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Graduate’s Kiwi know-how helps reduce water use in UAE desert
Rather than travelling to New Zealand and undertaking theoretical research with limited relevance back home, Wafa was able to carry out hands-on work addressing critical water management issues in her arid home country, while being supervised by New Zealand-based experts.
It was a personalised and practical kind of international education experience which Wafa is grateful for. “It allowed me to continue working, while at the same time learning and finding solutions to the water management issues facing the UAE.”
The education partnership grew out of a New Zealand G2G (Government to Government) relationship with the UAE which dates back to 2014. “The aim is to build the capacity of local people and find solutions to real problems through scholarships for study,” she says.
Already qualified with a Bachelor’s degree in ecology and environmental science and Master’s degree in water and environmental engineering, Wafa was working as an environmental scientist for Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD) when asked to be involved in the programme.
The region needs to find ways to manage the growing demand for groundwater in a hyper-arid, saline environment. Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, has about 19 million planted trees in desert “forests”, a precious legacy of founding father Sheikh Zayed Al Nayhan. They provide a range of ecological benefits but are heavily dependent on groundwater irrigation.
With EAD given a government mandate in 2016 to protect groundwater reserves, water meters were introduced and areas of wastage identified. Wafa’s research was required to determine the exact water needs of the plants through the implementation of New Zealand technology, and experimentation with the use of treated sewage effluent, or “grey water”.
Distance learning partnership with Massey University
She worked with a team at New Zealand’s Plant & Food Research and her project was supervised by Principal Scientist Brent Clothier. The programme was managed by Lesley Kennedy of Wellington-based consultancy firm OnlyFromNZ.
“I travelled to New Zealand once or twice a year to meet Massey University requirements such as attending exams, presentations, or conferences. Likewise, Brent would come to the UAE with his team and help oversee the research.”
“It’s fit-for-purpose academic knowledge with real practical utility,” Dr Clothier says.
Wafa used Plant & Food Research’s heat pulse technology, which has been employed successfully in New Zealand and other parts of the world, but never in a region where temperatures can reach close to 50degC in summer. Once up and running, the technology provided readings every 30 minutes which allowed Wafa to calculate precisely the amount of water being absorbed by the plant.
“The data provided new and exciting information for us. We found that many of the trees had already adapted to the summer heat and did not take up as much water as we were providing through irrigation,” she says.
“By the end of the study we determined that we could save 35 - 70 percent of the water we have been supplying through irrigation.”
The technology was extended to other crops, and farmers are now provided with crop calculator software which provides guidance on the specific water needs of a tree, according to the month of the year, location, and soil type. “It’s a very important tool for growers in the UAE.”
“It’s good for countries to work together and find solutions to our challenges.”
Enduring relationship with New Zealand
Wafa is proud of the fact that her research is helping to solve a critical environmental issue in her country and knows that the collaboration with Massey through the NZ G2G partnership has been an integral part of her success. It has also paved the way for two other Emirati students to follow in her footsteps.
“I met other international students from the Middle East while at Massey and they were envious of me. They said I was very lucky because I was doing something for my country.”
She believes international education plays a key role in the exchange of information with other countries. “It’s good for countries to work together and find solutions to our challenges. If we are talking about the environment, we are all living in one world so it’s important that we work together to solve issues.”
But this academic partnership has not just produced practical results. It’s also seen a special bond develop between the New Zealand scientists and their Emirati students.
“I have built a long-lasting relationship with New Zealand,” Wafa says. “I know that I can always call my contacts in New Zealand to discuss an issue and they will be there for me.
“The relationship is much bigger than the life of the project and this is very important for me as a scientist and a researcher.”
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Around the world in five
Canada
Canada considers study permit cap tweaks as job losses mount
Despite possible adjustments to come, experts are warning of deepening financial and educational fallout from Canada's study permit caps.
Global
University impact rankings expand but remain volatile
Designed to showcase how institutions are working towards addressing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, this year’s Times Higher Education Impact Rankings edition is the biggest yet.
Asia
"Asian tigers" ramp up internationalisation amid big four woes
Territories and countries like South Korea and Hong Kong, part of the so-called “Asian Tigers” alongside Singapore and Taiwan, now view international students and intra-East Asian mobility as critical to sustaining economic growth in the region.
United Kingdom
Over 50 UK universities have dropped in the latest QS World University Rankings, with funding concerns emerging as a key factor behind the decline.
The United States of America
Can the US afford to lose its 1.1 million international students?
