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  • Around the world in five: March 2022

    International 

    Opinion... from the News Editor, 17.03.22 

    India joins hands with Australian government to establish taskforce on qualifications recognition 

     

    New Zealand 

    New Zealand confirms details of 5,000 international student cohort 

    Call to end cap on number of international students allowed in NZ 

     

    Australia

    Once again, international student ‘exports’ are wildly exaggerated 

    Australia's one-off opportunity to change its approach to international students 

    Only Half of International Students May Return to Australia This Year 

    Aus: $10m innovation fund revealed 

     

    India

    Auckland University Offers 10 Virtual Internships for Indian Women Students 

    Everest Twins and Miss Malini share their stories at International Women’s Summit 

    Edtech a big draw among teachers despite covid ease 

     

    United Kingdom

    Record UK University Applications from UAE 

     

    United States

    Biden immigration rule will harm American college graduates, expert warns 

    US: international students say experience doesn’t justify cost 

     

    Vietnam

    Bravery of international students after Covid-19 

    New Zealand offers digital technology training scholarships to teachers 

  • Meet the team: Marie Clark, Director Insights

    Tell us about your role, the team you lead, and what your team does at ENZ for the international education sector. 

    I’m Marie, Director Insights for Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao. I lead the research and market analysis to provide insights that underpin ENZ’s work. This includes student experience, brand health, economic value, and New Zealander’s perceptions of international education.  

    We are a small team of five analysts and researchers but pack a lot of punch if I do say so myself. We are lucky enough to work with a range of teams across ENZ as well as the wider sector. Our findings are shared with our stakeholders and our education partners so that they can use this to make informed decisions about the future delivery of their international education products and services.  Much of our work is on an annual basis, meaning that each year we are looking for any small changes that might turn into long-term term trends. For example: 

    • in the international student experience survey, we want to look more at the people and connections and mental health.  If we spot changes, providers may like to adjust their support for students. 

    • through our perceptions work we want to understand, as international students return to New Zealand, if the way New Zealanders perceive the challenges and benefits of international students is changing. If we spot changes, we will work with providers to bring those benefit stories to the forefront.  

    Where were you working before joining the ENZ team?  

    I am a returning New Zealander, having spent the last 15 years in the United Kingdom, working in a range of insights, marketing, and communications roles in higher education. My most recent UK role was at Independent Higher Education, the representative and lobbying body for independent higher education, professional training and international pathway providers. Previously I worked for a policy communications consultancy, Hobsons, now QS Enrolment Solutions, and The PIE. 

    Tell us what the team has been working on since you joined and how the sector can access this?  

    I joined ENZ in October 2022 and since then have led the delivery of several key pieces of research and reports. Some recent highlights for me are releasing our insights on the 2013 – 2023 (part year) International Student Enrolment data, 2023 International Student Experience Survey and the 2023 New Zealanders Perceptions of International Students 2023.   

    We share all of our research, data and insights on ENZ's Intellilab and I would encourage anyone to sign up, if you haven't already. We also post links to past webinars that we have held in which we share our latest research and insights.  

    For those that are interested in being able to take a closer look at the data, we do share some data that has been officially released to Tableau Public.   

    What can the sector expect to see from the Insights team in the next 12 months? 

    Our team will be very busy over these next 12 months as we undertake a range of surveys and then following the fieldwork will be diving into the data and compiling insights reports, presentations and hosting webinars for the sector to take them through this.  To name just a few taking place over the next two quarters, we will be working on the: International Student Experience Survey 2024, Brand Health 2024, a sector survey, agent survey, and the New Zealanders perception of International Education 2024 survey. Phew! 

    So, watch this space here on E-News, via our Sector Engagement Team, or Intellilab where we will share our insights with the sector. If anyone in the sector has a query about past or future research opportunities or wants to organise an insights session with your organisation or stakeholders, then feel free to reach out to me and my team – insights@enz.govt.nz.   

