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  • From the Acting CE: Forward together

    Tēnā koutou katoa  

    Last week we took time internally to reflect on our work over the 2023/24 financial year. So much excellent work has happened over the past twelve months – it was wonderful to come together virtually as an organisation to celebrate the achievements. 

    There are good reasons to celebrate. International students are returning to New Zealand. The latest enrolment figures show that there were 69,135 international student enrolments with New Zealand education providers in 2023. This represents a 67 per cent increase compared to the full year in 2022 and 60 per cent of annual enrolments in 2019.  

    This is positive news for our education sector and good for our communities. 

    A key part of our strategy is to partner and connect and to be an enabler of international education for New Zealand, so I thought I would share with you some recent engagements with that in mind. 

    This past month I had the pleasure of speaking at the opening plenary session of the annual SIEBA (Schools International Education Business Association) conference in Auckland. The theme of the hui was Global Threads Local Ties. The school sector is very important to New Zealand’s international education offering. It is the second largest sub sector after universities, representing about 20 percent of the value of our entire industry and it is where we find the highest economic value and the greatest opportunity to pathway through to other New Zealand providers.  

    Likewise, in early August I was pleased to welcome to our Wellington office a delegation of twenty indigenous students visiting from the University of Toronto. Canada is one of New Zealand’s closest and longstanding international partners and it is pleasing to see indigenous-to-indigenous cooperation between both countries increasing. We are really noticing growing interest in this overseas as you will read in this article here. - Indigenous Internationalisation a hot topic 

    Turning our attention to the next 12 months, in June the ENZ Board approved our business plan for this financial year (1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025). The plan has four clear priorities: 

    • To grow and diversify the number and value of international students studying with New Zealand 

    • Partner and connect to be the trusted voice and enabler of international education for New Zealand 

    • To deliver sector growth through services that are valued by the sector, international students and New Zealand Inc partners, and 

    • Optimise ENZ to be a more efficient and effective Crown Agency. 

     When it comes to delivering valued sector services, the upcoming New Zealand International Education Conference (NZIEC KI TUA) in August will be provide an excellent opportunity to come together as a sector to listen, learn, discuss, contribute, and network with specialists and colleagues. 

     If you haven’t yet registered, I encourage you to check out the conference website. This year it will be held from 6 to 8 August 2024 at Tākina Convention Centre in Wellington.  

     We have a stellar line up of speakers and it promises to be an engaging and informative event. 

     

    Whaowhia te kete mātauranga 

    Fill the basket of knowledge. 

     

    Ngā mihi nui,    

     

    Dr Linda Sissons  

    Acting Chief Executive  

    Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao 

  • NZ Schools Scholarship Programme offers exciting study path for Vietnamese students

    The New Zealand Schools Scholarships (NZSS) is a scholarship programme offered exclusively for Vietnamese students in grades 8 – 10. Since it was first launched in 2019, many young Vietnamese students have studied at New Zealand schools across the country thanks to the support of this Programme. Many of these students have gone on to secure scholarships at prestigious universities in New Zealand and other countries, achieving notable success on their academic paths. 

    Applications for NZSS 2024 were accepted between 22 January to 17 March 2024 and after several screening rounds, 14 NZSS winners were selected. Each scholarship provides a 50% subsidy on the full-year school tuition fees of the first year of study at a New Zealand secondary school.  

    A standout aspect of this year’s programme was the dual-opportunity scheme in which aspiring candidates who did not receive the NZSS were able to be considered for other scholarships offered by New Zealand schools. This saw an additional four students awarded other school scholarships bringing the total number of school scholarship awardees to 18  

    The group of scholarship winners on the stage at the Awards ceremony.

    On 9 June, Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) organised the Awards Ceremony and Pre-Departure Briefing to recognise the scholarship winners as well as provide information in preparation for their journey ahead. Mr. Scott James, New Zealand Consul General in Viet Nam, attended and delivered a welcome remark, in which he emphasised the mutual respect and understanding that New Zealand and Viet Nam’s relationship is built upon.  