International students contributed $43.8bn to the US economy last year and created 378,175 jobs nationwide.
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New Zealand well represented at the 2024 World Digital Education Conference
The 2024 World Digital Education Conference, attended by representatives from over 70 countries and regions as well as international organisations, aims to work with governments, the education sector, and stakeholders to jointly implement the outcomes of the United Nations Transforming Education Summit, promote education recovery post-pandemic, equitable quality education through digital education transformation, and advance the realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Chinese Education Minister Huai Jinpeng provided the keynote speech at the opening ceremony. He noted the impact of technology on education and the need to prioritise education reform to keep pace with changes and harness the benefits of digital education. Minister Huai concluded by saying they look forward to the new impetus into promoting international cooperation in digital education through this conference.
New Zealand was represented by Minister of Education, Hon Erica Stanford (through a pre-recorded session); H.E. Grahame Morton, New Zealand Ambassador to People’s Republic of China; Ardi Barnard, New Zealand Consul-General to Shanghai; Dr Grant Klinkum, Chief Executive New Zealand Qualifications Authority and Education New Zealand’s China-based representatives. The strong presence at the conference contributes to New Zealand’s reputation as an education partner with an innovative approach to digital learning. New Zealand Education Minister Hon Erica Stanford gave a video address and shared New Zealand’s efforts to harness digitalisation to improve our education system and support lifelong learning.
“As an education minister with a relentless focus on the progress and achievement of all students, I see that digital tools and the well-designed use of data have enormous potential to help us drive progress and achievement,” said Minister Stanford.
Hon Erica Stanford, New Zealand’s Minister of Education delivered a pre-recorded session, sharing New Zealand’s efforts to harness digitalisation and data in education.
In his address at the Opening Ceremony, Ambassador Morton highlighted the important role of education in the New Zealand-China relationship and gave insights into New Zealand’s innovative EdTech sector.
“Digital education is at the centre of New Zealand’s EdTech sector and its developments. Three-quarters of New Zealand EdTech companies are actively looking to take their offerings to the world,” said Ambassador Morton.
Ambassador Morton addresses the audience during the Opening Ceremony of the conference.
During the Parallel Session on Governance and Digital Transformation, Dr Klinkum shared New Zealand’s experience in quality assurance, qualification recognition and assessment delivery in the digital era.
“We would like to continue working with our international colleagues to ensure that we provide credible education for learners and that life-long learning and global mobility is supported by digital education and reflects the needs of increasingly digital societies,” said Dr Klinkum.
During the conference, organisers held the inaugural launch ceremony of the World Digital Education Alliance (WDEA). Universities New Zealand, on behalf of the University sector, joined the Alliance. The first batch of members is by invitation and as of 30 January 2024, 104 agencies from 41 countries joined the alliance ranging from schools to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions, training centres, colleges and universities as well as research institutions and enterprises. The initiative aims to fulfil the UN SDG 4, build a mechanism for international cooperation and exchange in digital education, form synergy to promote global educational development, and create a new environment for smart education.
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Sign up to the Immigration New Zealand International Education email
People working with the international education sector can sign up to receive emails from Immigration New Zealand with information and updates on international education and immigration matters.
These emails are aimed at education providers and offshore agents acting for students but may be of interest to others involved with the international education sector.
Subscribe to updates & newsletters | Immigration New Zealand
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Victoria and ACG welcome international students to new pathway programme
The study pathway allows students to enrol in courses at Victoria at different times of the year, offering a range of options to suit students’ academic backgrounds and levels of English.
The programme kicked off last week in Wellington’s CBD near Victoria’s Pipitea campus – allowing the future Victoria students to engage with university services including libraries, health services, recreation centre and learning support systems.
The first intake welcomes some 50 students from Myanmar, China, Taiwan, Indonesia, Japan, Singapore, Nepal and Brazil.
Victoria’s Provost, Professor Wendy Larner said ACG is a highly regarded provider of pre-degree programmes, and Victoria is excited by the potential of the programme.
“International students bring variety and new perspectives to the university environment as well as the greater Wellington community,” she said.
“Approximately 20-30 percent of international students stay in New Zealand at the end of their studies, contributing significantly to the economy, while those who return home often maintain links to New Zealand, acting as influential ambassadors for our country.”
Bryce Pedersen, ACG’s Deputy Principal for the Victoria University programme, said ACG is pleased with the number for the first intake.
“It demonstrates international students’ demand for academic pathway programmes in Wellington,” he said.
