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  • From the CE: Farewell to 2020

    2020 has been both the longest and shortest year of my life. It seems like no time ago we were discussing how we could get large numbers of students into New Zealand in time for semester one. Then we were in the midst of a global pandemic.

    New Zealand study providers have been admirable in their response. I applaud the way they have ensured that international students in their care have had the information, care and support they needed, especially through lockdown.

    Universities, schools and polytechnics, English language schools and private training providers have all moved incredibly quickly. Lectures, classes and assessments were moved online almost overnight.

    We heard of fantastic stories of staff members going above and beyond, like that of assistant principal of Havelock North High School, Jamie Kitchin. Jamie opened his home to student Lucas, who arrived in the country just in time for the first term of the year.

    In addition, providers and their peak bodies have been a key part of a sector-wide approach – made up of student associations, private and public providers, government agencies and not-for-profit organisations – to respond to the strategic, operational, and pastoral care issues we have faced. Hours have been spent together on Zoom discussing pragmatic responses, like the $1 million Student Hardship Fund and the pastoral care issues around repatriating international students.

    I also want to acknowledge education agents both offshore and onshore, who have been instrumental in supporting students and their families and ensuring they were safe and well.

    The challenges of 2020 have demonstrated the high calibre of international education in New Zealand.

    At Education New Zealand, we also had to rip up our plans for the year and start again.

    The 2018 New Zealand International Education Strategy had signalled that change was needed and the sector had to become more sustainable and diverse. The pandemic has accelerated that.

    Now, we are guided not only by the strategy, but by the Recovery Plan for international education, with a focus on keeping the New Zealand education brand alive, seeding innovation within the sector, strengthening the system and building on our international relationships.

    To date, the most advanced workstream within the plan is the retention of students. You can read about that elsewhere in this issue of E-News.

    Elsewhere, ENZ teams around the globe have been engaging with our offshore stakeholders through virtual events, seminars and workshops in support of our new work plan. While travel remains restricted, we’ve found that maintaining those person-to-person relationships are more important than ever.

    We’ve launched two brand campaigns (in the UK, Indonesia, Vietnam and China), to keep New Zealand alive in hearts and minds of prospective students. These campaigns have been our most successful to date. The third campaign, Tū Ngātahi, calls on New Zealanders to support international students currently in the country.

    And that’s only the beginning. I would like to echo the Minister in saying that we hope to see increased strength, resilience and innovation within international education going into 2021. The international education sector will not only weather this storm, but build back stronger.

    Make sure you take time out to enjoy with your family and friends. See you in the new year.

    Ehara taku toa I te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini.

    My strength is not that of a single warrior but that of many.

    Ngā mihi,

    Grant McPherson

    Chief Executive Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao

  • COVID-19 update for education providers

    Thank you for your ongoing support and care for international students at your institutions.

    Please read below for the latest advice from the Ministry of Education for Alert Level 4. For information especially for international students, visit the COVID-19 page on NauMai NZ.

    Advice for COVID-19 cases in tertiary education providers or accommodation

    Read the latest guidance in the Ministry of Education 23 August Tertiary Provider and International Bulletin

    Guidance for school hostels for all alert levels - Ministry of Education

    International students are eligible for COVID-19 vaccination

    As a reminder, international students, as temporary visa holders, are eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine as part of New Zealand's national vaccine programme.

    The Government has expanded the list of essential workers eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccination to include people who work in accommodation services (including tertiary accommodation providers). Children aged 12-15 are also now eligible for the vaccine.

    Full details are available on the Unite against COVID-19 website: COVID-19 vaccines | Unite against COVID-19 (covid19.govt.nz)

    Stress counselling and support

    During this time, it's natural to feel emotionally and physically drained.

    You’re not alone in this and you don’t need to cope on your own. Friends and family members can help you to cope.

    You can also get help and information from:

    • your education provider
    • your GP or local community health centre
    • Youthline at 0800 376 633 or youthline.co.nz
    • Need to Talk by calling or texting 1737

    In an emergency always call 111.

    Information in different languages and the Golden rules for Alert Level 4

    Information is available in a variety of languages on the Unite against COVID-19 website, including Chinese, Hindi, and Japanese.

    The Ministry for Ethnic Communities | Te Tari Mātāwaka have released videos in different languages about the ‘Golden rules for Level 4’. Please  share this link to the videos with your networks to support our community.

