Xiao Yida - Studyportals

Yida is responsible for establishing and scaling Studyportals’ presence in China, driving the company’s mission to empower Chinese universities with global strategic intelligence.

Yida is a commercial leader with extensive experience in international education, specialising in student recruitment, market expansion, and strategic partnerships across China and the Asia-Pacific region.

With a strong understanding of both Western education systems and the Chinese market, Yida brings a practical, results-driven approach to market entry and business development. He is currently focused on expanding Studyportals’ presence in China, helping institutions leverage data and digital platforms to strengthen their global recruitment strategies.

The greatest challenge for Chinese universities today is a visibility paradox. Despite possessing world-class research facilities, generous funding, and a strategic national mandate to attract international talent, many institutions remain largely invisible to students who use global search platforms to plan their education. Unlike their counterparts in the UK, US, or Australia, Chinese universities often lack the granular, real-time intelligence to understand how they are perceived abroad and how they stack up against regional competitors in the eyes of prospective students.

Outside of work, Yida is an avid explorer of Beijing’s hutongs and a passionate advocate for preserving local culinary traditions. You’ll often find him cycling through the old city on weekends, hunting for the perfect bowl of zhajiangmian. He firmly believes that the best business relationships are cemented not in boardrooms, but over a shared pot of jasmine tea.

Yida’s role focuses on building trusted partnerships with top-tier institutions, translating complex global student demand data into actionable strategies for international reputation enhancement and sustainable enrollment growth.