    Tell us what you like to do when you’re out of the office and not nose-deep in international education data...

    I am still enjoying settling back into New Zealand.  It’s a period of both discovery and rediscovery.  Weekends are spent catching up with old friends and spending plenty of time with family, adjusting my two young children to the kiwi lifestyle.  I am a convert to cycling for transport and can be seen zooming all over Wellington, and sometimes further afield, on my electric cargo bike. 

  • Around the world in five 

    International 

    Survey shows that prospective students want more information during admissions 

    Branch campuses ‘not the way forward’ for New Zealand 

    Champions of international education revealed at The PIEoneer Awards 2022 

    NZ reviewing Recognised Agency scheme, plans to bring back Export Education Levy for providers 

    Video: StudyTravel Interview with Darren Conway, Chair of English New Zealand 

    Meritocracy and equity in higher education are not mutually exclusive 

    FutureLearn to ‘significantly reduce expenditure’ after losses 

    World University Rankings 2023: top marks for Australian sector 

    IDP research: Canada still most popular for HE, Australia gaining ground 

    Manaakitanga – a warm Kiwi welcome to international students 

     

    New Zealand 

    NZ-owned edtech companies pledge not to spy on Kiwi schoolkids 

    Bus driver thanks local heroes following assault 

    University of Auckland offers new scholarships for Indian students 

    Education sector plays catch-up 

    Varsity takes hit of $40m 

    Teen supporting Wellington's international student community wins GirlBoss award 

    Country's biculturalism attracting US students - Education NZ 

    International students return to Waihī 

     

    Australia 

    Australia to cap work hours for int’l students 

    Survey says Australia a top choice among prospective international students 

     

    Brazil 

    LATAM agents: demand for Canada and Spain 

     

    Canada 

    Canada releases strategy to extend permanent residency transition 

    Canada lifts part-time work limit for international students 

    Wrong way in Canadian international student recruitment 

     

    China 

    Chinese graduates lose taste for entrepreneurship 

     

    India 

    Jaishankar raises difficulties faced by Indian students in New Zealand with Kiwi leadership 

    In New Zealand, Jaishankar raises visa delay issue: ‘I urge a fairer treatment’ 

    Indian students going abroad to face a triple whammy of inflation, forex and interest rates 

     

    Indonesia 

    “The potential is huge” – Indonesia’s TNE and outbound market 

     

    Thailand 

    Back then, New Zealand Education Guidance Accept Thai students ready for scholarships 

     

    Vietnam 

    New Zealand Education Expo 2022 will take place in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City 

    Pursuing disciplines in sustainable development is attracting many younger generations 

    New Zealand's biggest education event officially returns with a range of valuable scholarships 

    How has Gen Z changed after the global citizenship course from New Zealand? 

    Vietnamese teachers impress New Zealand lecturers 

  • International students report high satisfaction as New Zealand sees steady recovery in enrolments

    This year, 87 percent of students gave a positive rating of their overall experience, maintaining the upward trend seen in 2024 (86%). The proportion of students who rated their experience as ‘excellent’ rose to 43 percent, a two percent increase from the previous year. 

    These strong satisfaction results come as international student enrolments in New Zealand continue to grow. Between January and April 2025, 63,610 international students were enrolled with New Zealand education providers, a 16% increase compared to the same period in 2024 (54,690), and a 49% increase on 2023 (42,700). 

    All education subsectors saw growth, with Private Training Establishments (PTEs) showing the strongest increase at +41% compared to 2024. 

    China and India remained the top source markets, followed by Japan, South Korea, Sri Lanka, USA, Nepal, the Philippines, Thailand, and Germany. Notably, Sri Lanka rose to fifth place (from ninth), and Nepal to seventh (from eleventh), reflecting shifting dynamics in student mobility. 

    What students value most  

    Students were most positive about the people and connections they made in New Zealand (92%), the quality of their education (90%), their arrival and orientation experience (89%), the ease of making study arrangements (87%), and their overall living experience (87%). 