    Financial support for businesses

    The Government has activated a range of supports for businesses. Find out what financial support you can get for your business on the Unite against COVID-19 webpage.

    https://covid19.govt.nz/business-and-money/financial-support/financial-support-for-businesses

    Student Hardship for International Learners

    There is also support available for international students which is available below:

     

  • Indigenous women leaders see international education as key to the future

    They were speaking at a new webinar in the Kōrerorero: Conversations that Matter series – organised by Education New Zealand’s North America and Latin America teams in partnership with The Chronicle of Higher Education.

    The webinar attracted almost 800 academics, international education professionals, government officials and businesspeople, with 275 joining live and the rest registered to view it later. The event drew on the Chronicle’s large subscription base to reach an audience of high-ranking academics in the Americas and attracted an all-star panel of indigenous women leaders in education and business.

    Dr Alina Namuncura Rodenkirchen of Chile’s Universidad Católica de Temuco explained the challenges faced by Mapuche women, whose accessibility issues are amplified by rural living and lead to exclusion.

    “Education is the key to face all these obstacles. International education can show opportunities, can give us a bigger picture, can empower us,” she said.

    “At the same time, we can look back. When we are far away, we can cherish our people and feel what is missing, feel where we want to go back, to support and to collaborate.”

    Indigenous entrepreneur and consultant Rachel Petero shared her experiences as a Māori wāhine connecting with the Mapuche.

    “Think of entrepreneurship (as a way) to own your own self-determination, your sovereignty. We need to decolonise entrepreneurship and how we do that is (by) connecting,” she said.

    “International education is even more important now than ever before because it gives us hope. … It takes us out of this global pandemic mindset that we are stuck in and gives us hope to develop ourselves and move forward.”

    Carrie L. Billy, President and CEO of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium, said indigenous people had a special perspective on international education.

    “The cultural and societal responsibilities of women are the centre of our collective ability to maintain balance and harmony and wellbeing within the community. When that's out of balance, everything else follows,” she said.

    Associate Professor Ella Henry, Senior Lecturer in International Business, Strategy and Entrepreneurship at Auckland University of Technology, said international education could help to turn the tide for disadvantaged communities.

    “International education is very important, particularly for addressing some of the discrimination and disadvantage that indigenous communities and indigenous women face. Indigenous education is an important vehicle. What is also strengthened by that process is our indigenous identity,” she said.

    Dr Henry, of Ngātikahu ki Whangaroa, Ngāti Kuri and Te Rārawa, addressed non-indigenous educators interested in supporting indigenous international education, asking them to “learn to walk with us, alongside us, as allies.”

    Watch the full webinar episode – Kōrerorero: International Education and Developing Indigenous Women’s Leadership.

    The Chronicle of Higher Education – Education New Zealand’s webinar partner for the event – has an audience of 10 million higher education employees and 1,600 organisational subscribers to its web content and publications.

  • Updated timeframe for the re-opening of New Zealand's borders

    Note: The information in this story was correct at the time of publication, however, some steps in New Zealand's border reopening plan have now been brought forward. Click here to check the current border reopening steps.

    “To slow the rapid spread we have seen overseas, we are pushing out the start of non-MIQ travel until the end of February 2022”, COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said. 

    You can read the full announcement from the Government here.

    The Government has not yet announced the date from which any specific group of foreign nationals, such as international students, will be able to travel to New Zealand or apply for visas to do so.

    Until then, New Zealand’s current border settings will remain in place. Most people outside New Zealand cannot apply for a visa unless they have a border exception. There are limited border exceptions for international students.

    New Zealand suspended most offshore visa applications from August 2020 and that suspension currently extends to August 2022. The Government may decide to lift the suspension, in whole or in part, before August 2022 – in line with its decisions on the stages of the border re-opening.

    It is Education New Zealand’s view that it is better for international students, education providers and agents to wait for certainty on border entry conditions before making new plans or commitments to students.

    At this stage, in most cases, if international students who are now in New Zealand leave, they will not be able to return to the country for the start of the 2022 academic year. They will need to wait to apply for visas and to travel to New Zealand until the dates the Government sets for them to do so.

    At Education New Zealand we understand how much international students and education providers have been through during the COVID-19 pandemic.  We will keep students and providers up to date with the Government’s decisions as they are announced.

    We are looking forward to welcoming international students back to New Zealand.

    More information

    Find out more about visas from Immigration New Zealand if: 

    Find out more about New Zealand’s response to COVID-19:

     

  • From the Chief Executive: Importance of international students to New Zealand

    Just before Christmas, Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao filed its submission to the Productivity Commission Inquiry into immigration policy settings.  

    ENZ has taken a strong stand in the detailed 15-page submission, refuting some statements made about international students in the Commission’s preliminary report, and pointing out that international students are different to other temporary migrants included in the inquiry.  

