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  • Joint initiative supports school group visits

    To make the most of every opportunity to grow international education in schools across the country, Education New Zealand (ENZ) and the Schools International Business Association (SIEBA) have established a ‘clearing house’ for school student group visits.

    There is increasing interest from such groups in visiting New Zealand, particularly from Japan, China, Thailand and Korea. Schools aren’t always able to accommodate these visits however, so ENZ and SIEBA are working together to channel the enquiries through a clearing house that aims to say ‘yes’, as a starting point, to any request. The clearing house then works behind the scenes with its members to identify schools that are keen (and have the capacity) to host, determine appropriate pricing for the visit, and ultimately improve the experience of, and bring efficiencies to, group visits to New Zealand.

    ENZ is promoting the SIEBA clearing house service to its in-market networks, including agents and schools who are considering New Zealand as a destination for school group visits.

    The service is another ‘value add’ by SIEBA and is free to its members. If you are a school (irrespective of whether or not you are a SIEBA member) that receives requests to host a group but is unable to, ENZ asks that you forward the request on to SIEBA. For more information on the clearing house please contact groups@sieba.nz

    In the 17 February issue of E-News, we let you know about the Ministry of Education’s new online form for state and state-integrated schools to make it easier to register visiting groups of international students. Find out more about this here.

  • Noteworthy education programme featured during Prime Minister’s Trade Mission to Japan

    Hot on the heels of the Prime Minister’s Trade Mission to Southeast Asia in April, relationships with our partner countries in the region continued to be strengthened for the benefit of the education sector during New Zealand’s most recent trade mission to Japan. This mission supported export sectors, including education, to engage with the Japan market and leverage emerging opportunities while advancing the New Zealand brand.  The inclusion of education in the high-level visit acknowledges its contribution to the government’s ambition to lift the value of exports.  

    The strong people-to-people links between New Zealand and Japan are noteworthy with high student mobility in both directions. Japan is the third largest source of international students for New Zealand according to 2023 international student enrolment data with the school sector making up the largest proportion of enrolments. Japan is also a top destination for New Zealand scholars with many joining the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) programme and in the most recent Prime Minister’s Scholarship for Asia group announcement, three groups were awarded scholarships for programmes in Japan. 

    The international education sector was represented by two delegates nominated by ENZ to participate in the full business delegation. Cheryl de la Rey, Vice-Chancellor University of Canterbury, attended as Chair of the Vice-Chancellor’s Committee on behalf of the wider university sector and John van der Zwan, Executive Director, Schools International Education Business Association (SIEBA). Unfortunately, John had to withdraw due to illness.  

    The education programme elements woven into the high-level visit included a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing, a visit by Mrs Amanda Luxon to a local Japanese school, and scholarship students participating in the New Zealand Sports and Business Leadership luncheon.  

    MoU between Massey University and a group of all-girls secondary schools  

    The Prime Minister promoted awareness of New Zealand’s world-leading universities among high schools in Japan through witnessing the signing of an MoU between Massey University and six all-girls secondary schools in Japan.  

     

    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon witnessed the signing of the MoU between Massey University and six all-girls secondary schools in Japan.

    The memorandum signing ceremony was held at the New Zealand Embassy in Japan on 18 June. The MoU will develop a special admission system, enabling Massey University’s foundation or bachelor’s programmes to accept outstanding students recommended by the principals of the Japanese high schools. Through this agreement, students who meet Massey University's English and academic requirements and receive a recommendation from their schools will be able to enrol in Massey University's bachelor's programmes. Students can graduate with a degree in three years from the time they start their studies.  

    Shelly Turner, Deputy Vice Chancellor represented Massey University in Tokyo at the MoU signing and said at the signing “Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University has a long-standing relationship with Japan, reflecting our commitment to fostering international education and cultural exchange, and more recently we have seen a growing interest in our full degree programmes.  

    “We are dedicated to providing comprehensive support to ensure our Japanese students thrive academically and personally. We recognise the crucial role of women and girls in tertiary education and are committed to empowering them to achieve their full potential during their studies, and transition to successful careers,” said Shelly.  

    The Japanese school Principals, including Japan Women’s University Senior High School Principal, Yumi Susuki also welcomed the new partnership.  

    “For the past 30 years, our school has deepened its understanding of New Zealand culture and society through language training programs in New Zealand. With the 2022 agreement between Education New Zealand and our school, and now the new special admission system with Massey University, we hope to build even richer relationships and empower our students to shape their future,” said Yumi.  

