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• Consultation on proposed changes to Rule 18

  NZQA is consulting on the following proposed changes to the NZQF Programme Approval and Accreditation Rules 2018:

  1. Removing the student visa decline rate from Rule 18. This would no longer be the measure for when prior schooling with English as the language of instruction could be used as evidence of English proficiency.
  2. To use this provision, international students would need to have either
  • a) completed their schooling in New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the UK or the United States; or
  • b) been awarded an internationally recognised qualification taught in English such as an International Baccalaureate Diploma or Cambridge ‘A’ Levels.

  Dr Grant Klinkum, NZQA Deputy Chief Executive Quality Assurance, says the proposed changes respond to risks that NZQA and Immigration New Zealand have identified in the tertiary education sector.

  “The student visa decline does not reliably reflect English language proficiency, and the countries involved had varying levels of quality within their English medium schooling options.

  “We believe using prior schooling where English was the language of instruction will be a stronger indicator of English proficiency.”

  NZQA is seeking feedback on the proposed changes, including what steps and how long your organisation would need to adapt to these changes, and if there are any other internationally recognised secondary qualifications taught and assessed in English that you would like to see included in Rule 18.

  Consultation closes 11 February 2019.

  To find out more and to complete the consultation survey, click here.

• High numbers of student and visitor visa applications

  Jeannie Melville, INZ’s Assistant General Manager, Visa Services says this is typical for this time of year and will likely continue until March 2019.

  “Due to the high application volumes currently being received, we strongly recommend that visitor and student visa applications are submitted as early as possible.

  “Student visas should be submitted at least eight weeks ahead of their intended travel date, while visitor visas should be submitted as soon as possible in advance of travel. This gives INZ time to assess the application and gather more information from the applicant if needed.”

  The fastest and easiest way to apply for a visa is to use the Immigration Online system via the INZ website, where applicants can upload supporting documents, photographs and pay for their application.

  While INZ makes every effort to streamline assessment of applications, applicants may experience longer timeframes if they do not supply all required information (including translations) when they submit their application. If they do not supply the correct information this could hold up the processing of their visa.

  INZ does not advise purchase of travel before an application is completed as the grant of a visa is not guaranteed. In particular, assessment of visitor visa applications will not be prioritised if the sole reason is that the applicant has pre-purchased travel.

  Education providers can refer students to the INZ website for visa processing timeframes, which applicants should take into account when applying for their visa and planning their travel.

• Chinese students engage with My StudyNZ WeChat

  In October, ENZ brought My StudyNZ to WeChat, a social media platform with more than one billion users.   

  Students enter their study intentions into the programme and receive suggestions of institutions or courses that closely match. This enables ENZ to drive high value leads to New Zealand institutions and ENZRA agents from China. 

  Lucia Alarcon, ENZ’s Digital Programme Manager, said as ENZ has had a WeChat account since 2014, it made sense to build on the existing social community which is easier for Chinese students to use than the China version of the Study in New Zealand website. 

  “It has enabled us to engage with students in a more personal way, and to share tailored information. It also provides a more seamless user experience for the student, allowing them to assess study options using their mobile phones, and to contact institutions directly if they want.  

  “While it’s early days, we’re already seeing high-quality leads coming through.”  

  My StudyNZ China has gained strong interest from Chinese students, particularly those with an interest in tertiary and secondary institutions:

  

  ENZ’s efforts in China have included a media campaign using WeChat banner ads with Future Proof key messages and an invitation to join ENZ’s social community on WeChat. Seen by more than three million prospective students and parents so far, this has helped increase ENZ’s WeChat followers by 25 percent. 

  “Our Future Proof Campaign and Wechat development are part of a wider programme of work in China. As we continue investing in our China audience, we will also find new ways to reach students and share useful information personalised to their study plans,” said Lucia. 

• Indian and Kiwi students explore water issues

  The Untouched World Foundation’s (UWF) Waterwise Leadership and Global Citizenship Programme gave students the opportunity to learn about the entirety of the water resource chain - from primary energy players, through to farming, recreation, cultural and conservation interests.

  Taking part were students and teachers from Otago secondary schools, tertiary institutions and the Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development (MGIEP). Representatives from YESPeace Youth Network in Asia also attended.

  The programme involved a week of activities which included visits to lakes, rivers, vineyards and orchards, discussions with water and land use and tourism and irrigation experts, and interviews with locals.

  “Youth leadership is firstly about agency – understanding the many facets of the issue, developing the transferable skills to collaborate with others, acting responsibly and then finding a clear path to actively and positively model their own views and behaviour. It is vital we all listen and engage with an international perspective on these issues,” says Mark Prain, Executive Director of UWF. 

  Key partners included Otago Regional Council, Otago Community Trust and Contact Energy. Further support was also provided by ENZ, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Ngai Tahu.

