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• ENZ’s WeChat mini programme supports Chinese students

  There are currently more than 12,000 Chinese international students studying in New Zealand, and over 2,000 studying in China with New Zealand providers. Together, these groups make up 36 percent of NZ’s overall international student population.

  NauMai NZ was launched in May 2019.  Since then, the digital platform has had more than 9,000 students sign up, and it continues to support our international students as a key source of timely information during the COVID-19 pandemic.

  NauMai is a valuable tool for international students, but analysing usage over the past 12 months reveals most Chinese students are not engaging with the platform. These students instead prefer to interact within WeChat, a Chinese social media platform with over a billion daily users.

  To better support our international Chinese students while they are in New Zealand, ENZ has launched an alternative “mini programme” within the WeChat environment.

  ENZ Student Experience Advisor Faymie Li explains how it will make it easier for Chinese students to engage with NauMai’s content. “The NauMai NZ WeChat mini programme will better serve our Chinese student population in New Zealand for two simple reasons: it’s on a platform that they are more familiar with and frequently use, and it’s in their language."

  As well as providing students with useful information, the mini programme will also provide a platform for students to engage with each other. Students will be able to share their New Zealand life and study experience and provide peer support to others.

  ENZ is hosting our first mini programme livestream with the theme ‘how to spend your summer in New Zealand’ on 28 October.

  Know students who use WeChat? They can sign up for our first livestream and start exploring the mini programme by searching ‘新西兰留学生活指南NauMai NZ’ or by scanning the QR code below.

  

• Reconnecting New Zealanders to the world

  

  Where does international education fit in?

  Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced a plan to reconnect New Zealanders to the world in 2022. 

  This framework is based on being able to maintain the elimination strategy, alongside a high coverage of vaccination, strong confidence in our system and a phased approach to opening the border.

  Read the Prime Minister’s announcement in full | Reconnecting New Zealand to the world on Unite Against COVID-19 site

  The key points of this plan are: 

  • To continue to speed up New Zealand’s vaccination rollout, and move to six weeks between doses so that more New Zealanders have immunity sooner.
  • Phased approach to reopening border in the second half of 2021, and set up of new testing and vaccine checking systems at the border.
  • Move to new, risk-based border settings that will establish low, medium and high-risk pathways into the country.

  New Zealand’s ability to reconnect with the world depends on these factors being successful.

  At this early stage, we can’t provide detail or any degree of certainty for students looking to apply for study in or book travel to New Zealand.

  Many New Zealand institutions are now offering new ways to study. If you’re wondering which study option might be right for you, visit Study With New Zealand New Ways of Learning.

  We suggest that agents, students and their families wait until policy announcements are made before booking any travel to study in New Zealand. We could expect to see more clarity on this later in the year.

   

  FAQs 

  When will New Zealand open up to the world?

  Work continues on developing the requirements for a phased approach to Reconnecting New Zealanders to the rest of the world in 2022. We could expect to see more clarity on this later in 2021.

  Read more about the next steps to reconnecting New Zealanders to the world.

  What do we know about timeframes for international students returning to New Zealand?

  While we are pleased to note that a number of international students have been able to return to New Zealand under the current class exceptions, we aren’t able to provide exact timeframes for a large-scale return for international students and providers.

  Managing our border doesn’t mean conditions will stay exactly as they are now, but it does mean that there are likely to be restrictions and requirements in place until at least December 2022.

  Can students apply for semester 1 2022 study?

  We would currently advise students not to plan for study in New Zealand for semester 1, 2022.

  Please note offshore temporary visa application lodgements are currently suspended till February 2022 and this may be extended. 

  International student class exceptions are a key priority for the Government, but we can’t predict timing on when a further cohort might be announced, or what MIQ capacity may look like at the time.

  Will the phased border approach outlined in the Reconnecting New Zealanders to the World announcements affect the temporary suspension of offshore visa application lodgements?