    Mr James added that “this scholarship programme signals the New Zealand Government’s continuing commitment to growing the relationship between our two countries.” 

    From left to right, Mr Ben Burrowes. ENZ’s Acting General Manager - International, NZSS Scholarship winner, Ngoc Han, and Mr. Scott James, New Zealand Consul General in Viet Nam.

    Mr. Ben Burrowes, ENZ’s Acting General Manager – International, was also present at the event and awarded the winners a scholarship certificate and offered his congratulations. In his speech he reflected that the first eight months of 2023 saw school enrolments of Vietnamese students increase over that of 2022 to a total of 286.  

    “Given the care that every parent takes when deciding where their children should continue their education, the rebound for school students following the pandemic naturally took a little longer 

    “We know that this number will continue to increase as life resumes its normal pattern, especially as parents look to the future, and what is best for their child’s development and education, said Mr Burrowes.  

    Watch a recap of the NZSS 2024 Awards Ceremony & Pre-departure Briefing event which features the NZSS recipients and guest speakers.

    For the pre-departure briefing, ENZ provided a brief presentation, followed by former NZSS winners, Thuy Truc (2023), Thao Nguyen (2023) and Tuan Minh (2019) sharing their study experiences with the audience. Representatives from the Vietnamese Students Association in New Zealand, Ms. Trang from HHT magazine who joined the New Zealand familiarisation trip in 2023, and Mr. Phu & Ms. Ngoc – parents of students who are currently studying in New Zealand also spoke. 

    Feedback from parents and students received by ENZ after the event was positive, with many commenting on how welcome and proud they felt as scholarship winners. We look forward to welcoming these students to New Zealand very soon!  

     

  • NZIEC KI TUA 2024 programme now live

    Keynote speakers this year include the Minister for Tertiary Education and Skills, the Hon Penny Simmonds, Fanta Aw, CEO, NAFSA, Sir Ashley Bloomfield, and a special guest speaker from the 2024 Country of Honour – India.  

    Built on the Te Ara ki te Ao theme, the 2024 programme features sessions woven around sub-themes focused on –  

    Growth opportunities: How to sustainably grow international education exploring new products, services and markets while optimising technology. 

    Student experience: Explore all aspects of the student experience and ensure international students remain at the heart of our mahi. Insights and best practice to improve outcomes across the student journey. 

    Indigenous international education: How we take on the role of kaitiaki and foster indigenous-to-indigenous education relationships to give best effect. 

    Attraction and acquisition: Understand the unique value proposition of New Zealand education for impactful student recruitment through education agent engagement, international marketing, communications, market research and analysis and partnerships in education.  

    Market updates: Gain insights and updates from a range of global markets. 

    The conference also includes a range of engaging breakout sessions, including workshops and panel discussions hosted by experts across the sector, centred on the five sub-themes.   

    Check out the full programme here: https://www.nziec.co.nz/programme 

    We look forward to seeing you at NZIEC KI TUA 2024, register today: https://www.nziec.co.nz/registration  

  • Education New Zealand targets $4.4 billion by 2027

    Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) today announced its plan to grow the international education sector over the next three years. The strategy, which aims to build the economic contribution of international education to $4.4 billion by 2027, focuses on growing and diversifying the number of international students studying in New Zealand. 

    “International education has made a good start to its recovery with more than 69,000 enrolments in the first full academic year since borders reopened and universities returning to 86% of pre-pandemic numbers,” said ENZ Acting Chief Executive Dr Linda Sissons today. 

    “The government has a goal of doubling the value of export earnings in ten years and international education has its part to play. 

    “In the first year of the strategy the focus is putting additional investment into markets we have identified with growth potential. These include India, Viet Nam, and the Philippines, and some specific sectors within markets like Japan and Thailand. We need to start now to grow awareness of New Zealand in these markets if we are to achieve our growth targets. Moving forward, we will continue to seek growth through diversifying markets while maintaining our strength in traditional markets such as China and India. 

