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• Haere ra Afiqah, Haere mai Vikram

  We spoke recently with the former NZISA National President for 2021, Afiqah Ramizi, and with the National President for 2022, Vikram Selvaraj. 

  Afiqah Ramizi, NZISA National President 2021

  Afiqah has been in New Zealand since 2015, when she left Malaysia to undertake tertiary study here.  After completing a foundation course at ACG (now known as UP International College), Afiqah started on a six-year medical degree at the University of Auckland (UoA) and is now in her final year.   

  Afiqah’s advocacy work started during her time at ACG, when she was selected to represent the college under an International Student Ambassador programme, run by the New Zealand Police in Auckland. The main focus was to support engagement with the student community, and lift students’ understanding about how to keep themselves safe in a foreign country and what support is available.  

  At university, Afiqah joined the Malaysian students’ association and became Vice President.  In 2019 and again in 2020, she was elected as the International Students Officer for the UoA Students Association.  During these years, she became involved with NZISA through their multiple lobbying efforts and community engagement. Afiqah was elected NZISA’s Vice President in 2020, before being elected National President in 2021.   

  Looking back on her experience at NZISA, Afiqah says she is proud to have been involved in making sure that the voices of international students were heard as New Zealand responded to COVID-19, amongst many other achievements of NZISA since 2017. 

  “Last year we were successful in lobbying for temporary changes to international students’ maximum working hours, so they could work more during alert levels 3 and 4,” Afiqah says. “This was really important for students at a time when their studies were disrupted, and some students were facing financial hardship. This temporary increase was also appreciated by local employers, as they were needing more people able to work full-time, to keep their businesses running.”  

  In her role as National President, Afiqah was involved in supporting the groups of international students coming back to New Zealand while the border was closed. Her team’s continuous advocacy to government bodies saw more international student cohort border exceptions announced, which meant more international students were able to return and resume life in New Zealand. 

  “Staying in managed isolation and quarantine was a big extra cost for these students, and we know many hesitated to return because of that.  By talking with the institutions involved and advocating for subsidies, we were able to encourage them to cover part of the costs for their returning students. This was a win-win for both the universities and the students.” 

  Supporting students over the holidays was another key focus for NZISA during the past two summers, primarily to help onshore students who couldn’t reconnect with their families while borders were closed.  

  “We worked with ENZ and our regional networks to encourage summer internships, to remain connected in the international community and to indulge in the real Kiwi summer,” Afiqah said. 

  Afiqah herself spent the last summer at the coalface of the COVID-19 response work, drawing on her medical knowledge to support public health. She was initially working to find the source of COVID-19 when contact tracing was a key focus, and through the Omicron surge, she has learned other public health skills as the nature of her work changed from eliminating to managing COVID-19.    

  Now it’s time for her to pass on the baton to the 2022 President, and an opportunity to focus on her final year of medical school! 

   

  Vikram Selvaraj, NZISA National President 2022

  

  Now in the final semester of a Bachelor of Criminal Justice degree at University of Canterbury, Vikram came to New Zealand in 2018 from Singapore with his partner and began studying here the following year.  

  “The Bachelor of Criminal Justice was a new degree, and I realised it was exactly what I wanted to study,” Vikram says. “It combines law with a range of other subjects, all related to criminal justice.” 

  Vikram is the eldest of three siblings and the sole breadwinner for his family, having lost both parents. His two siblings are still living in Singapore, and Vikram has continued to run a hairdressing salon there during his years in NZ. It’s more than three years since Vikram last saw his family in Singapore, but he isn’t planning a trip home any time soon, because of the risk that border settings might change again.  

  Vikram brings a range of relevant experience to his new role as NZISA National President.  At University of Canterbury (UC), he was a UniLife Leader, the first to be in charge of mature students, both domestic and international.  It was his role to support them, provide pastoral care and a voice on the issues they were facing.  His work was recognised with a Blues Award from UC Students Association in 2021, for Outstanding Achievement in Community Engagement.  

  Vikram is excited about his new role as NZISA National President.  He was elected in December and took up the role in late January, along with an all-new executive team of eight students.   

  “We’re planning a number of projects for the year ahead,” Vikram says. 

  UC joined NZISA last year and continuing to increase membership will be one of the priorities for Vikram and his team this year.   

