Search

Showing 10 of 7347 results

• Manaaki New Zealand scholars come together at first ever conference

  The conference – the first in the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships programme’s 70-year history – brought together 520 scholars from 54 countries.  

  A joint endeavour by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) and Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) –   - the conference programme was developed around the theme of ‘Enduring Connections: Global Partnerships and Sustainable Development’. A range of activities were made available to scholars’, including leadership and diplomatic panel discussions, thematic breakout sessions, and a cultural evening which allowed them to connect, learn and share experiences with others who are navigating similar academic journeys.  

  MFAT’s Unit Manager, Scholarships, Alexandra Grace, said that seeing this event realised has been a long-standing ambition for the programme. “And it exceeded all expectations.” 

  “Seeing scholars connect and forge networks that span geographic and thematic areas – gives us all the more reason to seek to make this an annual event.” 

  ENZ’s Director Scholarships, Carla Rey Vasquez, said the event was a huge success, receiving high praise from both education providers and scholars.  

  “We’ve had fantastic feedback and I’m really proud of what we have achieved. Carla said.  

   “We are delighted with how the conference enriched the learning experience of our tertiary scholars. It was a wonderful opportunity for scholars to grow their understanding of leadership, build their networks and strengthen their affinity to New Zealand.” 

  

  Scholars enjoying the conference.

  General Manager – Sector Services, Sahinde Pala, said the conference highlighted the rich legacy of the scholarship programme and the enduring benefits it brings to New Zealand and its partner countries. 

  “A major highlight for me was when [during a panel discussion] Her Excellency Felicidade de Sousa Guterres of Timor-Leste read out a long list of current Members of Parliament and senior diplomatic personnel of Timor-Leste, who were all past Manaaki scholars! 

  “The conference really brought home the power of these scholarships and the long-term outcomes they have for New Zealand and our partner countries. The event’s cultural evening treated us to performances from 13 different groups of scholars – the energy and pride on show was just fabulous!” Sahinde said. 

  ENZ’s General Manager – Māori, Ed Tuari who along with mana whenua led a heartfelt Mihi Whakatau for the conference described it as “absolutely magical”.  

  “It was wonderful to see how the conference enabled a rich diversity of cultures that our scholars come from to be showcased over the two days.”  

  

  Scholars capture a moment at the Photo Wall at the conference.

   

• International photo round-up

• johngandlewisdc

• Georg

• Hong Kong participants discuss NZ education

• f50bed98 1c9a 40e9 bbe2 a78d58db0cb6

• Programme Bogota Agent Seminar

• NZIEC day1 657

• INZ student visa update: July 2024

  Visa processing update (as at 10 July 2024). 

  Since January 2024, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has received 24,541 student visa applications from international students outside of New Zealand. INZ have completed 20,369 of these applications, with 15,242 approved.  

  Recent processing times for international student visa applications are published on the INZ website and are updated by month: Visa processing times for international students 

  Work rights available for more partners of students  

  In June, the Government expanded the eligibility for work visas for partners of some students studying towards a Green List occupation.  

  People can now apply for a Partner of Student Work Visa, with open work rights, if their partner is studying a specified level 7 or 8 bachelor’s or bachelor’s (honours) degree that will lead directly to professional registration required for a Green List role.  

  This relates to Green List roles where occupational registration, rather than qualification requirements, are specified, such as nurses, doctors, and teachers.   

  For people granted a Partner of Student Work Visa, any school-aged dependents they have will be considered domestic students for tuition fee purposes and can apply for a Dependent Child Student Visa.  

  End of year student visa peak – Apply early! 

  The processing of international student visas is a key focus for INZ, particularly as we get closer to the end of the year.  

  INZ receives the highest volumes of student visa applications between October and March. Applications generally take longer to be decided during this peak period, so it is important that anyone who is wanting to come to New Zealand to study next year applies early. It is recommended students apply three months before their intended travel date to give them the best chance of having their application decided in time.  

  There are a few things applicants can do to make sure their application is able to be processed as quickly as possible. These include: 

  • Check out INZ’s student visa information sheet on the INZ website to make sure a good quality application is submitted that includes all the evidence and supporting documents we need to decide the application. INZ will not be contacting applicants to ask for more information during the peak processing period, so it is important that everything is included from the start.  

