22 August 2019 at 9:00 am
The International Education Strategy – one year on
Last year’s NZIEC saw the launch of the International Education Strategy 2018 - 2030. This year’s conference was an opportunity for government agencies Education New Zealand (ENZ), Ministry of Education (MoE), Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) to give an update on how government is tracking towards delivering on the Strategy’s three goals, and take related questions.
Goal one: Delivering an excellent education and student experience
Progress on goal one includes:
- Launching NauMai NZ. ENZ has launched NauMai NZ, an online platform providing accurate, relevant information to help international students before they arrive and while they’re studying in New Zealand.
- Reviewing migrant exploitation. MBIE is leading a cross-agency review of the exploitation of temporary migrant workers and international students.
- Supporting wellbeing initiatives. MoE administers an annual funding round for international student wellbeing initiatives. Initiatives that have been funded have had very positive outcomes for students.
- Strengthening English language requirements. NZQA has strengthened English language proficiency requirements for international students.
- Relaunching ENZRA. The ENZ Recognised Agency programme was relaunched in November 2018.
- Introducing new protections. MoE has introduced amendments to the Code of Practice including new contract and disciplinary protections, clearer requirements for residential caregiver safety checks, and more detailed requirements for monitoring education agents.
Goal two: Achieving sustainable growth
Progress on goal two includes:
- Forming an innovation-focused group. A new pan-sector working group will inform the development of new education products that support the Strategy’s goals.
- Refresh of the Think New brand. ENZ has refreshed our Think New brand strategy, including creating the identity ‘I am New’.
Goal three: Developing global citizens
Progress on goal three includes:
- Developing an outbound mobility strategy. MoE has begun work on a new outbound mobility strategy. Objectives include increasing participation in exchange programmes by groups that have been historically underrepresented, including Māori and Pasifika students and students in lower decile schools.
- Focusing on international graduate employability. A new ENZ report, Employer Perceptions of Hiring International Graduates, found New Zealand SME employers value the keen attitude and positive contribution made by New Zealand-educated international graduates.
