Search

Showing 10 of 538 results for group registration

  • Market Insights Sessions held for PTEs and ELS in Auckland last month

    Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) invited representatives from some of Aotearoa New Zealand’s Private Training Establishments (PTEs) and English Language Schools (ELSs) to come and hear from our in-market colleagues who were in Aotearoa New Zealand in August.  

    Felix Ye, Senior Market Development Manager for Guangzhou held an insights session on the China market for PTEs and ELSs, Jugnu Roy, Director of Engagement East Asia and India held a session for PTEs on the India market and Javiera Visedo, Director of Engagement Latin America held a session for PTEs and ELSs on the Latin American market, specifically Chile, Colombia and Brazil.  

    The insights shared included key facts, policies, trends and observations about the individual markets, marketing channels and advice for student-recruiting activities, as well as opportunities and challenges for the sector.  

    Brijesh Sethi, Founder and Chairman of New Zealand Skills and Education Group and Co-Chairperson of Quality Tertiary Institutes said the sessions offered good insight into how ENZ can assist PTEs in marketing and opening up new markets. 

    “This is especially important in this tough environment for many vocational sub degree providers. The sessions were also a great opportunity to meet and hear from ENZ colleagues from these markets in person,” added Brijesh. 

    ENZ’s General Manager, Sector Engagement, Wendy Kerr, said that it was great to have a good turnout as these sessions are one of the ways we can engage directly and support our customers with useful information about the various markets they are targeting.  

    “We hope that our customers find our targeted insights useful in their own decision-making processes. With the opportunity also for open discussion throughout these sessions, they certainly are an important tool for us too in gaining a better understanding of the needs of the various PTEs and ELSs, meaning we can be more targeted in our approach to supporting them in the future.  

    The slide packs presented at all three market insights sessions have been shared with all PTE peak body members. If anyone has further questions, then please contact ENZ Business Development Manager, Jane Yang - jane.yang@enz.govt.nz.  

  • Viet Nam webinar series boosts interest in New Zealand ITPs and PTEs

    The webinar series is part of a work programme to raise the profile of New Zealand’s subsectors in Viet Nam, while strengthening connections between New Zealand providers and Vietnamese education agents. 

    This initiative is key to ENZ’s ongoing efforts to diversify New Zealand’s international education offerings in Viet Nam, and ensuring prospective students are aware of the practical skills, industry connections, and post-study opportunities they can gain through New Zealand ITPs and PTEs. 

    The series featured three education agent-focused webinars, and one session for prospective students and their parents co-organised by ENZ and seven local education agencies. 

    The agent-focused webinars attracted an average of over 120 attendees per session, peaking at 131, demonstrating strong interest from Viet Nam’s agent network.  

    The student-facing webinar drew around 200 registrations and had 70 prospective students attend. 

    Participating New Zealand providers included Wintec, Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology, Ara Institute of Canterbury, Eastern Institute of Technology, Toi Ohomai, Southern Institute of Technology, WelTec & Whitireia, New Zealand Skills and Education Group, Pacific International Hotel Management School, Le Cordon Bleu, and Up Education (NZTC, NZMA, Yoobee).  

    This wide sector presence ensured agents and prospective students received timely sector updates and insights first hand.  

    Immigration New Zealand contributed to the first agent-only session with updated details on in-study and post-study work rights for international students in vocational and degree programmes at ITPs and PTEs. They also shared policy updates, guidance, best practice on pathway visas, and practical tips to help agents prepare and submit strong visa applications for ITP/PTE students. 

    ENZ Market Manager Van Banh said the feedback was positive.  

    “New Zealand providers said they really valued the opportunity to connect with the Vietnamese market through these webinars, noting that the format allowed them to share tailored information and highlight the strengths of their programmes,” she said.  

    “Vietnamese agents also gave positive feedback, and said the sessions equipped them with practical knowledge about New Zealand’s study options with ITPs and PTEs, so they can be even more confident and effective in their conversations with prospective students,” Van added. 

     

     

  • Getting to know the Chinese government education agencies

    To introduce Michael Zhang, incoming Regional Director Greater China and to farewell outgoing director Miranda Herbert, the China team at Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) met with key education agencies in Beijing in October 2022.  

    “The meetings were an opportunity to reaffirm the long-term good relationship between New Zealand and Chinese government education agencies,” Michael Zhang says.  

