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  • Exploring a vision for the ‘Future of International Education’ in Aotearoa

    It was an action-packed week in Wellington for Emeritus Professor Bean and his business partner Helen Souness. They were invited to Wellington by Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) to facilitate discussions on what the future may look like for Aotearoa New Zealand’s international education sector

    Professor Bean is former Vice Chancellor of The Open University in the United Kingdom and RMIT University in Australia, and is now CEO of the Bean Centre. Along with his business partner Helen Souness, former CEO of RMIT Online, they partner with education experts, education providers and technology companies to shape an education future that works for the rapidly evolving needs of learners, and the evolving landscape of work they will eventually be part of.  

    On Tuesday 1 August, ENZ hosted a cross-section of representatives from our international education partners in government, industry and tertiary education institutions at a full-day workshop. The aim of the workshop was to bring together our sector and collectively explore a vision for the future of international education in Aotearoa New Zealand. This work is a key part of Focus Area 2 of the New Zealand International Education Strategy 2022-2030 (NZIES) and how we can diversify our educational products and services and modes of delivery to create a more sustainable and resilient future. 

    ENZ’s Chief Executive Grant McPherson opened the event and said that it was a privilege to host experts in the field of international education and have them share their knowledge and experience on what is disrupting the world of tertiary and international education globally and what other countries are doing in the face of these challenges. 

    ''I would like to thank everyone that came along with such energy and great ideas. It was a fantastic day and the collaboration between government, industry, and the education sector served to generate some inspiring ideas on how, as a country, we can innovate and differentiate our international education sector to remain competitive on the world stage.  

    ''This is especially important work given the challenges that the international education sector is facing not just in Aotearoa but also around the globe. Professor Bean and Helen Souness really inspired us to think about the future of our sector from the point of view those around us including learners, communities, and industry, in the face of these challenges’’, said Grant. 

    Professor Martin Bean and Helen Souness had this to say about the 1 August workshop.

    YouTube YouTube

    Professor Bean also saidI was delighted to participate in a week of deep thinking as we collectively imagined a brighter future for New Zealand’s international education sector. 

    “It’s clear that the world of work and tertiary education is changing rapidly and it’s great to see that colleagues in New Zealand are determined to meet the challenges and build a strategy to thrive in turbulent times”. 

    Another highlight of the day included a presentation from social innovators Hinepounamu Apanui-Barr and Briana Te Haara-Barr on the work that Tokona te Raki: Māori Futures Collective is doing in finding indigenous solutions to global challenges. Their case study and discussion provided valuable input to the day as we then discussed Aotearoa’s unique value proposition. 

    ENZ’s Sector Engagement General Manager Wendy Kerr, whose team is leading the work involved with Focus Area 2 of the NZIES, said that in the days following the workshop, the ENZ innovation team met with our international education agency partners to reflect on the discussions and wonderful ideas that were brought to the table during the day’s workshop. 

    “It’s not often we get a chance to shape the future and this week has proved a valuable foundation for many in our sector to contribute to the course of the future of international education for Aotearoa. And what an exciting privilege that is. 

    She added, ''Now the hard work really begins, and ENZ will be leading the development of a green paper that will be the basis for consultation with our international education partners including government, education providers, industry, iwi, the wider community, and of course, our learners. Watch this space for the exciting developments to come!’’ 

     

  • Around the world in five

    Asia 

    India’s path to internationalised higher education 

    India's higher education system is expanding internationalisation efforts to retain students and enhance global competitiveness. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 focuses on cross-cultural understanding and fostering global perspectives. The government encourages collaborations with foreign universities and has established foreign campuses in India to offer world-class education opportunities at home. 

     

    North America 

    US sector applauds gov’t export strategy 

    The US government's National Export Strategy includes international education for the first time, recognising its importance for the country's global competitiveness. While stakeholders celebrate this move, they urge the government to take further action to protect and strengthen the US's position as the leading destination for international students. 

     

    South America 

    Agency Survey: Brazil 

    In 2022, Brazilian agencies experienced significant growth in business volumes, with language plus work programmes being highly requested by students. The total number of students placed by surveyed agencies was 7,802, and overall business growth reached 57%. The preferred destinations remained the UK, United States, Canada, South Africa, and Australia, with more students planning to study abroad for higher education. 

