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  • ISANA - Enhancing international student experiences

    The ISANA New Zealand Annual Conference held at AUT University in Tāmaki Makaurau last month provided the perfect forum to address the challenges of strengthening capability and ensuring sustainability as the sector addresses ways in which to grow international education. 

    A key feature of the conference was the presentation of a new online ‘Capability Toolkit’ - a collaboration between ISANA NZ and Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ). Developed as a resource for education practitioners, the toolkit presents strategies, tools, tips, guidelines, case studies, scenarios and more to assist with every facet of engagement with international learners.  

    ENZ’s General Manager Sector Services, Sahinde Pala, said that the conference provided a great opportunity to reconnect face-to-face with professional colleagues.  

    “We all enjoyed the opportunity to exchange experiences and hear from frontline practitioners how the rebuild of the sector is going from their perspective. It was a great opportunity to connect with those relatively new to the sector and let them know the role of ENZ and the resources available to assist them in their role.”  

    “It was also encouraging to see our industry coming together to collectively focus on improving our services for students. The Capability Toolkit is an important, practical resource that will assist education practitioners provide even better support for our international learners.” 

    The Capability Toolkit provides links to resources in the following areas: 

    1. Wraparound tailored support for international students  
    2. Critical incident management for international students 
    3. Innovative leadership in international education 
    4. Intercultural competence in educational contexts 
    5. Student experience information for agents. 

    ENZ is continuing to work with ISANA to further develop the Capability Toolkit and other content will be added over time. In the meantime, anyone who has not had a chance to look at the toolkit, can explore this further on ISANA NZ’s website here.

    Vaelyn L, International Student Representative (second from left) with ENZ representatives at the ISANA conference Ross Crosson, Student Experience Manager, Sahinde Pala, General Manager Sector Services, and Faymie Li, Senior Advisor Student Experience

      

  • From the CE: Our focus for the next 12 months

    Kia ora tātou, 

    "To help providers of international education to build back onshore offerings" is Focus Area One of the New Zealand International Education Strategy. There are nine key short-term actions in Focus Area One. Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao is the lead Government agency in four actions and has an important role to play in eight of the nine. It can be no surprise then that for the next 12 months, and our next financial year starting in June, that the majority of ENZ's energy, time and resources will be focused on attracting learners to study with New Zealand. 

    This is no small challenge. Our borders have been open now for just eight months. And while students are returning, the latest visa application numbers I've seen report in the order of 43,000 applications (offshore and onshore), the recovery is variable at best. Even within the university sector, that on the face of it looks to have recovered better than others, the experience is mixed. Within the PTEs and English Language schools we have a long way to go to reach the levels of 2019 and early 2020. In such a highly competitive market, it is going to take some time to regain awareness with learners and overcome the head start other countries gained. 

    All our budgets are tight. At the very time we need to be investing and getting offshore to renew partnerships and networks, we are all resource-constrained and having to watch every cent. ENZ is no exception. 

    This means that for the next 12 months, more than ever, we need to focus. We need to focus our limited resources to where they have the greatest impact, and we need to be aligned as one with the sector. 

    India is an excellent example of a partner market that is worthy of focus. I have just returned from leading an ENZ delegation to India. India is forecasting economic growth of 6-7% every year for the next three to five years. They know, and their national education strategy makes it clear, they need educated, skilled and talented people to realise this opportunity. I repeatedly heard, "They want their people back".

    That five Deputy Vice Chancellors joined the 23 sector representatives tells you how important India is. As one of the five said to me, "India today is what China was 15 years ago".

    To be successful we need to agree that India is important. It is. We need to go there together. We will. We also need to work with our colleagues in other Government agencies to ensure they are aligned. This is what success looks like for me. And this is the level of focus on building back, and the level of partnership with the sector, that I expect from my ENZ teams over the next 12 months.

    I will also work with them to secure the many gains we have made in government-to-government relationships, scholarships, diversity, equity, and inclusion, social licence, and in building a sustainable future. All the good work of the past two years remains important for the long-term future, set out in Focus Area Two: Building a new future for international education. 

    We are all very passionate about international education and its ability to transform lives. In 2023/24 when the sector is stronger than today, all of us will be better placed to address the short term and the medium to long term. Today our focus must be the immediate needs.

    He moana pukepuke e ekengia e te waka

    A choppy sea can be navigated

    This proverb acknowledges the changing and challenging environment that we currently find ourselves in and how it can be navigated by collaboration and innovation.