    The Japanese schools that signed the agreement participated in the 'New Zealand Education Familiarisation Tour,' co-hosted by ENZ and Air New Zealand in March 2024. During the tour, they found a high level of compatibility with Massey’s educational philosophy, wide range of academic options, future-oriented learning environment, and extensive support for international students. 

    Homei Elementary School 

    Mrs Luxon with teachers and students at Homei Elementary School.

    International education opportunities were also highlighted in a well-received visit Mrs Luxon made to Homei Elementary School on 19 June (affiliated to Japan Women’s University). It was Mrs Luxon's first trip to Japan and her school visit enhanced New Zealand's presence and reputation among all-girls' schools and universities in Japan.  

    In 2022, an Education Cooperation Arrangement between ENZ and Japan Women's University (JWU) and its affiliated schools including the Homei Elementary School was concluded to promote student and teacher exchange as well as gender equality and women’s empowerment.    

    From 2025, Homei Elementary School will send its first cohort of six graders (11-12 years old) to St. Margaret’s College for a short-term study and homestay experience.   

    Sports and Business Leadership Luncheon 

    The Sports and Business Leadership Luncheon held earlier in the programme on 17 June celebrated people-to-people connections and promoted New Zealand as an attractive study destination, including through the “Tobitate” scholarship programme.  

    The Tobitate programme, managed by Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), sends students abroad and New Zealand has welcomed many students as part of this initiative. Ten Tobitate Alumni were invited by ENZ to attend the lunch in support of the New Zealand – Japan sporting ties and to promote education opportunities in New Zealand to the Japanese audience.  

    The Prime Minister’s remarks during the event celebrated ten years of the Game on English programme (which combines rugby and study in New Zealand for Japanese high school students), highlighted Fonterra’s contribution to its success, and announced Air New Zealand as a new sponsor.  

    Upcoming Events in Japan for NZ education providers 

    ENZ’s Acting General Manager International and Regional Director Asia (excluding China), Ben Burrowes accompanied the delegation and said he is looking forward to the upcoming ENZ events in Japan.  

    “The team is preparing to welcome providers to Japan later this year for the New Zealand Fair and Agent Seminars from 6 to 8 October.   

    “The timing of Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s recent visit to Japan couldn’t have been better. We will look to further leverage this focus by continuing our work with the sector to promote New Zealand’s education offerings with prospective students, families and education stakeholders in Japan.”   

  • IEGF success key to Chile market

    Vital English’s success in Chile started in mid-2012 when ENZ staff introduced Vital English to STEP, an institute associated with the University of Santo Tomas that regularly tenders for Chilean Government bids in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL).

    Through this introduction, Vital English was able to identify an opportunity for developing an ESOL product based on an existing Vital English course that would be suitable for upskilling Chilean primary and secondary school teachers.

    Just a few months later, Vital English and STEP were involved in a Chilean Government pilot involving 380 teachers. The pilot saw teachers improve their Test of English for International Communication scores by one or more levels on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages in three months.

    Given that success, the Chilean Government sought to extend the pilot to a 12 month course in 2013 involving 4000 teachers.

    Vital English was under pressure to rapidly develop new content to meet the needs of this bid and attend a number of meetings with Chilean Government officials. While both STEP and Vital English could recognise the scope of the opportunity, neither party had sufficient resources available to meet these requirements within the required timeframe.

    “Fortunately, the IEGF was announced”, says Adrian. “Winning an IEGF has provided enough of a financial boost to allow Vital English to develop the required content and get to market quickly to maximise the opportunity.

    “The result of being able to respond quickly to the requirements of the Chilean Government has, without question, strengthened our position there and accelerated our ability to grow the market. It has led to Vital English being invited to participate in a further bid for providing ESL to 1000 secondary school students.

    “Vital English is now participating in three different Chilean Government bids worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. More importantly, the lessons learned from the partnerships formed, have opened the door to a new business model that Vital English is well positioned to maximise.”

    For more information on the IEGF, click here.

    About Vital English

    Vital English is a supplier of digital support products for international students throughout the student engagement lifecycle; from helping institutions build awareness in the market to communicating with alumni digitally. Central to the Vital Suite of products is a catalogue of online and blended English courses. Vital English supply these products globally working with institutions in New Zealand, Canada, Australia, South East Asia and the Americas.