Three more student intakes are scheduled in 2017.
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Summer down under
With COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on international travel in force, many students are choosing to stay in New Zealand over summer rather than go home because in most cases, they will not be able to return for the start of the 2022 academic year.
ENZ’s Director of Student Experience and Global Citizens, Sahinde Pala, says it will be the second unexpected summer in New Zealand for many students.
“Those international students who are still here have shown amazing resilience. We know how hard it can be to be separated from loved ones at home for so long.
“But the early results from our research suggest they have remained remarkably positive about the overall New Zealand experience, despite the challenges.”
ENZ is supporting students again this summer with information and resources on health and wellbeing, exploring the country and building their work skills.
The Summer in New Zealand section of the NauMai NZ website for international students offers information, advice and links to expert resources. These include a webinar featuring careers expert Andrew Tui to give them practical tips on how to build their professional and personal skills.
“ENZ would like to acknowledge all the work the people in the international education sector are doing to support their students over the summer, and we invite you to share our resources with your networks.
“We wish everyone a summer in New Zealand that is safe and restful,” Ms Pala says.
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International graduate helps strengthen New Zealand’s cyber-security
Qualified with a Bachelor of Business Administration from Taiwan and a Master of Science from the United States, Eric saw further international postgraduate study as a good opportunity to enhance his overseas life experience.
So, having spent many years working in the IT industry in Taiwan across a range of roles including systems engineering, information security, and personal data protection, he decided to move his family to New Zealand in 2018 to pursue a Master of Cyber Security at the University of Waikato.
“The University of Waikato is recognised among the world’s best in computer science and has the country’s first Master of Cyber Security focusing on malware analysis, penetration tests, cloud computing and legal compliance,” he says.
Master’s programme “challenging and complex”
Eric says he enjoyed the challenge of the master’s programme.
“Security in the IT field is challenging and complex, and covers many technical and non-technical aspects. Being a trusted IT security player is an intellectually and financially rewarding job, which can make our lives, communities and society better by ensuring IT is applied and managed securely.”
While at Waikato, Eric spent much of his time working on assignments in one of the computer labs. “I have many unforgettable memories that took place in the 24-hour computer areas where classmates and I would have countless discussions, exchanges of ideas, and even arguments.”
Since graduating in 2019,he has been working as a professional consultant at an audit firm in Auckland, putting his cybersecurity skills to good use implementing adequate security controls and incident management procedures to protect his clients.
Eric credits his international education experience at Waikato for putting him on a pathway to success. “The new literacy of cybersecurity risks, cloud computing technologies and legal compliance requirements I received from studying at Waikato has equipped me to make professional judgements on each security assessment, which has been extremely beneficial for my clients.”
New Zealand a great study destination
Based on his experience, Eric is keen to encourage any aspiring international student to seriously consider New Zealand as a study destination.
“Studying abroad is an exciting journey,” he says. “If you want to earn a qualification from a prestigious university, study new things in a multi-cultural environment, and have a laid-back and affordable lifestyle then New Zealand is the place for you.”
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BizVenture winners tackle youth mental health with "It's Okay" clothing range
The innovative business entrepreneurship scheme is a pilot initiative led by Education New Zealand, Young Enterprise Scheme (YES), and Japanese partners to give students in both countries real-life experience in developing business solutions that address one of the United Nation’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
Forty students collaborated in a three-day virtual exchange, where they chose a challenge tackling some of Japan’s pressing social issues, before designing and presenting a business plan in a “Dragon’s Den” style pitch to judges.
The winning New Zealand team - Hamish Robinson (Taradale High School, Napier), Benjamin Young (Tauranga Boys’ College), Daniel Blight (Waimea College, Napier), Kaiah Sherriff (Southland Girls’ High School), and Abirami Kabilan (Pakuranga College, Auckland) - chose to come up with a strategy which would directly enhance the mental wellbeing of Japanese teenagers.
The UN SDGs are some of the biggest problems facing humanity today, so working on them was a pretty full-on task” – Pakuranga College student Abirami Kabilan
It is a topic which directly impacts young people in both countries, as UNICEF ranks Japan 37th among 41 OECD countries for the state of children’s mental health, and New Zealand one lower, at 38th place.
Insights into business and culture “eye-opening”
To succeed, the students had to gain a thorough insight into Japanese culture, youth behaviour, and business practice. Ahead of their pitches, the teams joined interactive workshops with New Zealand and Japanese guest speakers, cultural mentors, and language coaches.