  “We also have ideas for a range of projects for students that different members of the team will lead during the year.  This includes working with NZ Police to help students understand the risks of scams and online gambling; supporting students with resources to combat racism and discrimination; and empowering women.” 

  Vikram says it’s his belief that he can do something that has brought him to where he is today.  He’s very conscious of the challenges faced by many international students, for example when their financial situation changes, and they find it hard to get the support they need.  

  “Kiwi students aren’t always aware that international students are paying a premium price for their studies,” he says.   

  “Sometimes students feel homesick, or experience racism – whatever the particular challenge, it’s important for them to know that someone is listening to them.” 

  Fun fact about Vikram:  Vikram has a Japanese Spritz dog called Tiger that he brought with him to New Zealand.

  Sahinde Pala, ENZ’s Director Student Experience & Global Citizens, says ENZ sets great store by our relationship with NZISA. 

  “We have really valued the contribution Afiqah has made during her years with NZISA, and we look forward to working closely with Vikram and his team over the coming year,” Sahinde says.

• Tokyo Online School Forum

  Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the BoE in 2017 to promote educational and cultural exchange between Tokyo and New Zealand. The result has been a series of continuously successful exchanges between the two countries, including this latest forum.

  For many students, this was their first time interacting with so many high school students from outside their own country, in a virtual forum.

  Japanese neuroscientist Kenichiro Mogi, a visiting professor at Tokyo Institute of Technology, spoke about AI and the human brain, and the importance of eating well to maintain a healthy mindset. Following his lecture, students were given several topics to discuss in breakout sessions. They chose specific English words which they felt connected to the 17 SDGs, such as ‘humanity’, ‘compassion’, ‘education’, ‘resonance’ and ‘power’. 

  Students had a range of positive responses when asked what they had enjoyed most about the experience:  

    

  “The chance to connect with other students from across the world.” – Nandana  

    

  “I enjoyed listening and interacting with students from different countries. I also enjoyed learning about foods and ways to make food I’ve never seen before.” – Tammy 

    

  “Learning new things and what other people thought” – Eliza   

    

  “The speeches were very interesting, and the hosts were entertaining. I loved the information I learnt in this forum!” – Rio

    

  “It was great to see such a large New Zealand presence at the Tokyo Forum, which supports the ‘Creating Global Citizens’ pillar of the New Zealand International Education Strategy,” says Misa Kitaoka, ENZ’s Director of Education – Japan.

  “We look forward to bringing more opportunities to connect Japanese and New Zealand students through our shared commitment to progress towards UN SDGs.” 

  Other projects that ENZ and Tokyo BoE have been working on together include the development of an SDG lecture series, featured on their Tokyo English Channel.

  Get a flavour of the event by checking out the promotional flyer here (Japanese language).

• Upcoming offshore events related to international education

   

