Search

Showing 10 of 537 results for group registration

  • NZ EdTech’s taking a diversified and leading message to the Australian digital education market

    ENZ had a stand at NZTE’s pavilion with six of the eight EdTech who had expressed an interest in attending EduTech as part of an ENZ delegaton, showcasing their products alongside NZTE’s five customers. The companies in the ENZ delegation included Pacific Kids' Learning, Nutriblocks, PipiLearning, Jix Reality,  PolyMath and Code Avengers and the Student Volunteer Army were also part of the wider ENZ delegation. This diverse group of technology providers from K-12 to Vocational Training and Education (VET) and Higher Education (HE) provide a range of digital education solutions including numeracy, literacy, financial literacy, STEM, programmes for neuro diverse learners, Pacific based and culturally responsive digital tools, immersive digital education experiences and health and wellbeing educational games.

    PolyMath Co-Founders Sophie and Christian Silver (second and third from left) talking with attendees at their EduTech Melbourne 2023 stand.

    ENZ’s participation supports Focus Area Two of the New Zealand International Education Strategy which is to ‘Build a new international education future’. In taking NZ EdTech offshore, ENZ’s goal is to show how Aotearoa New Zealand is leading in education innovation while also helping NZ EdTech companies explore and understand the export opportunity in Australia in a low-risk and low-cost way.

    ENZ’s Business Development Manager | Kaiwhakawhanake Pakihi, Alana Pellow, said that having a stand on NZTE’s pavilion gave ENZ’s delegation profile and extra visibility during the Expo. This included the opportunity to promote their products, a presentation slot to pitch their products, visibility of their collateral and the opportunity to engage with expo attendees over the two days of the event.

    “All six EdTechs on our stand generated a total of 80 prospective customer and partner leads, with one company signing a contract with a local university while there.

    “All met with decisions makers and government education officials, explored opportunities to partner with other NZ EdTechs and refined their thinking and business planning on the opportunities presented by the Australian market. They all referenced the significant value of being ‘in market.’”

    Nutriblocks Co-Founder Dr Claudia Leong and Tech Programme Developer Tim Kern presenting at EduTech Melbourne 2023.

    ENZ also sponsored the NZTE networking dinner for the combined 13 EdTech businesses. Invited guests included representatives from the Victorian Department of Education and Training, Victorian Association of State Secondary Principals, Matterworks/Board Director and the NSW Department of Education. Both Education Departments set the scene for the education technology landscape in NSW and Victoria and the journey both states are on in digital adapting and adopting specifically in K-12. 

    ENZ also supported giving broader visibility of Aotearoa New Zealand’s expertise in digital education and secured two speaker sessions for the EduTech VET conference stream.  Norie Ape, Digital Product Manager for Te Pūkenga, presented on ‘Collaborative Innovation: Transforming Vocational Education through Technology and Work Based Learning’ while Elizabeth Asbury, Director of Pipi Learning  also spoke on ‘Cultural responsive and designed for neurodiversity in the Vocational Education and Training sector’. Both sessions were well attended and Norie and Elizabeth have been approached for further discussions involving contracting their EdTech services.

    Norie said it was a huge privilege to spend time together connecting on our shared passion for better outcomes for our learners, employers, and our colleagues.

    “We had two incredible days of meeting, learning, and collaborating in person with awesome humans using Tech 4 Good in Melbourne.  Time now to recover and setup all those post conference connections to further the new relationships forged and consider how to embed new ways of collaboration in and beyond.’’

    Norie Ape, Digital Product Manager for Te Pūkenga (second from left) with Code Avengers Founder, Hamish Day (far right) and Bradley Hansen (left) plus Karl de Borst (second from right) of Amazon Web Services.

    At the conclusion of EduTech Melbourne 2023, Alana shared here top three takeaways from the conference.  

    “Firstly, nothing beats being on the ground in market, to understand the needs of educators and the opportunity that exists. 

    “Secondly, there is power in the collective ‘we’ when Aotearoa New Zealand turns up en masse, in market. Collaborating and having deep relationships with other NZ Inc agencies adds greater support to the sector and provides one door to our government, truly putting the customer at the centre. 

    “My last takeaway is how the Australian education ecosystem is embracing all that technology offers without throwing learners or indeed educators to the kerb. We could learn more from our Australian education colleagues and how they are using digital to create competitive advantage that supports their international education success alongside building their domestic market citizens ‘fit for future’ capability”, said Alana.  

