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  • New social media launch in China

    “Last year our awareness levels in China grew 17 per cent between April and December,” says Kathryn McCarrison, General Manager Marketing and Channel Development.

    “With year-on-year growth in enrolments and student visa approvals from China, we want to continue building on this momentum in a top priority market for New Zealand.”

    The number of Chinese students studying at a New Zealand institution was up 3 per cent in 2013 on 2012 and this growth looks set to continue, with student visa approvals from January to March this year increasing by 24 per cent. 

    In August new ‘Study New Zealand’ Weibo and WeChat sites will launch, targeting a youth audience with fun, informative and interactive content about studying in New Zealand.

    Weibo is a microblogging platform, similar to both Twitter and Facebook, with more than 129 million monthly active users and more than 61 million average daily active users. Described by Forbes magazines as the world’s most powerful app, WeChat is a similarly popular mobile messaging app used by more than 350 million monthly active users.

    The China team will continue to support the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Embassy’s Weibo account – supplying all-important content about bilateral education and research collaborations which demonstrate the depth of New Zealand’s strong education relationship with China. 

    “We are focused on profiling the dual opportunities New Zealand offers to China, as a high-quality and committed strategic education partner for our education products and services, and as an exceptional study destination,” says Alex Grace, Regional Director – Greater China.

    Whereas social media activity will reach a wide audience, recent campaign activity in China was targeted at those actively considering studying abroad, particularly at university level.  

    The campaign, which remains active until the end of July, matched prospective students to an agent to find out more information about studying in New Zealand.

    To date, over 6,500 prospective students have registered to find out more about New Zealand and these enquiries are being actively followed up by four agencies, who will in turn provide these qualified leads to New Zealand institutions. 

  • Investment in international education provides boost

    Over $600,000 of co-funding was awarded in the third round of International Education Growth Fund grants to a mix of projects across the international education sector aimed at growing New Zealand’s international education industry.

    The University of Waikato received co-funding to partner with law schools in China to enable Chinese students to complete their Chinese LLB and undertake a LLM at Waikato, as well as to enable Waikato students to obtain LLM qualifications that are recognised in China.

    Study Applied Sciences – a marketing alliance of Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology (CPIT), Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT), Universal College of Learning (UCOL) and Otago Polytechnic (OP) – received co-funding to create print and digital material to raise awareness in Germany of applied science at New Zealand institutes of technology and polytechnics.

    Other successful initiatives include a collaboration of four high schools from Auckland and Tauranga to attract more students from Mexico and a project by Hamilton-based Online Education Ltd to translate its ‘Code Avengers’ online computer programming and web development courses for new markets.

    “A common theme across this round’s participants is collaboration, an imperative for the industry if we are to achieve our goal of increasing the value of international education to New Zealand to $5 billion by 2025,” says Grant McPherson, Chief Executive of Education New Zealand.

    The IEGF offers co-funding to new and innovative projects targeted at international markets. Education New Zealand invests between $10,000 and $50,000 per project to match successful applicants' funding.

    “Over three funding rounds we have invested just over $2 million in 59 growth projects that have helped develop new education products, opened the door to new markets, and facilitated contacts that will lead to new business or investment.

    “International education brings social and cultural benefits to New Zealand, as well as contributing to economic growth, and we welcome opportunities to develop the market offshore for our world-class education programmes, products and services,” says Mr McPherson.

    Applications for round four of the International Growth Fund open on 1 September 2014.

  • Think New Kicks Off in Thailand

    Running from 5 August to 31 October, the campaign’s objectives are to generate enquires from prospective students which will then be followed up on by ENZ Recognised Agencies.

    The campaign will promote New Zealand education generally, but advertising will primarily target prospective school and tertiary students in line with current demand.

    The campaign follows recent campaign activity in China, India, Brazil and Japan.

    Thailand is a priority market for Education New Zealand with significant potential for growth.

    The number of Thai students studying in New Zealand increased by 6 per cent in 2013 and along with ENZ’s new structure within the region, the campaign is the start of increased focus on New Zealand’s largest source country of international students in ASEAN.

    Download the campaign overview

    Visit the campaign website.

  • Online visa application update

    Immigration ONLINE – Student will allow international students around the world to apply, pay fees and upload supporting documents online. The new service will be available to full fee paying, scholarship, exchange and English language students.

    Student applicants will still need to provide passports. This can be done offshore through Visa Application Centres or, if the applicant is already in New Zealand, through the INZ Palmerston North office.

    Apply on behalf of functionality – for INZ’s third party partners such as immigration advisers, education agents and education providers – is now set to go live in 2015. Later this year INZ will provide more specifics around the delivery timing in 2015.

    While the new system provides international students with a new way to apply for their visas, it does not affect existing services. All current student visa processes remain.

