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ENZ sponsors The PIEoneer Awards

The awards aim to recognise individuals and organisations that are raising professional standards, enhancing their engagement or redefining the international student experience.
ENZ is sponsoring the flagship ‘PIEoneer of the Year Award’.
“We’re delighted to support this initiative,” says ENZ chief executive Grant McPherson.
“We’re pleased to partner with The PIE to recognise the most outstanding achievement in international education globally.”
Amy Baker, Managing Director of The PIE, says it’s great to have ENZ’s support.
“New Zealand’s Think New brand aligns itself well to the transformational nature of international education. We therefore see ENZ’s sponsorship of our PIEoneer of the Year category a great fit.
“We also look forward to receiving entries from New Zealand stakeholders in the awards,” says Amy.
The University of Auckland’s Brett Berquist features on the judging panel.
“I'm honoured to be on the jury for the inaugural awards and encourage my New Zealand colleagues to submit their ideas and successes for the competition,” says Brett.
Find out more about the awards, including how to enter, at pieoneerawards.com
Be quick! Entries close 16 June.
The PIE is an independent media and recruitment company offering a range of services for international education professionals. The PIE is also the official media partner for NZIEC 2017. Find out more at thepienews.com.
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University of Waikato announces pioneering international partnership
In September 2017, the University of Waikato will launch a joint Institute with Zheijiang University City College [ZUCC], offering Chinese students the opportunity to enrol in one of three undergraduate degrees in China with the University of Waikato providing the degrees and teaching staff.
On completion, the Chinese students will receive a degree from both universities.
University of Waikato Vice-Chancellor, Professor Neil Quigley, says the initiative complements other joint programmes the University has been running in China over the past 20 years.
"The University is committed to growing its off-shore delivery, and transnational education plays an important role in the University’s internationalisation strategy," said Professor Quigley.
Education New Zealand [ENZ] supported the preparation of the bid for initial submission to the Chinese Ministry of Education and the redevelopment of the Academic English part of the programme.
Grant McPherson, ENZ Chief Executive, says that in a global context transnational education is not only a growth area, but an important contributor to supporting the international reputation and brand of the provider, and New Zealand.
“We are delighted to see the University of Waikato expand offshore, with an approach that builds on an existing relationship and seamlessly aligns with the University’s offering,” said Mr McPherson.
The application process for approval of the institute was rigorous, including examination by the Provincial Ministry of Education and the Chinese Ministry of Education in Beijing.
The first intake of students will be able to study for degrees in finance, media and creative technologies, and computer graphic design.
The programmes included in the partnership were selected based on demand. The finance degree has been available to ZUCC students since 2008 but the students were required to complete the qualification in New Zealand. The partnership with the University of Waikato was established in 2002.
"The finance degree was a popular choice with students when we began our partnership with ZUCC,” said Professor Quigley.
“The addition of media and creative technologies and computer graphic design relates well to the location of ZUCC in Hangzhou, which is a hub for technology and creative practices."
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Event registrations are open – and with a new whizz bang system!
There’s something for everyone among the agent seminars, alumni networking events, New Zealand education fairs and commercial fairs in China, Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, Korea and Viet Nam.
Exciting news is that, in line with our new categorisation of Japan as a ‘promote’ market, we are holding our first New Zealand education fair in Japan in October. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to showcase your education offering to this important market. As well, following on from the success of the agent seminars held in Osaka and Tokyo last year we will again be holding seminars in these cities leading up to the fair.
More exciting news on the event front is that our new event registration platform makes the whole process smoother, and does away with some of the paperwork. All the information you need regarding venues, locations and hotels, as well as some facts and figures about the market are available on the registration page for that event, all making for easier trip planning.
Each event will have an app, so that all the event information will be at your fingertips as you travel.
Registrations for all events close on Wednesday 15 July so check out the event calendar, select your country or countries, and away you go!
Phase two of the event registration improvements will include a meeting planner and appointment scheduler that will enable you to make appointments with agents well ahead of time and ensure you don’t miss out on valuable one-to-one meeting opportunities.