    Ngā mihi nui,

    Grant McPherson

  • May update from Immigration New Zealand

    Update on Student visa processing*    

    Since New Zealand’s international borders reopened in August 2022, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has received 35,069 student visa applications from international students outside of New Zealand. We have completed 30,936 of these applications.   

    Our recent processing times for international student visa applications are published on our website. These are updated each month: Visa processing times for international students | Immigration New Zealand  

    *Figures current as at 10pm on 8 May 2023.    

    Visitor visas and short-term study 

    A holder of a visitor visa is permitted to attend a programme or programmes of study which are not more than a total of 3 calendar months in duration per 12-month period. 

    Recently we have received several queries regarding students intending to undertake a programme of study of more than 3 months duration (for example, a diploma) who wish to begin their studies while holding a visitor visa. This is not permitted as the intended programme is more than 3 months duration. Students must hold a student visa for the full duration of their intended programme of study (or hold an interim visa with open study conditions) if the programme of study is longer than 3 months duration. 

    Tuition fees  

    We would like to remind you that changes to the requirements for tuition fee payment evidence for students were introduced last year as part of the Immigration Rebalance.   

    Students need to pay tuition fees for the first year, or first programme of study (whichever is the shorter), and they will have to prove personal/maintenance funds for the same period. We do not accept payment of tuition fees by instalment; the only exception is for some aviation students.  

  • Around the world in five

    United Kingdom  

    British Council examines future of English language learning  

    English will remain the world’s most widely spoken language over the next decade driven by employment and higher education trends, and teachers will continue to be at the heart of learning despite the rise of AI and automation, according to a new publication by the British Council. 

     

    United States 

    New forecast warns that US is falling behind in the global race for talent  

    A new HolonIQ analysis focused on the US and its competitive position relative to other leading study abroad destinations finds that within the total global international education market, the US is losing share of foreign students to Australia, Canada, and the UK. 

     

    Canada 

    Dalhousie University - New study abroad course takes 14 Indigenous students to Aotearoa-New Zealand

    A group of Indigenous students from Dalhousie have embarked on a two-week study tour of New Zealand that will transport them deep into the country's rich Māori history and culture. 

     

    India  

    Dishonest players in India are 'damaging' industry reputation  

    Education counsellors across India say duplicitous players in the international education market are having a seriously negative impact on the sector, with one senior counsellor describing the situation as “supremely unethical”. 

     

    Netherlands 

    Netherlands outlines plans to control international student flows 

    The Dutch education minister has written to universities to outline plans for controlling international student numbers, including a central management system, tools for ministerial intervention, strengthening of the Dutch language and targeted instruments on programmes to control flows. 

     

     

  • ENZ re-connecting at ICEF ANZA Conference Perth 2023

    More than 230 international student recruitment agents and over 150 providers from around 50 countries attended the first in-person ANZA conference since the Covid-19 pandemic. The conference was held from 12 to 14 April.

    Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) is one of ANZA’s key supporters. It is an excellent opportunity for education providers and agents to connect, exchange and explore ideas that will grow the international education sector around the world.

    ENZ’s Manager, Global Events and Agents, Janine Huxford, alongside Immigration New Zealand’s Manager of International Education, Celia Coombes, were invited to deliver a presentation on New Zealand’s road to recovery as a top study destination.

    Janine said “Celia and I took this opportunity to begin our presentation by showcasing the unique cultural experience that international students have when they come to Aotearoa New Zealand. Our presentation began in a pitch-black room with the sound of the pūtātara, conch shell or sea trumpet ringing out.

    “This was followed by a karakia acknowledging the Māori creation story that begins with a description of darkness and nothingness and continues to move between different states until light flows into the world that establishes a fundamental relationship between humans and the natural world. It was quite a spine-tingling experience, and no one will forget our introduction in a hurry,” she added.

    Janine and Celia then went on to talk about the incredible mahi that our sector is doing across our various agencies and institutions to rebuild the international education market within Aotearoa New Zealand. “We shared with our audience that students considering international education are always going to choose the country first. For a niche market like Aotearoa New Zealand, it is important that our messaging is focused on what students will experience when they come to study with you”, said Janine.

    Representative from Gulf Harbour School on the Whangaparaoa peninsula meeting with an education agent at ICEF ANZA 2023 in Perth, Western Australia.

    Janine’s comments were also included in ICEF’s podcast that was awarded to ENZ and broadcast during the April 2023 event. The podcast was entitled ‘Study destination promotion: the vital role of education agencies – Sponsored by ENZ’. The podcast can be listened to here.  