    “We were able to share updates about recent work, hear from each agency about their plans, and discuss possible opportunities for future collaboration with New Zealand institutions.”  

    Ministry of Education, People’s Republic of China (MoE)  

    The Ministry of Education is the key government body responsible for the development of China’s education system, from early childhood education through to higher education. Key focus areas include the development of national strategies, policies and plans for education reform and development. 

    The Department of International Cooperation and Exchange coordinates the Ministry’s engagement with foreign countries. The Department’s key functions include:  

    • Managing and guiding international education cooperation and exchanges  
    • Drafting guidance and policies for the management of Chinese students studying abroad, international students studying in China, Chinese-foreign cooperative joint ventures and schools for foreign children  
    • Supervising international cooperation and exchanges in the education sector  
    • Guiding the work of education departments/divisions in Chinese embassies/consulates  
    • Planning, coordinating and guiding the teaching of Chinese as a foreign language  
    • Conducting educational cooperation and exchanges with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Macao Special Administrative Region and Taiwan Region of China. 

    L to r: Rosemary An (ENZ), Kieran Knight (MFAT) Director You Jia (China MoE), Deputy Director-General Chen Dali (China MoE), Director-General Liu Jin (China MoE), H.E. Clare Fearnley (NZ Ambassador to China), Michael Zhang (ENZ), Miranda Herbert (ENZ)

    New Zealand’s Ambassador to China, Clare Fearnley, hosted a lunch on 27 October 2022, for China Ministry of Education Director-General Liu Jin and his team, in partnership with ENZ.  

    Both sides emphasised the value and warmth of the bilateral education relationship, underpinned by a long history of cooperation and several recent milestones despite the challenges of COVID.  

    There was strong interest to build on the positive ministerial engagement in August and the upcoming 10th Joint Working Group in late November, including hopes for high-level visits next year in both directions. Opportunities to engage with China MoE include high-level visits, and policy advice through ENZ’s China team.  

    Chinese Service Centre for Scholarly Exchange (CSCSE)   

    Initially founded in 1989, CSCSE is a public organization under China Ministry of Education (MOE). CSCSE specialises in offering professional services for international scholarly exchanges, including Chinese students and scholars studying abroad, returnees from overseas, and international students and scholars coming to study in China.  

    CSCSE is also dedicated to promoting the internationalisation and capacity-building of Chinese higher education institutions, as well as improving education resources through international exchanges and collaboration.  

    CSCSE is the only official organisation that provides overseas credential evaluation and recognition services in China. The statement of comparability of overseas qualifications issued by CSCSE is widely recognised by Chinese employers and institutions from various sectors. CSCSE is an active member in the international education community, facilitates global talent mobility and improves international recognition of qualifications. CSCSE has long-term partnership with foreign qualifications authorities, including NZQA.   

    CSCSE manages and executes the China International Education Exhibition Tour (CIEET), which New Zealand has regularly attended in past years. CSCSE also organises the China Study Abroad Forum in March each year, in which ENZ is a regular speaker and participant.   

    L to r: Xu Chenxing (CSCSE), Director Yu Haiying (CSCSE), Miranda Herbert (ENZ), Deputy Director-General XIA Jianhui (CSCSE), Michael Zhang (ENZ), Rosemary An (ENZ)

    Opportunities to engage with CSCSE include student recruitment fairs, study in China, international conferences, verification of foreign credentials, and transnational education programmes. 

    China Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE)  

    CEAIE was founded in 1981 as a not-for-profit organisation to encourage international exchange and cooperation. It is a key organisation in facilitating foreign engagement with the Chinese education system.   

    Headquartered in Beijing, it has provincial associations for international exchange in 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities in China, as well as local chapters in 16 major cities. It has relationships with more than 170 education organisations in more than 50 countries (including Universities New Zealand). CEAIE has been granted Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations and has established official relations with UNESCO.   

    Every year in October, CEAIE organizes the China Annual Conference for International Education (CACIE), and the China Education Expo (CEE) both of which ENZ attends. New Zealand was designated Country of Honour at the 2015 conference and expo, which has provided remarkable marketing exposure for New Zealand education. Miranda Herbert from ENZ attended CACIE in October 2020 as a VIP guest and delivered a keynote speech, and in 2021 received a prestigious award recognising ENZ as an ‘outstanding international partner’. Among its activities, CEAIE supports major people-to-people dialogue and exchange mechanisms with partner countries and provides quality assurance services for China-Foreign cooperative transnational education programmes. 

