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ENZ welcomes restart of PM's Scholarships for Asia and Latin America
Education Minister Chris Hipkins today announced that Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) is restarting the Prime Minister's Scholarships for Asia and Latin America, initially for group programmes only.
The Prime Minister's Scholarships for Asia and Latin America support New Zealanders to undertake life-changing international learning experiences through study, language and internship opportunities.
Since 2013, the programme has supported more than 2,400 New Zealanders to broaden their horizons and gain experience in Asia or Latin America.
The upcoming round will be open for group applications from 21 March – 2 May 2022. New Zealand universities, wānanga, institutes of technology and polytechnics, private training establishments, iwi and other educational organisations are invited to apply on behalf of a group of students.
“After two years of disruption due to COVID-19, we are thrilled to now be in a position to open a group scholarship round", says ENZ's Global Citizens Manager Carla Rey Vasquez.
“For Prime Minister's Scholars, the experience is truly transformational. Recipients develop their global citizenship through growing cultural understanding, developing language skills, learning about culture, business and trade practices in Asia and Latin America, and building lifelong friendships and networks.
“This benefits all New Zealanders, as upon their return the scholars are tasked with building on those reciprocal relationships, sharing the learning, and taking action to strengthen and foster the growth of local and global communities.
“Our scholars come from a wide range of backgrounds and all walks of life, and we see countless examples of alumni who have used their Prime Minister's Scholarship experience to make a positive impact through their careers and communities.”
One of those alumni is Denym Bird, whose Prime Minister's Scholarship for Asia took him in 2014 to study at Hong Kong's prestigious City University. At age 29, Denym is now living in Amsterdam and running his own business. Denym credits his scholarship experience with helping him cultivate international relationships and understand how the world works outside of New Zealand.
Image: Denym Bird, a Prime Minister's Scholarship for Asia recipient, in Hong Kong
“Developing an understanding of other cultures has been super valuable as I’ve developed my career and my business. And travelling at a relatively young age with the scholarship gave me a tremendous amount of confidence. All of this has contributed to me being able to set up business on my own.”
ENZ has chosen to initially open the scholarships to group applications only with the health and safety of participants in mind. Group programmes involve a higher level of oversight and will allow both education providers and government agencies to offer on-the-ground support to participants while on programme in Asia or Latin America.
Group programmes also allow individual participants to be recruited by education providers closer to the time of travel, when there is likely to be greater clarity on travel restrictions and safety. Flexibility will be built into this round, and travel will only take place once it is safe to do so. ENZ anticipates most groups will embark on their programmes in 2023.
"Safety of our participants continues to be our top priority throughout all stages of the scholarship programme", says Carla. “We have robust risk management systems and emergency procedures in place, the ability to monitor the changing global conditions as well as resources and tools to support recipients on programme. We will be working with other government agencies, as well as our own staff located in Asia and Latin America, to ensure that our Prime Minister's Scholars are well looked after throughout their scholarship experience.”
Currently enrolled students who are interested in taking part in a group programme should enquire with their education provider's international office to check if there are opportunities available.
For more information about the group scholarship round, including how to apply, click here.
Education providers can also learn more by registering for the following webinars:
Asia Market update
Date: Thursday 24th of March 2:30pm- 4pm NZT
Description: Join us for an update about what is happening across Asia and the opportunities for outbound mobility. We will cover tips, key considerations and strategies for establishing partnerships offshore that increase the impact of your outbound scholarship programmes. The meeting will include a half hour country specific session.
Link: https://enz.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUvf-CppzItGNx86LKroP8qKSsu3LYtB7jy
Latin America Market update
Date: Friday 25th of March, 9am- 10:30am NZT
Description: Join us for an update about what is happening across Latin America and the opportunities for outbound mobility. We will cover tips, key considerations and strategies for establishing partnerships offshore that increase the impact of your outbound scholarship programmes.
Link: https://enz.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0kf-uvrTkjHNV95MeQWbE3TwaoemcH4nHp
Scholarship 101:
Date: Friday 25th of March 12- 1pm NZT
Description: New to the Prime Minister's Scholarship to Asia and Latin America? Come and find out what the programme is all about and how your organization can make the most of the opportunities available.
Link: https://enz.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEqf-mhqz0tEtLYMvgPEOqb0AN6QcY1NK-D
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Webinars: PM's Scholarships for Asia and Latin America
The current round of Prime Minister's Scholarships opened on Monday 21 March for group applications and will close on Monday 2 May 2022. Learn more about the scholarships here.
