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International Students Support Framework
I-graduate surveys show that we do a good job with supporting international students, exceeding the international benchmark in many areas.
But we also know that international students are at times overloaded with information which can be inconsistent and are looking for a more coordinated, thorough, and targeted approach to the information they receive.
The Ministry of Education is leading a cross-government agency initiative to develop an International Students Support Framework to ensure that government information and support for international students is well coordinated with the support which providers deliver.
Government agencies provide a wide range of information to international students and services where necessary, helping communities, sectors and other relevant bodies to create a good support network for international students in New Zealand.
A variety of organisations including education agents, education providers, community bodies and local government also provide support and we need to work together to ensure we are meeting international students’ information needs.
Once government agencies have shaped what the Framework may entail in terms of government initiatives, wide consultation is planned with sector bodies, education providers, international students, student bodies, local governments, community organisations, and other stakeholders.
Consultation will seek feedback on:
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government roles and responsibilities, including proposed initiatives
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current practice outside of government departments
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developing a directory of information and support services for international students throughout New Zealand
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what is missing or could be done better.
A process and timeline for feedback on the draft framework will be advised in the coming months.
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Shared role expected to bring benefits in Southland
Southland Girls’ High School and Southland Boys’ High School have decided to maximise their international opportunities by appointing Carolyn Davies as Director of International Students for both schools.
“We have been in the International student market for over 23 years. What we find works well for us is having a full time International Director – that one port of call helps agents, students and parents,” says Yvonne Browning, Principal of Southland Girls’ High School.
“SGHS and SBHS are not in competition with each other and we see major benefits in sharing an International Director. There may be economies of scale to be achieved through joint promotions and marketing material, and by sharing systems and processes we will create better practice for both schools.”
Ian Baldwin, Rector of Southland Boys’ High School says their more than 20 years of experience in international education has taught them that it is important to develop mutually beneficial relationships with students and parents.
“We’ve had to become much more professional in our approach and commit real resource to building these relationships. I realised that we needed a person dedicated to the necessary 24/7 pastoral care of students along with agent-school and parent-school relationships,” says Ian.
Carolyn Davies is that person and she agrees with Ian about the dedication required to be a successful international director.
“International education is more than a job; it is part of your life – a passion. Many of the agents and school staff are like family and my parents now have many international children and grandchildren. I often have agents asking, ‘can I stay at mum and dads?’ If they don’t stay there, the first thing they do when they arrive is ring up and book in for a roast lamb dinner.
“When the opportunity arose for me to take up the DIS role at SBHS it was a natural fit. If you are going to talk to an agent about an opportunity you know the agent represent girls as well as boys – so it makes sense,” says Carolyn.
Carolyn says feedback from agents supports the decision by Ian and Yvonne to follow this path.
“The role will include agent liaison, coordination of accommodation placements for the students, marketing, holiday and weekend programmes and some new things like setting up an International Facebook page for SBHS,” says Carolyn.
SGHS currently has over 25 international students from Japan, China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Germany and Yvonne is excited to soon see some students coming from Chile and Korea.
SBHS has fewer students but is looking for growth.
“While our numbers are relatively low at 12 students, Carolyn and I fully expect a 50 percent increase within a year just through the obvious synergies,” says Ian.
Carolyn will continue to be based at Southland Girls’ but will now be the first point of contact for both schools.
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International Education Conference reveals new pathways to success
The conference is an annual part of Study Auckland’s international education programme and featured speakers from throughout the industry including Ministry of Education, Education New Zealand, NZQA, The Mindlab, The University of Auckland, Auckland University of Technology, Howick College and Whitecliffe College of Arts and Design.
International Education Manager Debbie Chambers says the conference provided some interesting insights and direction for the industry.
“There’s some incredibly exciting things happening in the international education sector in Auckland with more institutions doing innovative things and thinking outside the box than ever before. It was great to be able to share some of these ideas and best practices throughout the day.”
The conference also presented the chance for ATEED to highlight its new structure and focus for international education emphasising the strategic importance of the industry to Auckland.
Part of this work to help grow the sector includes working in conjunction with Education New Zealand’s through its Regional Partnership Programme.
This exciting partnership will see ATEED deliver three key projects:
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Telling the Auckland Story – Pathways to success: ATEED will work with the Futures Group to provide institutions and stakeholders with multi-lingual and multi-media collateral and case studies to enable them to tell Regional Auckland’s education, employment and experiential pathway success stories.