  Dates	Event	Location
  21-25 March	Forum on Education Abroad Conference 2022  Annual conference of the Forum, a non-profit membership association that provides training and resources to support high quality education abroad experiences.  Contact: Lewis Gibson	Chicago, Illinois, USA
  24, 31 March, 7, 14,21,28 April	Agents Workshop Series: The NEW Choices  A series of 8 webinars aims to provide Vietnamese agents with updates on new programme offerings across sectors, and new perspectives when looking at NZ offerings.  Contact: Van Banh	Viet Nam
  26 March	New Future, New You, New Zealand  A co-funded virtual session between ENZ and one of our ENZRAs in Indonesia, SUN Education. The objective is to maintain a pipeline of interested students ready to pathway to New Zealand universities when the border reopens. The event will feature reps and gradvocates from UC, Otago, Waikato, and Massey University.  Contact: Naluri Bella	Indonesia
  27-31 March	Asia-Pacific Association for International Education Conference and Exhibition 2022  APAIE brings together professionals who are passionate about international education from across the globe to network, improve professional skills and learn about new developments in international education.  Contact: events@enz.govt.nz	Online
  27-29 March	Global Higher Education Exhibition (GHEDEX)  Organised by the Omani Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, GHEDEX brings together education providers, secondary and tertiary students, parents, and young professionals from across the Gulf region.  Contact: Bronwyn Shanks	Muscat, Oman
  27 March, 3,10,17 April	NZ Scholarship Boot Camp for students  Part of ENZRA Co-funding Activities, this initiative offers a series of workshops for Vietnamese students to obtain updated scholarship info, enhance necessary skills and meet up with NZ institutions to plan their study abroad journey.  Contact: Van Banh	Viet Nam
  31 March	Kōrerorero: Conversations That Matter – UN Sustainable Development Goal 4  Join an exclusive conversation about access to quality education with university vice-chancellors from Brazil, Colombia, and New Zealand.  Contact: Bruna de Natale	Latin America
  2, 3, 9, 16-17, 24 April	Youth Runway Campaign – NZ and Viet Nam school students  Part of ENZRA Co-funding Activities, this initiative offers a series of workshops for Vietnamese students to obtain skills and knowledge about Global Citizens towards SDG – Marine Health, as well as make friends and interact with NZ students.  Contact: Van Banh	Viet Nam
  25-27 April	FAUBAI Conference 2022: Known Concepts, New Meanings - What has changed in the internationalization of higher education? How can the future of the internationalization of higher education be projected?  ENZ is a silver sponsor for this year’s virtual event and will have a virtual booth.  Contact: Bruna de Natale	Latin America
  28 April	FPP Latin America virtual postgraduate fair  An easy and convenient way to meet with over 90 international universities to find the right postgraduate program. ENZ will host the "Study With New Zealand Pavilion”, having 14 institutions representing a variety of NZ institutions (English New Zealand, PTEs, Te Pūkenga and universities).  Contact: Bruna de Natale	Latin America

• Appreciating our agents in Viet Nam

  The main purpose was to acknowledge the work of Vietnamese agents and thank them for their commitment. This is part of a programme of work to maintain and build our education brand offshore, ahead of the reopening of student visa processing in October 2022.

  As well as hearing the latest updates from ENZ and other key education speakers, agents took part in a quiz and brainstorm.  This provided some useful market insights into Vietnamese students’ and parents’ demand in a post-Covid world. 

  We were delighted with the positive feedback from agents about the event, including a renewed commitment to promote New Zealand education.  To build on this interest, ENZ is now organising a series of eight workshops themed “The NEW Choices”, to update Vietnamese agents about new programme offerings across sectors. 

  Other projects underway in this market include a sustainability competition and a scholarship bootcamp, in collaboration with ENZ Recognised Agents based in Viet Nam.

• Online education pilot with FutureLearn enters second phase

  A webinar for interested providers on 31 March will be followed by an international campaign from 30 June to end of September 2022.  

  Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao will again partner with FutureLearn, a London-based platform with a global learner base of 17+ million people. The successful first phase saw 22 online courses from New Zealand providers attract more than 80,000 enrolments from learners in over 200 countries, highlighting the potential of online study platforms to reach new global audiences. 

  The focus of this second phase will be on how to convert an online audience into a sustainable commercial proposition for New Zealand-based providers.  

  We are interested in hearing from providers who have online content ready to go, or who are confident they can develop online content quickly. We are looking primarily to include short, taster courses (6-20 hours of learning). There is also scope for short credit-bearing courses, including micro-credentials. 

  This opportunity is open to both registered and non-registered education providers, EdTech companies, regional economic bodies and others. If you have education content and you’re interested in participating, please register for our information webinar on 31 March 2022 to find out more. 

  Participants have told us that the benefits of this initiative included being able to explore online distribution models and understand more about who the online audience is, and how they behave in a learning environment. It also presents an opportunity for providers to test and learn at low cost and with low risk, as well as profiling their brand to a global audience.   

  Online education is part of a programme of work to diversify international education products and services, in line with the New Zealand International Education Strategy 2018-2030. 

  Phase 1 pilot with FutureLearn

  Through the first pilot we confirmed there is demand for online courses from New Zealand providers, willingness by many in the sector to pilot online learning, and that New Zealand courses can attract learners in full-time employment. 

  View the New Zealand Collection on FutureLearn here.  

  You can explore the data and key insights we gathered from the first phase in our report here:

  Download our report about FutureLearn Phase 1 

  Key dates: 

  31 March 2022 – Pilot #2 Information webinar 

  30 June to end of September – Campaign goes live 

• From the Chief Executive: Positive steps for international education

  Initially focused on Asia, the Prime Minister’s scholarships started in 2013. Since then, more than 2,400 Kiwis have benefited from the experience of living in an Asian or Latin American country, developing personal connections, cultural understanding and global citizenship skills as well as gaining new perspectives in their chosen field of study. These scholarships are a great example of the two-way nature of international education – it’s about the opportunity for us as New Zealanders to learn, as well as for us to contribute.   

