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  • Major offshore donation to University of Auckland

    The Aotearoa Foundation is a private foundation founded by well-known philanthropist Julian Robertson and his late wife Josie, and seeks to make high-impact grants in New Zealand for education, conservation and environmental stewardship, and medical research. In the 1970s, Robertson and his family spent a year living in New Zealand.

    The Aotearoa Foundation donation is set to create new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for healthcare, new opportunities in New Zealand’s medical technology sector, and support leading researchers at the university’s Auckland Bioengineering Institute (ABI) and Centre for Brain Research (CBR).

    The Director of the CBR, Professor Richard Faull, says the donation will be “a vital catalyst” for the CBR’s work in brain research, and hopes it will bring more international attention to the campaign.

    For All Our Futures is the largest fundraising campaign in New Zealand history, aiming to raise $300m on research projects that address critical challenges facing our communities.

    The ambitious project comes on the back of the university ranking highest of all New Zealand universities in the latest QS World University Rankings and Times Higher Education World University Rankings.

  • ENZ launches inaugural education showcase in Saudi Arabia

    The event followed Trade Minister Todd McClay's visit to Saudi Arabia to discuss several education initiatives, leading a trade delegation with five education organisations.

    The New Zealand Showcase covered New Zealand’s expertise in teacher training, school management and operations, and early childhood education delivery. The event was hosted in Riyadh at the Saudi Ministry of Education, chaired by the Minister of Education, Ahmed Al-Issa, with the support of New Zealand Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Hamish MacMaster. The event included representatives from the University of Waikato, Cognition Education, and Little Schools.

    Saudi Arabia is implementing education reforms, a response to lower oil revenues, with a focus on growing private education capacity in the country. Saudi officials and investors have shown a particular interest in partnering with New Zealand to set up new school and early childhood education networks, and to raise the performance of existing private schools.

    ENZ’s Middle East and Acting South Asia Regional Director, John Laxon, says initiatives such as the showcase are an excellent way to bridge any gaps in knowledge, and promote what New Zealand organisations have to offer.

    “The showcase has created a great awareness of New Zealand’s world-class education system, and established partnerships to address some of the common education challenges faced by Saudi Arabia and New Zealand,” said Mr Laxon.

    “We are very grateful for the support of Minister Al-Issa and the Ministry of Education in Saudi Arabia, and the New Zealand organisations who supported the event.”

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    Ambassador Hamish MacMaster and Minister Al-Issa chair the New Zealand Education Showcase

  • School exam reform in China

    The changes are part of the Guiding Opinion on Further Advancing Exam and Student Enrolment Reform at High School Level, officially released by China’s Ministry of Education. Key features of the Guiding Opinion include:

    • The intention to combine the Middle School Completion Exam (Chuzhong Huikao) and High School Entrance Exam (Zhongkao) into one ‘Middle School Academic Achievement Exam’ (Chuzhong Xueye Shuiping Kaoshi).
    • Middle school students (Years 7 – 9 in China) will have the freedom to choose optional subjects whose exam results will contribute to the final Middle School Academic Achievement Exam (alongside their usual compulsory subjects, for example, Chinese literature and maths).

    The overarching objective of the reform is to advance students’ development by allowing them to choose elective courses to complement compulsory subjects. This reform is consistent with adjustments to Gaokao, China’s College Entrance Exam, where students have the option to choose what they want to study, and can pursue what they are good at.

    Piloting of the reform is expected to begin at a provincial level from 2018 onwards, and will not affect students enrolling until then.  

    Rosemary An, ENZ’s Education Manager based in China, says that when these changes come into play, they will likely have some impact on Chinese students who decide to study abroad.

    “The changes show an effort by China to mitigate exam burdens and to emphasise the value of all-round development. An added benefit is that if these Chinese students decide to study in New Zealand, they are likely to adapt more quickly to New Zealand secondary schooling as they will have already experienced ‘course selection’ in their home country.”

    While it is still too soon to predict what this development will mean for overseas study trends, Rosemary recommends that any institutions recruiting Chinese school students should be aware of this development. 

    The ENZ China team will keep an eye on the progress and impact of these reforms, and share any updates as they occur.

  • Innovative award scheme announced in Seoul

    At the seminar, agents and providers received updates from Immigration New Zealand and ENZ, had one-on-one discussions and attended the announcement of ENZ’s hotly anticipated new award scheme for Korean students, a video competition called I want to study in New Zealand. The award encourages students to research New Zealand’s education offerings, and get creative by putting together a short video (60 seconds or less) that shows what they want to study in New Zealand and why.

    Five awards, ranging from NZ$5,000 - $8,000 to go towards tuition fees, will be given to the students who produce stand-out entries. Agents who put students forward for the scheme will also be rewarded, with four places up for grabs on an ENZ agent famil to New Zealand in 2017.