    The event was hosted in Perth, Western Australia and is part of a series of global ICEF events that provide excellent opportunities for the sector to come together and network with like-minded professionals.

    Click here for the exciting announcement regarding the naming of the host city for ICEF ANZA 2024!  

     

  • Ōtautahi Christchurch announced as host city for ICEF ANZA 2024

     

     

    ICEF ANZA gives education providers from Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia the opportunity to meet with top international student recruitment agents from around the world who have a focus on these two study destinations.  

    Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao’s International Event Manager, Janine Huxford said that these conferences are such important events in our sector to bring everyone together and share industry insights, attend workshops and network with our international education peers from all over the world. 

     “We’re delighted that Ōtautahi Christchurch has been announced as the host city for the next ICEF ANZA conference in 2024. This is such a fantastic opportunity to shine a light on our new city and Aotearoa New Zealand as a study destination with world-class study options and unique travel and living abroad experiences", she added.  

    This in-person event will run from 22 – 24 April 2024 at the Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre. You can register your interest for the event here: ICEF ANZA - education event focused on Australia and New Zealand 

    We look forward to seeing you there!  

  • International Student Experience Survey 2023 now open

    The International Student Experience Survey (ISES) surveys international students and alumni in Aotearoa New Zealand across all international education sub-sectors and at all stages of the student journey – from those who have just arrived in the country to those who have recently graduated.

    The ISES aims to better understand the overall international student experience to identify what is being done well, and where improvements can be made.

    It features insights and findings on nine, key aspects of the student experience journey –

    1. Decision making factors
    2. Study arrangements
    3. Arrival and orientation experience
    4. Education experience
    5. Living experience
    6. People and connections
    7. Value for money
    8. Work experience opportunities, and
    9. Future plans

    The survey targets international students via multiple channels, with the student sample including those on current student visas, post-study work visas, and those post study, but not currently on a work visa. To maximise uptake, ENZ has also engaged with sector peak bodies and education providers to distribute the survey to their students.

    Findings from previous surveys have informed ENZ’s Student Experience work, including the development of bespoke content on NauMai NZ that better serves international student needs, shaped student experience-focused outreach across government and informed partnership with community organisations.

    ENZ’s Student Experience Manager, Ross Crosson said that the ISES provides a rich data source to understand the student experience.

    “Research-informed findings must inform all our mahi. This survey helps us better understand our students’ experience living and studying in New Zealand, which can be used to inform decisions to improve that experience,” Ross said.

    “We look forward to sharing survey findings with the sector, and discussing those findings with them, later this year." 

  • Continuing the discussion on the impact of AI on education

    Since ChatGPT’s (Chat Generative Pretrained Transformer) launch in November last year, the Artificial Intelligence (AI) tool has featured heavily in headlines around the world, sparking conversations from boardrooms, to classrooms, and around the dining room table. Discussions on the significant impact this tool and future AI technology is having on how we teach, assess, and support our students here in New Zealand’s education system are happening in all areas of our sector, including here at Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ), 

    A particular discussion during a recent EdTechNZ panel webinar on Artificial Intelligence and the impact on Education, looked at where educators may want to focus their valuable time now that generative AI platforms are available. For example, do educators want to spend their time researching topics, analysing data, and producing unique activities of work, or spend it on building meaningful relationships and place-based experiences with and for learners; gaining insights into learners’ interests, engaging in critical thinking activities and deepening learners experience of and outcomes in education? 

    Following EdTechNZ’s interesting and successful March webinar which can be viewed here; Artificial Intelligence and the impact on education, ENZ hosted an in-person seminar at our Tāmaki Makaurau offices in late April. This seminar's purpose was to look deeper at how this emerging technology is changing the way we learn, teach, and innovate. 

    Professor Ian Watson, recent past professor at the University of Auckland, spoke to a group from across the education spectrum including secondary schools, Private Training Establishments, EdTech founders, Education Publishers, Google, about AI and its impact on education.  

    Professor Watson is considered an AI pioneer with 30+ years in the AI machine learning environment and reflected on the history of AI, including that it is not a new or sudden phenomenon, and its progress over time.  

    “AI imitates intelligence and is great at the specific but not so much the general. For example, aircraft use AI to be able to perform extremely specific flight tasks, but it will never be able to suggest a recipe and cook it!”, Professor Watson said.  

