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Showing 10 of 1898 results for how to register international groups

• Scholarships awarded to international students from Germany 

  Over the three-month campaign we received hundreds of applications, of which Ronja Härdtner’s was the strongest. A Master’s student in International Nature Conservation at Georg-August-University in Göttingen, Ronja will complete her degree at Lincoln University in New Zealand.  

  Thanks to everyone who helped ENZ representative Marina Wilmerstadt to surprise Ronja at her university. You can see her reaction to the big news here.

  Congratulations to Ronja for winning the Welcome to New Zealand scholarship, and to the other award winners who will be confirmed shortly. We can’t wait to welcome you all to Aotearoa New Zealand.

• 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

• 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  

• International study experience in Brazil excites scholarship recipients

  A group of 15 students from the universities of Auckland and Waikato have recently returned to New Zealand after a month’s study in Brazil focusing on history and rights of indigenous people.  

  The students are group recipients of the Prime Minister’s Scholarship for Latin America, which promotes international study opportunities for New Zealanders. 

  The group’s itinerary included lectures and field trips around Brazil, including Brasília, São Paulo, the largest city in the southern hemisphere; and Ubatuba, a beautiful, coastal city that joins the Atlantic Forest to the ocean. 

  Students had the opportunity to meet local indigenous communities such as the Guarani and share their experiences and stories of Aotearoa New Zealand. They discovered the challenges and difficulties faced by indigenous people in Brazil, as well as the richness of their ways of life, music and handicrafts, as well as their connection to their spiritual world. 

  One of the highlights for the students was their visit to the recently opened Museum of Indigenous Cultures in São Paulo, which offered them a glimpse of the contemporary expression of Brazilian indigenous art, with diverse manifestations such as photography, hip-hop and art installations with social protest. 

  

  Members of the Museum of Indigenous Cultures perform a traditional song for visiting students from New Zealand. 

  The ENZ team in Brazil closely followed the journey of the scholarship recipients across the country.

  ENZ’s Senior Market Development Manager – Brazil, Bruna de Natale said the students’ visit was a wonderful opportunity that has further grown the rich, cultural, and academic connections between Brazil and New Zealand.  

  “We were pleased to see how deeply the students immersed themselves in learning about history and indigenous rights in Brazil and make connections with indigenous communities in the country. It’s amazing to see the Prime Minister’s Scholarships for Latin America enable this rich exchange of ideas and knowledge between New Zealand and Brazil,” de Natale said. 

  The four-week visit ended in Brasília, where the students synthesised their learning in Brazil by presenting original projects that promote the connection between the indigenous cultures of Brazil and Aotearoa New Zealand.  

  The students’ insights are also captured on video that can be viewed here on LinkedIn. 

• Rebuilding New Zealand education’s visibility in China

  Last month, Lillian spent three weeks in New Zealand in what was her first visit to the country as part of her role at Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao.

  The two-pronged purpose of her trip was to provide refreshed marketing insights to education providers in New Zealand and hear from providers on their expectations and the challenges they face when marketing their offering in China.

  Here are Lillian’s takeaways from her visits and interactions in New Zealand –

  Need for storytelling that better highlights New Zealand education’s points of difference

  1. Engaging with education providers and visiting campuses highlighted to me several points of difference for New Zealand education, particularly how it is innovative, how it develops work-ready graduates, as well as how international students are welcomed and valued in New Zealand. Seeing these points of difference in real time made me realise how underrated the New Zealand education story is overseas, and the need to tell that story better. We need to focus on telling a New Zealand education story that is authentic and has concrete examples. A more visual storytelling format would be ideal to deliver the story.
     • Tip: Demonstrate the teaching and student engagement practices your institution delivers using visuals (images or videos).
     • Example: Take photos/videos in the lab, with robotics machines, with the 3D printer, the hands-on experience and student engagement (student hub), self-learning and learning from their peers.
  

  Visit to Middleton Grange Intermediate School to understand the differences between New Zealand and Chinese classrooms

  Demonstrate outcomes of education programmes via successful alumni stories to promote offering

  1. Chinese parents and students are very outcome driven. Institution or programme rankings remain the key consideration, but other indicators and outcomes are becoming increasingly important, including employability, international recognition, and a life-changing experience.

  Demonstrating the outcome of an education programme by leveraging successful student or alumni stories and testimonials can be a critical in activating ‘word-of-mouth’ promotion that influences the decision-making of prospective students and parents.

  • Tip: Highlight successes or outcomes for students through stories. Degree + good experience = happy alumni story. Parents and students want to know if a qualification from a New Zealand institution will be recognised in China, the world or if it could be a pathway to further study.
  • Example: A Chinese student studied a business degree with a New Zealand tertiary provider and then landed a job at a Fortune 500 company or became an industry leader. Or if a Chinese student studied virtual art in a New Zealand PTE, got a job in Weta Digital, which has worked on recent Chinese blockbuster films. We have seen Chinese media are very interested in interviewing and profiling such students in their publications.