  The Government continues work on developing the requirements for a phased approach to Reconnecting New Zealanders to the rest of the world in 2022.  As such, no decisions have been made yet on how the border plan might affect offshore visa application lodgements.

  What is the Government’s position generally regarding international education?

  Despite the severity and complexity of the COVID-19 pandemic, and our ongoing commitment to its elimination strategy, the New Zealand Government remains committed to a thriving international education sector. 

  In a recent meeting with the international education sector, the Minister of Education highlighted the New Zealand Government’s support for the continued safe return of international students to New Zealand, when the time is right.

  How does the border approach affect the students coming into New Zealand under the border exception classes?

  It doesn’t. Existing processes for students to enter the country under existing border exception classes (the 250 PhD and postgraduate cohort and the 1000 bachelor's degree and above cohort) will remain in place.

  Read about the two international student border exceptions classes on the Immigration New Zealand website.

  How will New Zealand determine which countries are low, medium or high-risk?

  The government is currently working through how it will determine this.

  How will the phased border approach affect Managed Isolation and Quarantine (MIQ)?

  Vaccinated travellers from low-risk countries will not be required to go through managed isolation facilities.

  Vaccinated travellers from medium-risk countries will have modified isolation requirements, the details of which are still to be worked through.

  Unvaccinated travellers and all travellers from high-risk countries will need to undergo 14 days in MIQ.

  Read more on the next steps of reconnecting New Zealanders to the world

  Would lockdowns in New Zealand affect the timing of the phased border approach?

  The New Zealand Government is committed to the elimination strategy and the successful rollout of vaccines. New Zealand’s border approach depends on our ability to stamp out clusters of COVID-19 as they arise, so there is some possibility that further lockdowns may delay the border approach.

  Will international students in New Zealand continue to receive free COVID-19 healthcare?

  Yes. Vaccines are available to everyone in New Zealand (12 years and over) free of charge. This includes international students.

  Read more about the COVID-19 vaccine rollout on the Ministry of Health website.

  All publicly funded COVID-19 related care – including testing, treatment and vaccinations – is provided to anyone who needs it, free of charge. 

• An update from the ENZ Global Citizens team

  Introducing our Global Citizens Manager, Carla Rey Vasquez

  Carla joined ENZ in the new role of Global Citizens Manager, based in Wellington, in April. As part of her role with ENZ, she is leading the co-creation and implementation of the Global Citizenship strategy as a key enabler for international education.

  Prior to joining ENZ, Carla was actively engaged in cross-sector collaboration in her role at AFS, including educational institutions, experts, funders, peak bodies, and student groups – and had a focus on embedding and improving student experience and global citizenship outcomes across the AFS network for 12,000 students in over 60 organizations worldwide.

  ENZ's Global Citizenship team includes Senior Global Citizens Advisor Anna Dekker in a refocused role of Scholarships and Global Citizenship, and Global Citizens Advisor Tereska Thornton, who has a wide range experience across ENZ in various roles, including Acting International Market Manager for Korea and Japan.

  Over the past five months, the team have made some great strides in establishing the global citizens strategy for NZ, and some highlights from their work includes:

  Global Citizenship korero

  Two huis have already been held this year with educators, researchers, practitioners, change-makers and other supporters working on initiatives that promote global citizenship, and the related areas of global competence, intercultural learning, and intercultural competence. 

  The goals of the workshops were to: 

  • Map out the key players and activities within the Global Citizenship education field in Aotearoa New Zealand
  • Build a comprehensive understanding of the way in which organisations discuss and measure Global Citizenship, and values and frameworks unique to Aotearoa New Zealand.

  We are looking forward to our third session on 21 September. This session will be virtual due to current Alert Level restrictions but we hope to have another in-person hui before the end of the year.

  Please email Carla (carla.reyvasquez@enz.govt.nz) if you wish to be involved.