    “Within education, AI will certainly provide value in routine, mundane and repetitive tasks such as grading, lesson planning, report writing but in the hard and difficult tasks such as developing a universal design for learning and differentiated or targeted learning, it has its flaws. It is not always factually correct and still needs a human to educate it”. 

    Professor Watson also talked about how important it is, critical even, to teach learners how to use these tools, so they are empowered. Such tools include the likes of AI4K12 for K-12 learners. 

    Anyone looking for more insights and conversations about AI should check out the TechWeek23 programme with over 400 in person and online events to be hosted from 13 – 20 May.  

    Techweek AI focussed online events of note include:  

  • Step up to the World, Tū māia ki te ao, a forum on global citizenship education, 11-13 September

    Educators, those who work in education or anyone with a keen interest in growing their understanding of Global Citizenship Education are invited to attend this free forum. The forum aims to bring individuals and organisations together and share some of the wonderful work being done in the education sector while also looking at how we can collaborate and champion each other's workstreams in the future. 

    The forum will also support participants to:  

    • Understand Global Citizenship Education (GCED) 
    • Explore ways to honour our commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi through GCED 
    • Make links between key frameworks and strategies and the New Zealand context 
    • Explore the role of GCED in Asia-Pacific contexts and in international education 
    • Connect and share best practice with local and international experts and practitioners 

    You can register your interest for the event via this form here: https://forms.gle/NiBTqGxAzt9P2VrY8 or by sending an email to: tyler.tekiri@enz.govt.nz 

  • High-level delegation visit strengthens education relationship with India

    The New Zealand India Education Week – held from 17-22 April – included senior level participation from New Zealand universities and was designed to further strengthen the strategic education partnership with India. 

    Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) Chief Executive, Grant McPherson, led the delegation across New Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai. 

    Demonstrating New Zealand’s overall commitment to India, New Zealand announced an investment of $400,000 towards internationalisation and student mobility initiatives, including the relaunch of the New Zealand Excellence Awards (NZEA). 

    The NZEA are unique scholarships designed exclusively for Indian students that are jointly funded by ENZ and all New Zealand universities. Since their launch in 2016, the scholarships have enabled more than 200 Indian students to study at one of New Zealand’s universities. 

    Another key focus for the week was to re-engage with the New Zealand Centre at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi and discuss the future trajectory of the partnership.  

    New Zealand High Commissioner to India His Excellency Mr David Pine speaking at a meeting with the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi.

    Caption: Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao Chief Executive, Grant McPherson (right), thanking Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IITD) outgoing Dean International Naveen Garg (left) for hosting the NZ delegation at IIT.

    Erik Lithander, Deputy Vice Chancellor Strategic Engagement at the University of Auckland, signed an MoU with IIT Delhi on behalf of all New Zealand universities to continue the relationship and further develop the New Zealand Study Centre.  

    The New Zealand Study Centre was inaugurated at IIT Delhi in February 2020 by Deputy PM Winston Peters, demonstrating the importance of education as a key part of the India-New Zealand relationship.  

    The week was bookended by two education agent fairs in New Delhi and Mumbai respectively, both of which exceeded expected student attendance numbers.  

    Speaking at a media briefing held at the New Zealand High Commission in New Delhi during the New Zealand India Education Week, ENZ CE Grant McPherson underlined the importance of New Zealand’s education partnership with India.  

    “India is one of New Zealand’s priority partner countries for collaborations, exchanges, and student mobility. We are excited that the announcements around the New Zealand Centre strengthening and the extensive package of scholarships under the New Zealand Excellence Awards scheme will further engagement with India,” Grant said. 

    ENZ Regional Director – Asia, Ben Burrowes, said with the sector’s focus on recovery and reconnections, the New Zealand India Education Week provided a great opportunity to refresh relationships with education sector stakeholders in India.  

    “India has always been a strong partner to New Zealand in the education space, and students from India consistently make up the second largest portion of international students studying in New Zealand.  

    “We are delighted for the opportunity that the New Zealand India Education Week offered us to reconnect and refresh our education links with India, and we look forward to building this relationship further over the coming years.” 

     

    Additional info –  

    To begin the week, sector representatives were provided with in-depth insights into the India-New Zealand relationship from High Commissioner David Pine, ENZ in-market staff and a consultant from EY. Representatives attended meetings with government departments such as the University Grants Commission (UGC) as well as B2B institutional networking events to support their university's global engagement. The delegation also met with two Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT), IIT Delhi and IIT Madras.   

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