     

    Europe 

    Record number of international students for Spain's universities 

    Spain's international student population surged by 13.6% in the 2021/22 academic year, reaching a record 170,222 students, led by significant growth from Latin American countries like Colombia and Ecuador. The top ten markets all exceeded pre-pandemic levels, with efforts underway to improve work opportunities for non-EU international students. 

     

    Africa 

    Nigerian students rush to secure UK places before dependants ban 

    International students are applying to UK universities for September 2023 to avoid a forthcoming ban on bringing family members from 2024. Nigerian applications have surged, while some Indian students explore alternative study destinations like such as Canada and Australia. 

  • Malaysian Social Enterprise, The Tuyang Initiative and ENZ collaborate to present the ‘Indigenous Peoples Talk Series 2023’

    Through this programme, The Tuyang Initiative and Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) aim to provide a platform for indigenous subject matter experts to share their valuable insights and expert opinions. At the same time, they will address the critical issues impacting areas such as livelihood, sustainability, and cultural expressions of indigenous peoples in Malaysia and Aotearoa New Zealand. 

    Adopting a casual online weekend chat format, not unlike the verandah chats in the longhouses in Sarawak, the series of three talks will each explore three central themes: Education & Technology, Social Entrepreneurship, and Arts & Culture. Each panel will showcase a distinguished lineup of speakers, including indigenous academics, activists, social entrepreneurs, researchers, contemporary artists, and cultural practitioners. 

    The programme commenced on Sunday 13 August, linking with the International Day of the World Indigenous Peoples, globally observed on Wednesday 9 August. The inaugural session was opened by Juvita Tatan Wan, co-founder of the Tuyang Initiative, and featured esteemed speakers Prof. Dato’ Dr. Bahari Belaton (University Malaysia Sabah), Dr. Welyne Jeffrey Jehom (University of Malaya), Dr. James Alin (University Malaysia Sabah), and Dr. Hazel Abraham (AUT – New Zealand) discussing the Empowerment of Indigenous Communities through education and technology. The virtual event was livestreamed on The Tuyang Initiative and New Zealand High Commission in Kuala Lumpur’s Facebook pages, the recording can be viewed here

    Speaking about the collaboration with The Tuyang Initiative, Ben Burrowes, ENZ’s Regional Director (Asia) states that the effort reflects our commitment to fostering cross-cultural understanding and knowledge exchange, providing a platform for indigenous voices from Malaysia and Aotearoa New Zealand to come together.  

    “Through these engaging panel discussions, we aim to celebrate the rich diversity of indigenous cultures, explore innovative ways to empower indigenous communities, and promote sustainable practices that ensure the preservation of their invaluable heritage. We believe that this series will contribute significantly to enhancing global awareness and appreciation for the unique contributions of indigenous peoples in shaping a more inclusive and interconnected world."  

    The second panel discussion on Social Entrepreneurship will be held on September 24, 2023, while the final discussion on Arts & Culture is scheduled for October 29, 2023.  You can view these here.

    About The Tuyang Initiative: 

    The Tuyang Initiative is an accredited, community-led social enterprise working with Dayak (Borneo indigenous) communities in the inclusive development of talents, products and services in areas of cultural heritage through strategic industry partnerships. Its goals are to empower the communities in generating meaningful livelihood and driving cultural continuity. The organization is based in Miri, Sarawak (Borneo - Malaysia). 
     
    More info www.thetuyang.com  

     
     

  • From the CE: 12 months on from the borders reopening

    Kia ora tātou,

    Twelve months ago, New Zealand’s borders reopened to international students. From a standing start the international education sector has, alongside Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) and our New Zealand Inc partners in government, worked enormously hard.

    The first challenge was to get New Zealand back “on the map” as a high-quality international education destination. One of our ENZ teams tells me that we were involved in a minimum of 27 events including NAFSA, ANZA, EAIE, agent and student fairs over the last 12 months. There have been at least 11 senior ministerial and sector delegations covering China, India, Viet Nam, Japan, South Korea, US, Canada, Chile, Brazil, and Thailand. This is only the tip of the iceberg of all the effort expended by New Zealand providers, with our partner agents, providers and Government agencies – offshore and onshore.