    International students’ experiences of making study arrangements have notably improved, with 80 percent of students rating their experience with the visa application process positively (up from 78% in 2024), and 74% positively rating the time taken to get their visa (up from 64%). 

    Education New Zealand and Immigration New Zealand will continue to collaborate on provision of information to students to ensure an enhanced student experience. 

    The survey also shows an increasing proportion of international students regard New Zealand as offering good value for money, with positive perceptions rising from 65% to 76%. 

    Education New Zealand's Chief Executive, Amanda Malu, said the results reflect New Zealand’s ability to provide a high-quality education within an environment that fosters meaningful connections and relationships.

    “This is encouraging news for New Zealand. The fact that students continue to rate their experience here as excellent is a credit to our education providers and speaks to the warmth of the welcome our communities extend to international students,” she said.

    “We’re seeing a steady and encouraging recovery in international education. It’s not a boom, but a sign that our collective efforts are making a difference. What matters most is that students are not just coming to New Zealand, they’re having a high-quality experience that supports wellbeing and a sense of belonging.”

    “Under the International Education Going for Growth Plan, we’re focused on thoughtful, sustainable growth. These insights help us ensure that our progress is not just about numbers, but about delivering long-term value to students, communities, and the wider economy.”

    Education New Zealand’s Director Insights and Performance, Marie Clark, said the survey continues to be a key piece of work for ENZ and a useful tool for the international education sector. 

    “It remains the only national survey focused on international student experience in all subsectors in New Zealand. With several years of data now collected, we’re building a meaningful picture of student experience over time,” she said.  

    “The ability to break down insights by variables like country, sector, and gender makes the dataset especially useful. We expect the report and Tableau dashboards will be very practical resources for anyone working in the sector,” Clark added.  

     For further information: 

    • Sai Raje | Senior Communications Advisor, Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao 
      sai.raje@enz.govt.nz | +64 21 479 649 

    Notes to Editors: 

    About the New Zealand International Student Experience Survey 2025 

    The survey aims to better understand the overall experience of international students enrolled with New Zealand education providers, as well as recent graduates. It also identifies areas for improvement to enhance the student journey. 

    Fieldwork was conducted from 28 April to 19 May 2025 with 5,420 respondents across all education subsectors and stages of study. 

     About Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao 

    Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) is the government agency dedicated to helping New Zealand realise the social, cultural, and economic benefits of international education. Our role is to promote New Zealand as a high-quality education destination offering excellent education and student experiences.

    With approximately 85 staff in 13 locations around the world, ENZ works closely with New Zealand’s diverse education sector which includes schools, English language providers, Private Training Establishments, Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics (New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology Te Pūkenga), and universities.

    Internationally, we work with a range of education stakeholders, including government agencies and education providers to identify and encourage sustainable growth opportunities for New Zealand’s education sector.

  • Exploring a vision for the ‘Future of International Education’ in Aotearoa

    It was an action-packed week in Wellington for Emeritus Professor Bean and his business partner Helen Souness. They were invited to Wellington by Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) to facilitate discussions on what the future may look like for Aotearoa New Zealand’s international education sector. 

    Professor Bean is former Vice Chancellor of The Open University in the United Kingdom and RMIT University in Australia, and is now CEO of the Bean Centre. Along with his business partner Helen Souness, former CEO of RMIT Online, they partner with education experts, education providers and technology companies to shape an education future that works for the rapidly evolving needs of learners, and the evolving landscape of work they will eventually be part of.  

    On Tuesday 1 August, ENZ hosted a cross-section of representatives from our international education partners in government, industry and tertiary education institutions at a full-day workshop. The aim of the workshop was to bring together our sector and collectively explore a vision for the future of international education in Aotearoa New Zealand. This work is a key part of Focus Area 2 of the New Zealand International Education Strategy 2022-2030 (NZIES) and how we can diversify our educational products and services and modes of delivery to create a more sustainable and resilient future. 

