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ENZ launches inaugural education showcase in Saudi Arabia
The event followed Trade Minister Todd McClay's visit to Saudi Arabia to discuss several education initiatives, leading a trade delegation with five education organisations.
The New Zealand Showcase covered New Zealand’s expertise in teacher training, school management and operations, and early childhood education delivery. The event was hosted in Riyadh at the Saudi Ministry of Education, chaired by the Minister of Education, Ahmed Al-Issa, with the support of New Zealand Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Hamish MacMaster. The event included representatives from the University of Waikato, Cognition Education, and Little Schools.
Saudi Arabia is implementing education reforms, a response to lower oil revenues, with a focus on growing private education capacity in the country. Saudi officials and investors have shown a particular interest in partnering with New Zealand to set up new school and early childhood education networks, and to raise the performance of existing private schools.
ENZ’s Middle East and Acting South Asia Regional Director, John Laxon, says initiatives such as the showcase are an excellent way to bridge any gaps in knowledge, and promote what New Zealand organisations have to offer.
“The showcase has created a great awareness of New Zealand’s world-class education system, and established partnerships to address some of the common education challenges faced by Saudi Arabia and New Zealand,” said Mr Laxon.
“We are very grateful for the support of Minister Al-Issa and the Ministry of Education in Saudi Arabia, and the New Zealand organisations who supported the event.”
Ambassador Hamish MacMaster and Minister Al-Issa chair the New Zealand Education Showcase
School exam reform in China
The changes are part of the Guiding Opinion on Further Advancing Exam and Student Enrolment Reform at High School Level, officially released by China’s Ministry of Education. Key features of the Guiding Opinion include:
- The intention to combine the Middle School Completion Exam (Chuzhong Huikao) and High School Entrance Exam (Zhongkao) into one ‘Middle School Academic Achievement Exam’ (Chuzhong Xueye Shuiping Kaoshi).
- Middle school students (Years 7 – 9 in China) will have the freedom to choose optional subjects whose exam results will contribute to the final Middle School Academic Achievement Exam (alongside their usual compulsory subjects, for example, Chinese literature and maths).
The overarching objective of the reform is to advance students’ development by allowing them to choose elective courses to complement compulsory subjects. This reform is consistent with adjustments to Gaokao, China’s College Entrance Exam, where students have the option to choose what they want to study, and can pursue what they are good at.
Piloting of the reform is expected to begin at a provincial level from 2018 onwards, and will not affect students enrolling until then.
Rosemary An, ENZ’s Education Manager based in China, says that when these changes come into play, they will likely have some impact on Chinese students who decide to study abroad.
“The changes show an effort by China to mitigate exam burdens and to emphasise the value of all-round development. An added benefit is that if these Chinese students decide to study in New Zealand, they are likely to adapt more quickly to New Zealand secondary schooling as they will have already experienced ‘course selection’ in their home country.”
While it is still too soon to predict what this development will mean for overseas study trends, Rosemary recommends that any institutions recruiting Chinese school students should be aware of this development.
The ENZ China team will keep an eye on the progress and impact of these reforms, and share any updates as they occur.
Innovative award scheme announced in Seoul
At the seminar, agents and providers received updates from Immigration New Zealand and ENZ, had one-on-one discussions and attended the announcement of ENZ’s hotly anticipated new award scheme for Korean students, a video competition called I want to study in New Zealand. The award encourages students to research New Zealand’s education offerings, and get creative by putting together a short video (60 seconds or less) that shows what they want to study in New Zealand and why.
Five awards, ranging from NZ$5,000 - $8,000 to go towards tuition fees, will be given to the students who produce stand-out entries. Agents who put students forward for the scheme will also be rewarded, with four places up for grabs on an ENZ agent famil to New Zealand in 2017.
Cecily Lin, ENZ’s Acting Regional Lead - North Asia, says that in this market it is important to strengthen relationships with agents, and interactive schemes like this are a win-win.
“Promoting New Zealand as an education destination and attracting more Korean students starts with mobilising Korean agents.”
“Through this competition we can acknowledge the important role Korean agents play in this market, and reward their efforts in attracting both quality and high numbers of students.”
The details of the scheme can be found here.
For any queries about the scheme, please contact Cecily Lin or Onnuri Lee (Cecily.Lin@enz.govt.nz and lee.onnuri@enz.govt.nz)
University of Waikato announces pioneering international partnership
In September 2017, the University of Waikato will launch a joint Institute with Zheijiang University City College [ZUCC], offering Chinese students the opportunity to enrol in one of three undergraduate degrees in China with the University of Waikato providing the degrees and teaching staff.
On completion, the Chinese students will receive a degree from both universities.
University of Waikato Vice-Chancellor, Professor Neil Quigley, says the initiative complements other joint programmes the University has been running in China over the past 20 years.
