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Introducing Sharon-May McCrostie, ENZ’s new Director Sector Engagement
Can you tell us about your professional background including the role you had prior to joining ENZ?
After graduating from the University of Waikato with a Bachelor of Management Studies specialising in Japanese and International Business, I joined the primary export sector. I held a range of sales, marketing and business development roles in the seafood and horticultural sectors with a focus on Asian markets, including with ENZA (the NZ Apple and Pear Marketing Board) in Singapore. My first job was in Bluff, exporting live lobster!
Prior to joining ENZ, I spent 20 years with New Zealand Trade and Enterprise in a range of roles supporting NZ exporters to realise their international growth ambitions. In my last role there, I was Customer Director where I led a team of customer managers supporting digital technology and services exporters across the central New Zealand region.
What are your thoughts on your new role so far?
I feel I have joined ENZ at the perfect time as the team here comes together to co-create next year’s business plan. Early in the role, I was catapulted into focus groups with sub-sectors to understand their priorities and ensure we focus on the right opportunities and challenges to enable the international education sector to flourish. Providers were generous in sharing insights and setting expectations for ENZ, providing important input into the business planning process.
As we work through the process, I have been incredibly impressed with the knowledge of my team and the wider ENZ team, and admire the depth of passion and ambition to ensure we make a difference to the sector.
What do you see as the challenges and potential opportunities for our sector?
The market for international learners is hyper competitive, and our main competitors are driving hard to win market share in the face of ongoing global uncertainty. New Zealand has an excellent reputation for education, but we must be smarter and nimbler to maintain an edge over our competitors and attract quality learners to NZ.
We must continue to build brand awareness and enable agents and providers to provide a compelling case for choosing a NZ education. As the sector shifts from recovery to rebuild, it is an opportunity to think differently about how we partner with the sector to co-create a robust, resilient, and innovative sector that meets the needs of the future learner: I am excited to be part of that conversation.
Outside of work, what do you like to do?
Wellington is blessed with rolling hills that embrace the harbour, and I love running its trails and taking in the soaring views. I also love to swim – mostly in a pool, with the occasional plunge in the ocean. Otherwise, I love to read, rummage through op shops for vintage china and linen, and hang out with my daughters who are my biggest teachers.
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The new Study with New Zealand study matching tool is now live
Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) has launched this revamped study matching tool on the SwNZ website to replace the previous MyStudyNZ tool. It is a useful tool for Aotearoa New Zealand's education providers to be able to promote their courses to students online.
Geoff Bilbrough, ENZ’s General Manager of Marketing said that with the launch of the new StudywithNewZealand website, it was important to continue with the study matching tool as feedback from the sector had indicated it was a valuable tool for providers to connect with potential students and make them aware of the courses they offered.
"The sector told us that the previous matching tool, MyStudyNZ, had been positively received and tended to generate leads that were more engaged.
“We believe this new tool will continue to provide significant benefits to education providers and prospective students as it guides international students to study options that match their personal interests and past qualifications.
“To get the most out of the new tool, it is important that education providers’ profiles and course listings on the SwNZ site are up to date and accurate. This will help present your institution and your courses to the right students”, he added.
While ENZ does carry out a major data upgrade for all institutions twice a year (via our partner IDP), now is a good time to check your information is displaying accurately on our Study with New Zealand website. Education providers will have recently received an email with information on how to do this. It is a very straightforward process, and ENZ encourages providers to check their profiles and ensure that the name of your institution or school is correct and that your profile makes the most of all the features the system offers. Make sure your keywords are relevant and your profile includes full descriptions and photos to help you stand out to potential students.
Tertiary providers are being asked to check course study mode, start dates, costs, venue, and the duration as this information is used in the new study matching tool and the SwNZ search tool. The link to the admin platform to be able to check these details is available here: www.idp-connect.com/sign-in
If you did not receive this email, do not currently have access to the admin platform, or have any questions about the tool, you can email: info@studywithnewzealand.govt.nz.
A how to guide for tertiary providers has been developed and is available here.
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NZ strengthens education ties in North America
The visit was an opportunity to form relationships with international ministerial counterparts and key stakeholders, lead and participate in policy dialogue, and promote understanding of Aotearoa New Zealand’s education system and reforms.
Minister Tinetti began her action-packed week of engagements in Ottawa, Canada where she hosted a round table lunch on international indigenous education at the New Zealand Official Residence. This was attended by Patty Hadju, Minister of Indigenous Services and representatives from Indigenous Services Canada, the Canadian Commission for UNESCO, the Canadian Ministry of Education, the Canadian Bureau of International Education, and Global Affairs Canada.
In between formal engagements, Minister Tinetti took time to visit York Street Public School where, as a former teacher and Principal, she enjoyed connecting with local students and teachers.
