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  • New social media launch in China

    “Last year our awareness levels in China grew 17 per cent between April and December,” says Kathryn McCarrison, General Manager Marketing and Channel Development.

    “With year-on-year growth in enrolments and student visa approvals from China, we want to continue building on this momentum in a top priority market for New Zealand.”

    The number of Chinese students studying at a New Zealand institution was up 3 per cent in 2013 on 2012 and this growth looks set to continue, with student visa approvals from January to March this year increasing by 24 per cent. 

    In August new ‘Study New Zealand’ Weibo and WeChat sites will launch, targeting a youth audience with fun, informative and interactive content about studying in New Zealand.

    Weibo is a microblogging platform, similar to both Twitter and Facebook, with more than 129 million monthly active users and more than 61 million average daily active users. Described by Forbes magazines as the world’s most powerful app, WeChat is a similarly popular mobile messaging app used by more than 350 million monthly active users.

    The China team will continue to support the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Embassy’s Weibo account – supplying all-important content about bilateral education and research collaborations which demonstrate the depth of New Zealand’s strong education relationship with China. 

    “We are focused on profiling the dual opportunities New Zealand offers to China, as a high-quality and committed strategic education partner for our education products and services, and as an exceptional study destination,” says Alex Grace, Regional Director – Greater China.

    Whereas social media activity will reach a wide audience, recent campaign activity in China was targeted at those actively considering studying abroad, particularly at university level.  

    The campaign, which remains active until the end of July, matched prospective students to an agent to find out more information about studying in New Zealand.

    To date, over 6,500 prospective students have registered to find out more about New Zealand and these enquiries are being actively followed up by four agencies, who will in turn provide these qualified leads to New Zealand institutions. 

  • Insight into China Education Developments

    Produced by our China team, the latest report provides a roundup of China’s education developments during the first half of 2014 and follows their January report which was picked up and reported around the world.

    Sam Mackay, Senior Education Manager in Beijing, says the Insight Report is the China team’s way of keeping industry up-to-date with changes in the region.

    “There’s so much information flying around about Chinese education developments that it can be hard to keep current. We developed the China Insight Report so you can stay abreast of the key trends in this top priority market for New Zealand.”

    “We’ve also tried to deliver it in an engaging manner. You can contemplate our ‘questions to ponder’, try your luck at some of this year’s Gaokao questions, and even enjoy a (somewhat related) dance clip.”

    Download the China Insight report here. We welcome feedback to china@enz.govt.nz.

    Quick summary:

    • The number of Chinese students heading overseas rose in 2013, but at a slower rate than previous years.  

    • Chinese international student enrolments in New Zealand rebounded, exceeding the 25,000 mark for the first time since 2007. Strong growth occurred in the school and university sectors.

    • Postgraduate student numbers within China are falling due to the introduction of tuition fees. Interest in ‘professionally oriented’ postgraduate programmes, however, is rising.

    • A record number of graduates are finding employment prospects tough. The expected monthly salary has fallen 2000 yuan over the past three years.

    • China’s vocational education system is being transformed. Changes to the exam system, institution entry processes and a boost in the number of higher vocational institutions are all in the works.

    • Global acceptance of Gaokao has increased as the exams get reformed. A technical stream to the exams will be introduced, and students will be able to sit their English exams periodically throughout the year.

    • Chinese parents are increasingly asking providers to illustrate the return on investment.

  • Bold gaokao reforms announced

    The changes will see the removal of streaming – a policy which has been in place since 1957 – allowing students greater flexibility in subject choices to count toward their final score. Higher education admission processes are also slated to change.

    Common subjects remain

    Under the current gaokao system, students must study Chinese language, maths and a foreign language (usually, but not exclusively, English). Students will continue to study these common subjects.

    While the three common subjects will be tested at a ‘unified date’, many provinces will allow students to take two separate exams for English and submit their best result.

    Streaming abolished

    The reforms will remove the policy of streaming students into the arts stream or the science stream in their second year of senior high school. Instead, students will study a mix of arts and science subjects.

    More subjects introduced

    As well as the three common subjects, the reforms will see students study 11 others. The 11 subject areas will likely vary between provinces.

    While students must study all 11 subjects, only three results from six identified subjects – history, geography, politics, chemistry, biology and physics – will count toward their overall gaokao score. The three results may be a student’s best results and/or be from subject areas which align well with their future study plans.

