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• Qualification comparability with Malaysia

  Projects such as these help increase New Zealand’s attractiveness as a study destination by reducing the barriers to employment for students returning home after graduating, and supporting the two-way flow of skilled professionals. Find out more here.

• Saudi event changes

  The 2016 International Exhibition and Conference on Education (IECHE) – traditionally the key recruitment event for the year – has been cancelled by the organisers.

  To ensure New Zealand continues to be promoted as an education destination to prospective students in 2016, ENZ is considering participating in IGEC’s upcoming International Educational Expertise Forum (IEEF) events in Jeddah and Riyadh on 24 - 27 April 2016.

  These events are expected to attract industry participants from Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Turkey and South Africa, as well as New Zealand.

  The IEEF events have received approval from the Saudi Ministry of Education and organisers are able to issue invitations for visas.

  To coincide with the IEEF events, ENZ will host an Agent Seminar at the New Zealand Embassy in Riyadh, and will support in-market networking with key scholarship sponsors.

  IEEF event registration

  Registration for IEEF is made by emailing the registration form directly to the organisers. The form is available on the Saudi events page, accessed via ENZ’s Event Calendar.

  ENZ’s Agent Seminar registration

  Registration for the Agent Seminar can also be done via ENZ’s Event Calendar.

  Please email questions to middleeast@enz.govt.nz.

• Saudi event for education exporters

  Ta’leem 2016 is a Ministry of Education-sponsored event focused on connecting providers of goods and services solutions to Saudi education buyers. Alongside an exhibition hall is a forum on education. This year’s theme for the event is Investment in Education.

  The event offers providers an opportunity to gain insight into the opportunities available in Saudi Arabia’s education sector, as well as meet potential buyers and distributors of products and services.

  Several New Zealand organisations are already committed to attend Ta’leem. You can find out more at www.iefe.sa

• NZ universities seek closer ties with Latin America

  The visit built on the universities delegation which accompanied Minister Joyce on his visit to the region in April this year.

  The clear takeaway from the visit was that Colombian, Brazilian and Chilean universities are very open to establishing agreements and developing joint activities with New Zealand counterparts.  Specific projects discussed were student and academic mobility (in both directions), organisation of workshops with researchers, double degree programmes, partnerships to fund sandwich or full PhDs and regular webinars to provide specific information on NZ education offerings.

  Meetings with agents, particularly in Brazil and Colombia, revealed an increase in the number of enquiries on tertiary education options.  Agents provided very positive feedback on NZ post-study and pathway visas making NZ more attractive for tertiary education students. However, initiatives such as the EU Schengen States announcing visa free access to Colombian students from 1 December 2015 are likely to have an impact on the numbers continuing to choose New Zealand.

  Javiera Visedo, ENZ Market Development Manager, ordinarily based in Santiago, is currently on a six month secondment in Bogota.  Lisa Futschek, ENZ Regional Director for the Americas, Japan and Korea, says “We are keen to explore first-hand the market potential in Colombia. Indications are very positive that this is a growth market for us.  But we need to significantly raise NZ’s profile and highlight NZ’s world-class education offerings, and that’s what we’re focusing on at the moment. The opening of a NZ Embassy in Bogota will provide a further springboard from which to continue raising awareness of New Zealand.”

  Julia Innocente-Jones, Director Victoria International, says “This visit has reinforced the many very real opportunities for NZ universities in Latin America.  Colombia in particular holds exciting potential for us.  We have made good in-roads in 2015 in beginning to establish the all-important relationships with our counterparts in-market.  We now need to devise a strategic plan to continue developing these relationships in 2016 and beyond.”

  In addition to following up on the visit, key touch-points for NZ universities in Latin America in 2016 will be the ENZ March roadshow of marketing events, and LACHEC (Latin America and Caribbean Higher Education Conference) is being hosted in Bogota from 12-14 October.  LACHEC organisers are open to hosting a delegation from NZ, including a keynote speaker for the Conference.