    In the submission we say international students should not be characterised as coming to New Zealand to seek employment, invest or run a business. Rather, international students coming to New Zealand support the achievement of the Government’s broader goals and objectives, as well as contributing to NZ’s economic development. More than two thirds of international students fund their studies through their families and their own savings and most international tertiary students have left New Zealand within five years of completing their studies. 

    The submission also discusses the broad benefits international students deliver for New Zealand, including regional development, research output, and strengthened bilateral relationships with other countries. 

    The Productivity Commission aims to present its final report to the Government in April 2022. 

    In other recent news, our international teams have recently completed several partnership agreements that will continue to sustain international education while our borders are closed. These include a research exchange agreement with DAAD (a major German academic exchange organisation), a science research agreement with the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, and digital classroom cultural exchanges with South Korea. We also highlight the growing success of the NZ Global Competence Certificate during 2021.  These items are covered in more detail in this issue of E-News.

    He rā ki tua – Better days are coming! 

    Grant McPherson 
    Chief Executive, Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao 

  • More than 1,000 delegates attend NZIEC KI TUA 2022

    NZIEC at a glance   

    • 1,065: Registered delegates, making this the biggest NZIEC ever  
    • 105: Sessions delivered across the week  
    • 101: Speakers   
    • 11: MCs and facilitators  
    • 8: Time zones that ENZ’s international team members joined sessions from   
    • 3: Studios in operation, in Pōneke Wellington, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland and Ōtautahi Christchurch 
    • 88%: Delegate satisfaction for keynote and plenary sessions (rated good or very good).

    “This was the largest NZIEC ever held, which shows the high level of interest in rebuilding the international education sector within Aotearoa New Zealand,” says Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) Chief Executive Grant McPherson.

    “I’d like to thank our line-up of keynote, plenary and breakout speakers, as well as everyone who took the time to attend. I hope all of our delegates were encouraged and inspired and gained a gem or two for the rebuild journey ahead.” 

    Prime Minister and Minister address conference delegates 

    Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern recorded a special message for our sector. If you missed it during the conference closing session, take a moment to view it now.

    YouTube

     

    Education Minister Chris Hipkins also addressed conference delegates and answered questions. Conference delegates can view this session on the event portal.

    New ingoa Māori  

    This year, to celebrate its 29th birthday, NZIEC was gifted a new ingoa Māori (te reo Māori name): NZIEC KI TUA. The name was inspired by the following whakataukī:  

     

    He rā ki tua.  

    Look positively toward the future,  Better times are coming.  

     

    Ki Tua is not about returning to the ‘status quo’. It’s about reconnecting to the world, finding a fresh perspective, and taking a new approach.

    “The adoption of NZIEC KI TUA reflects our commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the Maihi Karauna, the Crown’s Strategy for Māori Language Revitalisation,” Mr McPherson says.

    “NZIEC’s new name also reflects Aotearoa New Zealand’s distinct cultural identity and the importance of continuing to develop our sector’s annual conference.” 

    Sessions are still available  

    Registered delegates can watch or re-watch conference sessions from the event portal until Friday 16 September. 

    Conference highlights 

    Recognising the challenge facing the international education sector, the conference explored the theme of Towards Recovery: Reflect, Reconnect and Renew. 

    The programme started by reflecting on the sector’s pandemic experience, including moving reflections from international students and international education practitioners. Delegates explored student experience through the pandemic.

    The programme then shifted to reconnecting with the world. Delegates heard from Minister of Education, Hon Chris Hipkins, and New Zealand’s leading trade negotiator, Vangelis Vitalis. 

    Mid-week we turned our attention to renewal, and how our industry can seize the big opportunities and overcome the big challenges it faces. We explored the intersection of te ao Māori and international education, how we can develop global citizenship, approaches to innovation and diversification, and tackling the climate challenge.  

     

    Quotes that struck a chord 

      

    • “I learned a lot about love, I think. Love and care during this pandemic”  
      - Veena TK, Masters student from Malaysia, reflects on an unexpected aspect of her pandemic experience in Aotearoa.  

      

    • “I love my school canteen. You know especially butter chicken pie, they’re $4 each. Pretty good.”  
      – Year 13 student Chad (Min-Hyeok) Kang’s favourite go-to food spot in New Zealand is close to home.  

      

    • "I do want to thank everybody for their ongoing feedback and support and for the huge amount of resilience and persistence that we have seen across the international education sector. I do think there are some very, very exciting things ahead for us."  
      – Hon Chris Hipkins, Minister of Education, in his remarks to the international education sector.  

      

    • “Let me start first with the international context… we have war, we have plague, we have the famine and of course we have climate change as well”  
      – Vangelis Vitalis discusses contemporary challenges in the international arena. 

