29 October 2015 at 9:00 am
Korean education relationship strengthened
Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce visited Korea on 18 – 21 October to attend the OECD Science Ministers’ meeting and to further strengthen our relationship with Korea, New Zealand's fourth-largest source country for international students, and sixth-largest export market for goods and services.
Minister Joyce took part in three key education-related events while there.
NZ/Korea joint qualification recognition one step closer
Minister Joyce and Republic of Korea's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Hwang Woo Yea (left) exchange gifts following the bilateral meeting.
Minister Joyce met the Republic of Korea's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Hwang Woo Yea, on 19 October, and announced the completion of a research project which confirmed the comparability of the two countries’ senior secondary school curricula and qualifications. They also discussed other bilateral cooperation matters, such as increasing the two-way flow of students and Korean language teaching in New Zealand.
“Working towards joint recognition of secondary schools qualification will encourage more Korean and New Zealand students to study in each other’s country, particularly as New Zealand and Korea are set to become even closer partners as we implement our new Free Trade Agreement,” said Minister Joyce.
Game On English - Golf scholars and Minister exchange swing and putting tips
Minister Joyce demonstrates his putting prowess
Four aspiring Korean golfers will get the opportunity to walk the footsteps of world-famous Kiwi-Korean golfers thanks to a Game On English - Golf scholarship awarded to them in Seoul on 19 October by Minister Joyce. Game On English - Golf provides intensive English language classes and top quality golf coaching to talented young Koreans who want to become professional golfers.
ENZ’s Regional Director for Japan, Korea and the Americas, Lisa Futschek, explained, “‘Game On English - Golf’ brings together New Zealand’s expertise in golf coaching with our education system that consistently ranks amongst the best in the world.
Fifteen year-old scholarship recipient, Ms Lim Hee Jeong, commented at the awards ceremony, “I am honoured to be the first Game On English - Golf scholarship winner. I will train very hard at New Zealand’s best golf training academy, the Institute of Golf, and study very hard at Unique New Zealand, and [one day] become a top professional golfer!”
L-R, scholarship recipients: Kim Beom Soo (age 17), Jung Teayang (age 15), Lim Heejeong (age 15). Absent: Kim Sojung (age 17)
Kiwi Alumni Association supporting New Zealand graduates in Korea
There was a warm and friendly atmosphere at the Kiwi Alumni reception
More than 100 graduates of New Zealand education institutions turned up to the second networking event organised by the Kiwi Alumni Association and held at the New Zealand Residence on 19 October.
The Kiwi Alumni Association was launched in March 2015 during the Prime Minister’s visit to Seoul as a way to tap into the growing number of New Zealand-educated Koreans who are returning to Korea. Maintaining contact with the alumni, who go on to work in diverse industries, helps build a constituency of supporters for New Zealand across Korea.
“The Kiwi Alumni Association provides opportunities to develop and grow partnerships between New Zealand and Korea. The networking opportunities offered by the Kiwi Alumni Association are hugely important, providing a strong basis on which partnerships and other collaborative prospects can be formed,” said Minister Joyce.