  Over the years the scholarships have evolved and this is set to continue in the future, following two recent wānanga with Māori partners. The first wānanga explored what ‘global citizenship’ means from a Māori world view. The second wānanga discussed the Prime Minister’s Scholarship programme, how to grow Māori participation in it, and how to support rangatahi through creating programme connections with iwi and the Māori economy, so the programme provides greater value for Māori. Alongside participants from a range of iwi and sector interests, representatives from the newly formed Kāhui Kaupapa also attended – Māori alumni of the Prime Minister’s Scholarships for Asia and Latin America. This work is part of ENZ’s long-term programme to build partnerships with iwi, Māori and Māori providers of education services, to transform the understanding of international education and ensure the education system delivers with, and for, Māori in the international context. 

  We have also made good progress with plans for inbound travel for international education this month. Universities are currently using our new portal system to nominate international students for their 1,450 places as part of the fourth cohort of 5,000 students. Working with the Ministry of Education, we are now assessing applications for places received from schools, PTEs and English language schools and will let them know their individual place allocations next week, so that they can start sending in their nominations, along with Te Pūkenga. Immigration New Zealand is due to begin processing the first formal requests for travel under this border exception by mid-April, in time for a mid-year study start. 

  In related news, travel from visa waiver countries such as Japan and South Korea has been brought forward two months and will now reopen from 2 May 2022. Students from these countries will be able to come to New Zealand for short courses of up to three months, which is good news for the sector, including English language schools.   

  While the borders were closed, online education offerings assumed a greater role. This sets us up well to continue to provide a more varied and resilient international education offering in the future.  Phase two of a pilot programme to promote New Zealand-branded online education to the world starts in June and interested education providers are invited to a webinar on 31 March 2022 to find out more. This phase of the pilot will continue our partnership with FutureLearn, a well-established online platform with a significant global audience. 

  COVID-19 has affected our daily lives in many ways, including making virtual meetings the norm. When we held our regular peak body and regional gatherings last week, it was noticeable that a greater degree of formality tends to prevail online, and it’s much harder to get lively discussions underway.  We really value and need to hear from our industry partners, and so I would welcome any suggestions for how we can make sure that these meetings enable robust discussion and exchange of ideas.   

  This month we welcomed Ziena Jalil to her first meeting as an ENZ Board member. Ziena was once an international student and is now an award-winning business and public sector leader, with 20 years’ experience working in New Zealand and Asia. Ziena brings enormous expertise in education, international relations and marketing, which will greatly benefit ENZ and the wider international education sector as we work to rebuild post-COVID.  

  This month we also published our 2020/21 Annual Report, which had been delayed by a shortage of auditors, related to COVID-19. The report is available on our website here and highlights the impacts of COVID-19 on the sector and our joint efforts to maintain an ongoing commitment to international education during this challenging period. 

  Okea Ururoatia! – Keep striving forward!  

  Grant McPherson

• Priority international partners for ‘Team Christchurch’

  Three priority areas have been identified: Guangdong Province in Southeast China; The United States West Coast – Washington (including sister city Seattle), Oregon and California; and South Korea (including sister city Songpa-gu). Australia is also identified as a key partner. 

  Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao is one of many organisations who contributed to the new strategy, alongside the city’s tertiary institutions, ChristchurchNZ, Ngāi Tahu, the Canterbury Employers’ Chamber of Commerce, Christchurch International Airport Limited, Lyttelton Port Company, The Asia New Zealand Foundation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise. 

  “It’s exciting to see international education as part of such a well-integrated approach that will benefit Christchurch and the wider region,” says ENZ’s Business Development Manager, Andy Walker, who is based in Christchurch. 

  “Personal friendships, increased cultural understanding, community connections, language skills, positive working relationships, economic growth – international education has a huge amount to contribute to the future development of international relationships for Christchurch. The efforts of the different sectors involved are amplified when we work together, and at ENZ we are looking forward to supporting this work with our international teams.”  

