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A media education
In late May I had the great pleasure of taking five journalists from South East Asia on a tour of New Zealand. The journalists – two from Thailand, two from Viet Nam and one from the Philippines – all have a special interest in education, and were part of a bigger group who were hosted by NZ Inc as part of a range of events to mark the 40th anniversary of the relationship between New Zealand and the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN).
While the other journalists went on a trade and tourism circuit, our group travelled on their own education-focused itinerary. Apart from meeting up with the others at a cocktail event held by the Prime Minister at Auckland Museum, we did our own thing.
Above: The journalists were engaged right from the get go!
Most regrettably, a blizzard interfered with our plans to visit Dunedin and Queenstown, but the hastily-arranged alternative schedule of Canterbury-based events made up, in some measure, for the missed opportunities further south.
Once we got the basics – such as dressing appropriately for the cold – sorted, we were on a roll and the week raced by in the intense, humour-filled, lost-in-translation way they do with such visits, and with a good measure of sheep shearing, eye-dog marvelling, pie eating and hobbit-home wonderment thrown in.
Above: They saw cakes being iced in Canterbury…and a robotic guitar in Wellington.
From schools to English language centres, ITPs to universities the journalists were impressed by the range and quality of the programmes and facilities, intrigued by the Intermediate School concept, very interested in our homestay set ups and excited by the many opportunities to hear directly from students currently in New Zealand.
Above: They met with a group of Thai health professionals undergoing executive development in Waikato...and rubbed shoulders with the Prime Minister in Auckland.
For my part, it was a hugely informative trip – providing me with valuable insights into the three South East Asian countries via the journalists, as well as me to make connections with members of our industry and to become more familiar with what you have to offer. Many thanks to those who took part, and arranged tours and gathered students to talk to the journalists.
As I bid farewell to them all at Auckland airport, Nirunsak, one of the Thai journalists who had been a bit of lone wolf during the week, but who I discovered was a music-loving, short story-writing romantic, said: “I will carry New Zealand in my heart with a song.’ Magic.
And yes, we went to Hobbiton!
The follow up questions are coming through now and we look forward to the stories in their media that the visit will generate.
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A new group of US Kiwi Ambassadors
Welcome Kiwi Ambassadors!
It was so difficult that ENZ decided the group of runners-up would be offered the chance to be ‘Honorary’ Kiwi Ambassadors. This meant they could still share their semester experience in New Zealand through the Study in New Zealand Instagram.
The #StudyinNZ page will therefore shortly welcome the next round of Kiwi Ambassadors, the 13 award recipients, and a further group of 29 Honorary Kiwi Ambassadors when they arrive in New Zealand in July.
The Instagram page has quickly become a hit with the US students and has already attracted almost 15,000 followers. Certainly, as you can see if you view the page, the current Kiwi Ambassadors have had no trouble finding picturesque opportunities during their semester in New Zealand! Images of nature, food, sunsets and wildlife predominate.
ENZ’s staff in the US, Amy Rutherford and Alanna Dick, have found the #StudyinNZ Instagram page a powerful tool in promoting New Zealand as an education destination.
“When I suggest students and study abroad advisors follow Study In New Zealand on Instagram, the conversation about studying abroad in New Zealand continues long after the study fair or campus visit is over,” says Alanna.
“It’s one thing me telling students what it’s like studying in New Zealand, it’s another when the students can see it in real time for themselves!”
More about the Awards
Education New Zealand partnered with the eight New Zealand universities and six institutes of technology and polytechnics to offer these awards as part of their support of the Institute of International Education’s Generation Study Abroad initiative, and its aim of doubling the number of US students who study abroad.
For Semester Two this year, ENZ awarded four US students the $2,000 Generation Study Abroad Travel Award to cover their airfare. The students are attending the University of Auckland, the University of Otago, and EcoQuest, a Private Training Establishment.
The universities awarded nine US students New Zealand Universities Excellence Awards (NZUEAs) which cover $500 of tuition fees and other associated costs. The students come from universities all over the US, from University of Florida to California Polytechnic State University.
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Auckland Agency Group progresses student well-being initiatives
AAG Chair Isabel Evans, Director of the Ministry of Education (MOE) in Auckland, says more than 60 per cent of international students currently study in Auckland.