    ENZ’s Chief Executive Grant McPherson opened the event and said that it was a privilege to host experts in the field of international education and have them share their knowledge and experience on what is disrupting the world of tertiary and international education globally and what other countries are doing in the face of these challenges. 

    ''I would like to thank everyone that came along with such energy and great ideas. It was a fantastic day and the collaboration between government, industry, and the education sector served to generate some inspiring ideas on how, as a country, we can innovate and differentiate our international education sector to remain competitive on the world stage.  

    ''This is especially important work given the challenges that the international education sector is facing not just in Aotearoa but also around the globe. Professor Bean and Helen Souness really inspired us to think about the future of our sector from the point of view those around us including learners, communities, and industry, in the face of these challenges’’, said Grant. 

    Professor Martin Bean and Helen Souness had this to say about the 1 August workshop.

    YouTube YouTube

    Professor Bean also said “I was delighted to participate in a week of deep thinking as we collectively imagined a brighter future for New Zealand’s international education sector. 

    “It’s clear that the world of work and tertiary education is changing rapidly and it’s great to see that colleagues in New Zealand are determined to meet the challenges and build a strategy to thrive in turbulent times”. 

    Another highlight of the day included a presentation from social innovators Hinepounamu Apanui-Barr and Briana Te Haara-Barr on the work that Tokona te Raki: Māori Futures Collective is doing in finding indigenous solutions to global challenges. Their case study and discussion provided valuable input to the day as we then discussed Aotearoa’s unique value proposition. 

    ENZ’s Sector Engagement General Manager Wendy Kerr, whose team is leading the work involved with Focus Area 2 of the NZIES, said that in the days following the workshop, the ENZ innovation team met with our international education agency partners to reflect on the discussions and wonderful ideas that were brought to the table during the day’s workshop. 

    “It’s not often we get a chance to shape the future and this week has proved a valuable foundation for many in our sector to contribute to the course of the future of international education for Aotearoa. And what an exciting privilege that is. 

    She added, ''Now the hard work really begins, and ENZ will be leading the development of a green paper that will be the basis for consultation with our international education partners including government, education providers, industry, iwi, the wider community, and of course, our learners. Watch this space for the exciting developments to come!’’ 

     

  • Letter from the CE: Welcoming new ENZ whānau

    As a result, we have established some new and revised roles at ENZ. Please join me in welcoming them to the ENZ whānau.
    International appointments include:

    • Lisa Futschek – General Manager, International
    Lisa will be developing our international operations and integrating the work of all our international staff with the Partnership and Marketing team, in particular. Lisa has been with ENZ since 2013, after an 18-year diplomatic career with MFAT which included postings in Chile and Germany. At ENZ, Lisa has spearheaded initiatives such as the Generation Study Abroad and Go Overseas scholarships and Game on English; has championed the development of local language and tailored marketing materials; and has led the establishment of a permanent ENZ presence in Tokyo, Los Angeles and Bogota.

    • Amy Rutherford – Regional Director, Americas and Europe (based in Washington DC)
    Amy joined ENZ back in April 2013 as the International Market Manager (IMM) for China. She subsequently picked up IMM responsibility for the USA and in that capacity spearheaded ENZ’s approach to North America. Since January 2016, Amy has been ENZ’s Senior Market Development Manager in the US, based initially in Los Angeles and now in Washington, DC. Amy joined ENZ with substantial experience in international education having worked for the International Office at the University of Otago and later for IFSA (a US third-party study abroad provider).

    • John Laxon – Regional Director – South and South East Asia Regions (based in Singapore).
    John’s role has been expanded to encompass all of Asia including China, Japan and Korea. John had previously held responsibility for the South and South East Asian regions and the Middle East and has previously been based in Saudi Arabia. John has been with ENZ since 2014, having previously held roles at the Tertiary Education Commission, The Treasury and as a Ministerial Advisor.