    Cecily Lin, ENZ’s Acting Regional Lead - North Asia, says that in this market it is important to strengthen relationships with agents, and interactive schemes like this are a win-win.

    E News Agent Seminar Seoul 2016 2“Promoting New Zealand as an education destination and attracting more Korean students starts with mobilising Korean agents.”

    “Through this competition we can acknowledge the important role Korean agents play in this market, and reward their efforts in attracting both quality and high numbers of students.”  

    The details of the scheme can be found here.

    For any queries about the scheme, please contact Cecily Lin or Onnuri Lee (Cecily.Lin@enz.govt.nz and lee.onnuri@enz.govt.nz)

  • University of Waikato announces pioneering international partnership

    In September 2017, the University of Waikato will launch a joint Institute with Zheijiang University City College [ZUCC], offering Chinese students the opportunity to enrol in one of three undergraduate degrees in China with the University of Waikato providing the degrees and teaching staff.

    On completion, the Chinese students will receive a degree from both universities.

    University of Waikato Vice-Chancellor, Professor Neil Quigley, says the initiative complements other joint programmes the University has been running in China over the past 20 years.

    "The University is committed to growing its off-shore delivery, and transnational education plays an important role in the University’s internationalisation strategy," said Professor Quigley.

    Education New Zealand [ENZ] supported the preparation of the bid for initial submission to the Chinese Ministry of Education and the redevelopment of the Academic English part of the programme.

    Grant McPherson, ENZ Chief Executive, says that in a global context transnational education is not only a growth area, but an important contributor to supporting the international reputation and brand of the provider, and New Zealand.

    “We are delighted to see the University of Waikato expand offshore, with an approach that builds on an existing relationship and seamlessly aligns with the University’s offering,” said Mr McPherson. 

    The application process for approval of the institute was rigorous, including examination by the Provincial Ministry of Education and the Chinese Ministry of Education in Beijing.

    The first intake of students will be able to study for degrees in finance, media and creative technologies, and computer graphic design.

    The programmes included in the partnership were selected based on demand. The finance degree has been available to ZUCC students since 2008 but the students were required to complete the qualification in New Zealand. The partnership with the University of Waikato was established in 2002.

    "The finance degree was a popular choice with students when we began our partnership with ZUCC,” said Professor Quigley. 

    “The addition of media and creative technologies and computer graphic design relates well to the location of ZUCC in Hangzhou, which is a hub for technology and creative practices." 

  • Victoria joins US-led international student network

    GSA was launched in 2015 to provide an opportunity for more Americans to gain international experience through study abroad programmes. As of April this year, GSA has partnered with more than 400 colleges and universities around the world. 

    In late September, Victoria University’s Assistant Vice-Chancellor (International Engagement), Dr Matthew O’Meagher, flew to New York to sign a Letter of Commitment on behalf of Victoria University. 

    As part of the agreement, Victoria University has committed to: 

    • Increasing opportunities for US students to study at Victoria on non-degree programmes, including options for gap year and community college students. 
    • Offering scholarships for US students to study at Victoria. Two of these scholarships have been set aside for US students from diverse backgrounds, including indigenous, low income and first generation university students, and students with disabilities. 
    • Exploring new exchange partnerships with US tertiary institutions.
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    Matthew O’Meagher signing the agreement.

    Victoria University hosted more than 300 American students in 2015, and hopes to double that number by 2025.  

    Dr O’Meagher said joining GSA was an exciting move for Victoria University, and a key way to further internationalise its campus and community.

     

     

  • Education New Zealand has another successful year in Japan

    The series began with a reception for the 30th anniversary of the Auckland-Fukuoka sister city relationship. Sir Bob Harvey from Auckland Council and Mr Soichiro Takashima, Mayor of Fukuoka City, were among the 120 guests who attended to celebrate the friendship and education exchange. The group also enjoyed a powerful haka performance by 20 students from Fukuoka’s Seiryo High School, who visited Auckland Grammar School in August this year for the Game On English Rugby programme.

    While in Fukuoka, ENZ held an education fair with exhibitions from 30 New Zealand providers and organisations. The fair had more than 300 visitors – many of whom queued to speak to New Zealand representatives about their study options.  ENZ’s Senior Market Development Manager – Japan, Misa Pitt, said the interest was not surprising, given the variety of New Zealand education programmes on show.

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    Education fair in Fukuoka

    A second fair was also held in Tokyo, with a record number of over 600 visitors, followed by an education seminar with over 100 Japanese agents, schools and tertiary institutions.“While our competitors’ fairs tend to focus on one particular sector, we have an advantage by offering a wide range of innovative programmes from all sectors,” said Misa Pitt.

    The interest in the seminar reflects an increase in engagement from Japanese institutions in international education – as well as the Japanese government’s internationalisation policy, intended to support their forthcoming sports hosting duties.

    “With the 2019 Rugby World Cup and 2020 Olympics coming up, more Japanese students are interested in programmes that combine English and professional training in sports, tourism and hospitality,” said Misa Pitt.