"The University is committed to growing its off-shore delivery, and transnational education plays an important role in the University’s internationalisation strategy," said Professor Quigley.
Education New Zealand [ENZ] supported the preparation of the bid for initial submission to the Chinese Ministry of Education and the redevelopment of the Academic English part of the programme.
Grant McPherson, ENZ Chief Executive, says that in a global context transnational education is not only a growth area, but an important contributor to supporting the international reputation and brand of the provider, and New Zealand.
“We are delighted to see the University of Waikato expand offshore, with an approach that builds on an existing relationship and seamlessly aligns with the University’s offering,” said Mr McPherson.
The application process for approval of the institute was rigorous, including examination by the Provincial Ministry of Education and the Chinese Ministry of Education in Beijing.
The first intake of students will be able to study for degrees in finance, media and creative technologies, and computer graphic design.
The programmes included in the partnership were selected based on demand. The finance degree has been available to ZUCC students since 2008 but the students were required to complete the qualification in New Zealand. The partnership with the University of Waikato was established in 2002.
"The finance degree was a popular choice with students when we began our partnership with ZUCC,” said Professor Quigley.
“The addition of media and creative technologies and computer graphic design relates well to the location of ZUCC in Hangzhou, which is a hub for technology and creative practices."
Your chance to provide input into the new international education strategy
Education New Zealand, working with the Ministry of Education, is leading the development of a new international education strategy.
International education touches many parts of our country and many individuals, organisations and businesses. We want everybody to see themselves reflected in the new strategy and we’d like to hear from you. We’ve provided some questions to help get your thinking started.
Building sustainable growth in international education will require a diversified and innovative approach that looks to the future. Everything is on the table in this engagement and development phase.
Please give us your thoughts on:
- What success in international education looks like in 2025? You might consider the social, cultural and economic values of international education, as well as outcomes and experiences.
- What you see as the three absolute priorities for international education in New Zealand?
Please email your thoughts to the ENZ strategy team at: strategy@enz.govt.nz
We won’t reply directly to your email. You will have the chance to provide feedback on the draft strategy during the online consultation period from mid-December.
Asia NZ report highlights 'huge scope' for NZ ties with India
The report – India and New Zealand: Growing our connectivity – was written by Graeme Waters, a former high commissioner to India, and highlights the way New Zealand’s cultural landscape is being enriched by our growing ties with India.
Mr Waters said he was impressed how dynamic the Indian community in New Zealand was, and how it continued to grow.
In talking about education, Mr Waters said that recent issues with the Indian student market meant New Zealand authorities needed to deal firmly with students and agents who breached standards, but longer term the "answer seems simple - quality not quantity".
"The growth in the number of Indian students has been impressive, but it is now in both countries' interest to focus higher up the education value chain."
Among the individuals profiled in the report were Indian twin sisters Tashi and Nungshi Malik, who are studying sport and exercise at Southland Institute of Technology. Both sisters are accomplished outdoor adventurers including having climbed Mt Everest.
Mr Waters argued for better airline connections between India and New Zealand, which would bring more tourists and open the door to better trade connections.
He made the point that New Zealand's trade with India was only about 10 percent of our trade with China.
“It's a bit humbling to look at the stats compared to China and to realise that we're only operating at about a tenth of the level we do with China, so huge scope for advancement and lots of cultural advantages in doing so," he told Radio New Zealand.
Along with the main report, Mr Waters has also written India and New Zealand: The Ties that Bind Us, which looks at the historic relationship between the two countries.
AUT signs arts and culture partnership with Indonesia
The New Zealand Arts & Culture Development Programme has been created by AUT to help MoEC cultivate a sense of belonging, identity and celebration of the diversity of culture and arts unique to Indonesia for future generations.
The MoEC has selected 50 active arts and culture workers, expected to be future leaders in their fields, across a range of different sectors, including: history, museum & gallery, dance, theatre, music, literacy, film and visual art.
Professor Nigel Hemmington, Dean – Faculty of Culture and Society, Pro Vice-Chancellor International, said the programme would build stronger ties between AUT and Indonesia.
“The signing of the agreement signals a major development in the university’s relationship with Indonesia and serves as a preliminary project for the wider programme, Project Taman, where AUT will lead (with Victoria University of Wellington and University of Auckland) the professional development of Indonesian school teachers In New Zealand in 2017,” says Professor Hemmington.
During the New Zealand-based training, to be held 14 November – 3 December, participants will undergo experiential learning including mentorships, seminars, workshop sessions, presentations, guest speakers, site visits and a field trip.
The programme includes a three-day pre-departure briefing to familiarise participants with the programme, as well as a post-departure evaluation that will be conducted in Jakarta in early 2017.
