Search

Showing 10 of 1867 results for how to register international groups

• Agent engagement

  Education agencies are a crucial part of the promotion and attraction of international students to New Zealand and play an important role in students’ New Zealand education experience.

  ENZ has tools to assist quality education agencies in promoting New Zealand as an international study destination.

  Watch the video below to learn more. 

  YouTube

  Got a question? Email us at agenthelp@enz.govt.nz

• How IEGF helped BIOZONE

  Considering applying for IEGF support? E-News caught up with IEGF recipient, Richard Allan, CEO of BIOZONE, at last year’s Edtech for Export conference in Wellington and found out how the co-funding grant helped them grow their business.

  ENZ: What is BIOZONE?

  BIOZONE International is a publishing house that specialises in the production of student and teacher resources for use in high school science programmes (grades 9-12) in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand.  We also provide editions that are tailored to other international programmes, and BIOZONE books have been translated into Chinese, Japanese, Polish, and Slovenian, as well as specific English-language editions compiled for Italy. BIOZONE’s goal is to improve science education performance in schools across the world.

  We produce a hybrid that’s part textbook, part study guide and part activity workbook all rolled into one. We use an infographic style of presenting information, with annotated diagrammatic explanations that have a lot of added value.  Our programme and pedagogical approach requires learners to apply what they’ve learned in a previous activity to a new situation, not merely recall data. It’s an enquiry-based approach.

  I was a biology teacher for 11 years before I became a publisher, so I have a pretty good idea of what’s required for teachers and students to succeed in the classroom environment. 

  ENZ: What has IEGF funding enabled you to do?

  We’ve been successful in two IEGF rounds – one in 2014 and one in 2015. The first lot of funding enabled us to market our new Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) series in the US before other publishers got up to speed. The NGSS provides students with internationally-benchmarked science education.

  Being nimble and innovative is key to our success, and the grant meant we could significantly ramp up the number of state and national science teachers’ conferences we could attend. To give you an idea of the demand – at one conference in Los Angeles in December 2014 I had over 200 teachers trying to cram into a room that only had the capacity to hold 100 people, to hear my presentation.  They were sitting on the floor and around the edges of the room. That’s not untypical of what happened at other events, so we were obviously in the right place at the right time with the right product.

  ENZ: And the second grant?

  The second grant helped us enhance and improve our digital platform, and get it ready for commercial release. It made a huge difference in the timing of the launch and accelerated our development. 

  ENZ: How’s business going?

  It’s been hugely successful in our markets that, so far, include New Zealand, Australia, the US, and the UK.

  The opportunity for BIOZONE in the US is with the NGSS. One of our customers is Stuyvesant High School in New York City.  It’s a very prestigious school, with 34,000 kids competing for 850 places, and they bought our entire programme, which is a huge accolade from them. 

  We also won the ‘Best Supplemental Resource’ award for science, for the whole of US, at the education publishers’ ‘Content in Context’ conference in 2015 which was pretty cool. 

  ENZ: Do you have any words of advice for educators new to working in the edtech space?

  I think we should encourage our teachers to embrace education technology and provide them with the ability to upskill so they can use the tools. Many schools are already technologically savvy and are hungry for new ways of delivering curriculum using smart tools. 

  For educational publishers the digital landscape is evolving rapidly, not only with new opportunities and competitor activity, but also in the way teachers are wanting to engage with digital delivery of content.

• Consultation next step for agent programme

  Thanks to those in the international education sector who contributed their time and expertise to this review.

  Findings recommend change

  The findings make it clear that, while there are some positives, there does need to be change.  The programme is not performing well for our stakeholders or for ENZ in our drive to grow, support and promote a quality international education industry for New Zealand.

  The report recommends a number of potential areas for ENZ to consider regarding agents, including:

  • Better supporting providers to develop effective relationships with quality agents

  • Making available a publicly searchable database of agents who have completed our online training

  • Our work in better recognising the market differences between countries and sectors

  • Supporting agents by continuing to make available New Zealand promotional materials

  • Strengthening the rigour, scope and quality of online training, including more information on relevant New Zealand laws and regulations

  Consultation is the next step

  ENZ’s next step is to consult broadly, including with institutions, agents and government agencies about the future of ENZ’s work around agents.  We understand that changes we have made to agent programmes in the past have been disruptive for agents and providers.  As such, our thorough consultation will ensure any future solutions are effective, workable and sustainable, and supported. Our engagement will start shortly and, depending on what we hear, decisions are most likely in the second half of this year.