  Consider digital content in local language for marketing impact

  1. Research indicates that more Chinese students do their own research online and make their own decisions when choosing an overseas study destination and institution. So having a digital presence on China’s digital platforms is critical. Digital content in local languages also goes a long way in building brand awareness. If resources allow, exploring multiple channels and interacting with your audience in local languages will help you to gain a major advantage in optimising brand awareness and driving results in student recruitment.
     • Tip: Host Chinese language and China specific channels such as an official WeChat account. We understand it isn’t easy to set one up. If you are unable to set up a WeChat account for any reason or don’t have Chinese-speaking staff, having a Chinese language website is the next best option. Having crucial information online in Chinese helps promote the institution as trustworthy. Parents and students will use the Chinese language website to confirm information, even if they rely heavily on agents or school counsellors.
     • Example: ENZ has been working to optimise our digital presence in China, including with our Chinese language website: studywithnewzealand.cn. We recently revamped the storefront of SWNZ.cn to bolster its localisation, ensuring that from a Chinese user point of view, we can keep them interested and engaged in considering a New Zealand education provider. To ensure our digital presence continues to be fit for purpose, we undertake regular work to update and troubleshoot our platform and content.

   

  

  ENZ’s Lillian Zhang presents China Marketing Insights and Strategies session to members of Study Dunedin on 24 February

  With China fully re-opening to the world in January, the tempo of in-person events in the country is at pace already.

  ENZ’s Greater China team is looking forward to supporting New Zealand providers visiting the country for agent seminars in Guangzhou and Beijing in May and other events later in the year.

  If you have any enquiries related to marketing in China, please contact: china@enz.govt.nz 

• Re-building connections across the globe at APAIE

  Moving forward into the post-COVID era, the theme was appropriately ‘Towards a sustainable future for international education in the Asia Pacific’.

  New Zealand’s presence at the conference was strong with all eight New Zealand universities and Whitecliffe School of Fashion and Sustainability attending, along with representatives from Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) and Immigration New Zealand (INZ).

  ENZ’s Chief Executive Grant McPherson travelled to the event.

  “It is exciting to see the commitment of New Zealand institutions to attend these key regional events,” he said. “The APAIE conference is one of ENZ’s flagship events and supporting these events is a critical component of our broader strategy to rebuild connections across the globe while also rebuilding a more resilient and sustainable sector.”

  Ben Burrowes, ENZ's Regional Director Asia said, "the New Zealand Pavilion was extremely busy across the three days of the conference. The event proved a great opportunity to meet kanohi ki te kanohi (face to face) to re-build our brand awareness as well as raising our profile with our key bilateral partners and potential new partners."

  During the conference, ENZ's Director of Scholarships, Carla Rey Vasquez, and the Centres of Asia Pacific Excellence (CAPEs) Education Director, Libby Giles, delivered a presentation showcasing New Zealand's Global Citizenship journey. The session explored examples of how Global Citizenship Education (GCED) has been embedded across New Zealand schools, universities, and government entities as a way to innovate and transform education practices, including through the integration of Te Ao Māori views around this topic.

  Carla said, "It was great to demonstrate to audiences how local and international students can come together as global citizens through a focus on intercultural exchange, as well as through understanding local culture and knowledge.”

  Outside the conference, ENZ's Thailand team organised a series of meetings with key Thai government ministries and agencies including the Ministry of Education, Thailand's National Innovation Agency, the Office of Civil Service Commission, and the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation.

  Next year’s APAIE conference will take place in Perth, Western Australia in March.

   

  

  Meetings at the New Zealand Pavilion

• NauMai NZ and the NauMai NZ WeChat mini programme

  ‘Nau mai’ is a te reo Māori phrase of invitation and welcome and NauMai NZ is the NZ government's official student experience platform, designed to support international students living and studying in Aotearoa New Zealand 

  NauMai NZ is written in plain English and provides practical, trusted, peer-reviewed content, designed to support and improve students’ living and study experiences. This includes information and resources to support students before arriving in Aotearoa (including useful tips on moving to New Zealand and what they need to bring), though to information to help them navigate daily life once here, including on:    

  • Making friends and building social connections  
  • Exploring and experiencing Aotearoa – the culture and the country 
  • Getting advice to improve wellbeing, study and living experiences
  • Managing money, finding accommodation, and understanding healthcare in New Zealand 
  • Balancing work and study and understanding workplace culture, and much more. 

  You can explore more via this link. 