      

    • “Knowledge wasn’t retained for status, it wasn’t a choice. Often it was associated to the wellbeing and betterment of our people” 
      – Sharlene Maoate-Davis talks about how education is conceived and valued from a te ao Māori perspective.  

      

    • “Six months in a leaky boat has a whole new meaning to me”  
      – Abbas Nazari on his experience prior to being rescued by the MV Tampa. More seriously, he offered these remarks: “The essence of my talk is very simple… in life there are obstacles and challenges that fall across your path. Despite all these challenges, there is always light at the end of the tunnel.” 

      

    • “The weight of the past is constantly fighting with the pull of the future and the push of the present to try and kill innovation”  
      – Melissa Clarke-Reynolds on organisational immune systems’ reactions to innovation.  

      

    • “Changing your world is your critical contribution to changing the world”  
      – Dr Kennedy Graham on how you can contribute to the climate challenge.

    Stay tuned to next month’s E-News for more details on NZIEC KI TUA 2023.

  • Around the world in five

    Chile 

    Māori and Mapuche concert at UAHC 

    China 

    Build a strong security line during study abroad-China Overseas Chinese Network 

    The 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and New Zealand marks a new chapter in educational cooperation 

    India 

    University Of Auckland: University Earns Double Top Ranking for Sustainability 

    University of Waikato Announces Scholarships Worth NZ$ 500K for Indian Students 

    To greener pastures? 

    Indonesia 

    New Zealand Education Minister shares tips when facing the pressures of studying abroad 

    Third Year, KIWI Challenge 2022 Entrepreneurial Competition is back 

    South Korea 

    Right time to elevate New Zealand-Korea educational partnership: minister 

    Incheon City Education Bronze Asia International Education Institute signs business agreement with New Zealand Education Promotion Agency 

    Thailand 

    Ch8 ENZ, in collaboration with nearly 50 leading New Zealand educational institutions, organized the "New Zealand Education 2022" event 

    New Zealand Education Guidance with Scholarships Free Registration 5 Nov 2022 

    United States 

    Two-thirds of colleges plan to grow efforts to reach foreign students and expand their global presence 

    University of Richmond gets ahead of International Education Week with New Zealand ‘gumboot throwing’ 

    Outbound US study abroad down 91% 

    Viet Nam 

    PM Ardern meets Prime Minister of Viet Nam for Prime Ministers’ Summit 

    More learning opportunities for students with New Zealand Schools 

    Vietnam, New Zealand Agreed to Expand Cooperation 

    Nearly 1,000 students participated in the New Zealand Education Fair 2022 

    ENZ: Connection through education 

    How has New Zealand's advanced education changed young people? 

    Things I wish I knew before studying in New Zealand 

    International 

    Agents: demand set to ‘exceed’ pre-pandemic level 

    Immigrants and international students boost exports 

    It is a wonderful time to be international students 

    Australian visa grants to Indian subcontinent students plummet 

    Survey shows growth in climate-related university courses 

    New Zealand 

    International student opens up on loneliness of studying in NZ 

  • From the CE: Holiday greetings!

    Education providers and agents, other NZ Inc agencies, and our own passionate and committed international teams, enabled New Zealand to retain an active presence in our key partner countries while the borders were closed – creating online events and promotions, finding innovative ways to enable students who were caught overseas to continue their studies online, and working hard to sustain and develop vital relationships. At the same time, we worked with you to look after international students remaining in New Zealand, and to enable selected students to travel here through the cohort processes. 

    Reduced restrictions in some countries created some very useful opportunities for travel and direct personal engagement in the first half of the year.  

    New Zealand’s successful participation at NAFSA in the United States at the end of May was a major highlight – it included a high profile role for Education Minister Chris Hipkins, the launch of Te Pūkenga’s international strategy as well as participation by all eight of New Zealand’s universities, and the launch of the sector’s new global marketing campaign, I AM NEW.  

    This award-winning campaign, which showcases unique aspects of a New Zealand education, has so far achieved a total reach of 184 million people – generating 52.7 million engagements across Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, WeChat, Weibo and Bilibil, attracting a high level of interest at offshore events and positive media coverage.  

    Minister Hipkins’ visit to NAFSA was the start of an education-focussed trip to the United States, Brazil and Chile. The value of this first trip and the ones that followed later in the year cannot be overstated – they have sent a strong message that New Zealand is open for business and ready to welcome international students once again. Subsequent visits to Asia by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and by Minister Hipkins again included meetings with key politicians, officials, education providers, agents, alumni and other stakeholders, and gained significant media coverage in the region.  