  For information on specific outcomes to the visit, please contact:

  Julia.innocente-Jones@vuw.ac.nz or frances.little@aut.ac.nz

• Pulling in for a roadmap pit stop

  More than 200 participants from all sectors met across five centres to discuss where we are on the roadmap journey, what’s changed, and where we go next.

  The Strategic Roadmaps were developed in 2014 following extensive discussion and workshops to create a roadmap, or strategic plan, to achieve the 2025 goals for the international education industry.

  “It was good to reconvene and recognise the significant achievements of the past year, as well as look out to future challenges and consider what they could mean for the strategic choices that were identified in 2014,” says Greg Scott, ENZ Business Development Manager.

  “All 2014 strategic choices were put on the table to revisit and reconsider, and we’re working through the wealth of feedback industry gave us.”

  Feedback shows that diversifying markets, balancing growth across New Zealand, as well as strengthening cross-sector collaboration and pathways, continuing market-led product development, and growing capability are common top priorities.

  More detail on the reprioritised strategic choices by sector will be available in early 2016.

  Clive Jones, ENZ General Manager Business Development, says the pit stops showed a bright outlook: “Over 85% of participants indicated that they are more optimistic about their international education business than a year earlier, which is a good way to begin a new year.”

• Final cut on first sector story

  ENZ is delighted to share, along with Institutes of Technology & Polytechnics (ITPs) and Industry Training Organisations (ITOs), that the Professional and Vocational Education (PAVE) story is now complete and available on the Brand Lab.

  A sector story video, a set of key messages in the form of posters and a photography library was produced in collaboration with a working group of ITPs and ITOs.

  “Building a strong New Zealand education industry and sector brands was prioritised by many during the Strategic Roadmaps development last year. It’s great to see this first sector story coming to fruition, and I’m looking forward to seeing the schools and universities stories next,” says Business Development General Manager Clive Jones.

  The PAVE sector story delivers a message of New Zealand’s applied learning and real-world skills using imagery of hands at work.

  “This concept immediately communicates the style of education in this sector, and demonstrates the huge range of industries, jobs and futures these skills are important for. It highlights the advantages and outcomes of learning from a culture that is inherently hands-on and practical, and connects strongly with our Think New brand,” says Kaylee Donald, International Brand Manager.

  The Professional and Vocational Education (PAVE) story collateral is available in the Sector Stories folder located under the Marketing section on the Brand Lab, and you can check out the story video here.

   

• Merry Christmas from ENZ

  Earlier this month I was forwarded a message from the proud and grateful parents of a Chilean ‘penguin’ secondary school student. The parents of this student were sharing with his school how energised and enthused their son had returned home, filled with new experiences, friends and knowledge.

  “Our beloved son is back home. His smile remains the same…his enthusiasm and spirit have been renewed. He comes bearing experiences, friends, brothers and sisters, voices and knowledge,” they wrote.

  It was an inspiring and moving letter, and one that reminded me why we are all involved in international education. One of the benefits of this industry is that it can positively change lives, and not only for the students. The three exchange students my own family have hosted this year have also taught me this.

  At ENZ we don’t see or hear of the individual impact studying in New Zealand has on students, their families and our communities as often as you do, and we can’t measure it in the same way as we can their economic contribution. We know it has an impact though, and it was nice to hear of this example.

  I want to wish you, your families and your students a safe and enjoyable summer holiday.

  I’m looking forward to working with you in the New Year. Till then, have a refreshing and well deserved break.

  Grant.

• Pathway visa announced

  This is great news for our industry and one of the priority actions identified in the international education industry strategic roadmap developed in 2014.  

  The pathway student visa will allow international students to undertake up to three consecutive programmes of study with selected education providers on a single visa that is valid for up to five years. A pathway programme can be offered by a single provider, or by a group of providers. For example, a student could obtain a pathway visa to study for three consecutive years at a school, or obtain a visa to undertake a year of study at an English language institution, progress to a year-long foundation programme, and follow that with a three-year degree programme.