    Next stop for NZ EdTech companies with ENZ is EduTech Asia in Singapore this November. Any NZ EdTech and Education publisher companies or education providers looking to be involved in education technology related Conferences and Expos can contact Alana Pellow on alana.pellow@enz.govt.nz    

  • Market Insights Sessions held for PTEs and ELS in Auckland last month

    Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) invited representatives from some of Aotearoa New Zealand’s Private Training Establishments (PTEs) and English Language Schools (ELSs) to come and hear from our in-market colleagues who were in Aotearoa New Zealand in August.  

    Felix Ye, Senior Market Development Manager for Guangzhou held an insights session on the China market for PTEs and ELSs, Jugnu Roy, Director of Engagement East Asia and India held a session for PTEs on the India market and Javiera Visedo, Director of Engagement Latin America held a session for PTEs and ELSs on the Latin American market, specifically Chile, Colombia and Brazil.  

    The insights shared included key facts, policies, trends and observations about the individual markets, marketing channels and advice for student-recruiting activities, as well as opportunities and challenges for the sector.  

    Brijesh Sethi, Founder and Chairman of New Zealand Skills and Education Group and Co-Chairperson of Quality Tertiary Institutes said the sessions offered good insight into how ENZ can assist PTEs in marketing and opening up new markets. 

    “This is especially important in this tough environment for many vocational sub degree providers. The sessions were also a great opportunity to meet and hear from ENZ colleagues from these markets in person,” added Brijesh. 

    ENZ’s General Manager, Sector Engagement, Wendy Kerr, said that it was great to have a good turnout as these sessions are one of the ways we can engage directly and support our customers with useful information about the various markets they are targeting.  

    “We hope that our customers find our targeted insights useful in their own decision-making processes. With the opportunity also for open discussion throughout these sessions, they certainly are an important tool for us too in gaining a better understanding of the needs of the various PTEs and ELSs, meaning we can be more targeted in our approach to supporting them in the future.  

    The slide packs presented at all three market insights sessions have been shared with all PTE peak body members. If anyone has further questions, then please contact ENZ Business Development Manager, Jane Yang - jane.yang@enz.govt.nz.  

  • From the CE: The need to connect remains critical

    Kia ora tatou,

    This month I want to add some colour, and give credit, to the work New Zealand institutions and the Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) team have been undertaking offshore in the continuing drive to raise awareness of NZ education options and opportunities.

    I have mentioned before how much of this activity is often ‘unseen’ from New Zealand, and yet it is pivotal to our marketing and outreach to potential students, their parents, agents, institutional and government partners. The principle focus of this effort is to engage with students, build awareness, and drive interest and enrolment in New Zealand education providers. But that is not all. These activities and events, play an important role of ensuring the sector and its institutions remain connected to key international counterparts and government agencies, lifting the profile of New Zealand as a destination for international education while building long term resilience for the sector.

    Here is a quick update on some of this International activity. Images of some of these interactions are shared in our international photo gallery update here.

    China:   Massey University and ENZ organised a Massey University friends and alumni reception in the New Zealand Embassy in Beijing on 27 August. About 50 participants attended the event including alumni and partners of Massey University. The event was particularly timely following China being the Country of Honour at NZIEC Ki Tua earlier in the month and highlights the important linkages between government to government and institutional relationships in key markets.  

    India:    ENZ was a gold sponsor of the IC3 Institute annual conference, held in Hyderabad on 23 - 24 August. ENZ was joined at the event by representatives of seven New Zealand universities and saw strong interest among counsellors in New Zealand as a study destination. More than 2,000 delegates attended the two-day event.

    Brazil; Colombia - Latin America:  Following on from strong interest shown in New Zealand at the first in person expo at the Australian Centre Expo in Sāo Paulo in August, ENZ’s Director of Engagement Latin America, Javiera Visedo, took the opportunity to reconnect with providers and stakeholders across New Zealand after attending NZIEC Ki Tua. In Auckland, she delivered a market insights session to local ELS and PTE sector representatives highlighting opportunities for growth.

    Malaysia: The first instalment of the Indigenous People Talk series took place on 13 August with Dr Hazel Abraham from AUT joining Malaysian academics to discuss the importance of education and technology to empower indigenous communities in both countries.

    Indonesia: Universities New Zealand signed an arrangement with LPDP (the Indonesian Endowment Fund for Education) on 2 August in Jakarta. The Arrangement was signed by Prof Neil Quigley, University of Waikato Vice Chancellor and Chair of the UNZ International Committee, and Andin Hadiyanto, President director of LPDP. New Zealand Ambassador to Indonesia, HE Kevin Burnett joined representatives of all eight New Zealand universities to witness the ceremony.