     As a small agency with a finite budget, ENZ needs to be very smart and maximise every opportunity for New Zealand,” said Dr Sissons.  “We look to use the potential of Scale, Impact, and Leverage as the measuring rods for everything we do, as we commit to the Government’s Export Double goal”. 

    The strategy is the result of extensive consultation with the international education sectors, partner Government agencies and comes on the back of a productive 12 months for Education New Zealand. 

    In the past 12 months Education New Zealand student attraction activities have delivered: 

    • More than two million visits to the Study with New Zealand website 

    • Added more than 69,000 prospective students to its database 

    • More than 22,000 individuals have made enquiries to providers regarding study 

    • Our business-to-business activities targeting education agents delivered 33 webinars to over 1,800 participants 

    • 18 in-country events delivered in five countries (Thailand, South Korea, Japan, Vietnam, China) 

    • The New Zealand International Education Conference KI TUA 2023 to 599 delegates 

    • 50 new indigenous to indigenous networks and partnerships 

    • Sector satisfaction with ENZ topped 77% 

    ENZ’s offshore team provides significant support to overseas visits by representatives of the international education sector and the New Zealand government, building and deepening relationships said Dr Sissons. In 2024 this included a visit by representatives of all New Zealand Universities to India in February, and ENZ supporting the education component of the Prime Ministerial Trade Missions to Southeast Asia and Japan 

    The agency also supports education visits to New Zealand. Very recently this included the visit of Chinese Premier Li Qiang, which included China’s Education Minister Huai Jinpeng.   

    It was the second visit by Minister Huai to New Zealand in ten months, and highlighted the strong momentum our bilateral education relationship. In 2023 ENZ also delivered the Prime Minister’s Scholarships to Asia and Latin America (PMSA/LA) which sees New Zealanders travel internationally for learning experiences and administers the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship programme for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT). The Manaaki Scholarships offers scholarships to eligible citizens from developing countries to study at a New Zealand education institution or university or at a Pacific university 

    In 2023 these important programmes have awarded: 

    • 118 individual PMSA/LA scholarships  

    • 20 group PMSA/LA scholarships  

    • NZIEC KI TUA 2023 delivered with 599 delegates 

    • 861 Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships awarded 

    “I am very pleased and proud of the results the team at Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao has delivered alongside the sector. We have more to do,” said Dr Sissons.


    For further information: 

    Justin Barnett | Director of Communications, Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao  

    +64 21 875 132

    About Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) https://www.enz.govt.nz/   

    ENZ is the government agency dedicated to helping Aotearoa New Zealand realise the social, cultural, and economic benefits of international education. Our role is to promote New Zealand as a high-quality education destination offering excellent education and student experiences and to encourage New Zealand students to study overseas. 

    With approximately 105 staff in 16 locations around the world, ENZ works closely with New Zealand’s diverse education sector which includes schools, English language providers, Private Training Establishments, Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics (Te Pūkenga), and universities. Internationally, we work with a range of education stakeholders, including government agencies and education providers to identify and encourage sustainable growth opportunities for New Zealand’s education sector.   

     

  • Rise in international students rating New Zealand experience positively

    In the 2024 International Student Experience Survey, students lifted their positive rating of their experience to 86 percent, two percent higher than the previous year.  

    In addition, the number of students who rated their experience as “excellent” lifted eight percent to 41 percent. 

    The results were announced today at the international education sector conference, NZIEC KI TUA, which was organised by Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ). 

    Commenting on the survey results, ENZ Acting Chief Executive Dr Linda Sissons said the results demonstrate the high quality of the New Zealand education experience both inside and outside the classroom. 

    “That we have a significant increase in the number of students rating their overall New Zealand experience as excellent is something to be celebrated. The results are a reassuring testament to the ongoing recovery of the sector and our ability to deliver international students what they highly value in a study destination.  

    “We are delighted to see how positive students are about the people they meet and connections they form in New Zealand. This speaks strongly to the enriching ties these students will have to our country in the long run, and how we will benefit and learn from each other,” Dr Sissons said. 