    And as students started to apply for their visas and arrive in New Zealand, we cannot underestimate the amount of effort that has been required to get the infrastructure that supports the sector up and running. Reviewing applications, delivering offers of place, processing visas, finding accommodation, pastoral care; the list goes on. Lots of unseen and unheralded effort that goes on behind the scenes to ensure international students receive a high-quality experience.

    Yet this is just one part of what we do. Onshore and offshore, the sector has also supported the Prime Minister’s and Manaaki Scholarships, and worked closely with ENZ to explore opportunities to innovate and make the sector more resilient.

    It isn’t easy and while we all know that there is more to do on all fronts, it is worth taking a moment to acknowledge just what has been achieved together.

    Turning our attention to the next 12 months, in June the ENZ Board approved our business plan for this financial year (1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024). The plan has four clear priorities:

    1. Grow inbound student mobility for Aotearoa New Zealand
    2. Support sector capability development
    3. Build global connections
    4. Encourage and support innovation in the sector

    Within these priorities, close to 75% of our discretionary budget is focused on the first one. This is completely aligned with Focus Area 1 of the New Zealand International Education Strategy, which is to help providers of international education to build back onshore offerings. We know there is more to do and over the next 12 months the priority is to build on the good start we have made and cement the recovery and rebuilding of the sector.

    That’s not to say we aren’t investing in the other areas; we are. We will continue to build global connections. These connections go hand-in-hand with our first priority and in some countries, they are essential to achieving it.

    We will also build on the lessons of the past 12 months around innovation. In the first week of August, we organised a series of events facilitated by Professor Martin Bean, a recognised leader in discussions around the future of education. His brief was to provoke and encourage discussion on what the future could look like and what it might take to get there. You can read more about his visit in our E-News story here.

    And when it comes to building sector capability this week’s NEW ZEALAND INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION CONFERENCE KI TUA is an immediate opportunity to listen, learn, discuss, contribute, and network with specialists and colleagues. It will be great to be able to meet in person for the first time in close to three years and to celebrate the 30th time that we have joined together as a sector. I look forward to meeting and talking with many of you over the next few days.

    Mauri tū, mauri ora, an active soul is a healthy soul.

    Ngā mihi

    Grant

  • ENZ Chair optimistic for the future of international education sector

    The New Zealand international education sector should be optimistic about its future. 

    This was the message the Chair of Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ), Tracey Bridges, delivered to members of the sector attending the New Zealand International Education Conference Ki Tua in Christchurch (New Zealand) today. 

    The conference is the first in-person gathering of the sector since 2019 and attracted more than 590 guests and sector representatives. 

    Speaking at the opening plenary session of the conference, Ms Bridges said that just as the sector had much to celebrate in the shared endeavours and achievements of the past 30 years, there was also cause for optimism looking forward. 

    “I’m optimistic about the future of this sector, and the contribution it can make to all the people in Aotearoa (New Zealand) and beyond.” 

    Ms Bridges said this optimism was underpinned by the diversity and strength of the sector that spans schools, polytechnic institutions through Te Pūkenga, universities, private training establishments (PTEs), English language schools, Education products and services, and Wanaga. 

    Another key strength was the industry’s ability to adapt. 

    In early 2020 our world changed forever, and in the three and a half years since, we have all had to – time and time again – prove our ability to adapt.  

    “I want to acknowledge the work that everyone has done in recent years, and to acknowledge the fact that you continue to adapt to meet these challenges. 

    “Your presence here today is testimony to your resilience and commitment to ongoing change. So I’m optimistic not because everything will now return to the old normal, but because I know that together we will find ways to forge a new approach that’s right for the time we are in: we will continue to seek our ‘pae tawhiti’(distant horizon)”.   

    Ms Bridges said ENZ had also refocused and confirmed its approach for the coming 12 months by concentrating on Focus Area One of the refreshed 2022 New Zealand International Education Strategy, “helping providers of international education build back their bases through inbound student mobility growth”. 