Universities, wānanga, institutes of technology and polytechnics, private training establishments, iwi and other educational organisations can apply for a programme on behalf of a group for students.
Whether you are completely new to the scholarships, or have successfully run group programmes before, our webinars will cover everything you need to know. Register below!
Asia Market update
Thursday 24th of March 2:30pm- 4pm NZT
Join us for an update about what is happening across Asia and the opportunities for outbound mobility. We will cover tips, key considerations and strategies for establishing partnerships offshore that increase the impact of your outbound scholarship programmes. The meeting will include a half hour country specific session.
Latin America Market update
Friday 25th of March, 9am- 10:30am NZT
Join us for an update about what is happening across Latin America and the opportunities for outbound mobility. We will cover tips, key considerations and strategies for establishing partnerships offshore that increase the impact of your outbound scholarship programmes.
Scholarship 101
Friday 25th of March 12- 1pm NZT
New to the Prime Minister's Scholarship to Asia and Latin America? Come and find out what the programme is all about and how your organization can make the most of the opportunities available.
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Celebrating Women of the Future with India
Women leaders from New Zealand and India shared inspiring stories at the event, discussing equity and the inclusion of women in society.
ENZ announced a range of initiatives to inspire young women and enable them to experience cross-cultural values and learning:
- Virtual India Immersion programme for New Zealand-based tertiary students, focussed on enhancing knowledge of Indian culture and business environment. Students interested in taking up this programme can apply here by 30 April. Find out more here.
- 10 virtual micro-internships, in partnership with the University of Auckland, for female undergraduate students from India. Interested Indian students can apply here by Saturday, 16 April.
- A virtual exchange programme involving a cohort of 40 high school girl students from India and New Zealand offering the Global Competence Certificate. Details of the programme for Indian students are available here. Applications close on 22 April.
Hon Priyanca Radhakrishnan, Minister for Diversity, Inclusion and Ethnic Communities opened the summit and encouraged all women to challenge stereotypes and break barriers. The Minister mentioned that she herself had previously come to New Zealand as an international student.
Other speakers included women leaders in education from both countries, as well as Tashi Malik and Nungshi Malik, the twin mountaineering sisters who are winners of New Zealand Prime Minister Sports scholarships and Sir Edmund Hillary Global Impact Visa Awardees, and Miss Malini, a well-known Indian digital influencer.
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Haere ra Afiqah, Haere mai Vikram
We spoke recently with the former NZISA National President for 2021, Afiqah Ramizi, and with the National President for 2022, Vikram Selvaraj.
Afiqah Ramizi, NZISA National President 2021
Afiqah has been in New Zealand since 2015, when she left Malaysia to undertake tertiary study here. After completing a foundation course at ACG (now known as UP International College), Afiqah started on a six-year medical degree at the University of Auckland (UoA) and is now in her final year.
Afiqah’s advocacy work started during her time at ACG, when she was selected to represent the college under an International Student Ambassador programme, run by the New Zealand Police in Auckland. The main focus was to support engagement with the student community, and lift students’ understanding about how to keep themselves safe in a foreign country and what support is available.
At university, Afiqah joined the Malaysian students’ association and became Vice President. In 2019 and again in 2020, she was elected as the International Students Officer for the UoA Students Association. During these years, she became involved with NZISA through their multiple lobbying efforts and community engagement. Afiqah was elected NZISA’s Vice President in 2020, before being elected National President in 2021.
Looking back on her experience at NZISA, Afiqah says she is proud to have been involved in making sure that the voices of international students were heard as New Zealand responded to COVID-19, amongst many other achievements of NZISA since 2017.
“Last year we were successful in lobbying for temporary changes to international students’ maximum working hours, so they could work more during alert levels 3 and 4,” Afiqah says. “This was really important for students at a time when their studies were disrupted, and some students were facing financial hardship. This temporary increase was also appreciated by local employers, as they were needing more people able to work full-time, to keep their businesses running.”
In her role as National President, Afiqah was involved in supporting the groups of international students coming back to New Zealand while the border was closed. Her team’s continuous advocacy to government bodies saw more international student cohort border exceptions announced, which meant more international students were able to return and resume life in New Zealand.
“Staying in managed isolation and quarantine was a big extra cost for these students, and we know many hesitated to return because of that. By talking with the institutions involved and advocating for subsidies, we were able to encourage them to cover part of the costs for their returning students. This was a win-win for both the universities and the students.”