  The ENZRA programme remains on hold 

  As we have shared already, while the consultation is underway we will not be progressing any current ENZRA agent applications or accepting any new ENZRA agent applications.  During the consultation phase, there will be no change for agents with current ENZRA status.

  We appreciate this may be frustrating for some but believe it is preferable to pause while we ensure any potential changes are carefully considered and well-supported.

  Please note agents are able to assist students to enrol with New Zealand education providers regardless of whether they have ENZRA status or have completed the Trained Agent online programme.

  Communication 

  We’ll stay in touch and keep you updated as the consultation unfolds.  If you have any questions in the meantime, please get in touch with your contact at Education New Zealand.

• Student visa approval rates available

  The list of approval rates for student visas is updated every year by Immigration New Zealand and relates to the change to Rule 18 of the Programme Approval and Accreditation Rules, which was implemented in October 2015. Only relevant student visa categories are counted to produce this list, which covers offshore student visa applications only.

  The rule change brought in to effect different programme entry requirements for international students from countries with a student visa approval rate below 80 per cent. English language entry requirements for international students from countries with a student visa approval rate of 80 percent or above remained the same.

  Organisations have until 2 March 2016 to reflect the updated approval rates. 

• Stephen Fleming Live Facebook campaign launched in India

  The aim is to increase the traffic to our India Facebook page as well as building a large database of potential international students.
  
  The Stephen Fleming Live campaign leverages Fleming’s superstar status in India, with potential international students “liking” our India Facebook page, answering a few questions and uploading their photograph into a virtual First XI team photo.
  
  Eleven lucky winners in each of five cities (55 people) across India will get to meet with Fleming’s at an exclusive, closed door, question and answer session in their chosen city.
  
  All entrants will receive a ‘personalised’ photograph of themselves and Stephen to re-post onto their own Facebook page to ‘share’ with their friends.
  
  We’d then like to develop a relationship with them through a post-competition event-driven marketing campaign.
  
  The first two meet and greet events with Fleming were based around Education New Zealand Fairs in Cochin and Pune earlier this month. Further meet and greets will be held in Chennai, Mumbai, Hydrabad, Bangalore and Pune again.
  
  The promotion includes a video for Pune with Fleming talking about studying in New Zealand.

• JJL China visits New Zealand to discuss international student recruitment strategies

  Senior representatives from JJL China, including their Beijing HQ President Mr Yanmin Zhu, will meet with New Zealand institutions from a range of education sectors in the wider Christchurch and Wellington regions. Grant McPherson, Education New Zealand’s Chief Executive, says the visit is the first of four inbound agents trips organised to improve connections between industry, agents and markets.

  “Loyal and high-quality agents play an important role in New Zealand’s international education industry. ENZ is hosting these trips to build on our valued relationships and explore further opportunities for cooperation aligned to our marketing campaigns.”

  Kaye Le Gros, ENZ’s Channel Development Manager with responsibility for agents, says JJL were especially keen to travel to and show their support for Christchurch.  While there, the delegation will visit Burnside High School, the University of Canterbury and Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology. They’ll take a tour of the Re:Start container mall and learn about plans to rebuild Christchurch’s city centre.

  The visit will conclude with a meeting to discuss a two-year strategic plan for JJL China and New Zealand. Agents from India, Indonesia, Thailand and Korea arrive in New Zealand throughout May and June. As well as meeting with education representatives, visiting delegations will hear from New Zealand Qualifications Authority, Immigration New Zealand and Ministry of Education staff.

• Update for industry on Assignments4U issue

  Although I was made aware of the issue late on Friday, I was still taken aback at the tone of the article and some of the implications made.
  
  The issues raised are of concern to all of us, and we are working on gaining better understanding of the scale of the problem. We do know that it is not, as the article may imply, a problem that is peculiar to Chinese students, nor to students from any other country.
  
  Education New Zealand’s (ENZ’s) main focus on this issue is to manage any risks to New Zealand's international reputation as a provider of world class education, and to local perceptions of the value of international education to New Zealand.
  
  We are following a clear plan to manage any impact this issue may have locally and, most importantly, in China. I’d like to let you know what’s underway now.
  