    Currently, there is strong collaboration between the New Zealand education sector and CEAIE, and their initiatives across various sectors. The university sector held the 5th NZ-China Higher Education Forum with the support of Universities New Zealand and CEAIE on 10 November 2022. CEAIE also expressed interest in collaborating with the New Zealand school sector around Sister School Programmes and exploring opportunities to facilitate Leadership and Capacity building. ENZ is following up with CEAIE on the leadership opportunities and plans to run an Expressions of Interest process once more details are available.  

    Opportunities to engage with CEAIE include student recruitment fairs, conferences, school cooperation, training, and Quality Assurance for joint programmes.   

    Positive meetings were also held with other agencies affiliated to China MoE, including the China Center for People-to-People International Exchange (CCIPE) and China Scholarship Council (CSC).  

    CCIPE highlighted the growing strength and success of our Early Childhood Education Symposium, while CSC emphasised their desire to see increased numbers of Chinese scholarship students choose New Zealand for their studies, particularly at PhD level. All eight New Zealand universities have signed MOUs with CSC. New Zealand students can also study in China on fully-funded scholarships, by applying directly through CSC. There are programmes in English and Chinese: CSC Scholarships | China Scholarship Council | Chinese Government Scholarships (chinesescholarshipcouncil.com) 

  • Prime Minister’s Scholarships to study in Asia and Latin America announced

    Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) Chief Executive Grant McPherson, today announced the names of 111 New Zealanders who will travel to destinations in Latin America and Asia for an international education experience on a Prime Minister’s Scholarship for Asia (PMSA) or Latin America (PMSLA).  

    Funds awarded for individuals in this scholarship round total $1.5 million.  
    The individual recipients are the second round of scholarships to be announced this year. The earlier round of scholarships was awarded to groups.

    The recipients will undertake study, research and internship programmes in fields such as business, language, indigenous rights, sustainable development and architecture for a minimum period of four weeks (Latin America) and six weeks (Asia) up to two years. The top Latin America study destinations for this round are Chile and Colombia, with Japan and the Republic of Korea most popular destinations in Asia among scholars.

    “The merit of our scholarship applicants continues to be impressive – we are proud to offer this opportunity for people to develop their inter-cultural skills, build networks and enjoy experiences abroad,” said McPherson. “We know they will make us proud to have them representing New Zealand in this important time of rebuilding and reconnecting with overseas partners.”

    “Interest for this programme continues to grow, building collective skills and understanding of different cultures helps our country show leadership in matters of significance for Asia and Latin America regions.”

    Māori Participation lifts significantly

    A group of Māori Prime Minister’s Scholarship alumni, Te Kāhui Kaupapa, have been working to raise access and participation for Māori. Participation in this round increased to 22% for PMSA and 17% of PMSLA recipients, compared to an average of 5% for PMSA and 8% for PMSLA rounds in 2016 to 2019. This is part of a wider programme of work to ensure the scholarship programme is more accessible to all New Zealanders over the age of 18, and that it delivers on our Te Tiriti obligations.

    The Prime Minister’s Scholarship programme aims to strengthen New Zealand’s ability to engage with key Asian and Latin American trading partners, improving the internationalisation of indigenous communities, New Zealand tertiary institutions, showcasing the strength and quality of New Zealand's education system and enhancing inter-cultural awareness and connections between New Zealand and other countries.  The scholarship offers flexible funding to support both short and long-term programmes including study abroad / exchange, internships, postgraduate study, and language programmes. 

    The scholarships programme is funded by the New Zealand Government and administered by ENZ.

    The PMSA was launched in 2013 and extended to Latin America in 2016. To date, there have been 2,879 PMSA and PMSLA scholarships awarded.

    There are two scholarship rounds each year, and applications for the next individual round will be held in August 2023. Many of the awardees are enrolled in universities across New Zealand, but this is not a requirement for the scholarship. Any New Zealand citizen or permanent resident over 18 can apply for a PMSA or PMSLA.

    More information on the application process can be found here.

    A full list of this round of scholars can be found here.