    While prioritising its resources and targeting its efforts, ENZ had not lost sight of the need to build long term resilience and stability, and had a number of initiatives in this area, consistent with Focus Area Two.  This had involved hosting a visit earlier in August of Professor Martin Bean, and work through the COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund (CRRF) to explore the diversification of products, services and modes of delivery.  

    ENZ was also looking forward to working alongside Ōtautahi, Christchurch to bring the ICEF Australia New Zealand Agent Conference to Christchurch in April next year. 

    Ms Bridges also acknowledged the importance of leveraging diplomatic engagement and Ministerial travel to enhance New Zealand’s reputation as a partner for international education.  

    “The value of these initiatives is shown in the response to recent promotional trips to India, the US and Canada. More recently, education was a significant part of the Prime Minister’s visit to China where its importance as part of our bilateral relationship was mentioned in almost every major engagement.” 

    This had continued with the conference welcoming the People’s Republic of China as the Country of Honour, with the Minister for Education, His Excellency, Huai Jinpeng joining the conference as a keynote speaker on Friday. 

    A full transcript of the speech can be found here.

     

    For further information:  

    Justin Barnett | Director of Communications, Education New Zealand  

    justin.barnett@enz.govt.nz 

    +64 21 875 132 

     

    Notes to Editors:  

    About Education New Zealand (ENZ) https://www.enz.govt.nz/ 

    Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) is the government agency responsible for taking New Zealand’s education experiences to the world. ENZ promotes a New Zealand education as one that teaches students to be critical thinkers, problem solvers and lifelong learners, which will help them succeed in their future careers and create a positive impact on the world.  

    With approximately 100 staff in 18 locations around the world, ENZ works closely with New Zealand’s diverse education sector including schools, English language providers, Private Training Establishments, Te Pūkenga (Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics), universities; and internationally with NZ Inc agencies, Government agencies and education providers to encourage sustainable growth and identify opportunities.    

  • From the CE: A celebration of energy, optimism and human spirit

    Kia ora tātou,

    NZIEC TI KUA – the pathway forward, was a celebration of the energy, optimism, and the human spirit of the international education sector in New Zealand. 

    It was great to see, and be among, more than 590 delegates reconnecting in person, sharing experiences, discussing the future, and listening to a remarkable range of quality speakers. All the presenters were inspiring and all clearly outlined some the challenges and the opportunities as we move forward. 

    First among these was the visiting Minister for Education in China, His Excellency Huai Jinpeng whose warm outgoing personality was clear to all who met him. It was enormously positive that Minister Huai emphasised China’s was willing to work together with New Zealand to “promote win-win cooperation” and “to unite for mutual benefit”. I hope many of us accept his open invitation to visit China. As he said “Better to see for oneself than to hear from others”. 

    From the New Zealand side it was a great to have Minister for Education, Hon Jan Tinetti, attend the Gala dinner, and reinforce that “education is one of the key pillars of the New Zealand-China relationship and a foundation for enduring links between our countries”. China was the Country of Honour for this year’s conference and is an important long-term partner. 

    After a break of four years since the last NZIEC was held in-person, the friendship and happiness amongst conference delegates was tangible. 

    Certainly, there are challenges ahead as we continue to rebuild the sector. Several of the conference presenters highlighted the changes in global demographics, workplace demand for skills and technological developments as key drivers for a different future in the next 30 years. But the progress achieved in the year since the borders reopened was also cause for celebration and highlighted the adaptability and resilience of education providers throughout the sector. 

    I’d like to thank officials from the Ministry of Education, New Zealand Qualifications Authority and Immigration New Zealand who attended the conference and gave insights and answering queries relating to the impact of policies and practice. International education is a team sport and it was great to see their commitment to the future of the sector. And a very special thanks must also go to the ENZ organising team and supporting cast who delivered a remarkable and uplifting event. 

    As the curtain came down at the outstanding Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre, and delegates said final farewells before returning to their homes and communities, my lasting impression was that of an industry re-enlivened by the human contact we have all missed so much.  

    As our Chair, Tracey Bridges commented in her opening welcome, we have good cause to be optimistic about the future of the sector and the contribution it can make to all the people of Aotearoa and beyond.  