    • Miranda Herbert – Director, Greater China
    This China-based role will be responsible for managing, leading and supporting ENZ’s Greater China teams and leveraging opportunities with other NZ Inc agencies both in-market and New Zealand to promote New Zealand education. Miranda was previously the Deputy Director International at the University of Auckland (UoA) where she led UoA’s internationalisation work. Miranda’s leadership in transnational education projects and understanding of the Chinese student journey will be invaluable as we continue to evolve our ENZ China strategy. Miranda is a fluent Mandarin speaker, having graduated with a BA (Hons) in Chinese from the University of Waikato and spent four years living in China working in the education sector. Miranda will relocate to Beijing in July.

     
    Sector and student-related appointments include:

    • Paul Irwin – General Manager, Partnerships and Marketing
    Paul will be responsible for strengthening the connections between education providers and international students by bringing together ENZ’s international marketing, brand development, industry development and channels teams. Paul was previously General Manager Student Marketing, having joined ENZ from advertising agency FCB Wellington where he led the Wellington office for almost five years. He has extensive experience in marketing strategy, digital marketing, international marketing and team management, honed during the past 15 years in a range of management roles.

    • Laura Simpson – Director, Industry
    Laura will be responsible for leading and managing initiatives to build the capability and capacity of New Zealand’s international education industry. Laura has a breadth of experience in the education and health sectors and is currently at the University of Auckland where she is the Associate Director for the MBA and Post Graduate Diploma programmes. Over her career, Laura has developed strengths in programme development and leading innovation and change in complex organisations, systems and teams. Laura will start on 8 July in our Auckland office.

    • Dan Smidt – Director, Channel Services & Partnerships
    Dan joined ENZ in October 2017 on a two-year contract to revitalise and manage ENZ’s agent programme. This new role includes Dan’s previous responsibility for managing agents and developing our agent strategy, plus assumes responsibility for managing our events team and exploring channel partnership opportunities. A big focus in this role will be how we evolve and optimise our non-digital channels to improve impact and efficiencies while better meeting the changing needs of students, industry and agents. Dan will work closely with digital marketing teams to ensure all our non-digital channels are working efficiently alongside our digital channels and integrated with our data strategy.

    • Sahinde Pala – Director, Student Experience and Global Citizens
    Sahinde will be managing the student experience (SX) and scholarships teams and shaping ENZ’s approach to Student Experience and Global Citizens within ENZ as well as with the education sector and government agency partners. Sahinde has been involved with ENZ’s student experience work for over three years, making important contributions to the development of NauMai NZ and the New Zealand International Education Strategy. From her time in ENZ’s Industry Development team, Sahinde brings great connections with education providers, peak bodies and regional agencies.

    Grant McPhersonGrant McPherson

    ENZ Chief Executive

     

     

     

  • New Zealand education on the world stage at NAFSA 2024

    More than 8,500 international education professionals descended on New Orleans to take part in the 76th annual NAFSA Association of International Educators (NAFSA) conference from 28 to 31 May. Due to its scale, the conference is an important strategic platform for New Zealand in raising brand awareness for our international education offerings. 

    This year, the New Zealand Pavilion featured imagery from ENZ’s new brand campaign Learn New Every Day. The pavilion provided an eye-catching focal point to showcase the New Zealand education brand, our education products and services and proved a friendly meeting point for the hundreds of meetings and engagements held over the course of the week.  

    With an audience of thousands of international education professionals in one place, the University of Otago harnessed the opportunity to launch its new brand. Jason Cushen, Director – International from Otago said that NAFSA was the perfect place to launch amongst our global partners and friends, the university’s new tohu (symbol) and Te Reo Māori name, Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka, a metaphor meaning A Place of Many Firsts. 