  

  Online connector event for Prime Minister’s Scholarship alumni

  We are planning our first ever online connector event for Prime Minister’s Scholarship alumni in November 2021.

  Building on the momentum of the recent Prime Minister’s Scholarship impact survey, the event will be run by alumni, for alumni and will focus on fostering connections within the alumni community as a basis for further activity. More details to be announced in the next E-News update so watch this space.

  Prime Minister’s Scholarship Programme

  The team has made the best use of the COVID-19 travel restrictions and lockdowns to undertake a Prime Minister’s scholarships improvement programme to increase access to the scholarship and streamline processes, ready for when travel is possible.

  Festival for the Future

  We attended the Festival for the Future from 31 July-2 August and were overwhelmed by the number of participants who were willing to take part in our survey on Global Citizenship.  The analysis of responses is going a long way to helping ENZ commence on developing a framework and set of definitions on global citizenship.

  We are currently working with Inspiring Stories to plan ENZ’s involvement in Festival for the Future 2022, so keep an eye out for further information.

  Global citizenship is a key focus for ENZ, as ‘Global Citizens’ is one of three goals in The New Zealand Government’s International Education Strategy 2018 – 2030 (NZIES). Ultimately, we are working towards a future where:

  • All students gain the knowledge, skills and capabilities they need to live, work and learn globally
  • International education provides stronger global connections, research links and partnerships for New Zealand
  • New Zealanders understand and embrace the benefits of international education

  We will make sure to keep you updated of the work in this space.

• Haere ra Afiqah, Haere mai Vikram

  We spoke recently with the former NZISA National President for 2021, Afiqah Ramizi, and with the National President for 2022, Vikram Selvaraj. 

  Afiqah Ramizi, NZISA National President 2021

  Afiqah has been in New Zealand since 2015, when she left Malaysia to undertake tertiary study here.  After completing a foundation course at ACG (now known as UP International College), Afiqah started on a six-year medical degree at the University of Auckland (UoA) and is now in her final year.   

  Afiqah’s advocacy work started during her time at ACG, when she was selected to represent the college under an International Student Ambassador programme, run by the New Zealand Police in Auckland. The main focus was to support engagement with the student community, and lift students’ understanding about how to keep themselves safe in a foreign country and what support is available.  

  At university, Afiqah joined the Malaysian students’ association and became Vice President.  In 2019 and again in 2020, she was elected as the International Students Officer for the UoA Students Association.  During these years, she became involved with NZISA through their multiple lobbying efforts and community engagement. Afiqah was elected NZISA’s Vice President in 2020, before being elected National President in 2021.   

  Looking back on her experience at NZISA, Afiqah says she is proud to have been involved in making sure that the voices of international students were heard as New Zealand responded to COVID-19, amongst many other achievements of NZISA since 2017. 

  “Last year we were successful in lobbying for temporary changes to international students’ maximum working hours, so they could work more during alert levels 3 and 4,” Afiqah says. “This was really important for students at a time when their studies were disrupted, and some students were facing financial hardship. This temporary increase was also appreciated by local employers, as they were needing more people able to work full-time, to keep their businesses running.”  

  In her role as National President, Afiqah was involved in supporting the groups of international students coming back to New Zealand while the border was closed. Her team’s continuous advocacy to government bodies saw more international student cohort border exceptions announced, which meant more international students were able to return and resume life in New Zealand. 

  “Staying in managed isolation and quarantine was a big extra cost for these students, and we know many hesitated to return because of that.  By talking with the institutions involved and advocating for subsidies, we were able to encourage them to cover part of the costs for their returning students. This was a win-win for both the universities and the students.” 

  Supporting students over the holidays was another key focus for NZISA during the past two summers, primarily to help onshore students who couldn’t reconnect with their families while borders were closed.  

  “We worked with ENZ and our regional networks to encourage summer internships, to remain connected in the international community and to indulge in the real Kiwi summer,” Afiqah said. 