• Around the world in five: March 2022

  International 

  Opinion... from the News Editor, 17.03.22 

  India joins hands with Australian government to establish taskforce on qualifications recognition 

   

  New Zealand 

  New Zealand confirms details of 5,000 international student cohort 

  Call to end cap on number of international students allowed in NZ 

   

  Australia

  Once again, international student ‘exports’ are wildly exaggerated 

  Australia's one-off opportunity to change its approach to international students 

  Only Half of International Students May Return to Australia This Year 

  Aus: $10m innovation fund revealed 

   

  India

  Auckland University Offers 10 Virtual Internships for Indian Women Students 

  Everest Twins and Miss Malini share their stories at International Women’s Summit 

  Edtech a big draw among teachers despite covid ease 

   

  United Kingdom

  Record UK University Applications from UAE 

   

  United States

  Biden immigration rule will harm American college graduates, expert warns 

  US: international students say experience doesn’t justify cost 

   

  Vietnam

  Bravery of international students after Covid-19 

  New Zealand offers digital technology training scholarships to teachers 

• Funding available to reimagine international education

  Registrations of interest are open now for ENZ’s International Education Product Innovation Fund (PIF), closing on Wednesday 4 May 2022. Funding is available to all New Zealand-based organisations and individuals with fresh ideas for international education. 

  The PIF will support providers of education – whether established, new or emerging – to explore, develop and test pilot projects of new products and services that reimagine international education. 

  “New” could mean the mode of delivery, the configuration, the learner experience and learner outcomes, or the type of collaboration. The pilot projects developed through the PIF will help explore what could set New Zealand apart from its competitors, how students want to engage with New Zealand education, and how to increase the sector’s resilience to future shocks. 

  “We are extremely excited to now be receiving registrations of interest for the Product Innovation Fund”, says Euan Howden, ENZ’s Director of Innovation. “By encouraging and enabling the development of new, innovative products and services, we are seeking to position the sector for a more sustainable and resilient future and take advantage of trends such as alternative credentials, life-long learning and flexible learning.” 

  Underlying the PIF is the principle of tukutuku, or partnership. Each pilot project supported through the PIF will be a partnership based on mutual benefit and reciprocity between ENZ and the provider. 

  ENZ will offer funding of up to $300,000 per pilot (but is open to considering proposals that seek greater funding), as well as connections, support and credibility. In turn, ENZ is looking for applicants who can show a commitment of resource, a willingness to share lessons, reporting and insights for broader benefit, an openness to new thinking, and willingness to give best effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. 

  The PIF is one of ENZ’s initiatives underway to build a sustainable and diverse international education sector for New Zealand which is more resilient to future shocks such as COVID-19. The programme is funded by the Covid Response and Recovery Fund and is linked to the Government’s Strategic Recovery Plan for International Education. 

  The results of the pilots supported through the PIF will eventually inform recommendations to the Government in September 2023 on future investment in the development and diversification of international education. 

  To learn more and register your interest, click here. 

• New international education strategy for Te Pūkenga

  Chief Executive Stephen Town says the strategy supports a high-quality, sustainable education offering focused on ākonga (learner) experience and wellbeing. 

  “We have a unique opportunity to move from a model of competition to an integrated and collaborative approach, with a single brand, tailored to international markets and a single strategy aligned with the Government’s International Education Strategy,” Mr Town says. 

  The strategy aims to create more pathways to global citizenship, diversifying markets and creating high value for learners, employers and community. 

  The strategy is aligned with the New Zealand International Education Strategy and has five key areas of focus: 

  • creating and supporting skilled and culturally competent global ākonga 
  • adding significant value to the Aotearoa New Zealand community 
  • aligning learning outcomes to the needs of employers 
  • creating valuable strategic partnerships within and outside of Aotearoa New Zealand 
  • giving expression to our Te Tiriti o Waitangi relationship that exists between the Crown and Māori to improve outcomes for Māori through delivering partnership, protection, participation, and equity.  

  Te Pūkenga - New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology - is Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest tertiary institution and one of the largest providers of tertiary education in the world. Established in 2020, Te Pūkenga is bringing together the country’s Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics (ITPs) and Industry Training Organisations (ITOs) to create a network of on-the-job, on campus, online, and offshore learning opportunities through a unified network.