    The 11 subjects will be assessed based on a ranking system, with students awarded a ‘pass’ or ‘fail’ grade. How the rankings will be converted into scores for the overall gaokao score is an area that will be clarified through implementation plans.

    These changes will likely see students prioritise particular subjects based on their future study plans.

    Change in admission processes

    The admission processes of China’s higher education institutions will also change. The reforms encourage institutions to adopt a multidimensional enrolment system; to look beyond a singular focus on gaokao results to include ‘academic performance’ and ‘overall qualities’ in their assessments.

    With the removal of streaming, it is likely that Chinese higher education institutions will provide students with greater clarity as to the subject requirements they must meet to apply for specific fields of study – for example, a higher score in politics may be more important for students seeking to study law than biology.

    Another change relates to the ‘extra points’ policy. This policy saw students with strengths in sports or artistic pursuits awarded bonus points for the gaokao and thus a better chance of entering top universities. This policy will be removed from 2015.

    Implementation

    The China Ministry of Education has designated Shanghai municipality and Zhejiang province as pilot areas for the reforms. Implementation will begin later this year for first year students at senior high schools.

    Both Shanghai and Zhejiang are expected to publish implementation plans in the coming months which will outline in greater detail how the reforms will be implemented.

    The reforms will be rolled out nationwide from 2017 and are expected to be fully implemented by 2020.

    Rationale for the change

    The reforms follow the significant debate across China about the education system’s ‘fitness for purpose’ in an era where innovation is essential for the next phase of China’s economic development.

    The reforms seek to address common criticisms of the gaokao. As Vice Minister of Education Du Yubo said, “to put it simply, we are trying to solve the problem of yi kao ding zhong shen (one exam determines one's entire life)”.

    Greater international recognition likely

    The reforms will likely stimulate an increase in the number of tertiary institutions around the world accepting gaokao for admission into degree programmes. A growing number of institutions already accept gaokao results, including seven of Australia’s Group of Eight universities.

    Education New Zealand has been working with Universities New Zealand on the acceptance of gaokao results for direct entry. We are interested in hearing from all New Zealand providers which do currently or are considering direct entry on the basis of gaokao. Email us at china@enz.govt.nz.

  • OECD education report out

    Education at a Glance provides comparable national statistics measuring the state of education around the world. It provides data on the structure, finances and performance of the education systems in the 34 OECD member countries, as well as a number of G20 and partner countries. Most of the recent data in the report relates to 2012.

    Key findings for international education globally

    • In 2012, more than 4.5 million students were enrolled in tertiary education outside their country of citizenship.

    • The United States has the largest market share of foreign students with 16.4 percent and the United Kingdom is second with 12.6 percent.

    • Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States together receive more than 50 percent of all foreign students worldwide.

    • Students from Asia represent 53 percent of foreign students enrolled worldwide. The largest numbers of foreign students from this continent are from China, India and Korea.

    • Europe is the top destination for tertiary level students enrolled outside their country of origin (48 percent).

    • The number of foreign students in Oceania has tripled since 2000, although this region hosts less than 10 percent of all foreign students.

    Key findings for New Zealand

    • International students make up 16 percent of the New Zealand student population which is double the OECD average and ranks New Zealand fifth in foreign student enrolment as percentage of total tertiary enrolment.

    • New Zealand has the 13th largest market for foreign students in absolute market share terms (at 1.6 percent), about the same as last year but much higher than its share in 2000 (0.4 percent).

    • Three percent of New Zealand tertiary students study abroad.

    • Investment in education has risen to 7.5 percent of GDP which is the fourth highest in the OECD

    • Twenty two percent of all public expenditure is invested in education, the highest percentage in the OECD.

    You can read the full report and examine the data and findings in detail at http://www.oecd.org/edu/eag.htm

  • $10 million fund to support teaching of Asian languages

    The first call for registration of interest is open from 13 October to 20 November 2014. All state and state-integrated schools can apply for funding under ALLiS.

    The Government wants to increase second language learning for all students. As well as learning our national and official languages (English, Te Reo Māori, and New Zealand Sign Language), and Pasifika languages, New Zealand needs to increase the number of students learning Asian languages to support our growing trade and international relationships with key Asian countries.