    2024 sees the highest proportion of international students (41 percent) rating their overall New Zealand experience as ‘excellent’, up from 33 percent in 2023. This proportion is higher than any of the previous three surveys undertaken. This year also includes a much larger sample of 6,431 students compared to 4,755 students last year.  

    Students were most positive about the people and connections they experienced in New Zealand (90%), followed by education experience (87%), making study arrangements (87%), arrival and orientation (85%), and living experience (83%).  

    Students also positively rated their experience using an education agent, particularly their agent’s knowledge of their education provider’s application process (84%), New Zealand application options (81%) and how using an education agent reduced the time taken to complete their application (79%). 

    For further information: 

    Visit Tableau Public to access the data sets (login required) - International Student Experience Survey 2024 | Tableau Public

    Visit ENZ's Intellilab for the full report - International Student Experience Survey 2024 Report | ENZ IntelliLab

    Or contact: 

    Sai Raje | Senior Communications Advisor, Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao  

     +64 21 479 649  

     

    Notes to Editors:   

    About the New Zealand International Student Experience Survey 2024  

    The New Zealand International Student Experience Survey aims to better understand the overall student experience for international students enrolled with New Zealand education providers as well as those who have recently completed their studies. The survey also aims to understand where improvements can be made to enhance the international student experience.  

    International students across all sectors and all stages of the student journey were invited to participate in this online survey. Fieldwork for this survey was conducted from 10 May to 4 June 2024 and included 6,431 respondents representing over 100 nationalities. 

     

    About Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) https://www.enz.govt.nz/   

    ENZ is the government agency dedicated to helping Aotearoa New Zealand realise the social, cultural, and economic benefits of international education. Our role is to promote New Zealand as a high-quality education destination offering excellent education and student experiences and to encourage New Zealand students to study overseas. 

    With approximately 105 staff in 16 locations around the world, ENZ works closely with New Zealand’s diverse education sector which includes schools, English language providers, Private Training Establishments, Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics (Te Pūkenga), and universities. Internationally, we work with a range of education stakeholders, including government agencies and education providers to identify and encourage sustainable growth opportunities for New Zealand’s education sector.   

     

     

  • Māori and First Nations people connect during University of Toronto visit

    18 indigenous students and two indigenous staff from the University of Toronto’s ‘First Nations House’ were invited to Aotearoa New Zealand for a week-long visit at Tirorangi Marae at the base of Mount Ruapehu in July. 

    The purpose of the visit was to enhance cross-cultural understanding between Māori and First Nations and Métis peoples and is significant as empowering iwi and hapū in the international education space is an important Te Tiriti obligation for ENZ, as an Aotearoa New Zealand government agency.  

    The visit took place during the time of ‘Puanga’ which is when the single star rises higher in the sky than the Matariki star cluster and is recognised by iwi and hapū that can’t see the Matariki cluster from their location.  

    Māori and First Nations and Métis people have ’sharing circles’ as a common way to teach and learn.

    The group participated in a wide range of activities in the area while staying at the marae. They were then welcomed to Te Whanganui-a-Tara by the ENZ Wellington office, visiting Te Tiriti o Waitangi at Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga and and Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington, before finishing their trip in Whakatū (Nelson) with some adventure tourism activities. 

    Indigenous students Kieren and Bailey from the University of Toronto sampling Wellington’s outdoors with ENZ's Craig Rofe.

    The First Nations and Métis members of the group experienced what living on a marae was like and were also immersed in how a tribe engages with the environment, and how iwi businesses, local council and government agencies such as the Department of Conservation (DOC) operate in the field with iwi partnership. 

    Iwi people sharing lake Rotokura’s healing power, a wāhi tapu (sacred place) for the local tribe.

    Dr Craig Rofe, ENZ’s Kaitohutohu Matua Māori – Senior Advisor Māori, said that during the visit, Māori and First Nations and Métis people were able to compare the similarities and differences of their contexts to grow understand of their respective challenges and successes.  