    South Korea: In three short days from 31 August to 2 September, the ENZ team organised an Agent seminar, a New Zealand Education night reception and the New Zealand Education Fair. All were well attended and interest from attendees was high.

    Thailand: Similarly, in a compressed week from 25 - 30 August, the ENZ Thai Team coordinated Agent seminars, the New Zealand Education Fair in Bangkok, and follow-up school visits and agent fairs in the Thai provinces of Chiang Mai, Phuket and Chonburi.

    Vietnam: In the lead up to the New Zealand Education Fairs which will take place in October, the ENZ Vietnam team participated in the GSE Education Fair by hosting a ‘Study with New Zealand’ session on 9 September.

    If you are interested in learning more about how your school or institution can participate in building connections with international students, contact our international team through this link.

    Within New Zealand, we were delighted to welcome the first cohort of students from Ichihara City to undertake a study tour at Waimea College in Nelson from 6 - 20 August. Reinforcing the importance of the study trip, ENZ’s Lisa Futschek joined the Mayor of Ichihara in Wellington to discuss further strengthening of the Education Cooperation Arrangement with Ichihara City that was originally signed in 2020.

    Our sector engagement team continued its briefings of key sub-sector peak bodies to outline the ENZ Annual Plan and how it impacts their sector. This included briefings for the SEIBA Board, QTI and ITENZ, and English New Zealand. This followed briefings early in August with international directors of New Zealand universities and Te Pūkenga. Feedback from the bodies was appreciative of the explanation and sharing of the plan, with questions raised at the briefings a key part of the transparent and helpful feedback we received.

    The urgency for the international education sector to address challenges and opportunities of the future continued on from the NZIEC Ki Tua conference in mid-August  through to the recent ITENZ conference held in Christchurch on 12 and 13 September.  The PTE sector has faced some of the most challenging conditions in recent times, but the determination of those attending to identify and take opportunities to regain their previous strength was impressive and bodes well for the sector’s path to a brighter future.

    On the marketing front, visits to the Study with New Zealand (SWNZ) website continued to perform well with the total number of active sessions lifting nine percent to 125,203 during August. Of particular interest was the strong interest from Thailand which overtook India in August as the main source of interest with a spike in activity before and during the Education Fair in Bangkok. As we move through the year, other markets are also expected to show lifts in activity associated with local market fairs and promotion.

    This week also saw ENZ host the first Tertiary Education Institution Manaaki Scholarship workshop in Auckland since ENZ took over the management of the scholarships programme last November. The workshop was attended by all eight universities and Te Pūkenga, with support and involvement from MFAT, Manaaki alumni and Skills Consulting Group. The scholarships not only benefit the students, but also the sector who gain access to many international students through this unique programme.

    As I look back on this month’s review it is obvious to me that to continue the rebuild of the international education sector for New Zealand the need to connect remains a critical part of the recovery. Whether it is happening in other countries or here in New Zealand, it is important to remember we are a ‘people’ business – we need to get out there and connect. Safe connecting.

    He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata! He tangata! He tangata! 

    What is the most important thing in the world?  

    It is people! It is people! It is people! 

    Ngā mihi,

    Grant

  • Record audience for early childhood education symposium with China

    This year, the symposium attracted a live audience of 350 attendees and a livestream audience of 100,000, well over the number of attendees in previous years. The symposium’s theme was ‘Advancing Inclusiveness in Early Childhood Education’.   

    The Early Childhood Education Symposium is an initiative between Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) and China Center for International People to People Exchange (CCIPE), a sub-agency of China Ministry of Education (China MoE).   

    The symposium provides a platform for New Zealand Early Childhood Education (ECE) institutions, academics, practitioners, and policy experts to engage in a cross-cultural dialogue. It leverages New Zealand’s expertise in ECE teacher training programmes.  

    This was the first year that a delegation of government representatives and ECE experts from New Zealand travelled to China to present at the symposium in person, which sent a positive signal to education partners in China about New Zealand’s strong focus on reconnecting and strengthening our education credentials in the China market.  

    The symposium’s live presenters from New Zealand included Dr Jane Ewens, Manager Early Learning, Ministry of Education and Fiona He, Director and Founder, TuiTui Educare/Universal Kids Early Education Centre. Dr Ewens presented an overview of the New Zealand Government’s policy focusing on advancing inclusiveness in early childhood education.  

    ENZ’s General Manager International, Lisa Futschek, who provided opening remarks, said the symposium highlighted the special education relationship between New Zealand and China and our long and fruitful dialogue in a variety of education areas.   