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ENZ signs MOU with Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education
Keizo Nakai, Director General of the Board of Education, signed the memorandum during a ceremony at the New Zealand Embassy in Tokyo. ENZ’s Chief Executive, Grant McPherson, had already signed in Wellington.
New Zealand Ambassador to Japan, Stephen Payton, and ENZ’s Senior Market Development Manager – Japan, Misa Pitt, were among the participants that served as witnesses to the signing.
As the Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education landed in Wellington a week prior to the signing ceremony, Misa found an opportunity to show the Board members more of New Zealand and to help them gain a better understanding of the New Zealand education system and pastoral care for international students.
Students from the Next Generation Leadership Programme at Wellington High School.
“We took them to schools in the area, including Wellington High School where the students from the Next Generation Leadership Programme are studying. It was great to see how much they are enjoying their experience studying here, and living with their homestay family.”
ENZ also partnered with Wellington Regional Economic Development Agency to host a luncheon, inviting more than 10 school representatives interested in exchange relationships with high schools in Tokyo.
“This was a great networking opportunity for the Board members to receive first-hand information on our education offerings and lifestyle in Wellington,” said Misa.
“There are many opportunities for New Zealand providers to establish education partnerships – particularly with the Japanese government’s increasing focus on internationalisation ahead of the 2019 Rugby World Cup and 2020 Olympics and Paralympics.”
ENZ would like to give special thanks to SIEBA, English New Zealand and other education bodies that played an important role in the lead up to the signing.

Keizo Nakai, Director General of the Board of Education (left of centre) added his signature to the memorandum at the New Zealand embassy in Tokyo.

Networking lunch in Wellington with the Tokyo Board of Education members.
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Around the world in five
AUSTRALIA
Sydney launches draft international education action plan
Sydney has launched a draft international education action plan, including programmes and funding to welcome international students to Sydney, promote their health and wellbeing and increase employability.
GLOBAL
International students’ tuition fees are a double-edged sword
Tuition fees are among the most hotly debated issues in higher education policy discussions. At least 10 OECD countries have implemented reforms in this area since 2010, as evidence suggests foreign students are less willing to select a host country with high tuition fees.
MIDDLE EAST
Jordan to recognise overseas degrees
To help Jordian students understand foreign accreditations and encourage them to choose reputable institutions when studying abroad, Jordan is set to recognise degrees earned at universities overseas.
GLOBAL
Era of internationalisation of higher education coming to an end?
The growth of internationalisation – including massive global student mobility, the expansion of branch campuses, joint degrees, the use of English as a language for teaching and research – appears to have come to an end in Europe and North America.
INDIA
Web portal for students to combat fraudulent agents and bogus courses
The Indian government is launching a web portal to protect its international students from getting duped by fraudulent agents and bogus courses. The website will list accredited universities and supply verified information on visa norms in a range of countries favoured by Indian students.
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ISANA NZ – COVID-19 Update
Catch-up cafés
ISANA NZ is offering members and friends the chance to catch up and discuss the issues they are facing.
We have a weekly Zoom networking opportunity on Wednesday mornings from 11am. Join special guests each week including officials from ENZ, MoE, NZQA and INZ. MoE is providing responses to concerns and questions raised by the weekly events.
Register here for this week’s Catch-up Café, or through our Events tab on the website for upcoming Cafes. Please go to our Good Ideas and Responses page to learn more and access previous Café notes and responses.
Each week, the general Q&A starts at 11am, and special guests are introduced at 11:30am. Email contact@isana.nz to forward any questions ahead of a session.
Looking Ahead webinar series
ISANA NZ is pleased to announce our International education: Looking ahead webinar series.
This series includes professional standards and self-care, enabling international student integration and work readiness, responding to racism and supporting online learning. Keep an eye out in ISANA NZ mailouts, our website and social media platforms for details of our up-coming webinars.
