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GP practice for international students
Caring Clinic is focused on meeting the needs of international students and migrants from Asia, providing services in Cantonese and Mandarin as well as English, and offers innovative services including Skype consultations after hours and e-prescriptions.
The new clinic has been welcomed by the Auckland Agency Group (AAG), a cross-agency collaboration of central and local government agencies formed to lead communication with international student groups, ethnic communities and providers in Auckland.
Hayley Shields, ENZ’s Director of Student Experience and Chair of AAG, said the new clinic reflects the shift to make support services more attuned to students’ cultural needs.
“More than 60 per cent of international student enrolments are in Auckland, and it’s important for students to be able to access culturally appropriate healthcare services.
“This is one of the key objectives in the New Zealand International Student Wellbeing Strategy.”
Dr Jessie Liu and Dr Ruoh Sim, the two principal doctors at Caring Clinic, came to New Zealand as teenagers and both studied medicine at Otago University.
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Kiwis shine at NAFSA
The New Zealand delegation included all eight universities, four ITPs and an English language school, and to expand global perceptions beyond New Zealand’s tourism offering, it showcased Kiwi innovation and creativity with the campaign line New Ideas Grow Better Here.
Each institution chose an innovative student project to highlight, ranging from a fully recyclable electric car to New Zealand’s first virtual reality movie.
As platinum sponsor of the Opening Plenary, New Zealand used its spotlight moment for a performance by Elena, a Maori classical violinist, followed by Sir Richard Taylor, who spoke about New Zealand’s strengths as an education destination.
Lisa Futschek, ENZ’s Regional Director, Americas and Europe, said the well-coordinated presence of the New Zealand institutions was a great example of collaboration.
“That single, clear message – creativity and innovation – definitely caught the attention of NAFSA attendees, and made us stand out against the 300 other booths in the Expo Hall.”
We plan a special E-News next week with more comprehensive coverage of NAFSA’s highlights.
Helen Clark (centre) stopped by the New Zealand booth in the Expo Hall
Showcasing Kiwi innovation and creativity
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Further growth for international education
The economic value of the sector in 2016 is now estimated to be $4.5 billion, an increase of $200 million on 2015 student numbers.
ENZ's Acting Chief Executive John Goulter says the findings are a tribute to the continuing hard work and strong collaboration of key players across the industry.
“This growth could not be achieved without our education providers, government bodies and other key industry players working together successfully to attract talented students from around the world.
“It is an impressive outcome, and shows that New Zealand is increasingly seen as a place that offers quality education in a safe, welcoming environment.”
The new figures consolidate international education’s place as New Zealand’s fourth largest export sector, supporting more than 33,000 jobs across New Zealand.
The Minister’s release can be found here.
The International Education Dashboard for 2016 can be found here.
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Kiwi spotlight at NAFSA opening plenary
The Opening Plenary is the largest event on the NAFSA programme. Due to the size of the audience, and the seniority of delegates (half of NAFSA attendees are senior/executive-level professionals), it was an unparalleled opportunity to profile New Zealand as an innovative and creative education destination.
ENZ’s sponsorship provided New Zealand with a four-minute speaking slot, the opportunity to show a short video and to provide a giveaway on each of the conference centre seats.
Demonstrating New Zealand’s vibrant cultural diversity was Elena, a classical violinist who performed powerful pieces of music to welcome conference delegates as they entered the hall. Woven through the music was audio of kapa haka and a voiceover telling the story of Elena’s Māori and European cultural and creative heritage. Playing simultaneously was an animation of three graphics by Wellington design duo Fay & Walter illustrating Elena’s journey.
Weta Workshop’s Sir Richard Taylor then took to the stage to emphasise New Zealand’s unique strengths as a study destination to the global audience.
“I was delighted to speak on behalf of New Zealand’s unique educational institutions,” said Sir Richard.
“I spoke of New Zealand’s position in the Asia-Pacific region, the strength of our universities and institutes of technology and polytechnics, and how receiving a New Zealand education helps foster the skills students need to compete in a global market place.
“New Zealand relies on being an open and international country, we thrive on diversity and welcome international students to New Zealand as an opportunity to cross pollinate ideas. We see the benefits of such an approach at Weta Workshop where multiple teams, made up of people from around the world, collaborate every day.”
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Kiwi hospitality in Los Angeles
Held at the Unique Space in downtown Los Angeles, the New Zealand networking function welcomed guests including education agents, providers, partner institutions, clients and friends of New Zealand from around the world.
Guests had the chance to meet high profile Kiwis in person, including Sir Richard Taylor and violinist Elena who mixed in with the crowd.