    “It’s fantastic to see how the symposium has grown and evolved since 2020. We were delighted to be able to travel there, grow our connections in-person, and enable collaboration between people across the education landscape in both our countries.   

    “2023 has already been an exciting year for rebuilding face-to-face connections for New Zealand and China, and the symposium just helped us build on that so wonderfully,” Lisa said. 

    ENZ General Manager International, Lisa Futschek.

    CAO Diefeng, Deputy Director General, China Centre for International People-to-People Exchange indicated in his opening remarks that the China-New Zealand Early Childhood Education Symposium has received extensive attention because of its scale and influence. It is highly welcomed by the education sector from both China and New Zealand and is becoming a key platform for early childhood education communication.  

    “The symposium exemplifies the sound education cooperation between our two countries and plays an important role in deepening substantive cooperation by both sides,” CAO Diefeng said. 

    Dr Jane Ewens said the information exchange was valuable to all audiences and demonstrated there are opportunities for the Ministry of Education to learn from our Chinese partners. 

    “We can create stronger educational ties and foster ongoing cooperation with China, aligning with government priorities. This could include exploring attracting Chinese teachers and students to New Zealand's early childhood education teaching workforce. 

    “There is also an opportunity for New Zealand practitioners and policy makers to consider and possibly integrate how China implements their curriculum as we develop curriculum resources for New Zealand Early Childhood Education kaiako (teachers),” Dr Ewens said. 

    Dr Jane Ewens from the New Zealand Ministry of Education presents the Policy Overview.

    This year’s symposium resulted in a range of valuable outcomes for New Zealand’s education relationship with China and for the sector. The symposium generated good visibility for New Zealand, with 45 media articles (accounting for almost four million views), which included reporting from top tier Chinese media. Many connections and leads for New Zealand participants were created during and after the symposium – one New Zealand speaker reported being approached by 50 Chinese counterparts after their virtual presentation. 

    Aside from the symposium, the New Zealand delegation’s key objectives included supporting a bilateral education initiative linked to the New Zealand-China Arrangement on Education Cooperation and Training, while showcasing New Zealand’s expertise in early childhood education practices and curriculum to audiences in China.  

    The visit provided a chance for the delegation to understand best practices in early childhood education from a Chinese cultural perspective that they could put into practice in New Zealand to better support learners from Chinese backgrounds. As part of the programme in Nanjing, the delegation visited two kindergartens and presented a panel session with academics and students at Nanjing Normal University. 

    If you are interested in the ECE Symposium or partnering with ENZ on this event in the future, please contact the ENZ China team at China@enz.govt.nz. 

    The audience in Nanjing take notes during the presentations.

    Attendees of the Hefei Shuangyou Education Group in Anhui Province watch the symposium online.

  • Aotearoa New Zealand Indigenous led Education Technology

    Founded in 1987 in Austin, Texas, this was the first time South by Southwest® (SXSW®) has been hosted in the South Pacific. Taking place from 15 to 20 October, the conference celebrated the convergence of technology, film, music, education, and culture. 

    With kaupapa Māori at the heart of the Aotearoa Whare, Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) was asked to support a showcase of Aotearoa Indigenous Education Technology (EdTech) companies in a panel conversation. Represented on the panel were four EdTech Founders who whakapapa Māori, from TŌNUI Collab based in Te Tairāwhiti (Gisborne), Tiaki Global based in Te Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington), Code Avengers based in Waikato (Hamilton) and ARA Journeys based in Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland). 

    The theme of “Aotearoa NZ Indigenous-led Education Technology” was explored by this group of Māori owned companies. Their initiatives have indigenous researchers, designers, and content developers creating innovative digital learning experiences for indigenous learners, their whānau and communities, and learning experiences for non-indigenous learners that draw on indigenous knowledge and know-how. 

    From left to Right – Duane Grace – Tiaki Global, Amber Taylor – ARA Journeys, Shanon O’Connor – Tōnui Collab, Hamish Day – Code Avengers.

    Adrienne Bonell, Public Diplomacy Manager, MFAT said that it was a fascinating panel, expertly moderated by Duane Grace (Tiaki Global). 

    “The passion, smarts and energy Shanon O’Connor, Amber Taylor, and Hamish Day contributed as panellists on this vital kaupapa was palpable in the room. 

    “It was obvious the crowd felt the same given the number of pātai  (questions) and that we ran out of time in the end,” said Adrienne.  