Feel Good Friday
ISANA NZ would like to acknowledge members who are going above and beyond the call of duty.
Every fortnight on a Friday we would like to acknowledge these wonderful people through our social media channels and give them a chance to go in a draw for a $100 gift voucher to be drawn later in the year. Please send an 100-word explanation as to why you would like to nominate your colleague and also the logo of your institute (optional) to contact@isana.nz
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PM’s Scholarships for Asia announced
The Prime Minister’s Scholarships for Asia cover overseas study, research or internships ranging from six week to two years at undergraduate or postgraduate level at top Asian institutions.
At an event to mark the programme’s first year, Prime Minister John Key and Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce congratulated recipients.
Successful recipients include a student from Otago University, who will study chemistry and pharmacology at the National University of Singapore, and a group from the New Zealand Institute of Fashion Technology who will deepen their design and manufacturing knowledge working on a collaborative project with Indian students at a partner institution in Tamil Nadu.
The inaugural awards were made in December 2013, with many recipients still completing their studies throughout Asia. This next round of scholarships will enable 103 people to study overseas.
Peter Bull, Education New Zealand’s General Manager International, says the scholarship programme was established to give New Zealanders the opportunity to experience what it's like to operate in a different country and culture, and build all important people-to-people networks with our trading partners.
“Listening to returned students talk about their experiences; it’s clear it’s an opportunity that’s had a significant impact on those involved. One recipient got in touch recently to report her experience studying in Hong Kong had an immediate impact – helping her to secure a job with a top law firm who were very interested in her overseas experience.”
“I’m delighted at how quickly people have leaped at this opportunity to develop their international outlook and act as ambassadors for New Zealand education in parts of the world where there’s generally very low awareness about our country, let alone our way of thinking, learning or teaching.”
Mr Bull says the scholarships demonstrate reciprocity in New Zealand’s education relationships, something that’s very important as ENZ works to intensify education recruitment, business development and government relations activity throughout the region.
Applications are open for the next round of the Prime Minister’s Scholarships for Asia and close 28 September 2014. Applications can be made by individuals or groups.
Mr Bull says overall, the quantity and quality of applications greatly exceeded expectations; a fantastic outcome for a programme that’s only just begun.
“I encourage future applications to take the time to prepare high quality applications – the bar is only going to go up.”
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From the CE: Farewell to 2020
2020 has been both the longest and shortest year of my life. It seems like no time ago we were discussing how we could get large numbers of students into New Zealand in time for semester one. Then we were in the midst of a global pandemic.
New Zealand study providers have been admirable in their response. I applaud the way they have ensured that international students in their care have had the information, care and support they needed, especially through lockdown.
Universities, schools and polytechnics, English language schools and private training providers have all moved incredibly quickly. Lectures, classes and assessments were moved online almost overnight.
We heard of fantastic stories of staff members going above and beyond, like that of assistant principal of Havelock North High School, Jamie Kitchin. Jamie opened his home to student Lucas, who arrived in the country just in time for the first term of the year.
In addition, providers and their peak bodies have been a key part of a sector-wide approach – made up of student associations, private and public providers, government agencies and not-for-profit organisations – to respond to the strategic, operational, and pastoral care issues we have faced. Hours have been spent together on Zoom discussing pragmatic responses, like the $1 million Student Hardship Fund and the pastoral care issues around repatriating international students.
I also want to acknowledge education agents both offshore and onshore, who have been instrumental in supporting students and their families and ensuring they were safe and well.
The challenges of 2020 have demonstrated the high calibre of international education in New Zealand.
At Education New Zealand, we also had to rip up our plans for the year and start again.
The 2018 New Zealand International Education Strategy had signalled that change was needed and the sector had to become more sustainable and diverse. The pandemic has accelerated that.
Now, we are guided not only by the strategy, but by the Recovery Plan for international education, with a focus on keeping the New Zealand education brand alive, seeding innovation within the sector, strengthening the system and building on our international relationships.
To date, the most advanced workstream within the plan is the retention of students. You can read about that elsewhere in this issue of E-News.