  • Indigenous Malyasian students learn about Te Ao Māori

    Scholastica Philip, who is of Kadazan descent, together with Diana Bah Said and Norazah Din, both of Semai ethnicity, have been studying the Te Ao Māori and Sustainability course on the Mission New Zealand online platform. 

    All three say they gained a great deal from the short course, which included an introduction to biculturalism, and the five stages of the design thinking process.  

    “Biculturalism in Aotearoa New Zealand is fascinating,” Norazah said. “We learned about Māori settling in New Zealand, and I really want to experience their culture and daily life if I have the chance in the future.” 

    Scholastica noticed some common themes around sustainability in Te Ao Māori, and the importance of nature and food in her Kadazan culture, which is from East Malaysia. 

    “We take care of nature as we take care of humans - we need to take care of all living things. 

    “There is an ancient story for Kadazan people about Huminodun, a very beautiful woman who sacrificed herself to create food and bring rain to stop the cursed drought season for her people. This story is about how closely we are connected with nature. 

    “We learned on the course that Māori and non-Māori are working together in New Zealand to achieve a sustainable ecological system – I love the concept,” Scholastica said. 

    Norazah and Diana also noted how important trees and rivers are in their distinctive Semai culture, which is based in North Malaysia.   

    “We have a very strong connection with nature - as much as we respect each other,” Diana said. 

    Norazah with a friend at the Festival of Langauge

    Scholastica and Diana at university in Kuala Lumpur

    Norazah and Diana are in their second year of study at Universiti Malaya, and Scholastica is in her third year.  

    Scholastica has also completed an introductory course in te Reo Māori, and you can hear her pepeha here.

    Ben Burrowes, Regional Director Asia for Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) says the Whakatipu Scholarships are funded by ENZ and Universiti Malaya. 

    “We are aiming to empower talented young indigenous students, support them with learning and exchange opportunities, and encourage knowledge sharing. 

    Scholastica at the Sabah Fiesta with a group of Thai buddies

    “This is the first year of the scholarship, and it’s great to see these students making the most of this opportunity.” 

    Read more about the Whakatipu Scholarships on the ENZ website here. 

    Read more about Mission New Zealand on ENZ’s New Products and Services website here 

     

  • Hundreds of Brazilian high school students arrive at New Zealand schools

    Over January and February, 200 students from Paraná and 100 from São Paulo arrived in New Zealand on a Brazilian state-funded scholarship that will have them spending a semester and term in New Zealand schools while staying with host families.  

    Chosen for their academic performance, attendance, and completion of an English course, these top students get a chance to immerse themselves in New Zealand's education system and culture. 

    New Zealand is considered a strategic partner by Paraná state and São Paulo. This programme highlights the success of increased educational cooperation between Brazil and New Zealand. In addition to improving English proficiency, the initiative also aims to develop intercultural skills.  

    Paraná's programme, launched in 2019, has sent 1,240 students to various countries, with more than 600 going to New Zealand.  

    Coordinator of the São Paulo programme, Simone Telles, said New Zealand was chosen for this programme due to our innovative education system, use of technology, the freedom given to students and the welcoming nature of New Zealanders. 

    Simone Telles and ENZ’s Market Development Manager, Bruna de Natale: Education partnership between São Paulo and New Zealand.

    In São Paulo, ENZ Market Development Manager, Bruna de Natale, attended one of the departure days for the group traveling to New Zealand. Bruna spoke to Luciangela Fonseca, mother of one of the selected students, Juan Fonseca. Luciangela said she felt “pride mixed with fear and emotion” and that the family felt privileged to get this opportunity.  

    Juan Fonseca, his parents, and sister. Emotions at the departure for Auckland. 

    All programme costs are funded by Brazilian states, including transportation, education, food, accommodation, and leisure activities.  

    Paraná students departing in São Paulo.

  • Japanese teachers experience New Zealand’s regional schools

    “Waseda University and its affiliated schools are longstanding and valued partners for us,” says Misa Kitaoka, Director of Education in Japan for Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ). 

    “It’s exciting to see the strong regional focus they have chosen for their students’ study in New Zealand in 2023 and hear about the planned growth of the programme.”  

