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• NZ EdTech breaks into Middle East market with ‘Play Code Learn’ teaching solution

  ByteEd is a New Zealand EdTech company with a mission to empower future generations to become creators of technology rather than just users. The company started out in 2018 by teaching industry-standard programming to high school and university students to create virtual reality worlds. However, a need to start reaching a younger audience was identified due to a lack of foundational concepts.  

  This led Founder and CE, Peter Dong and his team, to develop a comprehensive solution for students in their early years, using ‘Play Code Learn’ hands on kits combined with augmented reality and artificial intelligence to address this gap.  

  It is this solution that has been adopted as a core resource by Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) in the United Arab Emirates for its new Computational Thinking course. All Emirati graduates from their six colleges will learn computational thinking and then using the Play Code Learn resource will teach this in schools where they will become teachers.  

  

  Dr Robert Miles and Haya Al Nuaimi undertaking training on the Play Code Learn kits at HCT Ras Al Khaimah

  Peter says that getting to this point has been the culmination of several years of hard work and relationship building, with patience and persistence being key to their success.   

  “We went into this process knowing that it would take time. We started with a real understanding of our customers’ needs and in particular those of HCT. HCT is a large organisation and we needed to build relationships with multiple key decision makers.  

  “We are so excited to have made this breakthrough into the UAE and hope it paves the way for more New Zealand EdTechs to do the same;” said Peter.  

  “As more educators at HCT in the UAE use our solution and collaborate with ByTeEd, then we’ll be building New Zealand’s reputation for our country’s capability in developing innovative and valuable EdTech solutions,” he added.  

  

  A student using augmented reality to program while the physical learning kit can be seen in the background.

  The opportunity to work with HCT all came about from an introduction that was facilitated by Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) at the New Zealand Pavilion at the Dubai World Expo in early 2022. Several New Zealand EdTech companies were invited to be part alongside other New Zealand education providers.  

  Dr Angela Fitzgerald, Executive Dean – Faculty of Education at HCT commented that the work that her Faculty was doing with ByteEd is powerful.  

  “Their approach empowers teacher educators through lived experiences of computational thinking to prepare future teachers in equally dynamic ways to equip young children with these very skills and knowledge. This will be necessary as they navigate their future worlds,” said Dr Fitzgerald.  

   

  

  Lecturer Jennifer Filinuk and Senior Lecturer Savita Parashar are using the hands-on learning tools to learn computational thinking before combining it with augmented reality.

   

  When asked what advice ByteEd would give to a fellow EdTech looking to expand their business overseas, and specifically into the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, Peter had some nuggets of advice.  

  He said that taking the first step to explore the market and gauge interest from target customers is key to gaining that initial understanding of the potential, as is gaining a clear understanding of the problem that you’re aiming to solve for this market. 

  “Show that you’re not just another visitor and be prepared to make multiple visits and build relationships.  

  “There are many opportunities in the Gulf region for New Zealand EdTech companies, with more funding available here due to a strong focus on education. The region is also one of few where the younger population is growing,” said Peter. 

  “There is also significant competition in this region however, so make sure to research potential competitors and consider how to position your company and product effectively”, he concluded.  

  For more information 

  ENZ, alongside EdTechNZ, recently hosted a Middle East EdTEch market deep dive with a presentation delivered by Nick Sheppard, Trade and Commercial Advisor from New Zealand Trade and Enterprise based in Dubai. Joining him in the session were the Founders of New Zealand EdTech’s ByteEd, Komodo Wellbeing and EDconnect. You can watch a recording of the presentation here with the slides available here.  

  If you have further questions about the support that ENZ can provide New Zealand EdTechs overseas, please contact ENZ’s Business Development Manager, Alana Pellow – alana.pellow@enz.govt.nz. 

• Waseda 1

• Applications open for group Prime Minister’s Scholarships to study in Asia and Latin America 

  Applications from groups, institutions or organisation who can meet the objectives of the scholarship are welcome. Last year, successful group applicants included marae, whānau Māori trusts, tertiary providers, non-profit organisations and more. Applications close on 23 April 2023.   

  ENZ’s General Manager Sector Services, Sahinde Pala, says the scholarships are a wonderful opportunity for New Zealanders to gain transformational education experiences in Asia and Latin America. 

  “We love how the scholarships allow New Zealanders from a wide range of backgrounds to continue to add a global aspect to their learning, and make meaningful, often lifelong connections with people from other countries and cultures. 

  Applicants are invited to think differently about what overseas learning opportunities could enrich the lives of learners or members of their community, and how they contribute to New Zealand more broadly.”  

  The Prime Minister’s Scholarships are funded by the New Zealand Government and administered by Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao to support New Zealanders on learning experiences in Asia and Latin America. 

  The Scholarships’ group programme offers a flexible way to organise learning experiences in Asia and Latin America. Groups apply for a certain number of people, minimum of three, and once a programme is awarded, the organiser will run their own process to select the members who make up the group based on guidelines provided by ENZ. 

  Scholarship awardees from the 2022 group round have engaged in a diverse range of programmes, including customised indigenous-to-indigenous cultural exchange, advancing their language skills, learning new fashion design skills, and more.  

  Participants in a group programme simply need to meet the same eligibility requirements as individuals, including being a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident at least 18 years old at the date of applying. 

  Since its launch in 2013, the Prime Minister’s Scholarship programme has seen nearly 3,000 recipients, which helps New Zealand continue to engage with key partners in Asia and Latin America. 

  Applications for student groups from wānanga, universities, Te Pūkenga, private training establishments, iwi and other organisations will be open from 8 March – 23 April 2022, with successful applicants advised in early June. 

  More information is available on ENZ's dedicated scholarship website here. 

  A list of successful applicants from the 2022 group scholarship round is available here.  

  ENDS 

  Media contact: 

  Sai Raje 

  Senior Communications Advisor  

  021 479 649 

   

  Scholarship queries: scholarships@enz.govt.nz     

    

  Education New Zealand (ENZ) is a New Zealand Government agency dedicated to international education. ENZ promotes New Zealand as a study destination globally and supports New Zealanders to broaden their horizons through international education experiences beyond our shores. 

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