Elsewhere, ENZ teams around the globe have been engaging with our offshore stakeholders through virtual events, seminars and workshops in support of our new work plan. While travel remains restricted, we’ve found that maintaining those person-to-person relationships are more important than ever.
We’ve launched two brand campaigns (in the UK, Indonesia, Vietnam and China), to keep New Zealand alive in hearts and minds of prospective students. These campaigns have been our most successful to date. The third campaign, Tū Ngātahi, calls on New Zealanders to support international students currently in the country.
And that’s only the beginning. I would like to echo the Minister in saying that we hope to see increased strength, resilience and innovation within international education going into 2021. The international education sector will not only weather this storm, but build back stronger.
Make sure you take time out to enjoy with your family and friends. See you in the new year.
Ehara taku toa I te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini.
My strength is not that of a single warrior but that of many.
Ngā mihi,
Grant McPherson
Chief Executive Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao
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Student visa approval rates
Updated student visa decision data
The 2017 student visa decision data is now available on the INZ website.
Education providers must use this list when enrolling international students, to confirm if the students come from a country with a high visa decline rate for the purposes of Rule 18.2 of the NZQF Programme Approval and Accreditation Rules 2013. This Rule specifies the English language proficiency testing requirements for international students from countries with a student visa decline rate of more than 20 percent.
The list is updated annually and comes into force for Rule 18 purposes one month after publication.
Education providers that enrol international students have until 25 February 2018 to adjust their enrolment policies. From that date, education organisations must use the published 2017 decline rates when enrolling international students, to determine which Rule 18 requirements apply.
Agent approval data for Viet Nam and the Philippines
Since 2016, INZ has published student visa approval rates of education agents in India on its website. INZ has now extended this to include the 2017 student visa approval rate data for education agents assisting student visa applicants in Viet Nam and the Philippines.
The data includes all education agent and adviser types, including offshore exempt agents and licensed immigration advisers.
The Viet Nam report is limited to education agents with five or more student visa applications completed in the stated time period, while the Philippines and India reports are limited to education agents with 10 or more student visa applications completed.
Please contact IEengagement@mbie.govt.nz if you have any questions.
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Japanese teachers tour Kiwi schools
The 10 teacher participants were carefully selected from New Zealand education seminars in 2018. It was oversubscribed, showing strong interest among Japanese teachers wanting to learn about what makes New Zealand education special.
In partnership with SIEBA and regional education bodies, the group visited four schools and enjoyed tourism activities in Hamilton, Cambridge, Rotorua, Taupo, Tauranga and Auckland including Te Puia, Huka Falls and the Waitomo Caves to show what each city offers students outside of the classroom.
Misa Kitaoka, ENZ’s Senior Market Development Manager for Japan, said the teachers were very interested to learn about Kiwi’s different approaches to teaching.
“A teacher from Tauranga Boys’ College showed us how Google Classroom was used in his class which was a great learning experience for the Japanese teachers as they transition from lecture style to more student-led learning,” said Misa.
“NCEA offering subjects like food technology, creative arts and performing arts was also seen as a real strength of New Zealand’s secondary school education, as it supports creativity as well as students’ wellbeing.
“The teachers were particularly impressed by the strong Māori influence in New Zealand schools.”
An English language teacher from Hiroshima Jogakuin Junior and Senior High School noted, “During this tour, I was so impressed with Māori culture and their spirituality. I would very much like my students to enjoy the lovely experience that I had there, to learn what well-being is, and to find a path they can follow.”
With Japan hosting the 2019 Rugby World Cup and 2020 Olympics and Paralympics, the Japanese government will be implementing education policies to promote English education, resulting in a strong interest from schools and universities across Japan to study abroad to learn English.
“Since 2015, school teacher famils have resulted in an increase of 735 students,” said Misa.
“These famils wouldn’t have been possible without our partnership with Air New Zealand. We are very interested in replicating it in the future for the tertiary sector.”