“The AAG group was established to build cross-agency government leadership in the Auckland region,” she says.
“We also wanted to ensure that agencies on the ground in Auckland are collaborating effectively.”
Education members of the AAG include the MOE, Education New Zealand (ENZ), New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) and Tertiary Education Commission. Other government agencies include New Zealand Police, Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), Immigration New Zealand, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ministry of Social Development and Office of Ethnic Communities, Waitemata and Auckland District Health Boards and the Human Rights Commission. Auckland economic growth agency ATEED also plays an important role.
Ms Evans said the AAG was involved in stakeholder engagement in August which contributed to a draft International Student Wellbeing Strategy.
“From this engagement, we identified a number of action areas. Since then, group members have been working on ways to improve the overall international student experience in Auckland, with the potential to roll these out nationally if successful.”
Below are some of the initiatives underway.
- ATEED and NZ Police are working on a refresh of a safety video for international students. While it will be filmed in Auckland, its messaging will apply to students nationally, and should be available from early 2017.
- ATEED is developing an International Student Experience programme in partnership with ENZ and industry partners.
- Several agencies are looking at ways to improve the information available to international students and their families. Students are seeking more information on such topics as the true cost of living, insurance and what it covers, employment rights, health services and New Zealand culture.
- Agencies are also looking at ways to provide more volunteer and internship opportunities for international students. ATEED and MBIE will also launch phase two of their job-ready graduate programme working with ICT grads specifically.
- Several agencies are looking at ways to better support international parents, particularly those accompanying children who are studying at primary school here. These parents can be isolated and lonely. This support can also extend to the homestay parents who host international students.
“These initiatives are a start, and the AAG members are enthusiastically collaborating to make sure that opportunities to enhance the international student experience are progressed,” says Ms Evans.
She says the AAG’s work is aimed to enhance the service that international students receive from their education provider, rather than replacing it.
For further information, please contact ENZ Acting Director, Student Experience, Sahinde Pala at Sahinde.pala@enz.govt.nz.
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Japan and New Zealand celebrate long education partnership
To acknowledge the 25th anniversary of the first school visits by four Japanese schools, ENZ partnered with Air New Zealand and Tourism New Zealand to host a reception in January, thanking the schools for their continued support of New Zealand. The event received positive media interest in Japan and resulted in almost 30 articles.
The event was opened by a powerful kapa haka performance by local group Nga Hau E Wha to showcase Māori language and culture.
Nga Hau E Wha performing a kapa haka
Misa Pitt, ENZ’s Senior Market Development Manager – Japan, said Māori language and culture has been a popular subject for school trips to New Zealand.The event was opened by a powerful kapa haka performance by local group Nga Hau E Wha to showcase Māori language and culture.
“I learned that Yokohama Senior High School has its own kapa haka group,” she said.
After the performance, Misa officially welcomed the guests before Stephen Payton, New Zealand Ambassador to Japan, and awarded the school representatives a certificate of appreciation, signed by ENZ CE Grant McPherson. They also received plaques and airline tickets from Clovis Peryer, General Manager of Air New Zealand Japan.
Both Ambassador Payton and Clovis emphasised that New Zealand is a safe and welcoming environment for international students, with Misa adding that support starts from a government level.
“I explained our code of practice for the care of international students, assuring them that New Zealand has a robust support system for the well-being of students,” said Misa.
Ambassador Payton also noted that both the upcoming Rugby World Cup and 2020 Tokyo Olympics are opportunities to further promote an education exchange between the two countries.
“We look forward to continue working closely with the awarded schools to promote New Zealand as a study destination,” said Misa.
Ambassador Payton awarding representatives of the Japanese schools.
The Japanese schools awarded were:
Osaka Kunei Senior High School – 25th anniversary
Have sent 3,800 students on an academic study programmeTama University Hijirigaoka High school and Junior High School – 25th anniversary
Have sent 2,770 students on an academic study programmeUrawa Reimei Senior High School – 20th anniversary
Have sent 5,000 students on a school excursionYokohama Senior High School – 25th anniversary
Have sent 690 students on an academic study programme -
Around the world in five
GLOBAL
What institution rankings are most important to students?
An annual survey of prospective international students found that university rankings are an important decision factor for 25 percent of respondents. The survey also found that QS World University Rankings and The Times Higher Education World University Rankings are the most popular among prospective students, including those in China and India.