    Vital English is happy to share more feedback from lessons learned in Chile. Please contact Adrian Sallis for more information. adrian.sallis@vitalenglish.com

  • Growth in EdTech great for NZ exports

    “Some of the major trends are now working in our favour,” says Mr Meade, Head of Strategy for Designworks in Wellington. “We are no longer isolated from new markets and increasingly students and consumers prefer to interact remotely, on their terms. This all presents a great opportunity for market growth.”

    The national EdTech for Export Conference (eT4e 2014) is on in Wellington on 19 and 20 June. It aims to connect the education sector with tech businesses to ensure New Zealand enjoys growth in this sector – now worth $86 billion globally and forecast to grow to $257 billion by 2017 and is organised by Grow Wellington and Education New Zealand. You can still register for the conference at www.edtechforexport.co.nz

    eT4e 2014 will be opened by Hon Steven Joyce, Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment and feature international speakers including;

    • Jennifer Carolan, head of NewSchools Venture Fund in California

    • Jan Zawadzki, founder of Hapara, a company which has already attracted investment from NewSchools from its work in New Zealand

    • Lee Wilson, the CEO of Wisconsin-based Filament Games

    • Dr Erkki Sutinen, head of the edTech Research Group at the University of Eastern Finland.

    An exciting range of speakers from New Zealand include;

    • Chris Meade, Head of Strategy for Designworks in Wellington

    • Dr Sue Watson, the founding CEO of Summit Education Asia Pacific, a division of the Commonwealth Education Trust

    • Silvia Zuur from Chalkle

    • Chris Bulman from CustardSquare

    • Noeline Anderson, director of digital publishing company Pixelhouse

    • Adrian Sallis from Vital English

    • Maru Nihoniho from Metia Interactive

    • Dave Moskovitz from WebFund.

  • Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Books

    New Zealand’s Guest of Honour presence at the Taipei International Book Exhibition (TIBE) had a strong education flavour as Education New Zealand staff and six education publishers participated alongside a cast of leading New Zealand authors and other New Zealand publishers.

    Education New Zealand contributed $100,000 to New Zealand organiser Publishers Association of New Zealand (PANZ) to support the participation of the Wendy Pye Group, ESA Publications; MJA Publishing; Lanky Hippo Publishing; the New Zealand Council for Educational Research; and Clean Slate Press at TIBE held over 11 – 16 February 2015.

    TIBE is the largest book fair in Asia and acts as a gateway to the region. In 2014, TIBE had more than 500,000 visitors, over 1,000 events for visitors or publishers, more than 700 domestic and international reporters and 423 international publishing houses in attendance. 

    This year TIBE brought in free entry for school-aged children, which was expected to boost visitor numbers as well as providing an expanded audience for Education New Zealand’s “Study in New Zealand” messaging.

    New Zealand’s Guest of Honour status ensured that we received prime positioning within the fair venue as well as enhanced interest and attention from media; Taiwan authorities; and industry representatives seeking to buy rights. 

    A wide-ranging programme included strong publisher presence, public presentations, kapa haka performances, carving by the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Council/Ngā Kete Tuku Iho, a visiting author programme, and offsite events including an art exhibition. The eye-catching New Zealand Pavilion – in a design of three Māori tokotoko (orator’s sticks) – exemplified New Zealand’s “Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Books” theme.

    “Education New Zealand has previously supported our education publishers’ attendance at such key international trade events, as it gives them the opportunity to explore new markets and opportunities in a dedicated business setting”, said ENZ’s Business Development Manager, Adele Bryant.

    “Dame Wendy Pye was busy at her stand following up leads she attributed to attendance at Frankfurt 2012 where New Zealand was also Guest of Honour and ENZ supported education publishers.”

    TIBE20Wendy20Pye

    Above: Dame Wendy Pye and a young Taiwanese student demonstrating one of Wendy’s education tools.

    While the delegation of education publishers represented a mix of experienced and new exporters, all were united in having high-quality products that represented New Zealand's reputation for innovation and quality education. 

    “ENZ support for TIBE and earlier scoping visits to Hong Kong and Seoul has helped profile our strengths in education publishing to Asian publishers. The New Zealand delegation has been able to understand how their product can better fit the market as well as meet new business leads”, said Adele.

    ENZ’s Regional Director – Greater China, Alexandra Grace, also delivered presentations profiling New Zealand as a high-quality education destination that fosters innovation and creativity in its students.

    “It was inspiring to deliver these presentations as part of New Zealand’s Guest of Honour programme”, said Alex.