    Supporting our Māori and Pasifika EdTech community is essential for the New Zealand education sector, as it enriches our curriculum with diverse perspectives and aligns to our community values. It also enhances Aotearoa New Zealand’s distinct and unique indigenous voice in the world, uplifting our global competitiveness. 

    Amber Taylor of ARA Journeys said that the connections made during the conference are starting to bear fruit. 

    “Since the conference, I have received emails from a few attendees who expressed a keen interest in our projects and initiatives.  

    We are excited about the possibilities they hold for our future collaborations and expanding our reach to audiences beyond our current business sphere," added Amber.

  • Strong interest in NZ from Filipino students at the Te Pūkenga Agent Workshop and NZ Study Workshop 2023

    55 education agents representing 27 agencies from across the Philippines attended the one-day workshop on 27 October. The workshop provided a valuable opportunity for the four Te Pūkenga representatives, including Bipul Das, Kerry Clarke, Prashanth Nallur Puttaswamy and Richard Cao, to share their most recent updates and developments, including information on Te Pūkenga’s vocational education offerings. 

    ENZ’s Market Manager – Philippines & Thailand, Chortip Pramoolpol, supplied an update on ENZ’s activities and showcased the array of tools and resources available to empower education agents in promoting New Zealand as a study destination. Joining the workshop remotely were key figures from Immigration New Zealand. Celia Coombes, Manager of International Education, Dolores Hyde, Senior Advisor for International Education, and Philippa Lee, Immigration Officer, Visa Operations, delivered a comprehensive briefing on student visa applications and post-study work rights. If any education agents would like a copy of the slides delivered by ENZ, they are available on IntelliLab here - ENZ Philippines.

    Bipul Das from Te Pūkenga’s International Team said that it was incredibly valuable to be able to meet face to face with education agents and prospective students in the Philippines. 

    “It was wonderful to see the education agencies are excited to promote New Zealand as the preferred study destination for vocational education and we are grateful for the support from ENZ, our Education Agents and INZ on the work being done in the Philippines market. We will continue to focus on growing our international student population from the Philippines, " said Bipul. 

    Following on from the workshop, ENZ and Te Pūkenga welcomed over 170 visitors to the NZ Study Expo 2023. The event provided a unique platform for attendees to explore the breadth of opportunities in New Zealand including specific courses, scholarships, and post-study opportunities and discuss these personally with the NZ representatives on-hand.  

    From left to right: Prashanth Nallur Puttaswamy, Bipul Das, His Excellency Peter Kell, New Zealand Ambassador to the Phillippines, Kerry Clarke, Chortip Pramoolpol, Richard Cao and Joel Miranda Angon.

    New Zealand Ambassador His Excellency Peter Kell presided the event and shared his remarks, encouraging Filipinos and their families, to choose New Zealand as a destination to continue their education journey.  

    Ambassador Kell told the audience “This event is more than just a fair; it is a bridge that connects aspirations with opportunities. It is a platform for our Filipino students to explore and embrace new horizons, to acquire skills and knowledge that will empower you to become leaders in your chosen fields.  

    “New Zealand’s education system is often highly regarded and ranked in the world for preparing students for the future. Our education providers often have strong connections to industry and the business community. This facilitates internships, work placements, and real-world experiences for students, preparing them for the workforce,’ he added.  

    ENZ Market Manager – Philippines & Thailand, Chortip Pramoolpol, was excited to have had the opportunity to speak face to face with interested students and their families following the pandemic.  

    “There is certainly a lot to be said for being able to explain in-person to prospective students and their families, why they must consider New Zealand as a destination for future study and we were so pleased to see such genuine interest.  

    These events generated dozens of leads which has helped drive a significant increase in in visits and enquiries from Filipino students to the Study with New Zealand website,” added Chortip.   

    If any education providers or agents would like any additional information on marketing to students in the Philippines, please contact Chortip Pramoolpol – chortip.pramoolpol@enz.govt.nz

    Bipul Das from Te Pukenga International Team presented on their programme offerings.

  • AUT international students connect with senior citizens

     A uniquely engaging initiative supported by New Zealand Police and AUT recently brought together international students and local senior citizens to connect in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. 

    The initiative was an outcome of a meeting of the Auckland Agency Group, of which Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao is a member and enabled international students to understand and start to integrate into local culture guided by senior residents and members of the wider Auckland community. 

    As the last 12 months have seen the welcome return of international students to our campuses and communities, New Zealand Police Ethnic Services teams around the country, including in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, have been busy engaging with international students in a number of ways.   

    Around 18 students met with 10 senior citizens at the Northbridge Residential Village.  