    Education agents can continue to use current methods of applying on behalf of applicants, and information about Immigration ONLINE – Student is being made available to agents so they can continue to give advice about application options to prospective student.

    For further information, please read detailed question and answers on Immigration New Zealand’s website.

  • Insight into China Education Developments

    Produced by our China team, the latest report provides a roundup of China’s education developments during the first half of 2014 and follows their January report which was picked up and reported around the world.

    Sam Mackay, Senior Education Manager in Beijing, says the Insight Report is the China team’s way of keeping industry up-to-date with changes in the region.

    “There’s so much information flying around about Chinese education developments that it can be hard to keep current. We developed the China Insight Report so you can stay abreast of the key trends in this top priority market for New Zealand.”

    “We’ve also tried to deliver it in an engaging manner. You can contemplate our ‘questions to ponder’, try your luck at some of this year’s Gaokao questions, and even enjoy a (somewhat related) dance clip.”

    Download the China Insight report here. We welcome feedback to china@enz.govt.nz.

    Quick summary:

    • The number of Chinese students heading overseas rose in 2013, but at a slower rate than previous years.  

    • Chinese international student enrolments in New Zealand rebounded, exceeding the 25,000 mark for the first time since 2007. Strong growth occurred in the school and university sectors.

    • Postgraduate student numbers within China are falling due to the introduction of tuition fees. Interest in ‘professionally oriented’ postgraduate programmes, however, is rising.

    • A record number of graduates are finding employment prospects tough. The expected monthly salary has fallen 2000 yuan over the past three years.

    • China’s vocational education system is being transformed. Changes to the exam system, institution entry processes and a boost in the number of higher vocational institutions are all in the works.

    • Global acceptance of Gaokao has increased as the exams get reformed. A technical stream to the exams will be introduced, and students will be able to sit their English exams periodically throughout the year.

    • Chinese parents are increasingly asking providers to illustrate the return on investment.

  • Student voice 2014

    Twenty six current and former international students came together from all around New Zealand to share their personal education experience about their time studying here.

    The first afternoon was all about fun and getting to know each other - a Matariki-themed scavenger hunt around Te Papa followed by a burger-making masterclass on a classic Kiwi BBQ and rounded off with a delicious pavlova decorating competition.

    The second day focused on workshops where students shared their New Zealand education stories. We wanted to find out what went well, and not so well, and where improvements could be made to increase satisfaction of international students experiences while in New Zealand.

    The workshops provided a platform for participants to provide advice to other international students, to hear their take on common statements and beliefs that are associated with education in New Zealand, and to network with international students from across the country.

    “I got to meet new people from all parts of the world and make new friends. I also felt the ENZ values our opinions and reviews by giving us importance. I would like to thank ENZ for giving us this platform,” said one student after Student Voice.

    This year we involved our 160k Facebook followers in Student Voice with followers getting amongst the event by interacting with the students and making comments. You can find photos and comments on our Facebook page or search Facebook for #NZstudentvoice2014.

    “It was a great experience. And I learned a lot from other students’ experience. And now I understand that I wasn’t the only one to experience difficulties initially in New Zealand.”

  • Showcasing NZ in cyberspace

    Lisa Futschek, Regional Director – Americas, Japan and Korea, said: “It all stemmed from an industry idea during the Latin American mission in November last year. It was dusk, we were all in a charter coach chugging over the crest of a steep hill and watching the millions of lights of Medellin miraculously materialise below us, when Prof. Al Gillepsie from the University of Waikato, mused about how we should be marketing New Zealand international tertiary education via subject rather than institution. Over a Colombian meal that evening, we sketched out a schematic on what that might look like and the seeds of the virtual fair were sown.”

    International Events Manager Caroline Carruthers said the experience for students was similar to physical fairs. “Students were able to ‘visit’ individual institution’s stands, view videos, pick up brochures and business cards, and ask providers questions.

    “It was interesting to note a change in the way students plan to study overseas. A lot of high school students were planning for their tertiary education overseas. A few years ago, high school students would only ask about high school courses and wouldn’t plan that far ahead.”

    “We are evaluating the feedback we received from the institutes who participated in this pilot and will evaluate if it’s an approach to roll out to other markets and add into our event mix.”

  • New appointments in South and South East Asia

    Including some new roles to support the existing and potential opportunities the region offers New Zealand education providers. 

    “The SSEA region accounts for around a quarter of all international students in New Zealand and offers significant export education opportunities as well. It is home to two of ENZ’s three tier one markets and our fastest growing market this year – India,” says Peter Bull, General Manager International.

    Peter says the new appointments will increase the depth of in-market expertise in marketing, business development and government relations, as well as ensure strong coordination with NZ Inc agencies and the education sector in New Zealand. 