    “Being part of a programme that included such creative and talented New Zealanders as Eleanor Catton, Witi Ihimaera, and Joy Cowley – not to mention our education publishers, who are seeking to inspire, delight, and educate children around the world with their innovative learning tools – was a real buzz. Their presence complemented perfectly the message I was seeking to make about New Zealand as a place where ideas and talent are nurtured and developed.”

    “I was also able to point to Eleanor Catton and Witi Ihimaera – both of whom teach at Manukau Institute of Technology – as being event-appropriate examples of how New Zealand delivers applied education in a way that is closely linked to industry.”

    Education New Zealand will continue to work with TIBE participants and other education publishers to assist them in finding opportunities to promote their products, skills and expertise offshore; as well as working to promote New Zealand as an education destination of choice to students from Taiwan.

    For further information on New Zealand’s participation at this year’s Taiwan International Book Exhibition, visit: www.publishers.org.nz

    To find out about other connections our education publishers made on their way to Taipei, read here. 

    Below: Inside the NZ pavilion ENZ Regional Director – Greater China, Alex Grace, presents on the strengths of NZ education publishing.

    TIBE20Alex20presso202a

  • Record numbers at Viet Nam fairs

    More than 300 students visited the fair in Hanoi and in Ho Chi Minh City attendance was up 86 per cent to more than 700 students, resulting in queues to speak to New Zealand institutions. 

    The fairs showcased 34 New Zealand education institutions from secondary schools, private English language colleges to technical colleges and tertiary institutions, all promoting their courses and campus life to Vietnamese students.

    Students and their parents also had the opportunity to learn about the various scholarships that are available from Viet Nam International Education Development and New Zealand Aid.

    Ziena Jalil, ENZ Regional Director for South and Southeast Asia said: “Viet Nam is an important market for New Zealand education institutions. With nearly 2,000 Vietnamese students already studying in New Zealand, it is the second largest source market within ASEAN for international students.

    “This year’s fairs in Viet Nam helped showcase the true spirit of New Zealand’s innovative education system and the pastoral care commitment that New Zealand institutions have for all students.”

    vietnam2

  • 164826 new zealand graduation celebration university students (1)

  • INZ student visa update: August 2024

    Post Study Work Visa – cross crediting study from post graduate diploma to masters 

    Provided eligibility is met, most level 8 post graduate diplomas will be eligible for a one year post study work visa (PSWV) with masters graduates eligible for a three year post study work visa. 

    In order to be eligible for a PSWV, post graduate diploma (level 8) and masters qualifications (level 9) require a minimum of 30 weeks full time study in the specific programme/qualification being presented for a PSWV. 

    Students must have held a student visa for that programme/qualification and apply for their PSWV within three months of the expiry date of the student visa for qualification they are presenting to INZ.

    Recently some students completed post graduate diplomas (PG dip) and cross credited directly into a taught masters. In these cases, the students did not undertake full time study in the masters for a minimum of 30 weeks full time in New Zealand, due to the cross credited PG Dip.

    This resulted in issues for the graduates when they applied for their PSWV. INZ is working directly with affected students and exploring options for them. However, it is important for agents and education providers to understand the PSWV rules.

    Eligibility for Post Study Work Visas following study at level 8 and 9 are: 

    • a minimum of 30 weeks full time study in that specific qualification, 
    • hold/held a student visa for that specific qualification, and
    • apply for their post study work visa within three months of the student visa expiry for that specific qualification.

    Although the initial coursework of a masters might be similar to, or the same as a post graduate diploma, the two programmes have different entry criteria and are recognised as separate qualifications. For students who want to cross credit their PG Dip to a masters and undertake some extra study in order to gain a three year PSWV for that masters, the student would need to have studied the masters itself full time for at least 30 weeks. 

    Note: Study weeks include exam preparation time, but exclude holiday periods and time spent repeating failed components.

    We will continue to engage with the education sector to ensure they are aware of the requirements for a post study work visa. If you have questions about this article and are an agent or student, please talk to your education provider in the first instance.

    Student visa peak – apply three months before intended travel

    The processing of international student visas is a key focus for INZ, particularly as we get closer to the end of the year.

    We are now coming into the period in which INZ receives the highest volumes of applications.

    As soon as they have all the documents they need to apply for their visa, students should submit their application three months before their intended travel date to give them the best chance of having their application decided in time. They can apply earlier than three months if they wish, as long as they have all the required information and documents.