AUSTRALIA
Group of Eight university consortia propose special visa for Indian PhDs
Australia’s Group of Eight (Go8) university consortia pushed for a special visa for researchers and PhD graduates during the Australian Business Week 2017 in India. They also outlined action points to enhance both countries’ student and research collaboration.
ASIA
Asia rising in university rankings
US universities are struggling to maintain their dominance the latest World University Rankings 2018 by Times Higher Education (THE). US universities now face increasing competition from established institutions in the UK as well as those in Asia as their institutions provide more options to students worldwide.
GLOBAL
Governments are among game changers in global education
Among the finalists in the inaugural PIEoneer Awards are the Australian government’s outbound student mobility programme, the Malaysia Qualifications Agency, an international alumni jobs network in Hong Kong and Viet Nam, and an aptitude test from language learning app Duolingo.
UK
EU students will face tougher entry requirements post-Brexit
Students from EU countries coming to study in the UK could face a more arduous application process after Brexit, one that requires them to sit an English language test and prove they have enough money to support themselves.
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AUT Whānau Council meet up in Berlin
The group came together on 8-10 September to celebrate their strong New Zealand connection and shared AUT experience.
The international alumni came from Denmark, Switzerland, Norway, Russia, The Netherlands, Argentina, the US and Germany.
Olga Elli, ENZ's Education Marketing Manager - Europe, said the meeting was a wonderful way of uniting AUT whānau – friends and international students who share a strong New Zealand connection.
“The alumni shared some happy memories of being students at AUT and relived their passion for Māori culture and traditions, which they had experienced at AUT’s unique Noho Marae, with a programme (about Maori culture and traditions) specifically designed for international students.”
Among the highlights of the alumni meet were a special evening of cultural celebration and exchange with the New Zealand Ambassador to Germany, His Excellency Rodney Harris and his wife Catherine, which included an energising kapa haka performance.
“We had the alumni, the Ambassador, and AUT staff all join in to perform the haka. It was really exciting!”
Jason King, AUT’s Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Māori and Indigenous Development, said it was great to have the Ambassador and his wife join the group as whānau to celebrate the occasion.
“It really resonated with the AUT European Whānau Council’s motto of ‘whānau4life’.
“Our alumni enjoyed meeting the Ambassador, who was not only impressed with the group’s outstanding kapa haka performance and Poi dance but also with their strong New Zealand connection, which makes every student an ambassador for New Zealand’s high-quality education and diverse culture.”
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Japan and New Zealand celebrate education milestone
Last week, ENZ hosted a reception in Tokyo to celebrate the 20th and 30th anniversaries of three Japanese schools’ first New Zealand visits and to thank them for their continued support of New Zealand.
Over the last three decades, the three Japanese schools – Josogakuin Junior High School, Hikarigaokajoshi High School, Tokorozawa Kita High School – have sent more than 4,000 students to New Zealand for academic study and school excursion programmes.
Misa Kitaoka, ENZ’s Senior Market Development Manager – Japan, said the schools shared some fantastic feedback about New Zealand as a study destination.
“The principal of Tokorozawa High School said the importance that New Zealand education places on acquiring future skills and global competency was one of the reasons why it resonated with him as a destination for his school’s study abroad programme,” said Misa.
“His school has also had annual visits to the University of Canterbury and Lincoln University, which he felt was an excellent opportunity for Japanese students to experience New Zealand’s tertiary-level programme.”
The reception opened with a powerful kapa haka performance by local group Nga Hau E Wha, showcasing Māori language and culture.
The New Zealand Ambassador to Japan, Stephen Payton, presented the schools with certificates of appreciation, signed by ENZ Chief Executive Grant McPherson.
Air New Zealand was also on hand for the celebration, gifting plaques and airline tickets to New Zealand for teachers at the schools.
Misa said in the lead up to the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics, hosted by Japan, the Japanese government is accelerating its plans for internationalisation.
“I see a growing opportunity for ENZ to promote the quality of New Zealand’s universities, especially the direct pathway to the Bachelor’s degree programme available for Japanese high school students.”
The Nga Hau E Wha group performs a kapa haka.