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Enhancing the Student Experience: Facilitate a series of events that help international students, education institutions, and employers to connect and engage in order to match their respective needs
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Building Capability – New Product Development: Increase the capability of Auckland’s international education sector by helping them to identify a particular customer need and then develop a new education, tourism and cultural product, which will then be taken to a specific market to be sold.
Debbie says this year’s event really highlighted what an exciting time is to be working in the international education.
“It was heartening to see the support we have from the sector with such a great turnout of attendees and there was a real buzz throughout the whole day. You could see people were hungry for information, new ideas and ways they could work together and share best practice,” she says.
“It was awesome to have our student ambassadors on stage. Hearing their stories about their lives in Auckland and knowing that their lives have been changed for the better as a result of studying here makes all the work we do worthwhile.”
The Director of Marketing at ACG, Kim Harase, says, “The best Study Auckland Conference to date. It had the right mix of presentations, ranging from government agency updates to industry best practice and student experience. There was something for everyone and the Study Auckland team did an excellent job with the organisation of the event."
Diocesan Director of International Students Simone Clark says, “It was a terrific opportunity to hear from those who are passionate about International Education and appreciate its importance to Auckland. Student satisfaction is key; it is vital that their expectations are met – not only at their chosen educational institution but in their overall experience of Auckland. The panel of current International students and their candid, honest feedback was a highlight for me.”
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Auckland Agency Group progresses student well-being initiatives
AAG Chair Isabel Evans, Director of the Ministry of Education (MOE) in Auckland, says more than 60 per cent of international students currently study in Auckland.
“The AAG group was established to build cross-agency government leadership in the Auckland region,” she says.
“We also wanted to ensure that agencies on the ground in Auckland are collaborating effectively.”
Education members of the AAG include the MOE, Education New Zealand (ENZ), New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) and Tertiary Education Commission. Other government agencies include New Zealand Police, Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), Immigration New Zealand, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ministry of Social Development and Office of Ethnic Communities, Waitemata and Auckland District Health Boards and the Human Rights Commission. Auckland economic growth agency ATEED also plays an important role.
Ms Evans said the AAG was involved in stakeholder engagement in August which contributed to a draft International Student Wellbeing Strategy.
“From this engagement, we identified a number of action areas. Since then, group members have been working on ways to improve the overall international student experience in Auckland, with the potential to roll these out nationally if successful.”
Below are some of the initiatives underway.
- ATEED and NZ Police are working on a refresh of a safety video for international students. While it will be filmed in Auckland, its messaging will apply to students nationally, and should be available from early 2017.
- ATEED is developing an International Student Experience programme in partnership with ENZ and industry partners.
- Several agencies are looking at ways to improve the information available to international students and their families. Students are seeking more information on such topics as the true cost of living, insurance and what it covers, employment rights, health services and New Zealand culture.
- Agencies are also looking at ways to provide more volunteer and internship opportunities for international students. ATEED and MBIE will also launch phase two of their job-ready graduate programme working with ICT grads specifically.
- Several agencies are looking at ways to better support international parents, particularly those accompanying children who are studying at primary school here. These parents can be isolated and lonely. This support can also extend to the homestay parents who host international students.
“These initiatives are a start, and the AAG members are enthusiastically collaborating to make sure that opportunities to enhance the international student experience are progressed,” says Ms Evans.
She says the AAG’s work is aimed to enhance the service that international students receive from their education provider, rather than replacing it.
For further information, please contact ENZ Acting Director, Student Experience, Sahinde Pala at Sahinde.pala@enz.govt.nz.
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Around the world in five
GERMANY
Why Germany educates international students for free
In Germany, international student numbers have risen about 30 percent since 2012. In most countries, this would mean lots of extra cash from hefty tuition fees but, in Germany, students famously learn for free, regardless of where they come from. With international students making up nearly one in 10 students, why does the country choose to pass up tuition from other countries’ young people?
UK
UK aims to double number of students going abroad by 2020
Universities UK International has updated its strategy to boost outward mobility, which includes doubling the number of students who go abroad during their degree to 13.2% of total enrolments by 2020. In 2014/15, 6.6% of full-time, first degree, undergraduate, UK-domiciled students undertook an international placement. The strategy outlines six objectives to achieve the goal, such as building capacity to facilitate outward mobility, sharing best practice, and providing a collective voice for the sector.