Supporting students over the holidays was another key focus for NZISA during the past two summers, primarily to help onshore students who couldn’t reconnect with their families while borders were closed.
“We worked with ENZ and our regional networks to encourage summer internships, to remain connected in the international community and to indulge in the real Kiwi summer,” Afiqah said.
Afiqah herself spent the last summer at the coalface of the COVID-19 response work, drawing on her medical knowledge to support public health. She was initially working to find the source of COVID-19 when contact tracing was a key focus, and through the Omicron surge, she has learned other public health skills as the nature of her work changed from eliminating to managing COVID-19.
Now it’s time for her to pass on the baton to the 2022 President, and an opportunity to focus on her final year of medical school!
Vikram Selvaraj, NZISA National President 2022
Now in the final semester of a Bachelor of Criminal Justice degree at University of Canterbury, Vikram came to New Zealand in 2018 from Singapore with his partner and began studying here the following year.
“The Bachelor of Criminal Justice was a new degree, and I realised it was exactly what I wanted to study,” Vikram says. “It combines law with a range of other subjects, all related to criminal justice.”
Vikram is the eldest of three siblings and the sole breadwinner for his family, having lost both parents. His two siblings are still living in Singapore, and Vikram has continued to run a hairdressing salon there during his years in NZ. It’s more than three years since Vikram last saw his family in Singapore, but he isn’t planning a trip home any time soon, because of the risk that border settings might change again.
Vikram brings a range of relevant experience to his new role as NZISA National President. At University of Canterbury (UC), he was a UniLife Leader, the first to be in charge of mature students, both domestic and international. It was his role to support them, provide pastoral care and a voice on the issues they were facing. His work was recognised with a Blues Award from UC Students Association in 2021, for Outstanding Achievement in Community Engagement.
Vikram is excited about his new role as NZISA National President. He was elected in December and took up the role in late January, along with an all-new executive team of eight students.
“We’re planning a number of projects for the year ahead,” Vikram says.
UC joined NZISA last year and continuing to increase membership will be one of the priorities for Vikram and his team this year.
“We also have ideas for a range of projects for students that different members of the team will lead during the year. This includes working with NZ Police to help students understand the risks of scams and online gambling; supporting students with resources to combat racism and discrimination; and empowering women.”
Vikram says it’s his belief that he can do something that has brought him to where he is today. He’s very conscious of the challenges faced by many international students, for example when their financial situation changes, and they find it hard to get the support they need.
“Kiwi students aren’t always aware that international students are paying a premium price for their studies,” he says.
“Sometimes students feel homesick, or experience racism – whatever the particular challenge, it’s important for them to know that someone is listening to them.”
Fun fact about Vikram: Vikram has a Japanese Spritz dog called Tiger that he brought with him to New Zealand.
Sahinde Pala, ENZ’s Director Student Experience & Global Citizens, says ENZ sets great store by our relationship with NZISA.
“We have really valued the contribution Afiqah has made during her years with NZISA, and we look forward to working closely with Vikram and his team over the coming year,” Sahinde says.
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Upcoming offshore events related to international education
Dates
Event
Location
21-25 March
Forum on Education Abroad Conference 2022
Annual conference of the Forum, a non-profit membership association that provides training and resources to support high quality education abroad experiences.
Contact: Lewis Gibson
Chicago, Illinois, USA
24, 31 March, 7, 14,21,28 April
Agents Workshop Series: The NEW Choices
A series of 8 webinars aims to provide Vietnamese agents with updates on new programme offerings across sectors, and new perspectives when looking at NZ offerings.
Contact: Van Banh
Viet Nam
26 March
New Future, New You, New Zealand
A co-funded virtual session between ENZ and one of our ENZRAs in Indonesia, SUN Education. The objective is to maintain a pipeline of interested students ready to pathway to New Zealand universities when the border reopens. The event will feature reps and gradvocates from UC, Otago, Waikato, and Massey University.
Contact: Naluri Bella
Indonesia
27-31 March
Asia-Pacific Association for International Education Conference and Exhibition 2022
APAIE brings together professionals who are passionate about international education from across the globe to network, improve professional skills and learn about new developments in international education.
Contact: events@enz.govt.nz
Online
27-29 March
Global Higher Education Exhibition (GHEDEX)
Organised by the Omani Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, GHEDEX brings together education providers, secondary and tertiary students, parents, and young professionals from across the Gulf region.