  Afiqah herself spent the last summer at the coalface of the COVID-19 response work, drawing on her medical knowledge to support public health. She was initially working to find the source of COVID-19 when contact tracing was a key focus, and through the Omicron surge, she has learned other public health skills as the nature of her work changed from eliminating to managing COVID-19.    

  Now it’s time for her to pass on the baton to the 2022 President, and an opportunity to focus on her final year of medical school! 

   

  Vikram Selvaraj, NZISA National President 2022

  

  Now in the final semester of a Bachelor of Criminal Justice degree at University of Canterbury, Vikram came to New Zealand in 2018 from Singapore with his partner and began studying here the following year.  

  “The Bachelor of Criminal Justice was a new degree, and I realised it was exactly what I wanted to study,” Vikram says. “It combines law with a range of other subjects, all related to criminal justice.” 

  Vikram is the eldest of three siblings and the sole breadwinner for his family, having lost both parents. His two siblings are still living in Singapore, and Vikram has continued to run a hairdressing salon there during his years in NZ. It’s more than three years since Vikram last saw his family in Singapore, but he isn’t planning a trip home any time soon, because of the risk that border settings might change again.  

  Vikram brings a range of relevant experience to his new role as NZISA National President.  At University of Canterbury (UC), he was a UniLife Leader, the first to be in charge of mature students, both domestic and international.  It was his role to support them, provide pastoral care and a voice on the issues they were facing.  His work was recognised with a Blues Award from UC Students Association in 2021, for Outstanding Achievement in Community Engagement.  

  Vikram is excited about his new role as NZISA National President.  He was elected in December and took up the role in late January, along with an all-new executive team of eight students.   

  “We’re planning a number of projects for the year ahead,” Vikram says. 

  UC joined NZISA last year and continuing to increase membership will be one of the priorities for Vikram and his team this year.   

  “We also have ideas for a range of projects for students that different members of the team will lead during the year.  This includes working with NZ Police to help students understand the risks of scams and online gambling; supporting students with resources to combat racism and discrimination; and empowering women.” 

  Vikram says it’s his belief that he can do something that has brought him to where he is today.  He’s very conscious of the challenges faced by many international students, for example when their financial situation changes, and they find it hard to get the support they need.  

  “Kiwi students aren’t always aware that international students are paying a premium price for their studies,” he says.   

  “Sometimes students feel homesick, or experience racism – whatever the particular challenge, it’s important for them to know that someone is listening to them.” 

  Fun fact about Vikram:  Vikram has a Japanese Spritz dog called Tiger that he brought with him to New Zealand.

  Sahinde Pala, ENZ’s Director Student Experience & Global Citizens, says ENZ sets great store by our relationship with NZISA. 

  “We have really valued the contribution Afiqah has made during her years with NZISA, and we look forward to working closely with Vikram and his team over the coming year,” Sahinde says.

• Criteria – Paearu

  Eligibility

  New Zealand tertiary institutions are eligible to apply.

  Target Groups

  Graduates, doctoral candidates, doctorate holders, professors and lecturers.

  Definition of “early-career researcher”:

  • A PhD student enrolled at a participating New Zealand university.
  • A researcher who has been awarded a Research Master's or PhD within five years from the date of the application.
  • A researcher who received his or her award more than five years before the date of the application but who, due to career interruptions such as family commitments has had less than the equivalent of five cumulative years of research experience. 

   

  Eligible Subject Areas and Disciplines

  The programme is open to all disciplines.

   

  Funding

  Education New Zealand will support participating New Zealand institutions by funding travel and living expenses for research trips to Germany.

  ENZ will contribute a maximum of NZ$16,000 per year per project. Projects are typically funded for up to two years - in total NZ$32,000.

  PPP funding covers the following project-related expenses:

  • Travel costs of the sponsored participants
  • Living costs of the sponsored participants

  Experienced researchers can stay in Germany for up to 30 days per year. Graduates can stay for up to 50 days per year.

