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• Getting ready to celebrate 25 years

  2016 celebrates 25 years of New Zealand International Education conferences being held. During the conference, we’ll be celebrating some of the highlights of our industry’s journey.

  If you’re joining us in Auckland, make sure you check out the history display in the exhibition hall. We traverse a handful of key highlights as the industry has developed and evolved over the past 25+ years.

  If you’re not able to join us in Auckland, you can follow the conversation on Twitter at #nziec and on Weibo at #2016新西兰国际教育年会NZIEC#.

  ***

  Here, Richard Smith, founding director of Auckland Institute of Studies (AIS), reflects on his time in the industry, outlining how AIS has evolved over the years.
  
  

  

  Blazing a trail over 25 years ago

  
  Richard Smith talks about his experience in the international education industry.

  “In the late 1980s, I was involved in business between New Zealand and China in both the public and private sectors, and regularly received enquiries about education in New Zealand.

  So in 1990, my two business partners and I set up AIS. We were based in the Downtown Centre, Auckland, initially as an English language school, starting with a single class of international students. In our second year, we added business studies, then travel and tourism courses, and appointed marketing officers for Japan and China. AIS quickly grew to more than 200 students. 

  

  The entire roll of AIS could fit in one room back in 1991.

  In the first five years, we worked seven days a week, putting in huge hours. I was on the business development and admin side, doing everything from paying staff, processing student applications, and signing up agent representatives.

  In 1992, we brought in new business partners from Taiwan and Japan, and bought the old St Helens maternity hospital, set on 10 acres in Mount Albert. It had been empty for two years and was very rundown. Moving from the city to the suburbs was a good move as it allowed for expansion. Being in a residential area meant easy access to homestays for students. We also converted the old nursing home into student accommodation. In 1993, the doors of the new campus opened after a year of refurbishment. 

  

  AIS was reborn at the old St Helen’s maternity hospital.

  The following year we launched our first degree, the Bachelor of International Business, becoming the first private business school at degree level in New Zealand. In 1995, we started delivering an MBA programme. Then in 2002, we opened our second campus, the Asquith Campus, where we developed new degree programmes in tourism, hospitality and information technology.

  Over the years, more than 20,000 students have studied at AIS. Today, we cater for around 1,500 students from all around the world.

  Looking back, we were like trailblazers really, starting from scratch alongside other new organisations like New Zealand Qualifications Authority and New Zealand Education International Ltd, and putting in the hard yards. In 2015, we celebrated our 25^th anniversary.”

  

  AIS students celebrate graduation, 1993.

• What happens after graduation?

  “While the majority of international students are taking their New Zealand university education into the global workplace, it is positive that nearly half are staying here - at least for a period of time,” says Grant McPherson, Chief Executive of Education New Zealand.

  “It suggests that there are opportunities in New Zealand for young skilled people, and is great news for employers who will have a more diverse pool of  graduates to draw from in order to meet any skill shortages.”  

  Highlights:

  • 48% of international graduates returned to live in their country of origin
  • 43% of international graduates remained to work in New Zealand
  • 9% international graduates currently live elsewhere overseas

  Nearly 9,000 final-year university students participated in the baseline survey in 2011, and 70 per cent of these completed the first follow-up survey in 2014.  Some nine per cent were international students.

  

  The survey is part of the Graduate Longitudinal Study New Zealand (GLSNZ) which aims to determine how the lives and career goals of students are progressing. Over 80 per cent of the participants say they are currently employed.

  The study was commissioned by Universities New Zealand with funding support from the  Ministry of Education and Ministry of Women’s Affairs.  It  is being carried out by the Dunedin-based  National Centre for Lifecourse Research.

  The researchers will complete further follow-up surveys five and 10 years after graduation.

• The EAIE 2016 builds partnerships

  The EAIE conference took place last month in Liverpool, with more than 5000 participants from over 80 countries in attendance. This included ENZ, which coordinated a branded New Zealand pavilion that showcased six universities and four Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics.

  ENZ’s Regional Director Americas and Europe, Lisa Futschek, says that partnerships such as NMIT’s confirm how important EAIE is for New Zealand providers wanting to work with overseas institutions.