    Waseda University schools will be sending up to 60 students on a group programme to schools in Manawatū and Hawke’s Bay for two weeks in March 2023. The two regions were selected to receive students after taking part in an Expression of Interest process. Close to 80 students have already applied to take part, and Waseda plans to increase the number of participants to 100 from 2024, and to increase the length of their visit in future years.  

    ENZ hosted the familiarisation tour (famil) to Manawatū and Hawke’s Bay from 21- 25 November 2022. Four Tokyo schools took part alongside Waseda University: Waseda University Senior High School, Waseda University Honjo Senior High School, Waseda Jitsugyo High School and Waseda Saga Junior and Senior High School. The famil was co-funded by ENZ and Air New Zealand, and Palmerston North City Council and Learning Hawkes Bay played a major role in helping to organise visits to 14 different education providers.  

    “Through the five-day famil, our regional and institutional partners demonstrated their strengths and uniqueness,” says ENZ’s Director Marketing and Strategies, Patrick Holden, who travelled with the delegation.  

    “Delegates commented on how welcome they felt and how impressed they were to see indigenous Māori language and customs being incorporated into the school curriculum.   The manaakitanga shown by the different institutions was well received, especially the pōwhiri.”   

    The delegation is welcomed with a powhiri at Napier Girls High School

    Misa Kitaoka stressed the importance of destination marketing with support from regional partners.  

    “While decision-making tends to be institution-led in the tertiary sector, decisions for the school sector are often led by the region or city. This famil was a great opportunity for us to showcase the regions first, followed by the education offerings available in the regions.  

    “Japanese school students, parents and educators are also interested in cultural experiences in New Zealand beyond education, including the opportunities to interact with local students and host families, and to embrace New Zealand’s cultural values of diversity and inclusion. 

    “While video-calling offers many benefits and has been vital across the pandemic, bringing famils back into the country means our offshore stakeholders can experience first-hand what New Zealand has to offer. Regional involvement will play a key role in building long-term reciprocal relationships for Aotearoa.”  

    For more on ENZ’s education partnership with Waseda University and its affiliated schools, please click here.   

    For more on the value of short-term programmes for international students in New Zealand and the potential benefits to New Zealand and the educator sector, check out this recent Spinoff article: How educational exchange fosters more than just learning | The Spinoff  

    Hamish Cooper, NZ Ambassador to Japan, and ENZ staff Misa Kitaoka, Patrick Holden and Ben Burrowes called on the President of Waseda University, Dr Aiji Tanaka and Prof. Kate Elwood, Dean of Centre for International Education recently to congratulate Dr Tanaka on his reelection as the 18th President of Waseda University

     The delegation was welcomed on to the Central Hawkes Bay College Marae where they were given background about the history of the marae and given a quick fire class in flax weaving

    Waseda delegation outside Awatapu College

  • Prime Minister's Scholarship shakes up geology student's plans

    Soltice Morrison was only 15 when that earthquake happened, but she is part of a new generation of students and researchers wanting to equip themselves with the latest knowledge and technology to better understand New Zealand’s vulnerability to quakes. The best way to achieve this is through international collaboration with other countries which face the same risks.

    Having already completed a BSc in Geology and Oceanography from Otago University, Rotorua-born Soltice secured a Prime Minister’s Scholarship for Asia during her Honours year in 2018, which allowed her to enrol in a post-graduate short course in geology at Hokkaido University in Japan and stay on to complete most of her Honours research.

    Prime Minister’s Scholarship allowed joint research

    Under the guidance of her supervisor, Dr Virginia Toy, she was involved in a project which studied the characteristics and behaviours of New Zealand’s Alpine Fault and Japan’s Median Tectonic Line to better understand what causes earthquakes in both countries.

    "We’re both very seismically active countries but Japan is much more advanced in its use of technology. We were able to bring some of that knowledge back to New Zealand."

    Soltice says that without the funding she received through the Prime Minister’s Scholarship (PMS), she would not have been able to study abroad.

    The scholarship programme to Asia was established in 2013 and extended to Latin America in 2016. To date, 2400 students have been given financial support to study abroad. While currently on hold due to Covid travel restrictions, the programme is poised to restart once borders reopen.

    Importance of New Zealanders studying abroad

    Funded by the government and administered by Education New Zealand, the programme recognizes the importance of giving New Zealanders the opportunity to have an international education experience in countries where we have key trade and business relationships.