    The event helped international students engage with their local community, establishing intergenerational bonds, helped them access support networks, engage in cultural exchange, and actively participating in community affairs.  

    The event included a panel discussion involving members of Northbridge Residential Village, AUT international students, and New Zealand Police. The panel discussion unfolded in two key segments: the initial part addressed the dynamics of culture shock, while the subsequent portion revolved around the overarching themes of diversity and inclusion. 

    AUT Students Association, International Affairs Officer, Yun Ke, said that the AUT international student interaction with local senior citizens event was a great success.  

    “We have received immensely positive feedback from students about the event, which is exciting.   

    “This interaction saw double the participation by international students, as compared to a previously held event in September,” Ke said.  

    San Winkyi, an international student from Myanmar, was grateful to New Zealand Police for the way they supported the event.  

    “The police’s presence and assistance contributed significantly to the event's success, and we deeply appreciate their commitment to international student safety and wellbeing,” San said.  

    For Huabiao Xiao, an international student from China, the interaction was a wonderful opportunity to appreciate cultural differences while enjoying communicating with an open and inclusive local community of senior citizens.  

    “Spending time with local seniors and police officers was an amazing experience, far beyond anything I could have imagined. These elders are simply the epitome of local cultures and society, and I deeply appreciate their differences and uniqueness. At the same time, I appreciated how New Zealand police officers are committed to promoting a community culture,” Huabiao said.   

    Education providers with international students who are interested in organising a similar event are welcome to contact Faymie Li, faymieli@enz.govt.nz or Ross Crosson, ross.crosson@enz.govt.nz.   

  • Māori and First Nations people connect during University of Toronto visit

    18 indigenous students and two indigenous staff from the University of Toronto’s ‘First Nations House’ were invited to Aotearoa New Zealand for a week-long visit at Tirorangi Marae at the base of Mount Ruapehu in July. 

    The purpose of the visit was to enhance cross-cultural understanding between Māori and First Nations and Métis peoples and is significant as empowering iwi and hapū in the international education space is an important Te Tiriti obligation for ENZ, as an Aotearoa New Zealand government agency.  

    The visit took place during the time of ‘Puanga’ which is when the single star rises higher in the sky than the Matariki star cluster and is recognised by iwi and hapū that can’t see the Matariki cluster from their location.  

    Māori and First Nations and Métis people have ’sharing circles’ as a common way to teach and learn.

    The group participated in a wide range of activities in the area while staying at the marae. They were then welcomed to Te Whanganui-a-Tara by the ENZ Wellington office, visiting Te Tiriti o Waitangi at Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga and and Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington, before finishing their trip in Whakatū (Nelson) with some adventure tourism activities. 

    Indigenous students Kieren and Bailey from the University of Toronto sampling Wellington’s outdoors with ENZ's Craig Rofe.

    The First Nations and Métis members of the group experienced what living on a marae was like and were also immersed in how a tribe engages with the environment, and how iwi businesses, local council and government agencies such as the Department of Conservation (DOC) operate in the field with iwi partnership. 

    Iwi people sharing lake Rotokura’s healing power, a wāhi tapu (sacred place) for the local tribe.

    Dr Craig Rofe, ENZ’s Kaitohutohu Matua Māori – Senior Advisor Māori, said that during the visit, Māori and First Nations and Métis people were able to compare the similarities and differences of their contexts to grow understand of their respective challenges and successes.  

    “The First Nations people’s struggles to overcome racism and prejudice resonated with tangata whenua, in particular the intentional elimination of language and the current mechanisms of revitalisation. 

    “Many stories shared with together showed the everyday trauma that resides in each of us and how, as indigenous people, we try to navigate these obstacles to make a better world for the next generation”, said Dr Rofe.  

    The trip motivated the students to connect more with their languages and culture upon their return.  

    Kenzie, from the Mohawk tribe said “when we meet again, I’ll be able to talk to you in my language, I’m declaring it!”. 

    Katherine from the Eskasoni First Nation tribe said “My experience connecting with the Ngāti Rangi revealed the transformative power of global Indigenous connections. Participating in ceremonies such as Hautapu and visiting Mount Ruapehu was particularly moving. Listening to their stories of ancestral ties to the land and taking part in traditional ceremonies that emphasized community and connection to the environment deepened my own personal understanding. This experience inspired me to initiate conversations with elders in my own community about our traditional land management practices.” 

    This experience also highlights the important offerings that Māori, and indeed indigenous knowledge, has to offer to international education. In particular, and not exclusively, the deep connection that indigenous peoples have with the environment and therefore natural obligation of care. 