    The First Nations people’s struggles to overcome racism and prejudice resonated with tangata whenua, in particular the intentional elimination of language and the current mechanisms of revitalisation. 

    Many stories shared with together showed the everyday trauma that resides in each of us and how, as indigenous people, we try to navigate these obstacles to make a better world for the next generation”, said Dr Rofe.  

    The trip motivated the students to connect more with their languages and culture upon their return.  

    Kenzie, from the Mohawk tribe said “when we meet again, I’ll be able to talk to you in my language, I’m declaring it!”. 

    Katherine from the Eskasoni First Nation tribe said “My experience connecting with the Ngāti Rangi revealed the transformative power of global Indigenous connections. Participating in ceremonies such as Hautapu and visiting Mount Ruapehu was particularly moving. Listening to their stories of ancestral ties to the land and taking part in traditional ceremonies that emphasized community and connection to the environment deepened my own personal understanding. This experience inspired me to initiate conversations with elders in my own community about our traditional land management practices.” 

    This experience also highlights the important offerings that Māori, and indeed indigenous knowledge, has to offer to international education. In particular, and not exclusively, the deep connection that indigenous peoples have with the environment and therefore natural obligation of care. 

    First Nation student, Alexis, discovers the origins, medicinal, spiritual and mechanical properties of harakeke (flax).

    Sustainable practices and programmes can benefit from indigenous inclusion and perspectives, especially with the large-scale impacts of global warming and general pollution in many countries. The co-governance structure that Ngāti Rangi iwi and DOC work with as part of post Te Tiriti Settlement was used as an example of decolonised solutions within our New Zealand context. 

    There have been discussions between ENZ, Ngāti Rangi iwi, and the University of Toronto about an ongoing relationship and considering what a reciprocal engagement might look like moving forward. 

     

    Nāku te ika i , nāku anō i whakatau  

    Ki te haere, whāia i te Pare-i-te-taitonga, tērā taku ika. 

    This is a Ngāti Rangi iwi reference to the Ruapehu mountain being the ‘pillar post’ of the ‘Fish’ (North Island).

     

  • International student speakers lay the wero at NZIEC KI TUA

    Sean Teow, Aria Ngārimu, Ibuki Nishida, and Albert Lu, each shared stories and insights with NZIEC KI TUA attendees that offered a reminder to those working in international education about why they do what they do 

    The students’ speeches laid a worthy wero for the international education sector to continue the good work and keep international students at the centre of our work long after they arrive in New Zealand.  

    In this context, a wero is a traditional Māori challenge, performed by Māori warriors at a pōwhiri to test the intentions of visitors – by wielding weapons and laying down the challenge, with a token, such as a small branch for visitors to pick up and show they come in peace. Wero can also be used to convey a 'challenge' in other settings besides the traditional usage. 

    President of the New Zealand International Students' Association (NZISA), Sean Teow (Malaysia), spoke candidly about the full range of his student experience – offering insights on how he came to choose New Zealand to what the international education sector could focus on to better the student experience further.  

    Sean Teow speaks at NZIEC KI TUA.

    Sean spoke about the need to focus on the “level of heart” that New Zealand exudes when interacting with prospective students alongside “bread and butter” attributes such as the high quality of education, lifestyle and beautiful natural environment. 

    Be proud of the quality of New Zealand education, but also you as people, there is a level of heart that exudes itself when talking to students. That intention can be felt by a prospective student who may be afraid and anxious to embark on that path, a simple feeling that these people know how to take care of me, and they mean well.  

    Don’t forget that the next time you recruit or interact with students for that could make the very difference with students remembering New Zealand and enjoying their time here. Embrace and embody manaakitanga,” Sean urged delegates.  

    Prime Minister’s Scholarship recipient Aria Ngārimu (Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairoa, Rongomaiwāhine, Te Whānau-ā-Apanui), a domestic student at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington visited India as part of her scholarship experience.  