Following a busy few days in Canada, Minister Tinetti and her delegation moved on to Washington D.C for the International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP). The ITSP conference brings together 22 countries to discuss how to strengthen the teaching profession and ensure all students have access to quality education.
ENZ’s Director of Engagement, Americas, Middle East and Europe, Dubois Jennings said Minister Tinetti made it clear that New Zealand valued the potential opportunities for mutually beneficial collaboration, and her interest in developing these relationships.
“Minister Tinetti used her time at ISTP to make important connections with other countries, several senior US education officials and experts in specific areas of interest for New Zealand. Those interests include national policies around compulsory education, teacher training, professional development, higher education and vocational training” he said.
Minister Tinetti with China Education Vice Chancellor Chen Jie
Whilst in Washington D.C, Minister Tinetti also met with China Vice Minister of Education, Chen Jie. This bilateral meeting between New Zealand and China adds to the list of engagements at the Ministerial and Officials level over the past few months adding value to the strong education relationship between our two countries.
Later in the week Minister Tinetti attended the ANZAC Dawn Service where she had the opportunity to meet with Australia's Minister for Education Jason Clare.
Left: Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Lee Satterfield and Minister Tinetti at the US Department of State.
Minister Tinetti meeting with US officials at the Department of State
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Survey shows that New Zealand is among top destinations for Brazilians who study abroad
Belta’s annual survey, sponsored by Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ), was conducted between December 2022 and April 2023 with 763 students and 317 international education agents from all regions of Brazil surveyed to assess their perceptions of international education. The survey results were shared at a recent event in Sao Paolo with dozens of agents and media attending, in person and virtually, to hear about the survey’s latest findings.
ENZ’s Market Development Manager in Brazil, Bruna de Natale, delivered a short speech ahead of the results release. She said it was positive to see so much interest in the release of the survey results, especially when the results revealed that New Zealand continues to rank strongly as an international education destination amongst Brazilian students.
“In this most recent survey, New Zealand moved to seventh position on the list of top education destinations sought by Brazilians who studied abroad, compared to before the Covid-19 pandemic when it was in eighth place. The main reason driving country choice for the students surveyed is the quality of life – New Zealand ranks very well for the quality of life, education, and the protection of civil rights.
“The quality of teaching is another reason given by those surveyed when choosing New Zealand and 60% of participants rated the quality of our English schools and language programmes as good or excellent. It is fantastic to see that New Zealand continues to attract attention as a quality international education destination and it is certainly on the radar as a desired destination for future exchange students,” said Bruna.
Of the international education agents who were surveyed, 52.9% reported that the demand for students interested in New Zealand has remained stable since the borders reopened, while 20.6% recorded growth in interest. This group projects that the numbers of Brazilian students travelling to New Zealand will return to pre-pandemic levels in 2023 and 2024, with the highest flows expected for the first (35.3%) and second quarters of 2024 (32.4%), with demand increasing gradually from the first quarter of 2023.
For a copy of the full survey in English, please email belta@belta.org.br.
Bruna delivering an introductory speech at an event which released the results from Belta’s survey on international education.
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Celebrating the University of Auckland’s 140-year journey in China
The University of Auckland recently commemorated its 140-year journey in China with a series of events held in six major cities across China, including Beijing, Guangzhou, and Chengdu. The celebrations took place from the 12th to 22nd May and were co-hosted by the University of Auckland, the University of Auckland International College (UP Education) and the University of Auckland English Language Academy. Education New Zealand’s Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) China based team provided on-the ground support throughout the ten days of events.
Michael Zhang, ENZ’s Regional Director for Greater China noted the success of the commemorations in showcasing the study experience at New Zealand’s biggest university while fostering connections with agents and prospective students in China.
“Marking this anniversary milestone for the University of Auckland in China was a special occasion and proved a good opportunity for the University to rebuild international education connections with its Chinese stakeholders, highlighting its programmes and offerings.
“ENZ enjoyed being part of the celebrations, helping facilitate reconnections, and it was a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness for New Zealand amongst agents and parents. This was the largest New Zealand provider-hosted series of events in the post-Covid era in China,” said Michael.
Beyond providing updated information about academic programmes, the events also featured inspiring testimonials from alumni in China who shared their study experiences at the University of Auckland. Promoting such narratives helps to further strengthen New Zealand and the University’s reputation and influence in China.
The resounding success of the events and the positive response from attendees reflect the strong recovery of the international education sector, including for New Zealand as a destination, in China.
Standing room only at the Beijing students’ information session
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Market webinar for Schools: Monday 24 July
Nau mai haere mai,
Schools are invited to hear from Education New Zealand’s Manapou ki te Ao in-market specialists in Japan, China, Korea, Viet Nam and Thailand on Monday 24 July from 2pm to 4pm (NZT). The team will provide updates on the latest market information, trends and advice. There will also be time for questions. This is good timing for those travelling to events from August to October.