  ENZ has also developed the NauMai NZ WeChat Mini Programme. This is a companion platform to the English platform, to better support Chinese students who prefer the WeChat ecosystem. Information from the English platform is available in Chinese on the mini programme, as well as specific features that provide peer-to-peer support, such as video sharing, livestreams, forum functionality and student stories.  

  The following QR codes can be shared with your international students. Printed flyers are also available and so if you would like these sent to you, or have any questions for our Student Experience team, please do not hesitate to contact Faymie Li, faymie.li@enz.govt.nz, and Ross Crosson, ross.crosson@enz.govt.nz. 

   

  Manaakitanga is at the heart of what we all do, and ENZ aims to support you and your mahi. He waka eke noa. We are all in this together.  

• Student welcomes continue throughout the country

  Timaru 

  In the Timaru District, a total of 83 students from America, China, Japan, Germany, South Korea, Hong Kong and Laos were officially welcomed by the Mayor at a function at the Caroline Bay Hall on March 20. It was the first time a mayoral welcome of students has been held in Timaru since Feb 2020. 

  The welcome featured performances from the Roncalli College kapa haka group and Mountainview high School’s jazz band. Guest speakers included district Mayor, Nigel Bowen and MP for Rangitata Jo Luxton. 

  Whanganui

  Earlier this month 27 students from Japan, India, Germany, China, Thailand, and Scotland were treated to a rousing (and musical) welcome from the Cullinane College kapa haka group at the Cooks Gardens event centre in Whanganui. 

  Whanganui Deputy Mayor Helen Craig welcomed the students to “New Zealand’s only UNESCO City of Design” highlighting the importance of cultural interaction between international students and their New Zealand counterparts. 

  Cullinane College kapa haka group welcoming Whanganui’s international students. Click on the image to view the video.

• ITENZ International Education Forum 18 May

  As part of Education New Zealand’s Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) objective to give attendees a better understanding of ENZ’s direction of travel for the coming year, Geoff Bilbrough, General Manager Marketing and Communications presented at the forum. He gave a high-level view of ENZ’s marketing plans for the coming year including marketing and branding insights from recent research. ENZ’s Global Citizens Manager, Tyler Te Kiri, delivered a presentation on the Prime Minister’s Scholarship to Asia and Latin America scheme, what opportunities are available to the PTE sector and how PTE students can take part. The forum also included a speed meeting session with Auckland based ENZRA agents.  

  ENZ’s General Manager of Sector Engagement, Wendy Kerr said that it was important that we support the sector in a way that grows inbound students’ mobility for Aotearoa New Zealand in the next 12 months. 

  “Initiatives like the ITENZ International Forum encourage a collective approach to promote New Zealand education internationally. Since borders reopened in August 2022, all sub sectors have experienced a return of student visa holders. We look forward to working closely with the sub sectors to continue this upward trajectory,” added Wendy.  

   

• From the CE: Building the momentum at NAFSA 2023

  Kia ora koutou, 

  I’m writing this in an airport lounge in Vancouver, Canada as I wait for my flight back to New Zealand. I’ve spent the past two weeks in North America with several of our tertiary education providers at NAFSA, the world’s biggest international conference and exhibition, and here in Canada. In last month’s column I reflected on the delegation I led to India.

  These trips involve lots of hard work from many people – time, effort, money and being away from whānau. They are always valuable and this one was no different.

  Two things stood out from me on this journey.

  We must continue all our efforts to ensure people know we are open, and we are welcoming of students into New Zealand. A lot of good work is occurring across the sector and ENZ but we need to keep going.

  The last time I looked Immigration had received close to 50,000 student visa applications since August from both outside and within New Zealand. It’s a good start considering our borders have not been open for a year yet and it’s wonderful to have international students back at our education providers and in our communities. But we need to keep telling New Zealand’s education story and reestablish our partnerships and relationships.

  I was again reminded how intense the competition is to attract students to New Zealand as we all continue to rebuild. There were nearly 10,000 attendees, 400 exhibitors and over 50 countries represented at NAFSA. New Zealand has a very good story to tell based on the quality of our education, the experience the students have when they study here, and the excellent people that work in this sector. 

  Rebuilding is not an easy task. I don’t think any of us thought it was going to be. There are plenty of articles and news stories identifying challenges being faced by other countries. New Zealand is in an excellent position to attract great students who receive a leading education and have a life changing experience. 

  India. The United States. Canada. No matter the geography. The message is the same. Ten months in we’ve made a good start, but we have work to do.

  Whāia te iti kahurangi; ki te tuohu koe, me he maunga teitei

  Aim for the highest cloud, so that if you miss it, you will hit a lofty mountain.

  Ngā mihi nui,

  Grant McPherson