  Over 500 primary, secondary and tertiary institutions have been invited to participate in the 18 month pilot on the basis that they have a student visa application approval rate of 90 percent or higher for the 2014/15 financial year. A list of participating New Zealand education providers is available on the Immigration New Zealand (INZ) website.

  The 18 month pilot period started on 7 December and will enable INZ to evaluate pilot outcomes, such as student transition rates from the first to the second programme of study and how well the arrangements between education providers are working.

  Find out more about the key conditions and features of the pathway visa on the Immigration New Zealand website here.

• Indian student success stories in the news

  You can read summaries of the stories below, and follow the link to read the article in The Hindu. To read the Woman’s Weekly article, you’ll need to get hold of a copy of the magazine itself.

  ENZ is keen to facilitate more of this sort of coverage at home and abroad, so please send your ideas for such stories to media@enz.govt.nz.

  INDIA: Design in New Zealand

  

  Aniket Ujjainkar, an Indian international student was profiled last week in a leading Indian newspaper, The Hindu, which has a daily circulation of more than 1.3 million. Anikat recently secured his dream job as a Creature Assistant Technical Director at Weta Digital. He credits his success to the practical, hands on teaching approach he experienced at Media Design School where he studied towards a Bachelor of Art and Design degree. Film and animation studies are niche courses that New Zealand has particular expertise in. Animation is an emerging market in India with good job prospects and is gaining popularity with students. It is through profile pieces like this that we are raising awareness about New Zealand’s offering in this area. One of New Zealand’s strengths is our focus on work-ready graduates and this first-hand student account powerfully demonstrates how students can apply their skills from study to the workforce. ENZ first met with Aniket when Media Design School kindly hosted an Indian journalist as part of ENZ’s media familiarisation programme.

  NEW ZEALAND: Everest record breakers – Southland Sisters’ Double Joy

  

  This month ten recipients of the Indian New Zealand Sports Scholarships completed their year-long scholarships at New Zealand institutions. Tashi and Nungshi Malik studied a graduate diploma in sport and recreation at the Southern Institute of Technology in Invercargill and were featured in the 23 November issue of the New Zealand Woman’s Weekly magazine.  In April the twins became the youngest in the world to complete the “Explorers Grand Slam” – having reached the North and South pole as well as climbing the seven highest peaks of the world including Mount Everest. They also champion women’s rights, using their mountaineering as a metaphor to demonstrate that women can achieve to the same heights as their male counterparts. The article highlights New Zealand’s reputation as a peaceful destination with friendly people and a great outdoor lifestyle.

  After meeting the group of scholarship students. ENZ saw the human interest aspect in the twins’ story and contacted the magazine. Telling the story of international students and their contribution to New Zealand is a priority for ENZ.

• Farm Cove Intermediate and Luoyang International School: Sister Schools

  International education a priority

  At Farm Cove Intermediate (FCI) international education goals are included in our strategic documentation, as this is an area of high priority.  We recognise the importance of our FCI community becoming Asia-equipped with our Asian neighbours now such a significant part of our lives. However, our FCI links with Asia go far beyond obligation and responsibility as we get so much enjoyment from sharing with both students and teachers from other cultures.  Since our first group arrived from Japan 27 years ago, we have experienced the enormous value of celebrating cultural diversity through our hosting of international students from Asia.

  Sister School relationship established

  We’ve particularly enjoyed hosting students and teachers from our sister school, Luoyang International School (LYIS), which is in Luoyang City, Henan Province, China.  Our relationship with LYIS began with a surprise email from their Principal, Jason Tsai, in 2012.  He had visited our school when he was working in Auckland several years ago.  His aim was to connect with an Auckland school and he believed that we would be a good fit to host a group of his students for short visit. We learnt that LYIS was four schools in one, from pre-school to college, and that students boarded five nights a week.  This modern school of 2500 students was built only four years ago and has a focus on English language learning and using a variety of teaching methodologies.  Our planning all came together and, in less than a year, 15 students arrived for a four week stay, accompanied by the principal and a teacher.  The teacher spent her time working alongside our teachers, while the students mixed freely with their classmates and quickly became part of our school.  The visit went so well that they visited us again in 2014, when we signed a sister school agreement to further promote teacher and student exchange and broaden our educational horizons by adding a global perspective. We agreed to join hands as sister schools and seek opportunities for purposeful, genuine and authentic communication.