  “Face-to-face relationship building is invaluable in this industry, allowing providers to discuss opportunities in a friendly but focussed environment,” she said.

  “Each year EAIE brings together not just European, but global key industry players. It therefore provides a perfect platform for New Zealand industry to establish new and develop existing international partnerships.”

  In light of its new partnership, NMIT will begin on-campus promotion of the exchange opportunity to Kiwi students in 2017.

  The EAIE is not a student-facing event, similar to its North American counterpart, NAFSA (Association of International Educators) but an important business to business event on the annual international education calendar.

  

  Left: Will Tregidga, International Development Manager from Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT) with Silke Bochow from Cologne Business School.

  On the eve of the EAIE conference, ENZ hosted a New Zealand networking function, A Taste of New Zealand in the heart of Liverpool, for New Zealand institutions along with their existing and potential European partners. The New Zealand High Commissioner in London, Sir Lockwood Smith, officially opened the event, delighting guests with his passionate promotion of New Zealand as an international education destination.  He shared with the crowd his pride at having introduced the world-leading integrated Qualifications Framework as Education Minister in the late 1980s.

  Sir Lockwood brought the evening to a fitting close by leading Ngati Ranana Kapa Haka group in a spontaneous and rousing rendition of “Now is the Hour”.

  

  Sir Lockwood Smith at A Taste of New Zealand in the heart of Liverpool

• Talking international education in Berlin

  The get-together provided an opportunity to hear different views and perspectives on New Zealand, its education system and motivating factors for German students to study there.

  It was also a chance for IEC Online to showcase its activities, particularly as education agents are a main recruitment channel for German students to New Zealand.

  ENZ’s Senior Market Development Manager Ute Haug said New Zealand is a very popular English language study destination for German students.

  “In Germany, New Zealand is seen as offering high quality and globally-recognised qualifications in a supportive, welcoming and safe learning environment – with the bonus of great lifestyle opportunities.”

  Haug added that New Zealand’s appeal goes beyond tuition, and that international students are drawn here because of support networks in place too.

  “Even childcare options can be motivating factors for students as we’ve seen with Sina. She will be undertaking her study at Massey with her baby and partner in tow, so she’s happy to know that she will be supported in this regard.”

  In the discussion with Dr Mary English, whose family has hosted international students over the years, Haug said it became clear that it is not only international students who benefit from the New Zealand experience, but also Kiwi kids who gain insights into other cultures and learn about other parts of the world.

  Germany is the largest source country for European international students to New Zealand and New Zealand’s seventh largest education market worldwide – some 3,300 German students studied in New Zealand in 2015.

  IEC Online is one of Germany’s largest education agents sending German tertiary students to New Zealand. IEC cooperates with all the eight New Zealand universities and with five Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics (ITPs).

• Around the world in five

  GLOBAL 

  Institutional websites remain a key element of online recruiting 

  As many as 9 in 10 prospective students don’t have a particular school in mind when they begin their search process, making institution websites an essential source of information for prospective students. Social media plays an important part too, particularly for gathering recommendations for institutions or schools and as a window into student life.  

  Read more

  GLOBAL 

  Teacher demand international schools’ biggest challenge 

  Parents’ desire to equip their children with English language skills and prepare them for university overseas have contributed to a worldwide boom. The number of international students worldwide is forecasted to reach 6.3 million by 2021. Schools will therefore face the challenge of finding enough skilled teachers to deliver a high quality education to all of these students – some 150,000 qualified teachers are expected to be needed by 2021. 

  Read more  

  USA/MEXICO 

  Building bridges not walls will bring greater innovation 

  Over 60 university leaders from the Americas, Europe, Asia, Middle East and Africa met earlier this month along the USA-Mexico border to discuss the challenges and opportunities pertaining to innovation in higher education. They discussed innovation through effective partnerships – internationally, and between business connections and between disciplines. 

  Read more

  AUSTRALIA 

  The growth of the higher education sector as an industry: what can we learn from Australia? 

  Australia is an attractive destination for students, but the country doesn’t rest on its laurels. Australia’s universities and schools take a proactive approach to recruitment. Many Australian institutions have implemented student diversification policies and have begun direct recruitment to specific demographics or regions. 