Contact: Bronwyn Shanks
Muscat, Oman
27 March, 3,10,17 April
NZ Scholarship Boot Camp for students
Part of ENZRA Co-funding Activities, this initiative offers a series of workshops for Vietnamese students to obtain updated scholarship info, enhance necessary skills and meet up with NZ institutions to plan their study abroad journey.
Contact: Van Banh
Viet Nam
31 March
Kōrerorero: Conversations That Matter – UN Sustainable Development Goal 4
Join an exclusive conversation about access to quality education with university vice-chancellors from Brazil, Colombia, and New Zealand.
Contact: Bruna de Natale
Latin America
2, 3, 9, 16-17, 24 April
Youth Runway Campaign – NZ and Viet Nam school students
Part of ENZRA Co-funding Activities, this initiative offers a series of workshops for Vietnamese students to obtain skills and knowledge about Global Citizens towards SDG – Marine Health, as well as make friends and interact with NZ students.
Contact: Van Banh
Viet Nam
25-27 April
FAUBAI Conference 2022: Known Concepts, New Meanings - What has changed in the internationalization of higher education? How can the future of the internationalization of higher education be projected?
ENZ is a silver sponsor for this year’s virtual event and will have a virtual booth.
Contact: Bruna de Natale
Latin America
28 April
FPP Latin America virtual postgraduate fair
An easy and convenient way to meet with over 90 international universities to find the right postgraduate program. ENZ will host the "Study With New Zealand Pavilion”, having 14 institutions representing a variety of NZ institutions (English New Zealand, PTEs, Te Pūkenga and universities).
Contact: Bruna de Natale
Latin America
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Appreciating our agents in Viet Nam
The main purpose was to acknowledge the work of Vietnamese agents and thank them for their commitment. This is part of a programme of work to maintain and build our education brand offshore, ahead of the reopening of student visa processing in October 2022.
As well as hearing the latest updates from ENZ and other key education speakers, agents took part in a quiz and brainstorm. This provided some useful market insights into Vietnamese students’ and parents’ demand in a post-Covid world.
We were delighted with the positive feedback from agents about the event, including a renewed commitment to promote New Zealand education. To build on this interest, ENZ is now organising a series of eight workshops themed “The NEW Choices”, to update Vietnamese agents about new programme offerings across sectors.
Other projects underway in this market include a sustainability competition and a scholarship bootcamp, in collaboration with ENZ Recognised Agents based in Viet Nam.
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From the Chief Executive: Positive steps for international education
Initially focused on Asia, the Prime Minister’s scholarships started in 2013. Since then, more than 2,400 Kiwis have benefited from the experience of living in an Asian or Latin American country, developing personal connections, cultural understanding and global citizenship skills as well as gaining new perspectives in their chosen field of study. These scholarships are a great example of the two-way nature of international education – it’s about the opportunity for us as New Zealanders to learn, as well as for us to contribute.
Over the years the scholarships have evolved and this is set to continue in the future, following two recent wānanga with Māori partners. The first wānanga explored what ‘global citizenship’ means from a Māori world view. The second wānanga discussed the Prime Minister’s Scholarship programme, how to grow Māori participation in it, and how to support rangatahi through creating programme connections with iwi and the Māori economy, so the programme provides greater value for Māori. Alongside participants from a range of iwi and sector interests, representatives from the newly formed Kāhui Kaupapa also attended – Māori alumni of the Prime Minister’s Scholarships for Asia and Latin America. This work is part of ENZ’s long-term programme to build partnerships with iwi, Māori and Māori providers of education services, to transform the understanding of international education and ensure the education system delivers with, and for, Māori in the international context.
We have also made good progress with plans for inbound travel for international education this month. Universities are currently using our new portal system to nominate international students for their 1,450 places as part of the fourth cohort of 5,000 students. Working with the Ministry of Education, we are now assessing applications for places received from schools, PTEs and English language schools and will let them know their individual place allocations next week, so that they can start sending in their nominations, along with Te Pūkenga. Immigration New Zealand is due to begin processing the first formal requests for travel under this border exception by mid-April, in time for a mid-year study start.
In related news, travel from visa waiver countries such as Japan and South Korea has been brought forward two months and will now reopen from 2 May 2022. Students from these countries will be able to come to New Zealand for short courses of up to three months, which is good news for the sector, including English language schools.