GLOBAL
IIE’s tips to welcome international students
IIE’s team of experts has pulled together 11 actions to make international students feel welcome. These include using your institution’s social media to share specific messages about your campus; enlisting international students and alumni as ambassadors to reach out to newly admitted students; sending periodic updates about issues of concern such as safety and visas; highlighting student associations and re-examining your print and online materials to make sure they represent the diversity and welcoming nature of your campus.
VIET NAM
Vocational training drains State budget
For many years, thousands of billion đồng have been invested in many vocational secondary schools or technical high schools nationwide. However, many remain idle due to poor student enrolment. Đào Ngọc Dung, Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, admitted that a key reason for the situation is poor planning, saying schools have been built without conducting a survey of the market demand, and failing to meet the actual needs of the country.
INDIA
IIT heads are worried about the quality of India’s engineers
A number of directors from Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) are concerned over the employability of the millions of engineers in the country. The rapid growth of India’s IT industry in the 1990s and 2000s saw thousands of low-quality engineering colleges pop up as an alternative to the IITs, which are notoriously hard to get into. However, without proper training or access to the right curricula, only a quarter of India’s engineers are employable. Experts say what’s needed is education with a more practical and relevant approach to learning.
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Student experience takes centre stage at NZIEC 2017
Delegates will gain insights from Study Auckland’s student experience transformation project, discover community support mechanisms to enhance your pastoral programmes and learn how to facilitate the successful education transitions of international students.
There are also sessions on how to foster collective leadership to encourage student wellbeing, how to challenge and motivate students, and how to equip yourself with teaching strategies to engage tertiary international students.
“We have the opportunity to deliver a unique and life-changing student experience in New Zealand,” says Hayley Shields, ENZ’s Student Experience Director.
“This year’s conference includes a broad range of sessions sharing best practice from around the country, and will be useful for institutions and regions seeking to enhance the experiences of international students throughout the student life cycle.”
This year’s conference also brings the voices of international students into the programme as never before. We will explore what current international students think about their New Zealand study experiences and learn from international student graduates about what worked and what didn’t as they transitioned to employment.
You’ll also find international students popping up throughout conference, including in Lian-Hong Brebner’s session ‘We just want to be included’.
Don’t forget to check out ISANA New Zealand’s breakout stream. ISANA have developed a comprehensive breakout programme with positive student experiences at the centre.
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NZIEC 2018: Theme and call for speakers
ENZ warmly welcomes presentation proposals from across the global international education industry for the 27th NZIEC. Submissions are welcome on any topic relating to the international education industry. Check out the guidelines for presenters and submit your proposal on the NZIEC website. Our call for speakers closes on Friday16 March 2018.
Conference theme: Inspiring Global Citizens
‘We must no longer consider ourselves
as citizens of the cities or countries in which we live,
but we must consider ourselves citizens of the globe.’In this time of rapid change and globalisation, international education has a vital role in equipping our society with the skills needed for the future. New Zealand is ideally placed to address this need. We rank first in The Economist Intelligence Unit’s Worldwide Educating for the FutureIndex for our ability to equip our young leaders with the critical thinking, collaboration and global awareness skills they need to succeed in an increasingly internationalised and technology-driven world.
The 27th New Zealand International Education Conference and Expo (NZIEC) will explore how international education can build on this strength to equip and inspire our students, educators and professionals to become the new wave of global influencers and leaders. Our international education industry can help change the world.NZIEC 2018 will explore the following questions:
- How do we inspire and develop the next generation of global citizens?
- How can we harness technology to enhance our international education marketing, offering and practices?
- How can we forge leading-edge education products, services and technologies that will be in-demand in existing and future global markets?
- How can we connect the value of international education to our diverse communities?
- How can we work together to ensure international education contributes to New Zealand’s future development?
NZIEC 2018 will feature five breakout streams. Check them out here.
About NZIEC 2018
The New Zealand International Education Conference and Expo is the annual conference for New Zealand’s international education industry. NZIEC 2018 will be held at Te Papa Tongarewa on Thursday 9 and Friday 10 August and is expected to attract 700 delegates. Registration will open in May 2017. For more information, check out www.nziec.co.nz. We hope to see you there!
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Letter from the CE: Kiwis see the benefits of international education
The 2018 Perceptions research announced today tells us that an increasing number of Kiwis value the sector, which is great news. More New Zealanders can see how international students impact on more than just the education provider they are attached to.