    Aria Ngārimu at the Taj Mahal in Agra, India during her scholarship experience. Photo credit: Aria Ngārimu.

    In her address, Aria aptly used an Indian folk tale of five blind men attempting to describe an elephant that they had encountered for the first time to highlight how individual perspectives can be wildly different yet equally accurate. Her speech was a powerful reminder of the need to be open to points of view different from our own. 

    International representative of the University of Otago Students' Association, Ibuki Nishida (Japan), offered a challenge to the sector to remember that every international student has a story and the importance of staying connected to their experience and story while they were in the country 

    Ibuki Nishida laid a wero for the sector to remember that every student has a story.

    Don’t forget about those of us that are already here. I challenge you to not set a “finish line”, but instead learn from, and be a part of, each student’s ongoing story while we are here, that we can take to our loved ones to inspire them back home. 

    “Do not underestimate the power of word-of-mouth. When looking at growth, it might be one of the most important. And the way you tap into that, is to make sure students have a great experience while they’re here too. And remember that each international student is a story waiting to be told. So help us make it one for the books,” Ibuki said. 

    Albert Lu spoke about the differences in school life in his native Taiwan and New Zealand and what he likes about studying in Wellington.

    Albert Lu (Taiwan), a Year 11 student at Wellington High School, noted the differences in life in Taiwan and New Zealand as he spoke about his experience in New Zealand.  

    Albert spoke about the NCEA curriculum providing an opportunity to students to enjoy a good balanced lifestyle, how confidence was the key to settling into life in New Zealand and importantly, ‘another way to improve language faster is to hang out with friends whose first language is not my first language’. Albert does this through joining student groups, attending church and generally being proactive about life here in New Zealand.  

    “Everyone is friendly, I love it,” Albert said. 

    *Wero: In this context, a wero is a traditional Māori challenge, performed by Māori warriors at a pōwhiri to test the intentions of visitors – by wielding weapons and laying down the challenge, with a token, such as a small branch for visitors to pick up and show they come in peace. Wero can also be used to convey a 'challenge' in other settings besides the traditional usage. 

  • Education links recognised during Prime Minister’s Trade Mission to Malaysia and Republic of Korea

    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s recent Trade Mission to Malaysia and the Republic of Korea involved a wide range of education-related events. They proved the perfect opportunity to recognise New Zealand’s education cooperation with both host countries while also raising New Zealand’s education brand awareness. The events also highlighted the strong people-to-people connections that were started through international education and continue through links to alumni and the industries they have gone on to work in.

    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon speaking at the New Zealand-Korea Education Partnership Ceremony in Seoul held on 5 September. 

    Representing our sector during the Mission was Professor Grant Edwards, Vice Chancellor of Lincoln University, and John van der Zwan, Executive Director of Schools International Education Business Association (SIEBA). Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) and NZ Inc agencies worked closely with the sector delegates on the education components of the Mission which included two education-related arrangement signings, education representatives at the two Gala Dinners, the Green Room with Influential Alumni event in Kuala Lumpur, and the New Zealand – Korea Education Partnership Ceremony in Seoul. 

    Professor Grant Edwards of Lincoln University with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon at the signing of a MOU with Universiti Putra Malaysia.

    Joining the Mission for the education elements of the programme was ENZ’s Acting General Manager – International, Mr Ben Burrowes. Mr Burrowes said that having education representatives and dedicated education components feature strongly on the Prime Minister’s agenda supports the education sector with our brand awareness and elevates New Zealand’s reputation in these two important source countries for international students.

    "During the series of events, Prime Minister Luxon highlighted the strong connections between our people that have been nurtured through education. 

    “At one of the alumni events in Malaysia which featured Malaysian alumni who are now influential leaders in politics, business, science, and education, Prime Minister Luxon spoke of the importance of such alumni networks in fostering these connections,” said Mr Burrowes.  