    First Nation student, Alexis, discovers the origins, medicinal, spiritual and mechanical properties of harakeke (flax).

    Sustainable practices and programmes can benefit from indigenous inclusion and perspectives, especially with the large-scale impacts of global warming and general pollution in many countries. The co-governance structure that Ngāti Rangi iwi and DOC work with as part of post Te Tiriti Settlement was used as an example of decolonised solutions within our New Zealand context. 

    There have been discussions between ENZ, Ngāti Rangi iwi, and the University of Toronto about an ongoing relationship and considering what a reciprocal engagement might look like moving forward. 

     

    Nāku te ika i hī, nāku anō i whakatau  

    Ki te haere, whāia i te Pare-i-te-taitonga, tērā taku ika. 

    This is a Ngāti Rangi iwi reference to the Ruapehu mountain being the ‘pillar post’ of the ‘Fish’ (North Island).

     

  • EdTech famil programme provides eyes on New Zealand for innovation

    The programme included visits to Singapore, Viet Nam and Indonesia by a New Zealand delegation that included nine companies. The nine companies had a diverse range of education expertise, products and services from cutting edge Neuroscience for early childhood education to delivering TV-style drama series for English language education young adults.  Six core companies participated across the three counties - Language fuel, Neurofrog, Chasing time English, StepsWeb, Jix Reality, and PipiLearning, while three additional companies already in the regions  Writers' toolbox,Komodo wellbeing and Kami, joined the Singapore programme for specific elements. 

    The programme included meetings with the Ministries of Education of all three countries, specifically to understand the digital adoption and education roadmaps of each. Singapore shared their Transformation of education technology masterplan 2030 as a capability multiplier for educators and learners, and Viet Nam shared their focus on and investment in technology and management systems and using education technology to build the human potential of their citizens. Indonesia shared their Super App which allows for their 646.2 thousand schools, 4.2 million teachers and lecturers and 71 million students to all benefit from the large-scale acceleration of an economy moving at pace with a firm policy that ‘no one is left behind’. 

    Alana Pellow, ENZ’s Business Development Manager, led the delegation and said that the programme was carefully put together to ensure the visit was as much about showcasing New Zealand’s expertise and innovation in EdTech as it was to learn about what other countries and leaders in this space are doing.  

    “Across the three countries, the EdTech companies had the opportunity to meet and visit education providers from schoolteachers and leaders, vocational education providers and universities to education enrichment centers. They also heard from New Zealand business leaders and government agencies in each region, as well as had briefings and networking with local EdTech owners to gain a deep understanding of the economic and EdTech landscapes in each country. 

    “The public, private and enrichment education landscapes, which offer significant opportunity for EdTech’s, was a great eye opener particularly in Early Childhood Education (ECE), English language, literacy and English language teacher’s space.  

    “For example, in Viet Nam it is not uncommon for parents to spend 30% of their income on education – including after school enrichment education such is the ambition of parents for their children,” said Alana. 

    The private school market across all three markets is viewed as particularly significant for New Zealand. During the visit, it was noted by a number of diverse education related professionals how the New Zealand EdTech group were subject matter experts with education specific capabilities and expertise across many areas from linguistics, literacy, English language, teaching, academic R&D and collaboration with recognised and respected global experts such as – Oxford University Press, Oxford University, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, National University of Singapore, Institute of Technolgy Education and the University of Auckland. 

    Interest in New Zealand’s Education Technology was picked up by the local press in Indonesia and Viet Nam, with Viet Nam in particular seeing 17 stories feature across its various media channels. This has provided valuable visibility of New Zealand’s innovation and expertise in digital education across a wide education subsector value base from ECE and K-14 to R&D at tertiary level. Positive leads have followed and the founder and CEO of SIS and Inspirasi schools, which has schools across Indonesia, South Korea, Myanmar, and India, has already been in touch with two of the NZ EdTech companies to explore future collaboration. 

    Meeting with Politeknik Negeri Jakarta (VET) Indonesia.

    ENZ’s EdTech delegation meeting with Mr. Nguyen Bao Quoc, Deputy Director (Digital Transformation), and colleagues at the HCMC Department of Education & Training, Ho Chi Mihn City, Viet Nam.