  Yesterday we responded to media enquiries through a statement, most of which has been reported in the various media items on the matter so far.
  
  ENZ has excellent relationships within the Chinese education sector and our Regional Director, Greater China, is in touch with Chinese officials to ensure there is no misunderstanding about the issue or the New Zealand Government’s response to the matter.
  
  I am aware of the efforts everyone our industry makes to maintain New Zealand’s reputation as a provider of high quality education, and you can be sure we are very much focussed on that as well.
  
  If you have any thoughts, comments or require any assistance, then please get in touch with me, or Senior Communications Advisor, Susie McShane.
  
  Kind regards,
  
  Grant McPherson

• Contestable fund draws strong interest

  Applications exceeded the funds available.

  To date the Education New Zealand (ENZ) selection panel has approved matched funding of nearly $810,000 for 29 projects with a combined value, including the applicants’ contributions, of over $1.6 million.

  “The quality and diversity of the applications was impressive,” said ENZ Business Development Manager Adele Bryant. “The applications provided a window on the innovative approaches and products many educational institutions and businesses are taking to pursue the education export opportunities they have identified.” 

  The fund sees ENZ matching funding for projects with the capacity and capability to increase the value of New Zealand’s international education industry, ultimately leading to benefits for the New Zealand economy.

  The fund is designed to help New Zealand’s education providers achieve significant growth by making the most of international education opportunities.

  Applications were received from all sectors with the largest number lodged by education technology companies. This interest follows hot on the heels of the first “EdTech for Export” Conference sponsored by ENZ, Grow Wellington and Learning Media Ltd in April. Some 45 percent of applicants targeted Asian markets.

  A second funding round will be held in the third quarter of 2013 and will be advertised in e-news.

  

• Assignment4U website down

  The outcome of the injunction hearing in the Auckland High Court today saw two of the defendants undertake to not engage in conduct that contravenes the Education Act.

  NZQA Chief Executive Dr Karen Poutasi said NZQA was pleased with the outcome of the injunction hearing.

  “The next step in this ongoing investigation is for the large amount of evidence and information collected to be analysed.

  “Today’s court proceedings are part of the strong NZQA action taken in response to allegations of cheating and assessment fraud. Where there is evidence of illegal activity under the Education Act, it is likely further legal action will be taken”.

  Education New Zealand (ENZ) is pleased to see that action has been taken against Assignment 4U in regard to the alleged cheating services.

  ENZ appreciates the efforts everyone in our industry makes to maintain New Zealand’s international reputation as provider of high quality education. The vast majority of education providers in New Zealand deliver great education outcomes for local and international students.

  This action signals both here and abroad how seriously New Zealand takes the integrity and credibility of its tertiary education and qualifications.

  ENZ will continue to work with its contacts in the Chinese education sector and Chinese education officials to manage New Zealand’s education reputation in relation to this issue. We will continue to keep them informed of the New Zealand Government’s response to this matter.

• Thank you for your help

  International students around the country are being photographed, videoed and interviewed to inform and update these materials which will be used online, at education fairs, during offshore school visits and more.

  Education New Zealand (ENZ) would like to thank the schools and institutions nationwide who have helped us by making available students and locations for new photography, for our new high schools campaign (to be run in Thailand, Viet Nam, South Korea and Japan) and for the Dragons documentary campaign in China.

  A marketing toolkit for education providers is also being developed as part of our revamp of marketing materials. The toolkit will include resources schools and institutions can use in their marketing (such as an image library) and collateral for outbound and inbound international visits, including a promotional DVD about studying in New Zealand.

  Institutions have also helped revamp the New Zealand Specialist Agents (NZSA) training programme, due to be launched in the next few months. ENZ has modernised the training programme for agents based on feedback from institutions, agents themselves and students. Training will be provided online through an interactive, seven-step e-learning programme that concentrates on the most important information agents need to sell a New Zealand education.

  Kathryn McCarrison, ENZ’s General Manager Marketing and Channel Development, says Education New Zealand appreciates how responsive and accommodating institutions have been to requests for help and information-checking over the past few months.

  “Despite being busy, you’ve taken the time to bring your best and brightest to our attention. We can’t create great marketing campaigns without your students’ stories, so thank you for your enthusiasm and cooperation.”