  • Applicants must demonstrate that they can comfortably afford to study in New Zealand. New Zealand has a thorough funds assessment and INZ looks for genuine sources of funds that are credible and can be verified. If INZ cannot verify funds or is not satisfied that any verification would be genuine, then the application will be declined.  

  • INZ is seeing decline rates for international student visas increasing for many markets due to the increase in applications that cannot meet immigration requirements, so make sure the requirements are fully understood before submitting an application. 

• Indigenous internationalisation a hot topic across North America

  The topic of Indigenous Internationalisation has been proving a popular one at international education events across North America recently. Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) Associate Director of Engagement, Natalie Lulia, was asked to share her thoughts alongside experts in panel discussions in both the United States and Canada in May and June. The invitations offered a good opportunity to showcase the important work that Aotearoa New Zealand is doing in indigenous-to-indigenous engagement and internationalisation and our unique approaches to international education. 

  It was at the 76th annual NAFSA Association of International Educators conference in New Orleans that Natalie was first invited to take part in a panel talk on the subject “What is indigenous-led internationalisation?”. Natalie was joined on the panel by Distinguished Professor Jacinta Ruru, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Māori at the University of Otago, and Paulette Tamati-Elliffe, Manager at Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu.  

  The panel explored how indigenous and non-Western knowledge and worldviews are essential for intercultural learning through the experiences and work of Māori education experts. The panel provided examples of how indigenous ways of knowing and being can enhance intercultural learning and what Indigenous-led internationalisation looks like in practice. 

  The panel was moderated by DuBois Jennings, ENZ’s Director of Engagement North America, who noted that the session was extremely well attended.  

  “It was very inspiring listening to our panel of experts share their thoughts with a very attentive audience. It was so popular that people were standing at the back, which is indicative of how the global international education community values our expertise in this area,” said DuBois. 

  A te ao Māori approach to education was then the feature of Chief Executive for Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi, Professor Wiremu Doherty, who delivered a powerful keynote address at the British Columbia International Education Week Conference in Vancouver in June. Natalie joined Professor Doherty in a panel presentation on: ‘Talking Circle: Exploring the intersection between Internationalization, Indigenization, Decolonization and what it means to be Indigenous Serving.’ Also on the panel were Sarah Child and Kelly Shopland from North Island College in British Columbia, Canada who had recently returned from visiting Aotearoa New Zealand with a group of indigenous Canadian students in May.  

  

  ENZ’s Natalie Lulia participating in the panel discussion on ‘T Talking Circle: Exploring the intersection between Internationalization, Indigenization, Decolonization and what it means to be Indigenous Serving’ at the British Columbia International Education Week Conference in Vancouver in June.

  

  Professor Wiremu Doherty, CE of Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi, delivers his keynote address on Māori education at the British Columbia International Education Week Conference in Vancouver in June.

  Natalie said that it was an honour to have been invited to speak at both events, alongside experts who are the driving forces behind this work within iwi, universities, and government agencies in Aotearoa New Zealand.  

  “International educators around the world are showing increasing interest in the unique approach we take to international education here in Aotearoa New Zealand. We are seen as a country that is leading the way in indigenous-to-indigenous engagement and internationalisation.  

  “These opportunities are not just a chance to share our experiences, but importantly an opportunity to learn from each other. We can learn from indigenous educators, thought leaders and communities here too - this is important in building reciprocal and meaningful partnerships,” said Natalie. 

  Natalie added that “This is a key area that Aotearoa New Zealand can leverage to support student mobility, research collaboration and partnerships with institutions around the globe. ENZ will continue to  work with our education partners, Māori and indigenous communities and use these platforms to share our expertise and ultimately grow indigenous international education for our country”.  

  Upcoming platforms to continue showcasing Aotearoa New Zealand’s approach to indigenous internationalisation will take place at the next Global Inclusion 2024 Annual Conference in Washington DC on 29 October to 1 November.  Then in March 2025, the ENZ North America team will be leading a one-day symposium highlighting indigenous international education at the Forum on Education Abroad conference in Toronto, Canada.  

  If anyone is interested in connecting with the ENZ team in North America to have a chat about this topic or receive further information, please email northamerica@enz.govt.nz.