    The delegation also attended the EDUtech Asia Policy Summit in Singapore where education, education policy makers and education technology solution providers came together from across Southeast Asia. Highlights included:

    1. The pace and scale at which many SEA countries are upskilling and shifting their policy and philosophy to equip their educators, citizens and systems to be meaningfully productive.
    2. That digital literacy training is not just the domain of learners.  Educators also need high quality digital training, materials and resources. 
    3. Artificial Intelligence is forcing a rethink on everything and in assessments, what do we care about assessing? Knowledge attainment or the deep skills for being human?  
    4. Partnership is hard but offers competitive advantage and ‘’success’’ when human skills are done well, and many global universities are doing partnership well and reaping the rewards. 

    Any New Zealand EdTech and Education publisher companies interested in finding out more about the SEA market can contact Alana Pellow - alana.pellow@enz.govt.nz 

    ENZ’s EdTech delegation meeting with Mr. Nguyen Bao Quoc, Deputy Director (Digital Transformation), and colleagues at the HCMC Department of Education & Training, Ho Chi Mihn City, Viet Nam.

  • Felix Loh: kūwaha a symbol of enduring ties to New Zealand

    Now chief executive of the stunning and expansive botanical attraction that is Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay, Felix is delighted that it was selected as the site for a Māori kūwaha, or carved doorway, which feels personally symbolic to him.

    Recently unveiled by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, the kūwaha celebrates the long-standing friendship between Aotearoa New Zealand and Singapore. “New Zealand has a special place in my heart, and I am honoured to host this precious Māori artefact. I hope the kūwaha will be a symbol of our friendship for many years to come.” 

    New Zealand now feels like a second home to Felix, but he shocked his parents and perplexed the scholarship selection committee back in 1988 when he told them he wanted to study horticulture at Massey University.  

    “I knew that Massey was well-known as an agricultural centre of excellence, and that horticulture was a very popular course,” he says. “But they were puzzled and asked me why I wanted to be a farmer in an urban city state like Singapore.

    “My Dad did not speak to me for a few years, because Asians all want their kids to be lawyers, engineers, and doctors, and I chose to be a plant doctor instead. But I never regretted that decision.”

    Felix says he felt welcome from the moment he arrived in New Zealand and enjoyed his four years as an international student so much he would have stayed on if he could. But the terms of his scholarship meant he needed to return to Singapore.

    The Māori kūwaha recently unveiled at Gardens by the Bay.

    No such thing as a stupid question 

    A less formal approach to education, with an emphasis on inquiry and collaborative learning, proved an initial challenge for Felix but ended up being one of the reasons he rates his New Zealand education experience so highly.  

    “At my first class we were told that we were expected to ask questions. This was the first time that I heard the phrase ‘there’s no such thing as a stupid question’,” he says. “That shook me, because in Singapore in those days nobody answered a question in class unless they were sure they had the right answer. For the first time, someone was willing to explore an alternative point of view.” 

    He turned up to English classes thinking it would simply be language tuition but discovered it was all about writing for your audience, with essays to be critiqued by classmates. “I initially questioned why fellow students would judge my work, but I quickly understood the value in taking on board a diversity of views to refine an idea or get a better product.” 

    And group project work certainly provided a life lesson for Felix, who had been conditioned to individual success based on exam results. “Not only did we have to work in groups, but we couldn’t choose our project partners,” he says.  

    “I’ll never forget the lecturer telling us that when we get to the workplace, we cannot choose our boss or even our colleagues, so we need to be able to work with different people. I learned that New Zealanders place people at the centre of what they do, and that we need to learn to appreciate the input of others.”

    “I learned that New Zealanders place people at the centre of what they do”

    Felix says his New Zealand education set him up for life-long learning which has helped to drive his career success. “You’ve got to learn and unlearn throughout your whole lifetime. It’s not so much about the content, but about being curious and knowing where to go for the answers.”

    Friendships lead to enduring ties 

    It is through the people he met that he has forged an enduring relationship with New Zealand. Fellow churchgoers and schoolmates became life-long friends and “a moral and emotional support base” over the years. He has returned to New Zealand many times and stays in touch with former lecturers and teaching staff, some of whom are now plant suppliers for him in his role at Gardens by the Bay.

    Felix at Gardens by the Bay.

    “When I took on this job, one of my first trips was to go back to New Zealand to source new plants for our temperate Flower Dome. I visited a number of nurseries, just knocking on their doors, and I was made to feel so welcome. It just felt like I was at home.”

    The world is a very different place from what it was in the 1990s, but Felix says the value of international education remains as important as ever.

    “International education helps us to understand other perspectives better and demystify misconceptions we have about each other.

    “In today’s uncertain world it is always good to have friends in other places. You discover that we have more things in common than set us apart.”

What's in it for me?