• Funding available to reimagine international education

  Registrations of interest are open now for ENZ’s International Education Product Innovation Fund (PIF), closing on Wednesday 4 May 2022. Funding is available to all New Zealand-based organisations and individuals with fresh ideas for international education. 

  The PIF will support providers of education – whether established, new or emerging – to explore, develop and test pilot projects of new products and services that reimagine international education. 

  “New” could mean the mode of delivery, the configuration, the learner experience and learner outcomes, or the type of collaboration. The pilot projects developed through the PIF will help explore what could set New Zealand apart from its competitors, how students want to engage with New Zealand education, and how to increase the sector’s resilience to future shocks. 

  “We are extremely excited to now be receiving registrations of interest for the Product Innovation Fund”, says Euan Howden, ENZ’s Director of Innovation. “By encouraging and enabling the development of new, innovative products and services, we are seeking to position the sector for a more sustainable and resilient future and take advantage of trends such as alternative credentials, life-long learning and flexible learning.” 

  Underlying the PIF is the principle of tukutuku, or partnership. Each pilot project supported through the PIF will be a partnership based on mutual benefit and reciprocity between ENZ and the provider. 

  ENZ will offer funding of up to $300,000 per pilot (but is open to considering proposals that seek greater funding), as well as connections, support and credibility. In turn, ENZ is looking for applicants who can show a commitment of resource, a willingness to share lessons, reporting and insights for broader benefit, an openness to new thinking, and willingness to give best effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. 

  The PIF is one of ENZ’s initiatives underway to build a sustainable and diverse international education sector for New Zealand which is more resilient to future shocks such as COVID-19. The programme is funded by the Covid Response and Recovery Fund and is linked to the Government’s Strategic Recovery Plan for International Education. 

  The results of the pilots supported through the PIF will eventually inform recommendations to the Government in September 2023 on future investment in the development and diversification of international education. 

  To learn more and register your interest, click here. 

• Kōrerorero on quality education

  Panellists included 

  • Dr Dawn Freshwater, Vice-Chancellor at the University of Auckland, who is also the first woman to hold this role 
  • Dr Sandra Regina Goulart Almeida, Vice-Chancellor at the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) in Brazil 
  • Dr Alejandro Ceballos, Vice-Chancellor at the Universidad de Caldas in Colombia. 

  With simultaneous interpretation in Spanish and Portuguese, the session attracted more than 100 attendees and 350 registrations from across Latin America and Aotearoa New Zealand. Panellists shared their thoughts on gender equality, integration, and inclusion, and how to achieve more equitable access to quality education. They also discussed the main priorities and focus of their institution in relation to SDG 4, and how they overcome challenges to achieve the SDG’s objectives.  

  Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao’s Kōrerorero webinar series is intended for academics, education agents and media in Latin America and New Zealand. It has been particularly effective in maintaining awareness of a New Zealand education while our borders are closed, while also contributing to discussions on important matters related to international education. Across the six episodes since its launch in 2020, more than 1,000 people have attended, with many subsequent views on YouTube.  

  If you would like to watch this episode, please click here

• Workshops on supporting international students’ mental health

  Monday 30 May 2022 at Helen Kitson Centre, Rangi Ruru Girls’ School, Christchurch

  Register here by 26 May.

   

  Monday 20 June 2022 at Lower Hutt Events Centre, Wellington

  Register here by 13 June. 

   

  About the workshop: 

  Culture shock, language barriers, isolation, loneliness, homesickness, separation from support groups, the loss of confidence — these are just a few of the challenges faced by many international students in New Zealand. Add to these differences in how different societies view, talk about and seek solutions for challenges relating to mental health, and we can see why it is difficult for schools to support their students effectively when they are struggling. 