Attendees were even treated to a ‘taste of New Zealand’ with venison, lamb, salmon, fresh mussels and tuatuas prepared by Gwithyen Thomas, a New Zealand-born chef who owns Aroha, a New Zealand-themed restaurant in Los Angeles.
One of the most popular areas at the function was the green screen photo booth, where guests had fun posing with New Zealand-themed props.
Inde Chandra, International Partnerships Advisor at Wintec, said the annual New Zealand reception continues to be a NAFSA highlight.
“New Zealand is renowned for its networking functions at NAFSA. It’s an opportunity for our education institutions to provide hospitality with a distinctly ‘kiwi flavour’ to valued partners and clients from around the world,” said Inde.
“We find quirky spaces, provide great New Zealand food, wine and beer, and there’s a lot of engaging conversation as a result!”
The New Zealand reception welcomed some 300 guests.
Guests posing at the photo booth
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Kiwi innovation shines in the Expo Hall
To expand US perceptions of New Zealand beyond tourism and adventure, New Zealand’s presence at NAFSA showcased Kiwi innovation and creativity, with the campaign line New Ideas Grow Better Here.
Thirteen New Zealand institutions, including all eight universities, featured on the New Zealand pavilion. Each chose a creative or innovative student project to highlight, ranging from a fully recyclable electric car to New Zealand’s first virtual reality movie. The projects were shown on the pavilion and printed in ENZ’s NAFSA guide book which was handed out to all conference delegates.
Kaylee noticed that innovation was a key word for a number of countries.
“India, Ireland, Portugal, Europe, Malaysia and Germany all included taglines about innovation on their booths – but their storytelling wasn’t as compelling as our own.
“By using real student stories, we were able to communicate ‘innovation’ in a more authentic way and really bring the messaging to life – we showed how students in New Zealand ‘Think New’.”
Kaylee said touring the NAFSA Expo Hall was a great opportunity to consider New Zealand’s education offering.
“Visiting other booths gave us a sense of competitor country education branding and messaging, which is important for understanding how we can uniquely position the New Zealand education story.
“It’s difficult not to sound biased but the New Zealand pavilion had the most brand personality, and stood out above the other country booths in terms of impact, thanks to our strong and unified presence.
“A number of conference delegates said New Zealand set the bar high!”
Other country taglines at NAFSA were:
Spain: “Education, Our Art”
Israel: “Jumpstart your Future”
Germany: “Land of Ideas”
Poland: “Study and be successful”
Russia: “Learn from everyone, copy nobody”
Ireland: “The warmest of welcomes”
Canada: “A world of possibilities”
Clockwise from top left: Australia’s pavilion, Canada’s pavilion, Spain’s pavilion and Japan's pavilion.
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Helen Clark highlights Kiwi strengths
Talking with NAFSA CEO, Dr Esther Brimmer, Ms Clark shared her experiences as recent Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and memories of her time as New Zealand Prime Minister.
Kaylee Butters, ENZ’s Director, Student Engagement, said the event was a commanding display of New Zealand’s progressive and positive approach to social change, development and education.
“Diversity and inclusion were passionately discussed throughout the entire conference, and were brought to the fore again by Helen Clark at the luncheon.
“By highlighting New Zealand’s stability, democracy, multicultural heritage and our open, welcoming people, we can position New Zealand as a great place for international students, especially in the current climate of populist politics and global unease.”
At the end of the luncheon, the New Zealand delegation gathered to thank Ms Clark with a mihi and waiata, powerfully led by AUT alumni, Toiroa Williams and Atereano Mateariki.
Toiroa is interning at the Sundance Institute in Los Angeles as part of an AUT internship programme, and was thrilled to be a part of the New Zealand delegation.
“The entire conference was an amazing opportunity to be around people who are creating opportunities for students to study abroad and experience a new culture," said Toiroa.
“It makes me reflect on my own experience of being a young Māori from a rural community, and accessing Aotearoa’s education opportunities to end up in Los Angeles working in indigenous film.
“So the opportunity to share my experience with 'Aunty Helen' and the other attendees at NAFSA was amazing.”
Click here to watch a video of the delegation performing a waiata.
L-R: Atereano Mateariki, Helen Clark and Toiroa Williams
Prior to the luncheon, Helen Clark (centre right) stopped by the New Zealand pavilion in the Expo hall for a quick photo with representatives from ENZ, Immigration New Zealand, Auckland University of Technology, Wintec and the University of Canterbury.