While the borders were closed, online education offerings assumed a greater role. This sets us up well to continue to provide a more varied and resilient international education offering in the future. Phase two of a pilot programme to promote New Zealand-branded online education to the world starts in June and interested education providers are invited to a webinar on 31 March 2022 to find out more. This phase of the pilot will continue our partnership with FutureLearn, a well-established online platform with a significant global audience.
COVID-19 has affected our daily lives in many ways, including making virtual meetings the norm. When we held our regular peak body and regional gatherings last week, it was noticeable that a greater degree of formality tends to prevail online, and it’s much harder to get lively discussions underway. We really value and need to hear from our industry partners, and so I would welcome any suggestions for how we can make sure that these meetings enable robust discussion and exchange of ideas.
This month we welcomed Ziena Jalil to her first meeting as an ENZ Board member. Ziena was once an international student and is now an award-winning business and public sector leader, with 20 years’ experience working in New Zealand and Asia. Ziena brings enormous expertise in education, international relations and marketing, which will greatly benefit ENZ and the wider international education sector as we work to rebuild post-COVID.
This month we also published our 2020/21 Annual Report, which had been delayed by a shortage of auditors, related to COVID-19. The report is available on our website here and highlights the impacts of COVID-19 on the sector and our joint efforts to maintain an ongoing commitment to international education during this challenging period.
Okea Ururoatia! – Keep striving forward!
Grant McPherson
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Around the world in five: March 2022
International
Opinion... from the News Editor, 17.03.22
India joins hands with Australian government to establish taskforce on qualifications recognition
New Zealand
New Zealand confirms details of 5,000 international student cohort
Call to end cap on number of international students allowed in NZ
Australia
Once again, international student ‘exports’ are wildly exaggerated
Australia's one-off opportunity to change its approach to international students
Only Half of International Students May Return to Australia This Year
Aus: $10m innovation fund revealed
India
Auckland University Offers 10 Virtual Internships for Indian Women Students
Everest Twins and Miss Malini share their stories at International Women’s Summit
Edtech a big draw among teachers despite covid ease
United Kingdom
Record UK University Applications from UAE
United States
Biden immigration rule will harm American college graduates, expert warns
US: international students say experience doesn’t justify cost
Vietnam
Bravery of international students after Covid-19
New Zealand offers digital technology training scholarships to teachers
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Education Products & Services
Overview
Education products and services (EPS) companies are an important part of Aotearoa New Zealand’s international education industry, supporting learners and education at all ages and levels in New Zealand and around the world.
More than ever before, EPS companies are supporting and informing the way education is consumed around the world. Students benefit from more individualised digital learning content, while education systems benefit from more dynamic, fit for purpose education tools and services specifically designed and aligned to meet curriculum requirements.
With the ability to develop ‘weightless technology-based resources and tools’, EPS can now have a low environmental impact. Learning and education support need not be ‘place-based’ and the ability to access learning can now be from anywhere, anytime. This in turn supports a more equitable education system, one that can develop confident, well equipped digital citizens around the world.
About the EPS sector
The EPS sector in New Zealand includes education publishers, and education technology (EdTech) companies.
Key capabilities include:
- Platforms for administration, student management, content management and learning management within the education sector
- Digital learning content and services used by learners, education providers and organisations connected to education and learning
- Consultants and advisors with specialist EdTech and educational publishing domain knowledge that support the education sector with expertise on product design, learning design or organisational development
- Digital and print designed and developed curriculum aligned tools from ECE to postgraduate study and lifelong learning.
Education publishers
New Zealand’s education publishers have a proud record of innovation and forward thinking. They are pioneers in early childhood education, reading recovery, big book shared reading, and in the revitalisation of New Zealand’s indigenous language and culture. They have also been early adopters of digital formats and technologies.
They have reached learners and educators in 60 countries, in some cases for more than 40 years. They are also major providers of literacy materials and resources to Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, China and others.
The Publishers Association of New Zealand Te Rau o Tākupa (PANZ) represents 30+ education publishers. PANZ provides learning and development opportunities, professional advice, and national and international representation for its members.
To find out more about New Zealand’s education publishers click here.
Education technology companies
From New Zealand to the world - it’s a path many New Zealand EdTech companies have followed.
More than 90% of New Zealand EdTech businesses export across the globe. Principal markets are the United States and Australia which account for 50% of exports, followed by Asia and Europe which account for another 30%. The remaining markets span the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America.
Established in 2017, the Education Technology Association of New Zealand (EdTechNZ) connects, supports and promotes EdTech companies to advance the sector’s ambitions domestically and for export.