  Read more

  UK 

  Mobility = Employability 

  In 2015, 64% of employers said that graduates with international experience are more employable – up from 33% in 2006.  Globally, mobility is on the rise yet the UK fares poorly.  In 2013/14, just over 10,000 of all higher education students in UK were outwardly mobile, compared to 50,000 each from Germany and Spain. The dominant barriers to mobility include lack of confidence with language skills (36%) and perceived difficulties adapting to a different culture (19%). So what are we doing to respond to these barriers?  

  Read more

• Make the most of international student success stories

  Richard Kyle, ENZ’s Industry Development Manager, said these stories are valuable assets for schools and should not be overlooked for marketing campaigns.

  “Proof points are truly valuable assets for schools, and personalised ones such as student success stories are gold when working with agents and families who are considering study destinations,” he said.

  “These success stories promote your school as well as the quality of New Zealand’s education in general, including the qualifications on offer such as NCEA.”

  Here are just a few examples of international students succeeding in New Zealand:

  Craighead Diocesan School, Timaru: Thirada (Yaya) Channawichote from Thailand is a talented artist and graphic designer and was awarded a New Zealand Scholarship in Design and Visual Communication. She received endorsements all through her NCEA studies, and was recently awarded scholarships to study Painting in the US at MICA University.

  Pukekohe Christian School: Ren Monn Lee from Malaysia achieved a Top Achievement Award at the recent International Cambridge Awards Ceremony. Ren Monn received the top mark of any student in New Zealand in the June AS Geography exam, having completed the year-long course in just six months.

  Marlborough Girls’ College: Minji Kim from South Korea gained Excellence at NCEA Level 2 and has been selected as the International Prefect for the school for 2017. Minji is now focussed on gaining excellence again in Year 13.

  James Hargest College: Kawinwit Kittpalawattanapol was awarded a Scholarship in English and Tadsapon Wiwitawan was awarded a Scholarship in Photography (both students hail from Thailand).

  Cambridge High School: International student Charles Zha was awarded in Mathematics with Calculus and received the highest number of NCEA Level 2 excellence credits in Year 12 at the school.

  Congratulations to all students for their achievements, and we look forward to hearing many more success stories in 2017.

• ChristchurchNZ to launch this year

  Christchurch Educated is one of the agencies that will merge into ChristchurchNZ.

  Bree Loverich, Programme Manager for Christchurch Educated, said the new single agency will provide better opportunities for the international education industry to create a globally connected region, providing enhanced student opportunities and outcomes with enduring benefits for the community.

  “Over the next 15 years, Canterbury is expecting big changes to the world of work, losing more than 70,000 workers as baby boomers move into retirement, while technological disruption will massively impact our economy.

  “ChristchurchNZ is aware that the city is going to need a great deal of smart and skilled people to continue to drive the economic development already underway. One of the best ways to do this is via a joined-up approach to maximise opportunities,” said Bree.

  ChristchurchNZ brings together Christchurch & Canterbury Tourism (CCT), the Convention Bureau, Canterbury Development Corporation (CDC), Christchurch Educated, and the Christchurch City Council’s Major Events team. Together, their purpose is to ‘support prosperity, opportunity and a great quality of life in Christchurch and Canterbury’.

  This will be achieved by:

  • developing a positive city profile and promoting the city to residents, national and international audiences
  • attracting visitors, migrants, students, new business and investment through integrated marketing, major events and conferences
  • ensuring the business environment supports successful and sustainable enterprise and encourages creativity and innovation.

  Bree said one example of collaboration already underway is the Canterbury Job Ready Programme, designed and delivered by economic development, regional Chambers of Commerce, NZ Trade and Enterprise and the regional international education team.

  In collaboration with ChristchurchNZ Major Events, next year’s International Student Welcome will run as the opening event of the city’s Lantern Festival.

  “ChristchurchNZ will continue to look for synergies to work smarter as a region to result in greater attraction, but also retention of international students who benefit from being here and in turn benefit the region,” said Bree.