Please email mary.camp@enz.govt.nz to request the meeting details. This will be held via Zoom.
For those who cannot make this time, the webinar will be recorded. A link to the recording will be available following the seminar, by request to Mary.
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Thai delegation signs MOUs with two NZ universities
Education New Zealand’s Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) Programme Manager, Jaruwan Pongjaruwat, led the Thai delegation from Rajamangala University of Technology (RMUT) and Silpakorn University (SU). The delegation visited several universities and Te Pūkenga business divisions across both the North and South islands in the last week of May.
Jaruwan said that the main aim of the visit was to facilitate a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing between RMUT and the University of Otago and between SU and the University of Canterbury. It also proved a good opportunity to further develop the relationship that these offshore partners have with Te Pūkenga.
“It was an absolute pleasure to accompany this group of senior officials from RMUT and SU around New Zealand. The visit gave the RMUT delegation members an opportunity to revisit institutions which they have previously partnered with for student and teacher mobility projects, including Wintec, Weltec and Otago Polytechnic.
RMUT and SU delegates see how Wintec manages engineering material and resources across different disciplines.
“It also provided an opportunity for our delegation to visit new education providers such as the University of Waikato and the University of Canterbury to learn more about the areas in which these institutions excel. They particularly enjoyed learning more about what each institution has to offer and seeing how New Zealand education providers link research to commercial products and services. On top of that, delegates also had the opportunity to visit Weta Workshops and have dinner at Bellamy's restaurant in The Beehive whilst in Wellington," said Jaruwan.
Thai delegates visiting the University of Canterbury’s Faculty of Engineering
It is hoped that this visit will lead to future projects in the areas of teacher development, articulation programmes, student mobility and a joint foundation programme. The joint foundation programme will now be extended to cover students studying science and health science, allowing students a pathway to all eight New Zealand universities.
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ITENZ International Education Forum 18 May
As part of Education New Zealand’s Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) objective to give attendees a better understanding of ENZ’s direction of travel for the coming year, Geoff Bilbrough, General Manager Marketing and Communications presented at the forum. He gave a high-level view of ENZ’s marketing plans for the coming year including marketing and branding insights from recent research. ENZ’s Global Citizens Manager, Tyler Te Kiri, delivered a presentation on the Prime Minister’s Scholarship to Asia and Latin America scheme, what opportunities are available to the PTE sector and how PTE students can take part. The forum also included a speed meeting session with Auckland based ENZRA agents.
ENZ’s General Manager of Sector Engagement, Wendy Kerr said that it was important that we support the sector in a way that grows inbound students’ mobility for Aotearoa New Zealand in the next 12 months.
“Initiatives like the ITENZ International Forum encourage a collective approach to promote New Zealand education internationally. Since borders reopened in August 2022, all sub sectors have experienced a return of student visa holders. We look forward to working closely with the sub sectors to continue this upward trajectory,” added Wendy.
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From the CE: Building the momentum at NAFSA 2023
Kia ora koutou,
I’m writing this in an airport lounge in Vancouver, Canada as I wait for my flight back to New Zealand. I’ve spent the past two weeks in North America with several of our tertiary education providers at NAFSA, the world’s biggest international conference and exhibition, and here in Canada. In last month’s column I reflected on the delegation I led to India.
These trips involve lots of hard work from many people – time, effort, money and being away from whānau. They are always valuable and this one was no different.
Two things stood out from me on this journey.
We must continue all our efforts to ensure people know we are open, and we are welcoming of students into New Zealand. A lot of good work is occurring across the sector and ENZ but we need to keep going.
The last time I looked Immigration had received close to 50,000 student visa applications since August from both outside and within New Zealand. It’s a good start considering our borders have not been open for a year yet and it’s wonderful to have international students back at our education providers and in our communities. But we need to keep telling New Zealand’s education story and reestablish our partnerships and relationships.
I was again reminded how intense the competition is to attract students to New Zealand as we all continue to rebuild. There were nearly 10,000 attendees, 400 exhibitors and over 50 countries represented at NAFSA. New Zealand has a very good story to tell based on the quality of our education, the experience the students have when they study here, and the excellent people that work in this sector.
Rebuilding is not an easy task. I don’t think any of us thought it was going to be. There are plenty of articles and news stories identifying challenges being faced by other countries. New Zealand is in an excellent position to attract great students who receive a leading education and have a life changing experience.
India. The United States. Canada. No matter the geography. The message is the same. Ten months in we’ve made a good start, but we have work to do.
Whāia te iti kahurangi; ki te tuohu koe, me he maunga teitei
Aim for the highest cloud, so that if you miss it, you will hit a lofty mountain.
Ngā mihi nui,
Grant McPherson
- International photo round-up