    ALLiS will support schools by setting up new, or strengthening existing, Asian language programmes. ALLiS funding is available for up to 90 schools or clusters of schools, with particular emphasis on those that establish language learning pathways from primary through to secondary schools. The fund will encourage greater collaboration amongst schools in partnership with external Asian Language and Cultural organisations. Once the funding ends, programmes are expected to be self-sustaining.

    China, Japan and Korea are amongst our top five trading partners but the number of students learning these languages in our schools is relatively low compared to other international languages. In 2013, only two secondary schools offered Korean, fewer than 40 schools offered Mandarin Chinese, while Japanese was offered by 160 secondary schools.

    For more information on the ALLiS programme and the funding process visit the Ministry of Education website.

  • New Zealand Cracks Top Five Preferred Overseas Study Destinations for China’s Wealthy

    Rupert Hoogewerf, Founder, Chairman and Chief Researcher of the Hurun Report, noted “New Zealand breaking into the ‘Big 5’ shows how far it has come to building a global education programme, attracting many of China’s most successful families to send their children to study there.  With 80% of these families now looking to send their children to study overseas, New Zealand’s all-round education system is able to compete at the very highest levels in the world”.

    ENZ received a “Best of the Best” award for this achievement.  The awards are based on the annual Chinese Luxury Consumer Survey (CLCS), now in its 11th year.  Between September and November 2014 the Hurun Report surveyed 376 Chinese individuals with at least CNY 10 million (NZD 2 million) personal wealth.  62% surveyed were from the first tier cities of Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen and Guangzhou.

    Those surveyed were asked, “what is your preferred overseas study destination?”.  New Zealand followed the US, UK, Australia, and Canada (out of 12 countries), and edged out Switzerland, a popular education destination with the world’s wealthy.   

    “This recognition hasn’t come about by accident”, said Regional Director Alexandra Grace.  “We have made a deliberate effort to connect with the Hurun Report’s readership, and to showcase that New Zealand education is something to which to aspire.  We have done this in various ways, including through Hurun media interviews with our Prime Minister, Hon Steven Joyce, and with leaders such as Auckland Mayor, Len Brown.  The messaging in all has been consistent: New Zealand offers high quality, personalised education in a world-class environment.  Our education system fosters creativity and innovation; ideas are born in our country.  And future leaders across all sectors are developed in our country”.

    This isn’t the only award won recently by ENZ’s China Team.  “We had a very successful year on the awards and recognition front in China last year”, said Alex.  “We are off to a good start this year by also being awarded an “international partner award” from the China Education Association for International Exchange”.

  • Auckland students welcomed

    Auckland-based students hailing from Korea, Germany, China, Japan, Brazil and Russia were waiting for the doors to open and the powhiri and mayoral welcome to begin.

    Once inside, the students flocked to the 30-plus tourism and service provider stalls and to take part in the games, with the FIFA kick-wall proving most very popular.

    Live entertainment throughout the day greatly added to the atmosphere, as did the awarding of spot prizes.

    Three Blues players and the FIFA Ambassadors (past All Whites Ivan Vicelich, Andy Boyens and Dan Ellensohn) did Q&A sessions on the main stage which were well attended.

    Six of Study Auckland’s top Indian education agents and 10 Indian students who have recently arrived to take up New Zealand India Scholarships for 2015 and were at the event, and one of them, Ketaki Khare, had this to say, “It was as an absolutely wonderful experience to be at the International InAKL Student Event where all of us were greeted so warmly by the Mayor, and by Auckland itself with such a marvellous sunny morning!

    “The school kids who performed the kapa haka were absolutely delightful and put a big smile on all of our faces. The highlight though, for me, was getting to meet the Auckland Blues! It was incredible how modest and friendly they are!”

    Education providers saw value in the event as a great show of manaakitanga (welcome), and as Jennifer Kirkham, Director of International Students, Botany Downs Secondary College put it.

    “Our students had a great time at the Auckland Student Welcome that took place in the Cloud last Thursday.  The Cloud was the perfect venue, with a vibrant and warm Pacific flavour.  It opened our students’ eyes to what the city has to offer and gave them a chance to take selfies with the Mayor, the Blues, the Police and just to wander around and meet other students. 

    “It also gave us a chance to show our students that they are welcome not only in our school, but that the city as a whole values their presence. Our students had a lot of fun and took a walk around the Viaduct afterwards to see the Volvo Ocean Race Yachts - just another beautiful day in fabulous Auckland!  Our students loved it. “

  • Game on English – Golf launched in Korea

    Game on English is an edu-sport programme that combines intensive English language classes with top quality sports training. Game On English – Golf is aimed at talented young Koreans, 13 years and over, who want to become professional golfers.