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NAFSA applauds Gilman scholarship
The first government-to-government arrangement of its kind, ENZ signed an agreement with the US Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) in January to cooperate on the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship (‘the Gilman’).Sir Richard announced the arrangement on ENZ’s behalf in his opening comments at the NAFSA conference.
The Gilman is aimed at students who might otherwise not have the opportunity to study abroad. Since its inception in 2001, more than 78,000 US students have applied for one of the 22,000 Gilman scholarships, making it one of the most prestigious and competitive scholarships for study abroad in the world.
Amy Rutherford, ENZ’s Director of Education, North America, said the partnership will help boost the profile of our institutions among US students.
“The scholarship will see increased promotion of New Zealand as an education destination, and will help to diversify the cohort of US students choosing to study here.
“Additionally, New Zealand institutions receiving Gilman scholars will be seen as supportive and inclusive partners, accepting students of all backgrounds and financial means.”
ENZ has committed to providing US $50,000 over the next two years to support Gilman scholars to study in New Zealand. This funding will be matched by ECA.
For more information about the Gilman scholarship, visit www.gilmanscholarship.org.
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Kiwis lead NAFSA Film Festival
The opportunity to showcase Kiwi film expertise in the NAFSA Film Festival came as part of Education New Zealand’s NAFSA sponsorship.
Pete's Dragon is a mix of live action and CGI, and was filmed in New Zealand with Kiwis making up more than 80 per cent of the production crew. The CGI dragon, Elliot, was entirely animated by Weta Digital.
Following the screening, ENZ arranged a guest panel with Matt Dravitzki and two Auckland University of Technology (AUT) alumni, Toiroa Williams and Atereano Mateariki – both recent graduates in communications, film and media.
Matt gave the audience a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Pete’s Dragon, and spoke about the influence his New Zealand education had had on his career. He noted that in New Zealand people are trained to work in lots of areas within the film industry and become a ‘jack of all trades,’ which he felt gave him an advantage in his LA-based role for Weta Digital. By contrast, filmmakers in the US tend to remain very specialised.
Toiroa and Atereano are now based in LA, having won AUT internships to Sundance and Paramount Recording studios, respectively. They gave an incredible account of how their New Zealand education has opened up doors they could never have imagined.
Toiroa said that his studies had given him the chance to enter the film world and to tell Māori stories that mattered to him and his whānau. “Education is key,” he said.
As a trainee within the Sundance Institute’s Native American and Indigenous Film Program, Toiroa said he is involved in everything from administration to script reading and strategic planning.
He and Atereano also spoke about the New Zealand ‘network’ in the film industry, with Taika Waititi and Cliff Curtis reaching out to help them settle into their new city.
Kaylee Butters, ENZ’s Director – Student Engagement, said the film festival was another unique and engaging way to show New Zealand’s strengths in creativity and innovation.
“Having high-calibre New Zealand alumni share their experiences helped to reinforce the positive outcomes of a New Zealand education,” she said.
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Around the world in five
BRAZIL
Brazil’s study travel market bounces back
A recent survey shows Brazil’s outbound study surged by 14% in 2016, with students’ priorities shifting in terms of preferred programs of study, driven largely by employability factors. As such, language programs remained the most popular option, as speaking an international business language is seen as “essential” for students in the country.
US
Internationalisation and student recruitment increasing among US colleges
A new study of US colleges found nearly 30% of respondents reported high levels of international activity within their institutions, compared to 21% in 2011. When asked why, US colleges cited “improving student preparedness for a global era” as their main motivator, listing key activities such as “increasing study abroad for US students”, “recruiting international students” and “partnerships with institutions.”
CHINA
Hong Kong’s education system needs more heart and ‘soulware’
How can China best equip its next generation with the skills needed for a rapidly changing world? City University (CU) might have the answer. Despite being a young university with many students from lower-income families, it has made its way into the top 50 in the QS World University Rankings. CU President Way Kuo said the key is “soulware”, and has established regular exchange programmes with overseas universities to allow students to study abroad and “open their minds”.
UK
‘Widening gap’ between London and rest of country in language GCSEs
A widening gap is emerging in the take-up of language GCSEs between pupils in London and the rest of the country, a new report has warned. London is the only region in the country where the percentage of pupils taking language GCSES has risen over the past three years, possibly a result of the many multi-lingual pupils there normalising the ability to learn other languages.
INDIA and BRAZIL
Still a long way to go on internationalisation
India and Brazil are the largest higher education systems in the world in terms of numbers of students (alongside China and the United States) and the largest developing economies after China. While both nations have a long way to go, some important developments should be noted, including growth in scientific outputs and funding for public institutions.