    There are few restrictions on study options, with the programme having broad goals to enhance understanding of other cultures and business practices; establish new friendships and networks; and upskill the New Zealand workforce through overseas experience.

    “It’s very important to connect with students and colleagues internationally in order to get ahead,” says Soltice. “We can get caught up thinking that the New Zealand way is the only way. Studying overseas helps you broaden your horizons, your knowledge, your understanding of different cultures, and the way things can be done.”

    In geophysics, Soltice says international collaboration is essential.

    “We’re able to learn a lot from Japan and the advances they have made in technology and monitoring.”

    The time Soltice spent in Japan ended up taking her career in a new direction. “While I was there, I was able to understand the effects of seismic activity on buildings and how we can strengthen our cities to ensure they’re resilient, so I’ve ended up in the engineering space working for Aurecon.”

    But her work also has an environmental focus and she is currently part of the multi-disciplinary team working on the Lakes 380 project, which seeks to combine best scientific thinking with mātauranga Māori (traditional wisdom and knowledge) to better understand the social, cultural, and environmental history of Aotearoa’s lakes. “It’s rewarding work and I love it.”

    Reawakening of cultural identity

    Soltice says her time in Japan prompted a reawakening of her own cultural identity. “I had always tried to blend in at home, but the questions I was asked about my background while I was away made me realise I was proud of my Māori ethnicity and also taught me the value of indigenous knowledge.”

    Building on this confidence, she has set up a Māori strategy group with colleagues at Aurecon “looking at ways we can weave cultural understanding with scientific knowledge into the work we do.”

    Soltice says she made life-long friends during her time in Japan and built a valuable network of contacts. “I work closely with the geophysicists here at Aurecon and sometimes when we have questions, I will reach out to my contacts offshore.”

    Three years on, she remains a passionate advocate for Prime Minister’s Scholarship programme. “The overall experience – the research, the culture, the living situation, I would 100 percent say it was one of the best times of my life.”

    Students value flexibility, networks, and personal growth

    The positivity of Soltice’s experience was echoed by other scholarship recipients in a recent survey conducted by Education New Zealand. Close to 300 students participated, with 98 percent saying they would recommend PMS to others. Benefits they identified included the unique flexibility of the programme, the networks they built, the opportunity for personal and professional growth, and the chance to better understand New Zealand’s place in the world.

    As for life after the programme, 57 percent said they would become involved in global causes, 50 percent would become involved in political or policy issues, and 44 percent would become involved in their local community or iwi.

  • Winds of Change students team up to tackle shared climate challenges

    While world leaders continue to discuss how to best tackle global warming, an inspiring group of students is stepping up collaboration between New Zealand and Chile to better understand the problems both countries face, share knowledge, and identify solutions.

    The Winds of Change programme, funded by the Latin America Centre of Asia-Pacific Excellence (LatAm CAPE) and hosted by Otago University, is taking a broad approach by drawing in post-graduate students from a range of backgrounds including natural, physical or social science, business, finance, science communication, and humanities.

    They are motivated to tackle climate change by developing sustainable strategies in land management, business, and policy-making. Supporting them is a team of talented academics from both countries whose insight and expertise are helping to create impact.

    “The Winds of Change participants are extraordinary leaders from diverse backgrounds with a passion for making a difference,” says lead Otago academic Associate Professor Chris Moy.

    “Their collaborative work will help inspire communities and drive change.”

    Joining forces to reach common goals

    Project manager Hélène Eunson says the multi-disciplinary approach is vital. “It is one of the key features and strengths of the programme. We need people who bring a range of perspectives in addressing climate change issues,” she says.

    “We have come to realise that the scientists want to learn more about business and policy-making, and the policy-makers want to learn more about the science. We are trying to join forces to reach our common goals.”

    Now in its second year, Ms Eunson says there has been huge interest in the six-month programme, which seeks to attract 30 students in each cohort - 10 New Zealanders based in New Zealand, 10 Chilean students based in New Zealand (“Chiwis”), and 10 Chileans based in Chile.

    “These young leaders have a real drive to make a change. They volunteer their time and do not earn credits towards their degrees.”

    The participants work in small groups on projects based on common interest, to investigate an aspect of climate change, its impact on the environment and communities, and to identify solutions. Their findings are presented at an annual symposium attended by key industry players, researchers, embassy representatives, and past participants.