A range of EdTech platforms and technologies – from immersive reality platforms (AR, VR, MR) to artificial intelligence (AI) and more – can be found in a number of education categories and tools including:
- Knowledge and content tools
- Education management systems
- Delivery models
- Experiencing learning tools
- Learning support platforms
- Assessment and verification tools
- Workforce skills and talent training and management.
To find out more about New Zealand’s EdTech community ecosystem click here.
Resources and support for EPS companies
ENZ’s role
ENZ, in conjunction with NZ Inc agencies, seeks to support the sector’s export aspirations.
At a policy development level this has included acknowledging the contribution and role of the EPS sector in government strategies and policies, such as the New Zealand International Education Strategy and the Recovery Plan for International Education.
Across the industry ENZ also partners with professional associations, PANZ and EdTech NZ, to undertake research and strategic initiatives, facilitating introductions and connections for EPS companies, including through the New Zealand government’s offshore networks.
ENZ supports visibility and awareness raising activities of the EPS sector, promoting and marketing New Zealand education in global markets, and also sharing data and insights into global and emerging markets.
Recent ENZ initiatives
- ENZ partnered with PANZ to undertake research into Export Market Opportunities for Education Publishers in 2021. The research paper can be accessed from Intellilab.
- ENZ supported the development of the Education Publishers website.
- In 2021, ENZ partnered with EdTechNZ to develop the Aotearoa EdTech Excellence white paper. This paper outlines the New Zealand EdTech community’s kaupapa (values), history, landscape and opportunities.
- ENZ also partnered with EdTech NZ to develop an ecosystem map of the EdTech community.
NZ Inc agencies
Other New Zealand government agencies may also offer help, advice, and support to the EPS sector at various times.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) is the Government’s lead advisor on foreign affairs and trade. It works to build a safe, more prosperous and more sustainable future for New Zealanders by forging strong international connections with diplomats, trade negotiators, analysts and advisors from other countries. The Ministry works with global organisations such as the United Nations, the Commonwealth, the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). At a regional level it works with APEC, ASEAN and the Pacific Islands Forum.
New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) supports exporters to grow their businesses internationally.
You may be able to access the following NZTE services:
- Subscribe to NZTE’s myNZTE for up-to-date market insights, tools, and export guidance
- New Zealand Story supports exporters to tell their story to the world and offers the FernMark Licence programme to the EPS exporter community
- The New Zealand Tech and Innovation Story has a useful toolkit for digital education exporters.
For more information
If you are a New Zealand education publisher or EdTech company and want to learn more about how ENZ may be able to support you, we are here to help.
Please contact Alana Pellow in the ENZ Industry team.
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Funding available to reimagine international education
Registrations of interest are open now for ENZ’s International Education Product Innovation Fund (PIF), closing on Wednesday 4 May 2022. Funding is available to all New Zealand-based organisations and individuals with fresh ideas for international education.
The PIF will support providers of education – whether established, new or emerging – to explore, develop and test pilot projects of new products and services that reimagine international education.
“New” could mean the mode of delivery, the configuration, the learner experience and learner outcomes, or the type of collaboration. The pilot projects developed through the PIF will help explore what could set New Zealand apart from its competitors, how students want to engage with New Zealand education, and how to increase the sector’s resilience to future shocks.
“We are extremely excited to now be receiving registrations of interest for the Product Innovation Fund”, says Euan Howden, ENZ’s Director of Innovation. “By encouraging and enabling the development of new, innovative products and services, we are seeking to position the sector for a more sustainable and resilient future and take advantage of trends such as alternative credentials, life-long learning and flexible learning.”
Underlying the PIF is the principle of tukutuku, or partnership. Each pilot project supported through the PIF will be a partnership based on mutual benefit and reciprocity between ENZ and the provider.
ENZ will offer funding of up to $300,000 per pilot (but is open to considering proposals that seek greater funding), as well as connections, support and credibility. In turn, ENZ is looking for applicants who can show a commitment of resource, a willingness to share lessons, reporting and insights for broader benefit, an openness to new thinking, and willingness to give best effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
The PIF is one of ENZ’s initiatives underway to build a sustainable and diverse international education sector for New Zealand which is more resilient to future shocks such as COVID-19. The programme is funded by the Covid Response and Recovery Fund and is linked to the Government’s Strategic Recovery Plan for International Education.
The results of the pilots supported through the PIF will eventually inform recommendations to the Government in September 2023 on future investment in the development and diversification of international education.