  This workshop will be jointly facilitated by Ivan Yeo, Deputy Director of Asian Family Services and Jennifer Kirkham, PLD Operations Manager of SIEBA. The goal is to explore what might be going on for students struggling with their mental health, and how providers might best support them.  The workshop will be highly interactive with a focus on sharing and discussion of the topics provided, guided by the facilitators. 

• Advertising opportunity in Japan

  Click here to view a sample advertisement.

  The publication is the only one of its kind supported by the New Zealand Embassy in Tokyo and Education New Zealand. KBUNSHA distributes 20,000 copies to Japanese schools, universities and education organisations as well as education fairs and seminars.   

  “With the New Zealand border gradually reopening to students from Japan, along with the recent New Zealand Prime Minister’s visit to Japan in April, this is a great opportunity for us to join forces to promote New Zealand education to the Japanese public. Destination marketing plays a key role in student attraction for a market like Japan with a tourism focus and I hope regions can also participate in this special opportunity to introduce their regions and activities,” says ENZ Director of Education – Japan, Misa Kitaoka.  

  To advertise, bookings must be made by 30 June 2022 directly with KBUNSHA (details for English speaking contact person are included in the NZ Proposal).

  Advertisement rates for individual providers range from $NZ1,200 to $NZ6,000 for guidebook and/or website listing. Individual providers can download the proposal here. Advertising copy can be provided in English.  

  For further details on the guidebook and pricing for regional groups (starting at $NZ2,300 for a 2-page colour advertisement) download the proposal here.

• From the Chief Executive: Stepping up the promotion of international education

  We’re about to embark on education-focussed travel that will include three of our important markets for international education – the United States, Chile and Brazil. As part of the trip, the delegation led by Education Minister Chris Hipkins will attend NAFSA, the world’s biggest international education event, held in Denver, Colorado.

  This trip will also feature the launch of ENZ’s amazing new global marketing campaign on 31 May 2022 at NAFSA – there’s a sneak preview in this issue of E-News.

  I’m also delighted to let you know that planning is well underway for the 29th New Zealand International Education Conference (NZIEC) to be held in August. To ensure we reach the widest possible audience at a critical time for the rebuild of the industry, NZIEC 2022 will be delivered in a virtual format this year, at no cost to attendees.

  Following on from the government’s announcements earlier this month on changes to immigration settings and the restart of student visa applications from 31 July 2022, there have been two further announcements that are important for the international education sector. These relate to the outcome of recent consultation on enrolling international fee-paying students under Year 9, and a refresh of the New Zealand International Education Strategy.  

   

  International students up to Year 9  

  The government has decided to make no change to the ability of international students to enrol in New Zealand primary and intermediate schools. This follows earlier consultation on possible options to restrict the enrolment of international students below Year 9, which closed in March 2022.

  This announcement has been widely welcomed, and demonstrates the government listened closely to feedback received from the sector and other interested parties. It’s good news that we can resume welcoming young students and groups to New Zealand schools across all age levels as our borders reopen.    

   

  New Zealand International Education Strategy (NZIES)

  The existing NZIES dates back to 2018, and the impact of Covid-19 and the changed global education environment mean another look at the strategy is timely.  Consultation on a refreshed NZIES 2022-2030 is underway, and I encourage you to provide your views and feedback before consultation closes on 24 June 2022.

  The draft refreshed NZIES 2022-2030 reflects the government’s continued commitment to international education, and the need for us to focus on building back better from the pandemic. It includes two phases. The first phase is about rebuilding and recovery – promoting New Zealand’s education brand and supporting student recruitment.  The second phase aims to build capability and investment in a more diverse and resilient international education sector.

  As a package, the recent government decisions including the immigration rebalance mean we now have increased certainty about the operating environment for the international education sector. We look forward to working with you to rebuild our international education sector to be a major contributor to New Zealand. And we look forward to students from all around the world enjoying the benefits of a New Zealand education, and New Zealanders enjoying the benefits these students bring to our communities.

   

  He rā ki tua – better times are coming.  

  Grant McPherson