    Over recent months we’ve seen a steady increase in the number of international students here. New Zealanders also have the opportunity to experience international education in Asia and Latin America once again, with the resumption of the Prime Minister’s Scholarships. 

    These have been welcome developments, but there is still a way to go to rebuild student numbers enrolling with institutions in New Zealand. It’s also increasingly clear that the long-term future of international education needs to be much broader than student mobility. Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao was already working with the sector on innovation pre-Covid, and the pandemic has highlighted the importance of this diversification work, to support greater resilience and long-term sustainability. The refreshed New Zealand International Education Strategy 2022-30 and the 2020 Strategic Recovery Plan for International Education have set the framework for our work in this area during the year.  

    Finally, as we head towards the holiday break, I’d like to thank everyone for your support this year. I look forward to working with you again in 2023 to rebuild an international education sector that is sustainable, resilient, and innovative, and of high value for students, providers, and all of New Zealand. 

    Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi engari he toa takitini - It is not the strength of one person alone, but the strength of many that contribute to our success. 

    Grant McPherson 

  • Around the world in five  

    India  

    Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta off to India to promote education, trade, tourism  

    New Zealand Foreign Minister Hon Nanaia Mahuta is currently in India promoting New Zealand’s education, trade, and tourism interests. 

     

    The United Kingdom 

    From celebration to despair over international students 

    As demand soars for international education in England, reports of changes to post study work rights for international students is causing concern for the education sector.  

     

    International  

    Industry leaders share their 2023 international education predictions  

    Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao Chief Executive Grant McPherson shared his 2023 goals and predictions for key international education trends alongside other leaders in the sector.  

     

    Nepal seeking to become international education hub 

    Nepal is vying to become a hub for international education, according to the Minister of education Shishir Khanal. 

     

    New Zealand  

    Chinese students rush to return to New Zealand campuses after distance study crackdown  

    China has reversed its temporary rule allowing foreign universities to deliver online courses to students within China, thousands of students are expected to arrive in New Zealand quickly for semester one of the year. 

  • From the Acting CE: Forward together

    Tēnā koutou katoa  

    Last week we took time internally to reflect on our work over the 2023/24 financial year. So much excellent work has happened over the past twelve months – it was wonderful to come together virtually as an organisation to celebrate the achievements. 

    There are good reasons to celebrate. International students are returning to New Zealand. The latest enrolment figures show that there were 69,135 international student enrolments with New Zealand education providers in 2023. This represents a 67 per cent increase compared to the full year in 2022 and 60 per cent of annual enrolments in 2019.  

    This is positive news for our education sector and good for our communities. 

    A key part of our strategy is to partner and connect and to be an enabler of international education for New Zealand, so I thought I would share with you some recent engagements with that in mind. 

    This past month I had the pleasure of speaking at the opening plenary session of the annual SIEBA (Schools International Education Business Association) conference in Auckland. The theme of the hui was Global Threads Local Ties. The school sector is very important to New Zealand’s international education offering. It is the second largest sub sector after universities, representing about 20 percent of the value of our entire industry and it is where we find the highest economic value and the greatest opportunity to pathway through to other New Zealand providers.  

    Likewise, in early August I was pleased to welcome to our Wellington office a delegation of twenty indigenous students visiting from the University of Toronto. Canada is one of New Zealand’s closest and longstanding international partners and it is pleasing to see indigenous-to-indigenous cooperation between both countries increasing. We are really noticing growing interest in this overseas as you will read in this article here. - Indigenous Internationalisation a hot topic 

    Turning our attention to the next 12 months, in June the ENZ Board approved our business plan for this financial year (1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025). The plan has four clear priorities: 

    • To grow and diversify the number and value of international students studying with New Zealand 

    • Partner and connect to be the trusted voice and enabler of international education for New Zealand 

    • To deliver sector growth through services that are valued by the sector, international students and New Zealand Inc partners, and 

    • Optimise ENZ to be a more efficient and effective Crown Agency. 

     When it comes to delivering valued sector services, the upcoming New Zealand International Education Conference (NZIEC KI TUA) in August will be provide an excellent opportunity to come together as a sector to listen, learn, discuss, contribute, and network with specialists and colleagues. 

     If you haven’t yet registered, I encourage you to check out the conference website. This year it will be held from 6 to 8 August 2024 at Tākina Convention Centre in Wellington.  

     We have a stellar line up of speakers and it promises to be an engaging and informative event. 

     

    Whaowhia te kete mātauranga 

    Fill the basket of knowledge. 

     

    Ngā mihi nui,    

     

    Dr Linda Sissons  

    Acting Chief Executive  

    Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao 

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