    ENZ’s NAFSA team at the celebration of the international launch of the University of Otago’s new brand and Te Reo Māori name – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka. From left to right: Natalie Lulia, Associate Director of Engagement North America, DuBois Jennings, Director of Engagement North America, Amy Rutherford, Regional Director for Americas, Middle East and Europe, Ben Burrowes (Regional Director for Asia, excluding China and Acting General Manager International), and Janine Huxford, Manager, Global Events and Education Agents.

    To open New Zealand’s participation at the event, ENZ and all eight universities co-hosted a networking event ‘The New Zealand Experience’. Welcome remarks were shared by Amy Rutherford, ENZ’s Regional Director for Americas, Middle East, and Europe and Counsellor (Education) with Distinguished Professor Jacinta Ruru, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Māori at the University of Otago, as MC for the evening. 

    Amy said that the networking event was an opportunity to celebrate reciprocal partnerships, which form the cornerstone of the New Zealand International Education Strategy.  

    “Key partners and stakeholders from around the globe were invited to connect with our New Zealand education representatives at the networking function. It also gave us the opportunity to showcase and celebrate New Zealand’s international education with old friends and new and set the tone for a busy and positive week of more networking, meetings, and valuable engagements. 

    “This entire week is incredibly important for amplifying our visibility and credibility as a small but high-value education host country on the world stage. Having a presence here means we can meet face-to-face and build sustainable relationships with a wide range of players in our sector on a scale that, due to our location in the world, we do not get to do every day,” added Amy. 

    ENZ’s Regional Director AMEE, Amy Rutherford, with Carlos Enrique Vecino Arenas - Director for International Affairs, Universidad Industrial de Santander and Giovanni Anzola, Director International Relations, Universidad Externado during a meeting with Colombia Challenge your Knowledge at the New Zealand Pavilion. Amy is holding poi which were given as gifts to partners.  

    ENZ also took part in a panel talk called ‘What is indigenous-led internationalisation’? The panel explored how indigenous and non-Western knowledge and worldviews are essential for intercultural learning through the experiences and work of Māori education experts. The panel provided examples of how indigenous ways of knowing and being can enhance intercultural learning and what Indigenous-led internationalisation looks like in practice.  

    Moderated by DuBois Jennings, ENZ’s Director of Engagement North America, the panel of experts included Distinguished Professor Jacinta Ruru, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Māori at the University of Otago, Paulette Tamati-Elliffe, Manager at Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, and Natalie Lulia, ENZ’s Associate Director of Engagement. The session was very well attended with the NAFSA Board Chair LaNitra Berger commenting that the session was incredibly informative and well done.   

    ENZ’s Associate Director of Engagement, Natalie Lulia participating in a panel talk called ‘What is indigenous-led internationalisation?’ at NAFSA 2024.

    Natalie said that it was a wonderful opportunity to be invited to showcase the important work that Aotearoa New Zealand is doing within our indigenous internationalisation ecosystem and our unique approaches to international education. 

    “It is not often you get to hear the perspectives of expert voices from iwi, university, and government agencies who are the driving forces behind this work, let alone on an international platform such as NAFSA. 

    “We are seen as a world leader in this area, which is why the session proved so popular and people were having to sit on the floor! I am looking forward to continuing this discussion next week at the British Columbia International Education Week Conference in Vancouver where I have been invited to speak on this topic, alongside the CE for Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi, Professor Wiremu Doherty,” added Natalie 

    Following the success of New Zealand’s participation at NAFSA 2024 it will be ENZ’s turn to host our friends from NAFSA in a few weeks. We will be welcoming Dr Fanta Aw, CEO and Executive Director of NAFSA, and LaNitra Berger, NAFSA President and Chair of Board of Directors, to New Zealand when they will attend the NZIEC KI TUA conference from 6 to 8 August in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington.  

     

  • AUT international students connect with senior citizens

     A uniquely engaging initiative supported by New Zealand Police and AUT recently brought together international students and local senior citizens to connect in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. 

