonated deeply: “counseling in every school, purpose for every child.”
Mumbai was not just a backdrop but an active participant in this story, embodying the energy, diversity, and ambition that IC3 sought to channel.
For IC3, Mumbai is more than a city; it’s a symbol of possibility. The movement’s roots in Mumbai are a testament to the city’s unique blend of heritage and progress.
As India’s financial capital, Mumbai attracts dreamers from all walks of life, fostering a culture of innovation and resilience. It is home to some of the country’s premier academic institutions and a vast, dynamic population of young learners with aspirations that span the globe.
Mumbai’s significance to IC3 extends beyond its historical connection. The city’s vibrant educational landscape—from pioneering international schools like the American School of Bombay to community-driven institutions like Delhi Public School in Navi Mumbai—reflects the ethos of IC3.
These schools exemplify a commitment to holistic education, where counseling is not an afterthought but a central pillar.
At the heart of IC3’s mission lies a threefold goal:
Achieving IC3's goals is made possible through a vibrant network of educators, counselors, institutions, and organizations working together.
The IC3 Regional Forums are a cornerstone of the movement’s efforts to create ground-level impact. These forums bring the mission to diverse geographies, fostering connections across continents and cultures. By convening schools, universities, and educators, the forums provide a platform for meaningful dialogue and collaboration.
In January 2025, the first Regional Forum of the year will be held at Delhi Public School in Navi Mumbai, marking the beginning of a year filled with opportunities for learning and growth. These gatherings are more than events; they are catalysts for change, enabling the IC3 community to touch lives in profound ways.
While the Regional Forums amplify the movement’s reach, the Annual IC3 Conference & Expo serves as its beating heart. This flagship event unites the global counseling and education community, offering a space for shared learning, innovation, and celebration. For the 2025 edition, the conference returns to Mumbai, hosted at the iconic Jio World Convention Centre on August 20-21.
The theme for 2025, “Counseling as a Culture,” underscores the importance of making counseling an integral part of every school’s DNA. It’s a call to action for educators worldwide to reimagine their institutions as spaces where students are not just taught but guided, nurtured, and empowered.
Mumbai’s selection as the host city is a tribute to its enduring appeal on the international educational stage. The city’s magnetic energy, coupled with its rich academic and cultural fabric, makes it the perfect venue for this global convergence. As counselors, educators, and leaders from around the world gather at the Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai will once again shine as a beacon of progress and possibility.
None of this would be possible without the unwavering support of the IC3 community. Institutions across Mumbai and beyond—from JBCN International School to SVKM International School—have played an instrumental role in championing the movement’s mission. Their collaboration, dedication, and belief in the transformative power of counseling have been the bedrock of IC3’s success.
The IC3 journey is a testament to what’s possible when a community comes together with a shared purpose. It’s a story of educators empowering one another, of schools and universities forging meaningful partnerships, and of students discovering their true potential.
As IC3 prepares to return to Mumbai, there is a palpable sense of gratitude and anticipation. Gratitude for the city that nurtured the movement’s beginnings, for the community that has embraced its vision, and for the countless educators and counselors who continue to champion its cause. Anticipation for the conversations, connections, and collaborations that the 2025 Annual Conference & Expo will inspire.
Mumbai, with its indomitable spirit and unyielding optimism, has always held a special place in IC3’s heart. As the movement returns to its roots, it does so with a renewed commitment to its mission: to bring counseling to every school and purpose to every child. Together, as a global community, we look forward to creating a brighter, more purposeful future for students everywhere.