  “Otago Polytechnic believes educating youth on key issues facing society, unlocking their unique leadership potential and inspiring them to become active change-makers is vital,” said Marc Doesburg, Otago Polytechnic Director Globalisation.

  Last week’s activities are just part of a range of ongoing initiatives.  An “Acts of Kindness’” Campaign is also being developed and will involve MGIEP and UWF mobilising youth in partner institutions to foster meaningful exchange of ideas, knowledge and action towards the achievement of UNESCO’s Sustainable Development Goals.

  Organisers are aiming to establish a New Zealand-India youth leadership exchange programme with a focus on fostering youth leadership, which is a key aspect of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Global Action Programme.

  For further information visit the Untouched World Foundation website

• Around the world in five

  JAPAN

  Japanese-language schools expand offerings overseas

  Japanese education companies are expanding their language offerings overseas to meet the growing demand for Japanese-speaking foreign manpower as the nation opens its doors to workers from overseas.

  Read more

   

  THAILAND

  Thailand eyes lifelong learning push 

  To address concerns that Thailand’s “outdated” education system can no longer offer "future-proof" degrees for students, there are calls to develop a lifelong learning approach comprised of online learning, in-line learning, beeline learning and frontline learning.

  Read more

   

  US

  US Department of State endorses education agencies

  In a historic move, the US Department of State has officially endorsed the usage of education agents, with a State Department representative expressing a desire to “work together to promote the United States as the destination choice for international students.”

  Read more

   

  INDIA

  India needs better strategies to promote 'Study in India'

  Earlier this year, the Indian Government launched a ‘Study in India’ website to help foreign students find Indian universities, but more needs to be done. There were only 46,144 foreign students in India in 2017, but higher numbers could significantly boost India’s soft power and university rankings.

  Read more

   

  FRANCE

  French university fees for non-EU students set to rocket

  University fees for students outside of the EU, which will include Brits after Brexit, are set to shoot up by as much as 16 times the current cost, the French prime minister has announced.

  Read more

• Chilean students and teachers tour New Zealand

  The programme aims to broaden access to intercultural learning opportunities for Chilean students from disadvantaged backgrounds. It is fully funded by the Chilean Government and administered by AFS Chile and AFS New Zealand.  

  The students – from Cerro Navia, Lo Prado, and Pudahuel, three of the lowest income territories in Chile – had never travelled before. In New Zealand, they participated in English language lessons as well as cultural activities in Auckland and Whitianga. This included visiting a Marae and living with local host families to experience family life in New Zealand.

  AFS National Director, Doris Cuthell, said it was a privilege to welcome the students to New Zealand.

  “The Chilean Government is committed to increasing access to cultural and educational experiences for young people, to help equip them for a more interconnected world,” said Ms Cuthell.

  “Our Global Choice programme was a perfect fit for these students, and the experience life-changing.”

  The students and their teachers finished their trip at a reception in Wellington on 12 December with Wellington Mayor Justin Lester, the Chilean Ambassador to New Zealand Rodrigo Espinosa and AFS New Zealand. Mr Lester spoke to the students about his own life-changing AFS experience during an exchange to Germany.

  “Immersion allows students to experience other cultures and learn English in a way you can’t at home in the classroom,” said Ms Cuthell.

  “From Barrancas to New Zealand is a fantastic initiative – we’re very proud to be involved in a programme that is increasing our capacity to broaden access to intercultural learning for more diverse communities.”

  The Chilean Government is committed to working with AFS New Zealand through the Global Choice programme and will provide From Barrancas to New Zealand scholarships for the next three years.

• Languages International turns 40

  Around 90 people, including the school’s founders Chris and Frances Woolcott, attended the evening event at its Merchant House buildings in Auckland.

  Darren Conway, CEO Languages International, said the school has come a long way since it opened four decades ago.

  “Over the years, Languages International has brought tens of thousands of young people into the country, from all over the world, for a language and travel experience. We’ve also helped more than 1,500 English teachers into jobs across New Zealand and abroad,” said Mr Conway.

  “Initially, our students came for a study, travel and cultural experience, and this ‘edu-tourism’ segment is still the core market. However, more students are now wanting to take work experience home or develop their English in order to pursue higher education or training in New Zealand.”

  A key project for Languages International in 2019 will be preparing to host the annual IALC (International Association of Language Centres) workshop in March 2020. IALC is an association of 140 leading independent schools teaching languages – IALC members and over 100 education agents will travel to Auckland in March 2020 to take part.

  

  L-R: Chris and Frances Woolcott, the founders, with Larissa Merz, Russia Marketing Manager and her husband, Dmitri.

• Letter from the CE: Rolling out the welcome mat for students

  At ENZ, we’re in planning mode for the year ahead, which involves finishing up projects such as our partnership with Mortal Engines. Our digital and PR campaign for the film, which features New Zealand and international graduates who worked on the Hollywood film, launched in early January. Impressively, the campaign video assets reached more than three million people in the first week alone. This is a promising start, and we expect to see continued interest as we promote New Zealand as a great place to study the creative arts. 