    “Game On English combines New Zealand’s expertise and passion for sport with our education system that consistently ranks amongst the best in the world,” said Lisa Futschek, Education New Zealand’s Regional Director for Americas, Japan, and Korea.

    “With an estimated 70,000 Koreans passionate about golf, and both our countries’ claims on World #1 women’s golfer Lydia Ko, it seemed the obvious sport to test out the Game On English market in Korea.”

    To launch and raise public profile of Game On English in Korea, four young Korean golfers will be awarded scholarships to spend a month in New Zealand working on their game with the professionals at New Zealand’s Institute of Golf while improving their English at English language school, Unique New Zealand.

    Applications for these scholarships will open in mid-2015.

  • NZ education shines in China

    Running alongside the fairs were the ENZ-hosted agent seminars in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. 34 institutions participated in the seminar in Beijing, alongside 112 consultants, and 46 institutions participating in the Shanghai and Guangzhou seminars, with 60 consultants participating in Shanghai, and 116 in Guangzhou.

    A true NZ Inc effort, Immigration New Zealand also attended the fairs and seminars. New Zealand students holding Prime Minister’s Scholarships to Asia and currently studying in China also helped out – and feedback from industry participants highlighted the usefulness of their Chinese-language skills and the value of their more recent experience of the New Zealand education system.  The added bonus also being that these students are walking examples of the “outcomes” of New Zealand’s education system.

    High-level support for New Zealand institutions in China was demonstrated by the attendance of the New Zealand Ambassador to China, John McKinnon, at the agent seminar and fair in Beijing, and the attendance at the seminars in Shanghai and Guangzhou of the Consul-General in Shanghai, Guergana Guermanoff and the Consul-General in Guangzhou, Rebecca Needham. This underlined the cross-NZ Inc recognition of and support for the key role education plays in the bilateral relationship.

    International Market Manager - China, Amy Rutherford said, “I was delighted that so many New Zealand education institutions representing early, secondary, higher and vocational education participated in CIEET 2015 and the agent seminars. These events build on the previous work of industry and Education New Zealand to demonstrate the high value of a New Zealand education for Chinese students – work which is paying off, with New Zealand recently included in the Top 5 preferred overseas study destinations for China’s wealthy, as surveyed by the Hurun Report.”

  • Et4e registrations open

    The impressive line-up of international speakers includes Frank Catalano of Intrinsic Strategy, who will bring a US-based view of edtech trends, and Hong Kong and Japan-based Allison Baum of Fresco Capital who will cover edtech investment in the high growth Asian region. 

    Of equally high calibre are the local speakers and panellists: Frances Valintine of The Mind Lab by Unitec will inspire delegates with her use of technology and global approach, and Education Perfect’s CEO and 2014 Internet Entrepreneur of the Year, Craig Smith, will contribute to the panel discussion on developing products and services in response to demand. Sharing tips on how to tackle export markets will be the focus for two panels made up of experienced exporters such as South Pacific Press, ADInstruments/Kura Cloud and more recent entrants to the world of exporting such as Kiwa Digital, as well as successful start-ups such as Boardingware.  

    The diverse and entrepreneurial edtech community is made of up education publishers, game developers, ICT companies and educationalists and the et4e conference provides great opportunities for making connections.  Delegates are often on the lookout for new ideas and partners to collaborate with.  An educational publisher who attended the first et4e conference in 2013 was inspired to form a new company with a game developer. In the space of two years, this has led to the launch and export of a new early childhood literacy product, Bud-E Reading. 

    Et4e is organised by Education New Zealand and Grow Wellington in recognition of the edtech sector’s growing contribution to export growth in international education. New Zealand’s high quality and innovative education system, combined with its entrepreneurial and creative culture, is the perfect ecosystem for the development of leading-edge edtech products and services.  Huffington Post recently cited the Hamilton-based company, CodeAvengers, as one of its top ten online learning sites to watch in 2015.  CodeAvengers founder Michael Walmsley Jr. will be a panellist at this year’s conference.

    Educational Technology is an exciting and growing sector – it is currently worth $86 billion globally and is forecast to grow to $257 billion by 2017. Find out more about et4e 2015 and take advantage of the early bird tickets. 

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