    It is now our responsibility to act on this optimism and to move forward. As Peter Drucker once said, “The best way to predict the future is to create it”. 

    Ngā mihi,

    Grant

  • Thank you to NZIEC KI TUA Partners

    The conference was attended by 599 delegates and saw 42 sessions delivered over two days by 85 speakers, including expert panellists.

    Thanks again to our NZIEC KI TUA 2023 Partners; our Country of Honour: People’s Republic of China, CSCSE,Streamliner, Student Safe, Flywire, idpconnect, IELTS, Southern Cross Travel Insurance, Kiwiflora Nurseries, Yoobee College of Creative Innovation, Orbit Protect, Host Families, Christchurch Foundation and the Tui Corridor Project, University of Canterbury, University of Canterbury International College, Lincoln University and The University of Auckland. 

    Being the first in-person conference since 2019, connection was more important than ever and our NZIEC KI TUA 2023 exhibition hall was renamed The Experience Garden where delegates could do just that – engage, connect, and experience.  

    Delegates who visited the team at the Country of Honours Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange (CSCSE) table, were able to have their name written in Chinese calligraphy and learn more about studying in China.  

    Locally made ice cream was provided by Southern Cross Travel Insurance, barista-made coffee from Student Safe and a special tea café was brought to delegates by idpconnect and IELTS. 

    Delegates also had the opportunity to experience a virtual reality journey with Yoobee College of Creative Innovation. 

     

     

    Thanks to the Kiwiflora Nurseries massage relaxation corner, delegates also got a chance to rest with a neck and shoulder massage and relax in their cosy and tranquil waiting area. Kiwiflora Nurseries partnered with NZIEC KI TUA and the Christchurch Foundation and the Tui Corridor Project to help us in our commitment to sustainability; for every delegate registration, a native tree was planted, fostering a greener future for generations to come. 

    The Host Families photography headshots activation was a hit with over 80 photos taken by the photographer. 

    The Orbit Protect Better Health Quiz provided delegates with a little downtime and a fun competition as they went head-to-head in earning points for prizes.  

    And last but not least, much appreciation goes to our partner Flywire as the Education New Zealand Manapou ki ta Ao Tamaki Makaurau Auckland office now has a new piece of artwork based on the theme of ‘How collaboration will shape the future of global education’ for their wall. 

    Thanks to all our 2023 partners in making this year’s conference a great one! 

    Check out the photo highlights reel from NZIEC KI TUA here. 

    We look forward to having you join us at Tākina in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington on 6-8 August 2024. 

  • Brazil and New Zealand united on sustainability – check out the Kōrerorero: Voice of the Oceans

    Science, sustainability, and innovation were the focus of a special edition of Kōrerorero, which presented the Voice of the Oceans initiative. The online event, held in late August, showed the importance of education for building a more sustainable planet and highlighted the potential of cooperation between Brazil and Aotearoa New Zealand on issues related to the future of the planet. 

    Kōrerorero was produced by Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) in Brazil and featured an introduction by Bruna de Natale, ENZ’s market development manager in Brazil. It was the first time that the event was broadcast in Portuguese, with simultaneous translation into English. 

    New Zealand Ambassador to Brazil, His Excellency Mr Richard Prendergast formally welcomed attendees to the event. 

    “The ocean and its resources are under pressure due to human activities, such as overfishing and pollution,” said Richard. “New Zealand’s approach to promoting a healthy ocean and ensuring good management of its resources involves education, to reinforce decision-making based on traditional knowledge and support development,” he added. 

    The kōrerorero featured the CEO of Voice of the Oceans, David Schurmann, who is an alumni from Aotearoa New Zealand – he has a degree in Cinema from Auckland University of Technology and, in addition to his work at Voice of the Oceans, is a filmmaker. His film “Little Secret”, from 2017, was chosen as the Brazilian representative in the competition for one of the places in the best foreign film category at the Academy Awards. He is part of the Schurmann Family, which since 1984 has carried out maritime expeditions around the world to promote sustainability. 