    Following the appointment of Ziena Jalil, as Regional Director – SSEA from 1 July, the latest additions to the region include:

    Sarah Stabler has been appointed Lead – Public Relations/Marketing (SSEA). This is a new role and aims to provide stronger marketing and PR expertise and leadership in the region to increase awareness of New Zealand as a study destination and to lead the delivery of ENZ PR and marketing activity. Sarah is currently Senior Director at PR agency Baldwin Boyle Shand in Singapore and has more than 16 years of PR and marketing experience in South East Asia. Sarah is based in Singapore.   

    Grant Fuller has been contracted as a Senior Advisor to work on a specific project with ENZ in-market staff and the Business Development team in New Zealand to develop a strategy for realising the many business development opportunities that the region offers. Grant is a former New Zealand Trade Commissioner to Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore and has considerable in-market experience.  

    Jugnu Roy has been appointed Lead – Events (SSEA). In this role, Jugnu will provide leadership to ENZ’s SSEA marketing staff on developing and implementing an events strategy which supports New Zealand institutional needs. Jugnu has most recently been ENZ’s Marketing and Strategic Relations Manager for South Asia and will continue to perform this function while taking on leadership for regional events as well. Jugnu is based in New Delhi. 

    Francesca Hilbron has been appointed Lead – International Market Manager, South and South East Asia, Japan and Korea. Francesca’s role provides the conduit between ENZ in-market staff and New Zealand strategic relationships. It also provides leadership for activities such as Ministerial missions and bilateral meetings. Francesca has most recently been ENZ’s International Market Manager for South Asia, Japan and Korea and brings useful NZ Inc experience to the role, having also worked for Immigration New Zealand. Francesca is based in Wellington. 

    Johnny Tramoundanas-Can has been appointed International Market Manager, South East Asia and reports to Francesca Hilbron. Johnny has joined ENZ from the Tertiary Education Commission where he was most recently Private Secretary in Minister Joyce’s office. Johnny is based in Wellington. 

    In addition, ENZ will shortly be recruiting for another new role – Marketing and Strategic Relations Manager Malaysia, to be based in Kuala Lumpur. 

    “Malaysia is a very important market for New Zealand given the high value of students who come from there. However, recent changes in-market have meant that our student numbers are down. This role will play an important function in strengthening in-market relationships and strongly driving awareness for New Zealand in this key market,” says Ziena Jalil, ENZ Regional Director SSEA. 

    “There are exciting times ahead for the South and South East Asia team, with ASEAN 2015 commemorations and the Cricket World Cup coming up, among many other activities. Our team is determined to ensure we make the most of these opportunities for New Zealand’s education sector,” says Ziena. 

    For further information on ENZ plans for SSEA please contact Ziena Jalil at: ziena.jalil@enz.govt.nz

  • What’s new in The Brand Lab?

    We received an overwhelmingly helpful response when we asked for ideas for locations and talent for the recent photo shoot – thanks to everyone who made us feel so welcome.

    “It was lovely to get out around the country to get a wide range of new photos, including shots of primary and co-ed schools, unique ITP and PTE courses, Saudi students, technology and education and general life in New Zealand,” says Kaylee Donald, International Brand Manager.

    “We’ve now got over 800 photos for you to choose from when you are putting together your marketing material, or looking for pictures that show what it is like to be a student in this country.”

    “At the moment we are working on a set of exciting ‘Day in the Life of’ videos, following current students as they go through their day including home and study life.”

    “To keep the videos relevant for all sectors, the specific institution the student is at will not be shown and each video will focus briefly on their studies and then capture what they do outside of study.”

    “We will be including things that might seem ordinary, like catching a bus to school, but we know that prospective students want to be able to get a feel for what actual life in New Zealand will be like.”

    “I can’t think of anyone better to tell our stories than the students that are here experiencing everything this country has to offer,” says Kaylee.

    The new photos are available now in The Brand Lab and the videos are expected to be available in November.

  • Immigration ONLINE-Student goes live

    The new service is available to full fee paying, scholarship, exchange and English language students. Students will find the login box here: 

    Student applicants will still need to provide passports, either through Visa Application Centres offshore or, if the applicant is already in New Zealand, through the INZ Palmerston North office.

    Once label-less visas (e-visas) become widely available in 2015, most applicants will no longer need to send in their passports along with their applications.  

    Next year, INZ’s third party partners such as immigration advisers, education agents and education providers will be able to apply for visas on behalf of their student clients.

    Until then, all current application methods will remain available. Advisers and providers can help students complete the form, but for now, the student must submit it until ‘apply on behalf ‘becomes available.

    Further information about INZ’s Immigration ONLINE project can be found here.

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