Some of the key findings include that 73% of New Zealanders believe international education benefits New Zealand tourism, 62% believe it benefits our economy and 61% believe it benefits our international networks and trading connections.
These positive perceptions are growing – more New Zealanders noted these benefits than in previous years.
This is a fantastic result and reflects the hard work undertaken by education providers, regional bodies, government agencies, students and the many other champions of our sector who tell our story and showcase the many ways international education enhances our country.
The Perceptions research findings come on top of the $5.1 billion valuation announced last week, which places international education as New Zealand’s fourth largest export industry – one that also supports close to 50,000 jobs.
Taken together, these reports show an increased understanding among New Zealanders of how international education can help to build New Zealand's global linkages, fill skill shortages, enrich our cultural diversity and grow our regional economies.
I’m optimistic that this understanding will grow and, by looking to the International Education Strategy to guide us, our sector can continue to deliver for all New Zealanders and provide meaningful experiences for international students.
For more information on the Perceptions research, click here.
For more information on the economic valuation, click here.
Grant McPherson
Chief Executive, Education New Zealand
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What Kiwi employers value in New Zealand-educated international graduates
A new research report published by ENZ looks into Kiwi employers from small to medium-sized (SME) businesses to show what they most value in New Zealand-educated international graduates.
The report, Employer Perceptions of Hiring International Graduates, was launched today at the Global Internship Conference, hosted by the University of Auckland.
The research looked into the hiring practices, pressures and opportunities for employers from SME businesses, which make up 97 percent of enterprise in New Zealand.
ENZ Chief Executive Grant McPherson said the research identified two key areas of New Zealand-educated international graduates’ value to Kiwi SMEs.
“One was the keen attitude of international graduates, which is defined as positively contributing to work outputs; and the graduates’ multicultural energy, which is seen as positively contributing to workplace morale,” McPherson said.
Characteristics associated with a keen attitude include perseverance, earned success, drive and willingness to take on tasks, while those associated with multi-cultural energy include an energising effect and the fostering of creativity and innovation.
“Research we have commissioned previously highlighted the importance that international students place on post-study work and career opportunities and outcomes, and how central this is to a successful overall student experience.
“This research showed that some students find New Zealand poses some challenges in this area,” McPherson said.
The research involved in-depth interviews with SME employers from a range of industries across New Zealand from Whangarei to Dunedin, and a further half-day workshop. The focus was on international graduates who have a post-study work rights visa within current immigration settings.
“There are clearly opportunities to improve employment outcomes for New Zealand-educated international graduates,” he said.
“ENZ is planning to re-define the perceived value of New Zealand-educated international graduates in the eyes of New Zealand employers, based on the research findings.”
Employability is a theme that sits across all three of the goals in the New Zealand International Education Strategy 2018-2030, launched in August last year.
For a full version of the report – see here: Employer Perceptions of Hiring International Graduates.
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From Education Minister Chris Hipkins
It represents a shift from international education as a revenue generating export industry to one that incorporates domestic students, boosts global skills and enriches our country socially and culturally.
We’re making strong progress towards this vision. Education New Zealand’s latest Perceptions survey shows more New Zealanders – nearly 60% – believe international education makes a positive contribution to this country. The survey also reveals an increased appreciation for benefits such as greater cultural understanding.
We’re seeing more international students located around the country, supporting regional economies and contributing to diversity and inclusion in local communities: the regional distribution of international students is now at its highest level in the past five years.
We are also seeing a rise in the numbers of international students enrolling at our universities – up seven percent from 2017, and also in our schools, which are up six percent.
This is evidence of the quality of the educational experience we are offering to the world. The Reform of Vocational Education is another step in the right direction, ensuring this sector is strong, unified and continues to be globally relevant in the fast-changing world of work.
The reform includes bringing together the country’s 16 ITPs under a single national Institute of Skills and Technology. This will strengthen New Zealand’s profile internationally and increase our ability to attract quality students from around the world.
Of course, an excellent educational experience is about more than just what happens in the classroom. It is about students feeling welcome, safe and supported. The International Education Strategy places wellbeing front and centre. We can be proud of the progress that has been made in this area – enhancing the pastoral care of international students and improving the information provided to prospective and current international students.
Let’s continue to work together to grow this vision. As one of the Kiwis surveyed for ENZ’s Perceptions research says: “by bringing a global perspective to our educational facilities, international students increase New Zealanders’ understanding of global cultures and perspectives – and collaborate with them".