    While in Korea, ENZ’s Acting General Manager International, Ben Burrowes, provided an appreciation gift to our school sector partner, Seoul Metropolitan City Office of Education to recognise their commitment to supporting young learners through global citizenship initiatives.

    Professor Edwards said that he found the discussions on trade and education with Malaysia and the Republic of Korea highly valuable. 

    “Lincoln University signed two significant agreements during the trip: firstly, we signed an MoU with Universiti Putra Malaysia to advance research collaboration in agriculture and food security, and then a second MOU with the Korea Agency of Education, Promotion and Information Service in Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (EPIS) to support student training in specialised agricultural education programmes. 
     
    “The new agreements will broaden Lincoln University’s collaborations with international institutions and further expand Aotearoa New Zealand’s global education partnerships,” said Professor Edwards. 

    Professor Grant Edwards of Lincoln University with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon at the signing of a MOU with the Korea Agency of Education, Promotion and Information Service in Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (EPIS) in Seoul.

    Representing the school sector for the Republic of Korea leg of the Mission, John van der Zwan of SIEBA provided remarks at the education event on fostering school cooperation and participated in local education site visits after the Trade Mission programme concluded. Mr van der Zwan also visited a local education agency and a school in Seoul where he taught twenty years ago. 

    Executive Director of SIEBA Mr John van der Zwan speaking at the New Zealand-Korea Education Partnership Ceremony.

    Mr van der Zwan said that the Trade Mission was a special opportunity to join with the Prime Minister to promote the New Zealand school sector for international education. 
     
    “Our schools are seen as world-leading, providing excellent education to students from the Republic of Korea. The education event organised by ENZ and attended by the Prime Minister was a highlight for SIEBA with important connections made with education officials looking to strengthen people-to-people links with schools in New Zealand,” said Mr van der Zwan 
     

  • SIEBA Launches New Agency Registration Service

    SIEBA has launched its new Agency Registration Service to better support education agencies and meet the evolving needs of New Zealand schools. For an annual fee of NZD $150 plus GST, registered education agencies will gain access to services that strengthen their connections with schools and enhance their operations. 

    Benefits include: 

    • Reference Checking: Agencies listed on the SIEBA website will have undergone initial reference checks, helping schools feel confident that they align with the Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021 standards. 

    • Student Placement Service: Agencies can create student listings for individual and group placements, connecting directly with member schools. 

    • Tailored Resources, Webinars, and Professional Development: Agencies will have access to resources and learning opportunities to help them succeed. 

    • Networking Opportunities: Agencies will have the opportunity to expand connections with SIEBA member schools through events such as Onshore Marketing Forums. 

    John van der Zwan, Executive Director for SIEBA, acknowledged the importance of education agents to their members and this service would provide more support and connections for them.  

    "We have hundreds of members, including lots of smaller schools, who will particularly benefit from building closer relationships with agents", said John 

    For more information on the Agency Registration Service, visit www.sieba.nz or email agents@sieba.nz. 

  • Around the world in five

    Australia  

    The latest Agent Perception Survey from Navitas has demonstrated the impact of policy changes in Australia and Canada on demand and how the countries are viewed, and also shows that students are casting the net wider for higher education options and that demand for alternative destinations is growing. 

    India 

    Future of overseas education is set for major transformative shifts, driven by advancements in AI and immersive technologies. AI-led Virtual Reality tours are just one aspect that is set to revolutionise student exploration of overseas campuses.  

    South Korea 

    At the same time as leading Western destinations – e.g., Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom – are applying brakes to slow or reverse the expansion of their foreign enrolment, several Asian destinations are doing the opposite: pursuing policies to boost international enrolments to record-high levels. Japan, Malaysia, Taiwan, and South Korea have all set ambitious new international enrolment targets. 

    United Kingdom 

    The UK government is considering replacing the Secure English Language Test (SELT) with a Home Office-owned testing model as part of an overhaul of the language requirement for student visas. 

    United States 

    International applications to US institutions continued to grow in 2024/25, though at a slower pace than in previous years, a new survey published in August 2024 has revealed. 

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