    The Winds of Change programme includes a series of workshops hosted by a range of expert speakers from both countries including business owners, industry experts, and academics studying climate change.

    Pacific partners help shape future solutions

    By studying the common climate change impacts that New Zealand and Chile are facing, the students are not only helping to shape future solutions, but also to build relationships with a key Pacific partner and enhance economic and social wellbeing in both countries.

    Projects undertaken by the participants have tackled wide-ranging issues including wetland restoration, wildfires, water scarcity, rising sea levels, diversity in agriculture, and renewable energies.

    Ms Eunson says the concept of global citizenship is a strong theme which runs through the programme. “The participants share experiences from their own countries and help to create bonds with each other by bringing their different perspectives to the table.”

    Being involved in the programme has been a profound experience for many of the participants.

    “Often, if you think as an individual about environmental issues, you don’t feel as though you can achieve much, but when you see all these people together with the same objective, you feel really powerful to make change,” says Julia Harvey, who grew up in Invercargill.

    “Meeting people from different backgrounds with a common interest has provided a unique opportunity to learn about sustainability in both countries,” says Javiera Otero, originally from Villa Alemana, Chile, but currently living in Napier.

    “This experience has given me hope for the future, as there are people out there who want to make changes to live a more compatible life with the planet.”

    Winds of Change programme builds credibility and impact

    Winds of Change is quickly building its network and outreach. “As we build the credibility of the programme, we will start to see long-term impacts,” Ms Eunson predicts.

    This new generation of leaders is already anticipating a future of global collaboration. In last year’s first post-programme survey, participants identified the most important benefits as “building networks, connections, and relationships”, and “having confidence to work in a transnational team”.

    LatAm CAPE Director Matthew O’Meagher says he looks forward to the ongoing expansion of the programme to include other partners, and ideally other nations in Latin America. “In this way we can continue to provide the best opportunities for our talented young New Zealanders to engage internationally on innovative scientific, sustainable business, and policy-focused, solutions to climate change.”

    Dr Moy agrees. “Our future depends on culturally-aware young leaders that can think globally and work collaboratively to tackle climate change impacts.”

    Learn more about the Winds of Change programme on the LatAm CAPE website.

  • From the CE: 2023 is off to a flying start

    Following the appointment of Chris Hipkins to Prime Minister, last week we welcomed our new Minister of Education, Jan Tinetti. Minister Tinetti knows education well. She has over 20 years as a primary school principal, in four schools across Southland and Tauranga. She also holds a Diploma in Teaching (Primary), a Bachelor of Education and Master’s in Education with First Class Honours, from the University of Canterbury.  

    Both appointments are good news for international education. We have both a Prime Minister with rich knowledge and appreciation for the many benefits that international education brings working alongside a Minister of Education who has significant education experience. 

    The first month of the year saw significant announcements in China, an important partner country. The first was the change to the Zero-COVID policy, followed shortly after with the decision by the Chinese qualification recognition agency to revert to pre-COVID settings for online qualifications. Chinese students were already returning to study in New Zealand and these announcements will encourage this further.   

    In response to these changes in China our team collaborated with Tourism New Zealand to drive awareness of New Zealand as a short-term study destination. Late last year we put the New Zealand education brand back on the map in Colombia with an important event in Bogota. I am also excited to see the relaunch of the New Zealand Schools Scholarships – our flagship initiative for Viet Nam.  

    The first month of the year also saw our first iwi-led Prime Minister’s Scholarship for Asia recipients (Te Piriru Marae, Ngāti Maniapoto) travelling to Hokkaido for six weeks, forging connections with the indigenous Ainu people of Japan. There will be more on this in next month’s ENews.  

    While I’m on the subject of the Prime Minister’s Scholarships the most recent round of applications saw a significant and very pleasing increase in Māori participation to 22 percent up from five percent from 2016 to 2019. We are eager to continue this increase and will be partnering with iwi to raise it further in the March group application round. 

    After the challenges of the past couple of years, a flying start was exactly what we needed and I am very pleased that is what we have.  

    Waiho i te toipoto, kaua i te toiroa  

    Let us keep close together, not wide apart. 

    Ngā mihi nui, 

    Grant McPherson  

What's in it for me?