Victoria joins US-led international student network
GSA was launched in 2015 to provide an opportunity for more Americans to gain international experience through study abroad programmes. As of April this year, GSA has partnered with more than 400 colleges and universities around the world.
In late September, Victoria University’s Assistant Vice-Chancellor (International Engagement), Dr Matthew O’Meagher, flew to New York to sign a Letter of Commitment on behalf of Victoria University.
As part of the agreement, Victoria University has committed to:
- Increasing opportunities for US students to study at Victoria on non-degree programmes, including options for gap year and community college students.
- Offering scholarships for US students to study at Victoria. Two of these scholarships have been set aside for US students from diverse backgrounds, including indigenous, low income and first generation university students, and students with disabilities.
- Exploring new exchange partnerships with US tertiary institutions.
Matthew O’Meagher signing the agreement.

Victoria University hosted more than 300 American students in 2015, and hopes to double that number by 2025.
Dr O’Meagher said joining GSA was an exciting move for Victoria University, and a key way to further internationalise its campus and community.
Wellington International Student Excellence Awards 2016
Twelve international students were acknowledged at the inaugural Wellington International Student Excellence Awards, held at Parliament on Friday 14 October. The awards, presented by Deputy Prime Minister, Bill English, recognise the region’s best all-round international students.
Wellington Regional Economic Development Agency (WREDA) Chief Executive, Chris Whelan, says international students are an important part of New Zealand’s education community, with the awards taking into account academic achievement as well as contributions made in sports, arts and the community.
“Last year, approximately 7,500 international students studied in Wellington. They not only make a valuable economic contribution, but make an important cultural impact on their school communities,” said Whelan.
“We’ve developed these awards to recognise the contribution made by individual students.”
The winners covered a range of ages, from a primary school pupil to PhD student, including:
To Quan Quach
As a member of young leadership groups including Vic Crew, Victoria University of Wellington Student Association, Kiwi Mate and AIESEC, To Quan Quach of Vietnam has made a significant contribution to internationalising Victoria University. To is also on the Business School’s Dean’s List for academic achievement.
Anamika Nampoothiry
Hailing from India, Anamika Nampoothiry has made a second home in Wellington, where she currently studies at WelTec, after previously studying at Queen Margaret College. Anamika was awarded proxime accessit in 2015, and a top IB scholar award. She is a dancer and singer, student librarian, and soon-to-be engineer.
Yang Xiao
Currently studying at Onslow College, Yang Xiao from China, has helped organise multiple fundraising and social events to encourage integration within school life and beyond. Yang plans to study at Victoria University before pursuing his dream of becoming a pilot for Air New Zealand.
Lothar Krumpen
Leaving Germany for Wellington’s Scots College, Lothar Krumpen soon made too many friends to leave his new home, and decided to continue his New Zealand study at Victoria University last year. As well as being a top law student and averaging A+’s in his commerce papers, Lothar has represented both Wellington and the New Zealand University hockey teams.
Minister Joyce in Chile and Colombia
During his time in Chile, Minister Joyce attended a Chilean Kiwi alumni reception held at the New Zealand Residence, where he met Chilean students who studied in New Zealand – some who are now currently working with New Zealand companies in Chile. The Undersecretary of Education, Valentina Quiroga, also attended the event, chatting with alumni and the Minister.
ENZ’s Senior Market Development Manager, Javiera Visedo, said that the relaxed and friendly nature of the event meant alumni were comfortable speaking with the Minister – with some even taking selfies with him.
“It was great to see so many young people engaged with Minister Joyce, talking fondly about their time studying in New Zealand. It shows that alumni events are a great opportunity to network and build people-to-people connections.”
From there, Minister Joyce went to Colombia to discuss education with Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Patti Londoño. Minister Joyce highlighted that the education relationship between the two countries has strengthened thanks to the establishment of a permanent Education New Zealand presence in Bogota from October 2015, as well as the opening of the Prime Minister’s Scholarships for Latin America, in which Colombia is one of the priority countries.
The Minister also used his Colombia visit to give a guest lecture at the Universidad de los Andes, titled “New Zealand, an innovative economy” and answered questions from audience members interested in studying in New Zealand. The Minister highlighted New Zealand’s innovation and the Kiwi “can do” attitude, using the example of Peter Beck, the EY Entrepreneur of the Year who helped New Zealand launch its first rocket into space.
Javiera Visedo said the Minister’s visit also provided the perfect opportunity to launch four new videos of alumni stories for ‘My New Zealand Story – Chile and Colombia’. The Chilean stories were launched at the Kiwi Alumni reception, while the Colombian stories were launched at an NZ Inc reception.
“The videos were the highlight of each event in Chile and Colombia, as it gave guests a glimpse inside the student experience in New Zealand. I’m really pleased to have launched them during his visit.”
Minister addressing alumni in Chile