  At this time of year, student support is top of mind with the arrival of new international students, who will feel excited and anxious about life in their new home-away-from-home. 

  New Zealand’s place in the world means that Kiwis intrinsically understand the importance of forming and maintaining global skills and connections, and the leap of faith this often involves.  

  We each have a responsibility to treat others as we would like to be treated ourselves, to wrap a warm welcome around students embarking on a New Zealand education experience – to embody manaakitanga.  

  Offering a helping hand at key points of the student journey and making personal connections will go a long way in ensuring a student’s time in New Zealand is positive and empowering.  

  We all have a role to play here.  

  At ENZ, we’re on a journey ourselves to ensure an excellent student experience is a cornerstone of our work. Student experience is a focus of the International Education Strategy, co-developed with the Ministry of Education, and we have put in place some clear plans for delivering and measuring our progress in this area. We are working on some exciting developments to benefit students and providers. You will hear more from us on this soon.  

  As we know, international education can help prepare the next generation of students to meet the demands and challenges of an increasingly globalised world.  

  For this reason, we should be thinking about how we can ensure domestic students are making the most of opportunities at hand too. The next round of PMSA/LA applications will open shortly, and I urge all tertiary students to consider an international experience.  

  I look forward to hearing about all these success stories in the coming year and seeing how international education benefits New Zealanders and New Zealand communities. For further insights into the benefits of international education for New Zealand, I encourage you to download Beyond the Economic, a 2018 report commissioned and published by ENZ which has been an extremely popular resource.  It is filled with case studies of Kiwis who have experienced first-hand how international education enriches lives.  

  Each of those stories begins here, at the start of the school year and the first welcome to international students.  

   

  Grant McPherson 

  Chief Executive, Education New Zealand

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

• German students discuss sustainability with the Speaker

  Mallard, a former Minister of Education (1999-2005), was eager to engage with students during his trip to Germany in January.  

  Olga Elli, ENZ’s Market Development Manager Europe, said LMU’s strong focus on sustainability research and interest in New Zealand presented a great opportunity for Mallard to discuss areas of mutual interest, and encourage young Germans to look to New Zealand to study. 

  “LMU is very keen to build on their existing links in New Zealand and formally partner with New Zealand universities,” said Olga.  

  “The Faculty of Geography, where Mallard spoke, has many links and relationships with New Zealand institutions and researchers. For Example, New Zealander Gordon Winder, Professor for Economic Geography and Sustainability Research at LMU Munich is Honorary Research Fellow at the School of Environment (The University of Auckland).” 

  During his visit, Mallard gave a presentation on “Sustainability, Conservation & Education in New Zealand” to geography and geology students. They asked lots of questions about sustainability, pollution, climate change, and what New Zealand’s response is to these challenges.  

  “Mallard emphasised that increased collaboration between our countries in areas of environmental research can create solutions to global issues. He also spoke of kaitiakitanga and the sense of responsibility Kiwis feels to protect their environment, which was really interesting to the students.” 

  After the presentation, the students continued the conversation with the Speaker at a reception alongside the New Zealand Ambassador to Germany HE Rupert Holborow and ENZ’s Team Europe. 

  “We will be working closely with LMU to foster relationships with New Zealand providers.” Said Olga.

• Kiwi students become ambassadors in Beijing

  The students represented three cohorts from Massey University and the University Canterbury. Two of the groups were based at Peking University, while the other had been studying in Hangzhou.    

  This marks the second year in a row that PMSA groups have come together at a function at the New Zealand Embassy in Beijing.  

  New Zealand Ambassador to China, Clare Fearnley, welcomed the visitors and provided an update on the China-New Zealand relationship. Other Embassy staff, representing a range of government agencies from the Ministry of Primary Industries to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade were present to talk to students about their roles and areas of interest. 

  ENZ Regional Director North Asia, Adele Bryant, said it provided a great opportunity to encourage the students to be ambassadors for New Zealand education during their stay in China. 

  “These students are ideally placed to help raise the profile of New Zealand education, as they are great examples of the kind of students we produce – independent thinkers, and creative, innovative and skilled young people.” 

  Massey University’s Head of the School of Humanities, Kerry Taylor, also believes in the value of the programmes to students, both now and in their future. 

  “The PMSA provides an opportunity for our high academic achievers to experience first-hand the dynamism and relevance of China to New Zealand,” said Kerry.  

  “Many will come back to do more study in China or develop business links with China that will contribute to New Zealand’s prosperity.”

  

  A PMSA group from Massey University at the New Zealand Centre, Peking University. The Massey students studied an intensive Chinese Language programme at PKU.