    Our visa processing times are published on the INZ website and updated monthly: Visa processing times for international students

    New fees and levies for visas come into effect from 1 October 2024

    Earlier this month, the Government announced that the cost of applying for all visas will increase on 1 October 2024. 

    Until now, the immigration system has been heavily subsidised by taxpayers.

    The new fees have been set at a rate to recover the costs of assessing and processing each visa type and more accurately reflect the total service surrounding the immigration system.

    Student visa fees increase from $375 to $750. The post study work visa fee increases from $700 to $1670.

    Student visa fees differ depending on where the student applies from so be sure to check the new fees and levies here.

    It is also important to note that New Zealand does have agreements with some countries where student visa fees are waived, and these remain. You can find information here.

    INZ is receiving questions from the education sector on whether students can apply for visas now at the lower fee, and upload documents later once they are ready. 

    Applications received before 1 October 2024 will be charged the current fee, however if the applications are not ready for assessment because they are missing documents then this will result in delays or disappointment for the student. 

    INZ will not be contacting applicants if documents are missing from the application and, if the missing information is key to the assessment, then the applications may be declined.

    Please make sure you are advising students to submit their visa application when it is complete and ready for assessment. For more information, please see the student visa information sheets here - Student visa information | Immigration New Zealand

     

     

  • Thinking regionally, acting globally, at ANZA

    Education New Zealand (ENZ) extended its presence this year by creating a New Zealand pavilion, featuring 11 regional international education organisations hosted by regional representatives.  The Immigration New Zealand team, lead by Celia Coombes, joined the pavilion along with the ENZ team.  

    In addition to the pavilion, ENZ organised additional wrap-around events to both create a spirit of collaboration amongst the regional representatives, and maximise the networking with agents, New Zealand education providers and the team from ICEF.

    ENZ’s Regional Project Managers, Jo Keane and Sarah Gauthier, believe the regional approach boosted the  profile of New Zealand education as a whole, with Sarah commenting, “Each New Zealand region has its own distinctive characteristics and it’s important to raise awareness of these to agents so they can, in turn, promote them to international students.

    “ANZA was a great forum to showcase the diversity of our study options and the regional learning, living and working opportunities, and share the New Zealand Story with our agent audience” said Greg Scott, Programme Manager for the Regional Partnership Programme. 

    This year’s innovative approach to ANZA was regarded as a great success by the regional representatives, with Learning Hawke’s Bay’s Business Development Manager, Stephanie Kennard, commenting, “The Pavilion made a huge impact and was a talking point amongst many of the agents.  The stand, the ENZ presentation on the Wednesday afternoon and the networking event on Friday night were all brilliant!”

    Susanna Leisten, an ANZA attendee from Thames High School, says, “I felt so proud to be a Kiwi and am very grateful and appreciative of all your efforts and really enjoyed the ENZ Friday evening networking event. I have made some very useful contacts and am positive that the event you hosted made a big difference.”

    “We think that these types of collaborative platforms are essential – to strengthen the New Zealand education story with regional input and opportunities. We hope to do more of this in the future,” said Greg Scott.

    ENZ is now considering ways to incorporate regional international education organisations into other events and activities, demonstrating so effectively the learning, living and working opportunities for international students across all of New Zealand.

  • Christchurch - Sichuan partnership deepens

    The visiting group consisted of representatives from provincial government, business, tourism, education and the arts. The event was formally opened by the Vice-Chairman of the Sichuan Provincial People’s Congress, Mr Li Xiangzhi and Associate Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Hon Louise Upston.

    In her address, the Minister noted: “the two regions also have a passionate interest in education, which is my particular area of focus.  We both value the contribution international education makes to enrich the diversity of our respective communities.  We also know that as the world becomes ever more inter-connected, learning about people from other cultures and environments is critical.”

    Education was a particular focus of the visit, building on agreements developed since 2013 between the Sichuan Education Department and Christchurch Educated.

    During “Splendid Sichuan” the parties signed an implementation plan for 2015-16, confirming plans for future inbound exchange activity. Sichuan Education Department presented Christchurch Educated with 15 full scholarships for Christchurch students to study in Sichuan. 

    During a Tertiary Education Forum leaders from both regions discussed plans for developing closer partnerships. 

    Sichuan and Christchurch share common experiences in recovering from major earthquakes and some of the future education opportunities will be focussed on this. Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel led a Christchurch delegation to China last month and in her visit to Sichuan emphasised the developing close relationship between the regions, evidenced by the progress made in developing education alliances. 

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