    The initiative was an outcome of a meeting of the Auckland Agency Group, of which Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao is a member and enabled international students to understand and start to integrate into local culture guided by senior residents and members of the wider Auckland community. 

    As the last 12 months have seen the welcome return of international students to our campuses and communities, New Zealand Police Ethnic Services teams around the country, including in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, have been busy engaging with international students in a number of ways.   

    Around 18 students met with 10 senior citizens at the Northbridge Residential Village.  

    The event helped international students engage with their local community, establishing intergenerational bonds, helped them access support networks, engage in cultural exchange, and actively participating in community affairs.  

    The event included a panel discussion involving members of Northbridge Residential Village, AUT international students, and New Zealand Police. The panel discussion unfolded in two key segments: the initial part addressed the dynamics of culture shock, while the subsequent portion revolved around the overarching themes of diversity and inclusion. 

    AUT Students Association, International Affairs Officer, Yun Ke, said that the AUT international student interaction with local senior citizens event was a great success.  

    “We have received immensely positive feedback from students about the event, which is exciting.   

    “This interaction saw double the participation by international students, as compared to a previously held event in September,” Ke said.  

    San Winkyi, an international student from Myanmar, was grateful to New Zealand Police for the way they supported the event.  

    “The police’s presence and assistance contributed significantly to the event's success, and we deeply appreciate their commitment to international student safety and wellbeing,” San said.  

    For Huabiao Xiao, an international student from China, the interaction was a wonderful opportunity to appreciate cultural differences while enjoying communicating with an open and inclusive local community of senior citizens.  

    “Spending time with local seniors and police officers was an amazing experience, far beyond anything I could have imagined. These elders are simply the epitome of local cultures and society, and I deeply appreciate their differences and uniqueness. At the same time, I appreciated how New Zealand police officers are committed to promoting a community culture,” Huabiao said.   

    Education providers with international students who are interested in organising a similar event are welcome to contact Faymie Li, faymieli@enz.govt.nz or Ross Crosson, ross.crosson@enz.govt.nz.   

  • Strengthening education links in US

    The trip included speaking at the world’s largest annual international education conference (NAFSA), as well as interviews with international education media including Chronicle of Higher Education, PIE News, and Times Higher Education. Chris Hipkins also met with US government officials and education professionals from various organisations and institutions.    

    The trip began with an open forum discussion with New Zealand education representatives. Chris Hipkins responded to questions relating to the challenges New Zealand faces as it reopens and rebuilds its international education sector. He then met with Jared Polis, Governor of Colorado. Their discussion touched on commonalities between New Zealand and the State of Colorado and compared approaches to education reform and improving education outcomes for students, particularly those from marginalised backgrounds. They also discussed the importance of research collaboration, particularly as it relates to STEM subjects and the global climate crisis. The meeting ended with agreement that deeper relationships between institutions in Colorado and New Zealand would be beneficial.  

    Speaking at the opening plenary at NAFSA, Chris Hipkins emphasised that New Zealand is once again ready to welcome international students. NAFSA leadership invited the Minister to a private reception after the plenary where they shared their enthusiasm for New Zealand reconnecting with the world. During his day at the Denver Convention Center, the Minister also took a tour of the conference exhibit hall, chatting with both New Zealand and international educators.   

    “It was wonderful for the Minister to get this chance to engage with our education providers and get a broader look at the international education field,” says Lisa Futschek, ENZ’s General Manager International. “It was great for him to see how well-regarded New Zealand’s education system is in the global international education ecosystem.”  

    Guests enjoying the New Zealand reception at NAFSA

    Chris Hipkins then met with Deputy Assistant Secretaries of the US State Department’s Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs. He reaffirmed New Zealand’s strong partnership with the US and the international education sector’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion through our continued partnership with ECA around the Fulbright and Gilman scholarships, which enable students of limited financial means to study abroad.  