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Updated UIP system gives better user experience
The UIP system is an automated data collection system that will collect individual learner and provider data from UIPs. These providers are private training establishments that enrol international students and do not receive government funding.
Additional improvements were made to make the system more user-friendly. This work was completed on 1 May 2018 in time for submission of trimester 1 data this year. The updated UIP system is easier to use and features a new online portal - an additional option for providers to submit data.
The UIP system is a cross-agency project by the Ministry of Education, New Zealand Qualifications Authority and Education New Zealand and will help provide a more comprehensive picture of international student enrolments for this sector. Over time, this information will also help improve market analysis and inform decisions to support the international education industry.
Tour groups or group study tour operators will submit aggregate data through the Tour Group portal, which is also now live.
More information about the UIP system including the data requirements, the options to submit data and the Tour Group portal can be found at the STEO website.
For any questions, please contact UIP.DataCollection@education.govt.nz.
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Korea looks to Christchurch and Canterbury
On 27-29 July, ChristchurchNZ led the group promotion that included an agent seminar and a student recruitment fair.
The promotion was planned to follow the success of a Korean reality TV show that featured a week in the school life of Korean celebrities’ children at Halswell School in Christchurch, which showcased Christchurch’s education system and lifestyle.
ENZ Senior Market Development Manager – South Korea, Kay Lee, said the promotions were a wonderful opportunity for Korean agents, parents and students to learn about the Christchurch’s globally connected economy, 21st century education system and lifestyle, particularly highlighting the brand new city.
“Participating education providers did a fantastic job sharing with agents how Christchurch is the world’s newest city, alive with opportunities for young people to try new things, explore their potential and discover who they want to be,” Kay said.
On 28-29 July, the group, including University of Canterbury, Lincoln University, Ara Institute of Canterbury, Riccarton High School, Middleton Grange School, Kirkwood Intermediate School and Villa Maria College participated in a two-day, agent-led student recruitment fair to meet prospective Korean students and their parents.
The group was also representing Avonside High School, Casebrook Intermediate School, Cashmere High School, Christ’s College, Chisnallwood Intermediate, Cobham Intermediate School, Darfiled High School, Halswell School, Hillmorton High School, Papanui High School, Rangiora High School and St Bede’s High School in Christchurch.
ChristchurchNZ International Education Programme Manager, Bree Loverich, said the fair sent an all-round positive signal for education providers regarding this market.
“Agents, parents and students did not ask questions about the past, rather they were excited about the opportunity provided by our future-focused city. As a result, our agent partner reported that they took 22 pre-deposits on courses in Christchurch alone. After this trip, we are confident that we will see more Koreans students in our city and region,” Bree said.
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Prime Minister meets Kiwi students in Singapore
Last week the Prime Minister announced the 249 young New Zealanders who have been awarded prestigious Prime Minister’s Scholarships for Asia (PMSA) and Latin America (PMSLA) as part of the August 2018/19 round.
She congratulated the new round of awardees in Singapore, where she met a group of 11 current PMSA recipients and reflected on the value of young Kiwis having international education experiences.
The Singapore-based awardees at the event included Louis Martin (25) who is carrying out a four-month internship with Asia Internship Program (AIP), Nicolas Steyn (20) who is on a one semester exchange at the National University of Singapore, and Lucy Kenner (22) who is undertaking a 12-week legal internship at Providence Law Asia.
“Ongoing academic relationships and new business opportunities are two things we are seeing result from the scholarship programme,” Jacinda Arden said in the announcement release.
“Our awardees are welcomed and supported by diplomatic communities in New Zealand and offshore, which we also value.”
John Laxon, Regional Director – South and South East Asia, Middle East, said that Friday’s event during which the Prime Minister chatted and mingled with the group of Kiwi students showed how international education can be life changing.
“Our scholars gave great insights into how they have created lifelong connections through their PMSA experiences, which will enrich their lives and strengthen their careers,” said John.
“The Prime Minister enjoyed the discussions, which brought back memories of her own exchange student experience at Arizona State University.”
Applications for the next round of PMSA and PMSLA opens mid-January and must be submitted online by 30 March 2019. More information on the application process can be found here. Institutions are encouraged to contact ENZ to discuss potential group applications.
The PMSA recipients’ names from the August 2018/19 round can be found here. The PMSLA recipients’ names from the August 2018/19 round can be found here.