    Currently, the sailboat Kat, from Voice of the Oceans, is sailing around the world to raise awareness about the importance of combating pollution caused by plastic in the oceans. In November the boat will arrive in Auckland, at the end of its journey around the globe. The boat was named Kat after Kat Schurmann, David's kiwi sister. 

    “Voice of the Oceans was created because we are eyewitnesses of what has been happening in the oceans, which is plastic pollution,, warned David Schurmann during the Kōrerorero. “Over the last twenty years, as we've travelled around the world, we've noticed an increase in plastic waste in the seas,” he added. 

    David also explained the role Aotearoa New Zealand played in creating Voice of the Oceans: “Part of it all has a direct connection to New Zealand – I lived and studied there for six years, where I trained as a filmmaker in the 90s. It was during this period that I realised that the New Zealand population already had a very strong ecological awareness, and that was the seed that helped me create Voice of the Oceans”, said David. 

    In 2016, upon returning from a trip around the world, David and his family decided it was time to give the oceans a voice, to unite humanity around environmental protection. The objective of the initiative, according to him, is to unite people and countries in favor of practical solutions for the preservation of the seas. 

    Alexander Turra, professor at the Oceanographic Institute of the University of São Paulo, classified as the best in Latin America in the latest edition of the QS World Rankings, also participated as a panelist in Kōrerorero. “We need to put the sea in people's heads, hearts and souls, so that they realize that we are intrinsically connected to it,, said Alexander. “The ocean is the foundation of what happens on the planet, so preserving the Earth starts there.” 

     

    Kōrerorero also had the contribution of New Zealand based Brazilian researcher João Souza, leader of the Moana Project, which seeks to understand the impact of climate change and extreme events on the main food sources linked to the ocean, in Aotearoa New Zealand. According to João, the project works through partnerships with the fishing industry and communities living in coastal regions, making use of their traditional knowledge. 

    “We have sensors on fishing nets, so every time fishermen throw that net into the sea, our sensors pick up signals. Thus, we are able to generate information about the ocean, even predicting the occurrence of extreme events. The knowledge acquired is shared with everyone involved”, explained João. 

    The debate was mediated by Jaqueline Gil, director of international marketing and sustainability at Embratur – Brazilian Tourist Board. There were 185 registrants before the event, which was accompanied live by 69 people, who received a certificate of participation. The Kōrerorero recording is available in Portuguese and English on the ENZ online platform. 

  • ENZ hosts annual TEI Manaaki Scholarship workshop 

    For the next two days (14-15 September) participants from all eight universities and Te Pūkenga will be reviewing good practice and experiences in sessions led by speakers from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), the Manaaki Scholarships team at Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ), Manaaki scholar alumni and the Skills Consulting Group.  

    The workshop is the first to be hosted by ENZ since it took over operational management of the scholarships programme from MFAT last November. The Manaaki Scholarships represent the New Zealand government’s single largest investment in international scholarships and have been awarded for more than 70 years.   

    ENZ Manaaki Scholarships Manager, Julia Moore said the programme had been designed to ensure the maximum interaction between participants and presenters.  

    “It is an opportunity for all parties to come together, track progress achieved since the change in management, plan ahead for the future and share experience in key areas such as admissions processes, orientation and pastoral care.” 

    Speaking at the opening of the workshop, ENZ Manukura – Chief Advisor Māori, Ed Tuari said the best way to honour and build on past achievement was by continuing the development of the Manaaki Scholarships as a world-class scholarship programme. 

    Manaaki is about integrity, trust, reciprocity, and sincerity. It is about the way you respect a person and acknowledge who they are and where they come from that honours them and keeps your reputation and integrity intact.” 

     

    Manaaki is not a single act of hospitality; it is a culture of care and respect.” 

  • NZ EdTech’s taking a diversified and leading message to the Australian digital education market

    ENZ had a stand at NZTE’s pavilion with six of the eight EdTech who had expressed an interest in attending EduTech as part of an ENZ delegaton, showcasing their products alongside NZTE’s five customers. The companies in the ENZ delegation included Pacific Kids' Learning, NutriblocksPipiLearningJix RealityPolyMath and Code Avengers and the Student Volunteer Army were also part of the wider ENZ delegation. This diverse group of technology providers from K-12 to Vocational Training and Education (VET) and Higher Education (HE) provide a range of digital education solutions including numeracy, literacy, financial literacy, STEM, programmes for neuro diverse learners, Pacific based and culturally responsive digital tools, immersive digital education experiences and health and wellbeing educational games.