    “The Minister received a very warm welcome from our colleagues at the State Department who were excited to hear our borders are opening,” says Education Counsellor to the US and ENZ’s Regional Director to the Americas, Middle East and Europe, Amy Rutherford. “It’s great to have such a strong relationship with a government’s education agency committed to the same values that we are.”  

    A variety of organisations involved with the delivery of international education in the US also met with Chris Hipkins for a roundtable discussion. This covered the unique opportunities for New Zealand in the international education sector and what sets us apart from other countries and their education systems.   

    (l to r) Education Minister Chris Hipkins, Kahle Charles, Assistant Superintendent of Assessment, Curriculum and Instruction, St Vrain Valley School District and Scott Cardwell, Co-founder and CEO, ImmerseMe. Mr Charles is signing the agreement between St Vrain and ImmerseMe.

    On the final day of his visit, Chris Hipkins headed to Xero’s Denver headquarters to participate in a roundtable discussion with several principals and school superintendents in surrounding Denver school districts, as well as the New Zealand edtech company ImmerseMe and representatives from JillE Literacy. The conversation touched on the changing face of early childhood and school education due to COVID. Panellists were interested in the approaches and policies being implemented in New Zealand and all were agreed that we would benefit from working together and learning from each other to improve education outcomes. At the end of the roundtable, the Minister witnessed the signing of a seven-year partnership agreement between ImmerseMe and St. Vrain Valley School District, and the gifting of GlobalEd’s JillE Literacy books to roundtable participants.  

    The Minister’s involvement, along with the launch of the I AM NEW global marketing campaign, certainly helped lift New Zealand’s profile at NAFSA. There was a lot of interest inNew Zealand’s announcement of reconnecting with the world, and the eight universities and Te Pūkenga were kept busy meeting with partners each day of the conference.   

    The trip strengthened our connections with the international education community, including with US study abroad professionals recruiting students to study in New Zealand. As study abroad applications begin to open for January 2023 study, thanks to the Minister’s visit to NAFSA, the international education community will be well aware that New Zealand is ready to host students and can provide a unique and high-quality education experience.   

  • Around the world in five

    CHINA

    Why international scholarship programmes are flocking to Asia

    In this new era of globalisation, China seems poised to assume a greater leadership role in world affairs. Many fellowship foundations, university leaders and students have recognised this shift and, as a result, international student numbers in China have skyrocketed from 100,000 in 2004 to 400,000 in 2015. It is important that universities support any students keen to study in China by encouraging them to apply their interests during their undergraduate years – including acquiring language skills.

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    CANADA

    Canadian college builds app to help international students settle in

    Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) is building an app to guide its first-time international students to Canada with practical living information from housing to clothes. The app will act alongside its website and orientation sessions to better relay information about life on campus and in Canada.

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    RUSSIA

    Russia to simplify visas, boost international student quota to 200,000

    The Russian government has upped its international student quota for universities to 200,000 and put in place plans to simplify visas for students. The plans are part of an ongoing drive to boost the global profile of Russian higher education. The number of scholarships awarded to international students to study at Russian universities will also rise from 15,000 to 20,000, covering both tuition fees and a monthly stipend.

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    U.S.A

    A pause in international students?

    A new survey reveals that four in 10 U.S. colleges have experienced a decline in international applicants for the Fall 2017 term. The survey of around 250 colleges and universities was conducted in February, and more than three-quarters of institutions surveyed expressed concern about future enrolment. The most significant decline in applicants came from the Middle East, with a reported 39 percent decrease in undergraduate applications and a 31 percent decrease in graduate applications.

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    GLOBAL

    Cultural experience the big driver of study abroad for Generation Z

    A new global survey of more than 5,000 students in 27 countries found that six in 10 students between 13 and 18 years old have considered study abroad, with the main motivation being to seek out new cultural experiences – contrasting motivations among college-aged students, who demonstrate a much stronger focus on employability and employment outcomes.

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