  ChristchurchNZ will be located in the new BNZ Centre, Cashel Mall once the premises are completed in July or August.

  Until the merger process is completed later in the year, many of these organisations will continue to deliver to their existing business plans. All permanent employees will then move to ChristchurchNZ, so all staff relationships and contacts will continue as normal.

• Further growth for international education

  The economic value of the sector in 2016 is now estimated to be $4.5 billion, an increase of $200 million on 2015 student numbers.

  ENZ's Acting Chief Executive John Goulter says the findings are a tribute to the continuing hard work and strong collaboration of key players across the industry.

  “This growth could not be achieved without our education providers, government bodies and other key industry players working together successfully to attract talented students from around the world.

  “It is an impressive outcome, and shows that New Zealand is increasingly seen as a place that offers quality education in a safe, welcoming environment.”

  The new figures consolidate international education’s place as New Zealand’s fourth largest export sector, supporting more than 33,000 jobs across New Zealand.

  The Minister’s release can be found here.

  The International Education Dashboard for 2016 can be found here.

• Connecting with industry (2017)

  The 2017 Connect roadshow attracted 250 participants in eight sessions and offered an opportunity for ENZ to update participants on what’s happening globally and nationally in international education, to share ENZ’s strategic direction for the coming year and to receive feedback from industry.

  Greg said ENZ currently has four strategic priorities: leading international education in thinking and implementation, telling our stories in New Zealand, driving more value to New Zealand through student mobility and supporting offshore delivery for value to New Zealand.

  “In these sessions we were able to share with industry what we have done and what we plan to do to meet these goals,” said Greg.

  “We then heard directly from providers about what ENZ initiatives they value the most, and how we could better help them.”

  Better market intelligence was a common theme in feedback from attendees. There was therefore a positive response to the news that, in August, ENZ will launch Intellilab, a new intelligence portal that will serve as a one-stop-shop for easily accessible data to help providers make well-informed decisions.

  Providers also said they appreciated the opportunity to talk directly with senior ENZ staff, to ask questions and to network with other industry professionals.

  “We’re taking this on-board. Going forward, Connect will be a regular part of our annual calendar,” said Greg.

  Attendees also noted that telling the international education story in New Zealand should be a key priority for ENZ.

  “Because we’re in this industry, we see the richness, diversity and global connectedness that international students bring everyday – but that often isn’t reflected in the media,” said Greg.

  “We encourage providers to share their own stories with media as often as possible.”

  Greg said it is an exciting time to be involved in international education and that the Connect sessions provided a chance to celebrate what the industry has achieved over the past nine months.

  “We know there are challenges but there’s also lots to be proud of. Connect was a chance to remind us all of this.”

  ENZ is currently collating feedback from the sessions to be sent out with the Connect presentation to attendees later this month. 

  

• International intern programme helps Kiwi exporters

  The International Markets Insights Programme, an intern programme at Victoria University of Wellington, brought together 15 international students from eight countries in Asia, the Middle East and Europe with Wellington businesses looking to export to those countries.

  The students provided the exporters with vital information about their home countries to help the Kiwi businesses break into those markets.

  Specially designed workshops were an integral part of the programme. Led by international business experts, they covered topics as diverse as digital marketing, intellectual property, export finance, and intercultural communication.

  “As well as being useful for skills and information, the workshops were a great networking opportunity for everyone involved, and they were really well attended,” said programme manager Dr Alison Kuiper.

  Japanese student Miki Akemitsu joined the Woolyarns New Zealand team, and worked with new contacts in the Japanese textile market. 

  “There’s a huge advantage in that Miki could contact people directly and speak to them in their language,” said marketing manager Jimad Khan.

  Miki also researched Japanese importing legislation and scouted important locations in the Japanese market, which Jimad said helped speed up the process of learning about the new market.

  The three-month programme was a partnership between the university and ENZ, and was supported by Wellington Regional Economic Development Agency (WREDA). 

  “International students are increasingly looking for practical work experience to complement their learning, and lift their future employment prospects,” said Sarah Gauthier, Regional Project Manager at Education New Zealand.

  “These internships were highly valued by all the students involved as a stepping stone in their career development, as well as by the companies they worked for.”