    PolyMath Co-Founders Sophie and Christian Silver (second and third from left) talking with attendees at their EduTech Melbourne 2023 stand.

    ENZ’s participation supports Focus Area Two of the New Zealand International Education Strategy which is to ‘Build a new international education future’. In taking NZ EdTech offshore, ENZ’s goal is to show how Aotearoa New Zealand is leading in education innovation while also helping NZ EdTech companies explore and understand the export opportunity in Australia in a low-risk and low-cost way.

    ENZ’s Business Development Manager | Kaiwhakawhanake Pakihi, Alana Pellow, said that having a stand on NZTE’s pavilion gave ENZ’s delegation profile and extra visibility during the Expo. This included the opportunity to promote their products, a presentation slot to pitch their products, visibility of their collateral and the opportunity to engage with expo attendees over the two days of the event.

    “All six EdTechs on our stand generated a total of 80 prospective customer and partner leads, with one company signing a contract with a local university while there.

    “All met with decisions makers and government education officials, explored opportunities to partner with other NZ EdTechs and refined their thinking and business planning on the opportunities presented by the Australian market. They all referenced the significant value of being ‘in market.’”

    Nutriblocks Co-Founder Dr Claudia Leong and Tech Programme Developer Tim Kern presenting at EduTech Melbourne 2023.

    ENZ also sponsored the NZTE networking dinner for the combined 13 EdTech businesses. Invited guests included representatives from the Victorian Department of Education and Training, Victorian Association of State Secondary Principals, Matterworks/Board Director and the NSW Department of Education. Both Education Departments set the scene for the education technology landscape in NSW and Victoria and the journey both states are on in digital adapting and adopting specifically in K-12. 

    ENZ also supported giving broader visibility of Aotearoa New Zealand’s expertise in digital education and secured two speaker sessions for the EduTech VET conference stream.  Norie Ape, Digital Product Manager for Te Pūkenga, presented on ‘Collaborative Innovation: Transforming Vocational Education through Technology and Work Based Learning’ while Elizabeth Asbury, Director of Pipi Learning  also spoke on ‘Cultural responsive and designed for neurodiversity in the Vocational Education and Training sector’. Both sessions were well attended and Norie and Elizabeth have been approached for further discussions involving contracting their EdTech services.

    Norie said it was a huge privilege to spend time together connecting on our shared passion for better outcomes for our learners, employers, and our colleagues.

    “We had two incredible days of meeting, learning, and collaborating in person with awesome humans using Tech 4 Good in Melbourne.  Time now to recover and setup all those post conference connections to further the new relationships forged and consider how to embed new ways of collaboration in and beyond.’’

    Norie Ape, Digital Product Manager for Te Pūkenga (second from left) with Code Avengers Founder, Hamish Day (far right) and Bradley Hansen (left) plus Karl de Borst (second from right) of Amazon Web Services.

    At the conclusion of EduTech Melbourne 2023, Alana shared here top three takeaways from the conference.  

    “Firstly, nothing beats being on the ground in market, to understand the needs of educators and the opportunity that exists. 

    “Secondly, there is power in the collective ‘we’ when Aotearoa New Zealand turns up en masse, in market. Collaborating and having deep relationships with other NZ Inc agencies adds greater support to the sector and provides one door to our government, truly putting the customer at the centre. 

    “My last takeaway is how the Australian education ecosystem is embracing all that technology offers without throwing learners or indeed educators to the kerb. We could learn more from our Australian education colleagues and how they are using digital to create competitive advantage that supports their international education success alongside building their domestic market citizens ‘fit for future’ capability”, said Alana.  

    Next stop for NZ EdTech companies with ENZ is EduTech Asia in Singapore this November. Any NZ EdTech and Education publisher companies or education providers looking to be involved in education technology related Conferences and Expos can contact Alana Pellow on alana.pellow@enz.govt.nz    

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