International Education Conference reveals new pathways to success

The conference is an annual part of Study Auckland’s international education programme and featured speakers from throughout the industry including Ministry of Education, Education New Zealand, NZQA, The Mindlab, The University of Auckland, Auckland University of Technology, Howick College and Whitecliffe College of Arts and Design.

International Education Manager Debbie Chambers says the conference provided some interesting insights and direction for the industry.

“There’s some incredibly exciting things happening in the international education sector in Auckland with more institutions doing innovative things and thinking outside the box than ever before. It was great to be able to share some of these ideas and best practices throughout the day.”

The conference also presented the chance for ATEED to highlight its new structure and focus for international education emphasising the strategic importance of the industry to Auckland.

Part of this work to help grow the sector includes working in conjunction with Education New Zealand’s through its Regional Partnership Programme.

This exciting partnership will see ATEED deliver three key projects:

• Telling the Auckland Story – Pathways to success:  ATEED will work with the Futures Group to provide institutions and stakeholders with multi-lingual and multi-media collateral and case studies to enable them to tell Regional Auckland’s education, employment and experiential pathway success stories.

• Enhancing the Student Experience:  Facilitate a series of events that help international students, education institutions, and employers to connect and engage in order to match their respective needs

• Building Capability – New Product Development: Increase the capability of Auckland’s international education sector by helping them to identify a particular customer need and then develop a new education, tourism and cultural product, which will then be taken to a specific market to be sold.

Debbie says this year’s event really highlighted what an exciting time is to be working in the international education.

“It was heartening to see the support we have from the sector with such a great turnout of attendees and there was a real buzz throughout the whole day. You could see people were hungry for information, new ideas and ways they could work together and share best practice,” she says.

“It was awesome to have our student ambassadors on stage. Hearing their stories about their lives in Auckland and knowing that their lives have been changed for the better as a result of studying here makes all the work we do worthwhile.”

The Director of Marketing at ACG, Kim Harase, says, “The best Study Auckland Conference to date. It had the right mix of presentations, ranging from government agency updates to industry best practice and student experience. There was something for everyone and the Study Auckland team did an excellent job with the organisation of the event."

Diocesan Director of International Students Simone Clark says, “It was a terrific opportunity to hear from those who are passionate about International Education and appreciate its importance to Auckland. Student satisfaction is key; it is vital that their expectations are met – not only at their chosen educational institution but in their overall experience of Auckland. The panel of current International students and their candid, honest feedback was a highlight for me.”