  

   

  Collaborative Poetry- a challenge but fun. Students were given Chinese names by the students.

  Sister school visit enabled

  After an initial scoping visit by four FCI teachers to LYIS, and with the blessing from our Board of Trustees we decided to take a group from FCI to China. Support from ENZ’s New Zealand China Sister Schools Fund enabled us to take two teachers on the visit.

  The trip far exceeded our expectations.  It provided amazing opportunities, was so much fun and changed us all.  There were many high fives, welcome to China hugs, hand-made gifts and songs sung as we mixed with the LYIS students.  They had spent months preparing for us.  We enjoyed lessons in practical science, calligraphy, Chinese music, English, Mandarin and physical education.  A night in homestays allowed our students to get a glimpse into Chinese life; the food was really yummy and the excursions to local points of interest were truly memorable.

  Our trip to LYIS really advanced our sister school relationship.  We have developed life-long friends and deepened our understanding of Chinese culture and the Mandarin language.  Our learning flowed out across our school and the wider community, as we shared our daily experiences through social media while we were on the road, and presented to our whole school on our return.  

  Relationship set to grow

  Planning is underway for a group from LYIS to visit us, and for a larger group from FCI to return to Luoyang in 2017. Short-term teacher exchanges are also being discussed.

  

  Students greatly enjoyed learning the art of calligraphy.

  Tips and insights

  If you’re thinking of establishing a sister school relationship in China, here are some things to consider.

  • Do you have the support of your school community for such a venture – including your Boards of Trustees, teachers, parents and the students?  You will need all of these stakeholders to support a successful relationship.

  • Are there good lines of communication between the school in China, or their agent, and your school?  This is essential, so that clear understandings and expectations are established and the potential for any misunderstandings minimised. 

  • How easy is it to travel to the Chinese school from New Zealand and for them to travel to you, and how long will it take to complete the journey? China is vast, and it can take three or more flights plus a lengthy train or coach trip to get to some districts. 

  • How much will it cost each participant?  The cost for families to send their child on the trip, plus the cost of sending the teachers, needs to be calculated. It is important that the group has a clear understanding of what is and is not covered by the trip budget.

  • What sort of preparation is required by students, teachers and parents? Good preparation – especially on the part of the students – is a critical factor as it underpins the success of the trip.  You can support the preparation for Chinese students to come to you by sharing facts, photos, videos and links through social media.  At FCI we put a lot of emphasis on teaching our students to be excellent hosts.  In our experience, students travelling to Chinese schools take about ten weeks of lessons and three family meetings to gain the knowledge and skills that will enable them to have a positive experience.

  • Will your students feel comfortable in the Chinese school environment and vice versa?  China is a very different culture, even more so as you get away from the big cities. Similarly, life in your community is likely to be a totally new experience for the Chinese student.  It is our view that children need to experience cultural differences, but not be challenged to the point where they are overwhelmed. 

  • What does the district around your school and their school offer which would be of interest for the students?  Visiting special points of interest in the local district adds significantly to the experience for the students.

  We really value our sister school relationship with LYIS in China.  By hosting them twice and visiting with both a staff group and later with a student group, we are recognising more and more similarities between our cultures, and learning to appreciate the differences.  Future exchanges will allow us to have more fun, too, as we develop an even greater understanding of one another.

  We are very much looking forward to FCI LYIS China Trip 2017.

  Linda Harvie, Principal - Farm Cove Intermediate School