    Misa also revealed that the debut involvement of the Schools International Education Business Association (SIEBA, the peak body for schools in the international education space) in Japan increased New Zealand’s credibility in market, particularly in relation to pastoral care. 

    “With the new Code of Practice introduced in July this year, I believe SIEBA will play a key role in connecting New Zealand secondary schools with Japanese agents and institutions.” 

    Japan’s event series concluded with an alumni reception in Tokyo, with special guests including New Zealand Ambassador to Japan, Stephen Payton, and Michael Leitch, a Christchurch native who, after studying in Japan, now plays for the Japanese national rugby team. Michael gave a moving speech on the similarities between New Zealand and Japanese culture, as well as the importance of overseas education in building character for young people.

    9 Oct Tokyo Fair 2

    Education fair in Tokyo.

  • Universities New Zealand to strengthen ties with India

    Stronger ties between New Zealand and India at the university level are a key outcome of the Prime Minister John Key’s visit to India currently underway.

    Universities New Zealand (UNZ) has made two announcements: development of an engagement strategy to strengthen relationships with India and attract more university students to New Zealand; and a Strategic Education Partnership Agreement with the Maharashtra State Government.

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    Professor Harlene Hayne, Chair of Universities New Zealand and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Otago

    Professor Harlene Hayne, Chair of Universities New Zealand and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Otago, says, “Currently, students from India make up five per cent of the 26,000 international students who are studying at a New Zealand university. 

    “We recognise there is significant potential to attract and welcome increasing numbers of university-level students from India.”

    The strategy builds on an increasing university market presence in India, with student visas for first-time university students from India up 18 per cent through to August 2016. Professor Hayne says the UNZ India Strategy, which will be formally launched in early 2017, will see New Zealand’s universities working collectively to promote study in New Zealand, and to further develop and strengthen partnerships between institutions in India and New Zealand.

    UNZ and ENZ are co-sponsoring the strategy. ENZ Chief Executive, Grant McPherson, says, “We are delighted to partner with our universities in India, and applaud their leadership in investing in the long-term future of this hugely important market.”

    The Strategic Education Partnership Agreement with Maharashtra State Government provides a framework to explore academic opportunities between the two countries, added Professor Haynes.

    Maharashtra State Government in Western India is the second most populous state in India with over 112 million inhabitants. Its capital, Mumbai, has a population of approximately 18 million. Maharashtra has 24 universities with a turnout of 160,000 graduates every year, while New Zealand has eight universities and 43,000 graduates each year.

     “This strategic agreement offers us an avenue to build institutional engagement between our universities, through faculty relationships and exchanges, research and innovation collaboration, and information sharing.”

    Shri3. Sitaram Kunte Principal Secretary Higher Technical Education M...

    Shri Sitaram Janardan Kunte, Principal Secretary, Higher Education of the Maharashtra (left) and Professor Neil Quigley, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Waikato (right), who signed the agreement on behalf of Universities New Zealand.

  • Oldest Korean education agency files for bankruptcy

    Korean local media reported that Uhak.com has failed to pay up to NZ$2 million in tuition fees to its partner education institutions around the world, impacting approximately 200 of Uhak.com’s clients.

    Uhak.com had facilitated paying clients’ tuition fees to international education institutions. The company would receive the fees from parents two to three months in advance, and receive commissions from the overseas providers for the service. The company is alleged to have used clients’ tuition fees to pay its expenses.

    Uhak.com sends around 3,000 students per year to education institutions around the world. Over the past two years, the agency had sent over 100 students to New Zealand’s English language providers.

    Established in 1981, Uhak.com operated 12 offices in Korea and had branches worldwide including Auckland. The company’s revenue in 2015 was approximately NZ$13 million.

    In 2014, Canadian education group Loyalist Group Limited acquired Uhak.com for NZ$10 million. 

  • Gather agent performance insights and minimise fraud risk

    Taking these additional steps will also help providers gather valuable insights about agent performance, INZ says in the November issue of its India student newsletter.

    Agent performance data for the Indian student market currently includes approval rates for agents recruiting Indian students. This data is available on INZ’s website here.

    However, if education providers ask for and receive an agent’s waiver or permission, they can request from INZ an agent’s complete performance data that covers the following points:

    • agent performance data based on total student visa application volumes
    • data that is market specific, about global performance, or covers any date range
    • information that includes, where possible/relevant, reasons for declined decisions
    • INZ will also disclose any instances of fraud or misrepresentation by the agent regarding any applications they have represented.

    Complete performance data could help providers to make more informed decisions about agents they work with, INZ says.

    Naming an agent on all offers of place also has its advantages. It allows INZ to accurately record the agent involved in each application, requires agents to declare themselves on student visa application forms and allows each provider to monitor and record the agent they have issued an offer of place to.

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