Abirami Kabilan describes the exposure to Japanese business and societal culture as “eye-opening”.
“The UN SDGs are some of the biggest problems facing humanity today, so working on them was a pretty full-on task.”
“One of the most interesting things about this cross-cultural experience was seeing how the Japanese students approached the same problems. Young people around the world will have such different ways of approaching these problems too. Imagine the ideas we would come up with if we all worked together.”
The winning team successfully pitched a clothing brand called 大丈夫, which translates in English to “It’s Okay”, to get the conversation about mental health out in the open among Japanese youth, and hopefully gain the support of high-reach Japanese influencers to help push their critical wellbeing message.
They decided the best way to break into the Japanese market would be with “in your face” messaging using symbols of strength, such as dragons and samurai, to promote their message.
“This is something that has not been done in Japan before and we’re ecstatic to be winners,” Hamish Robinson says.
BizVenture promotes global competency
The BizVenture programme will allow students to understand the Japanese business context and increase their global competency, says Young Enterprise Scheme lead Elizabeth Pittman.
“New Zealand youth have such a strong interest in sustainability and improving social outcomes within their communities and abroad, and this challenge allows them to explore that interest in a business context.”
International education adapts to changing needs of learners
Education New Zealand is keen to build on the success of this year’s pilot BizVenture programme as international education adapts to meet the changing needs of learners. International research shows that students are increasingly seeking programmes and content that is relevant to real world problems and which will allow them to make a real difference.
The programme also builds on New Zealand’s diplomatic relationship with Japan while travel for international students remains limited.
“Over many decades Japan and New Zealand have benefitted from an enduring partnership,” says Hamish Cooper, New Zealand Ambassador to Japan. “Education has played a really important role in fostering people-to-people ties, and supporting the development of what are now, in 2021, very close connections between our two countries.”
“Before the pandemic, more than 10,000 students from Japan studied in New Zealand every year, making an important economic contribution, but also enriching our schools and communities, and helping New Zealand students become more globally connected.”
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Successful Brazil media famil
Media familiarisation trips are a great way for journalists from our key markets to develop a better understanding of New Zealand’s education system, possible study options, and the experiences of international students.
The journalists received a warm welcome from education providers in Wellington, Canterbury, Hawke's Bay and Auckland – thank you very much to everyone involved. Special thanks also to our regional education partners, especially Brook Pannell (Wellington), Bree Loverich (Canterbury), Steph Kennard (Hawke’s Bay) and Nick Arnott (Auckland).
Sylvia Santos, Maths Tutor at Ara, brought the journalists home-baked Pão de Queijo (Brazilian Cheese Bread)
There were around 3,000 Brazilian students in New Zealand in 2015, and on this trip the journalists met Brazilian students and staff everywhere they went – which was a great way to build relationships and showcase the opportunities for students here.
The famil is a long-term investment in promoting international education – but two very positive articles have already been published by Camila on Exame.com, the online content and news portal of Exame Magazine, which is the largest and most influential business and economy publication in Brazil:
Esta é a cidade da Nova Zelândia mais promissora para engenheiros (This is the most promising city for engineers)
A Nova Zelândia quer atrair mais profissionais de tecnologia (New Zealand wants to attract more technology professionals)
Lyn Garrett, Senior Lecturer and Major Coordinator for Industrial Design at Massey Wellington with Camila and Luiza in the workshop
The new Engineering Core at University of Canterbury displayed a special welcome sign for the group
Julia Kowalski, international student from Brazil, and Charlotte Taurima-Thomas, Head of Māori Students, showing the journalists how to hongi during a powhiri at Taradale High School.
Camila, Luiza, Steph Kennard and Tales prepare for a brief wine tasting at EIT
Luiza chats with Brazilian students Susana do Nascimento and Rene Souza, hosted by ATEED
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Increased flight connectivity between NZ and China
Hainan Airlines has announced a new route from the Hainanese capital (Haikou) to Auckland. The flight schedule will include flights three times a week with the first flight taking place on 8 December.
Hainan’s new link means that Haikou becomes the sixth city in mainland China to be served nonstop from Auckland International Airport, joining Beijing, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Shanghai and Shenzhen.
By mid-December, Air China will be offering daily flights to Auckland International Airport from Beijing Capital International Airport, while China Southern Airlines will fly double-daily from Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport. China Southern Airlines also resumed its Guangdong to Christchurch flights on Friday 10 November.
