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Brazil and New Zealand united on sustainability – check out the Kōrerorero: Voice of the Oceans
Science, sustainability, and innovation were the focus of a special edition of Kōrerorero, which presented the Voice of the Oceans initiative. The online event, held in late August, showed the importance of education for building a more sustainable planet and highlighted the potential of cooperation between Brazil and Aotearoa New Zealand on issues related to the future of the planet.
Kōrerorero was produced by Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) in Brazil and featured an introduction by Bruna de Natale, ENZ’s market development manager in Brazil. It was the first time that the event was broadcast in Portuguese, with simultaneous translation into English.
New Zealand Ambassador to Brazil, His Excellency Mr Richard Prendergast formally welcomed attendees to the event.
“The ocean and its resources are under pressure due to human activities, such as overfishing and pollution,” said Richard. “New Zealand’s approach to promoting a healthy ocean and ensuring good management of its resources involves education, to reinforce decision-making based on traditional knowledge and support development,” he added.
The kōrerorero featured the CEO of Voice of the Oceans, David Schurmann, who is an alumni from Aotearoa New Zealand – he has a degree in Cinema from Auckland University of Technology and, in addition to his work at Voice of the Oceans, is a filmmaker. His film “Little Secret”, from 2017, was chosen as the Brazilian representative in the competition for one of the places in the best foreign film category at the Academy Awards. He is part of the Schurmann Family, which since 1984 has carried out maritime expeditions around the world to promote sustainability.
Currently, the sailboat Kat, from Voice of the Oceans, is sailing around the world to raise awareness about the importance of combating pollution caused by plastic in the oceans. In November the boat will arrive in Auckland, at the end of its journey around the globe. The boat was named Kat after Kat Schurmann, David's kiwi sister.
“Voice of the Oceans was created because we are eyewitnesses of what has been happening in the oceans, which is plastic pollution,”, warned David Schurmann during the Kōrerorero. “Over the last twenty years, as we've travelled around the world, we've noticed an increase in plastic waste in the seas,” he added.
David also explained the role Aotearoa New Zealand played in creating Voice of the Oceans: “Part of it all has a direct connection to New Zealand – I lived and studied there for six years, where I trained as a filmmaker in the 90s. It was during this period that I realised that the New Zealand population already had a very strong ecological awareness, and that was the seed that helped me create Voice of the Oceans”, said David.
In 2016, upon returning from a trip around the world, David and his family decided it was time to give the oceans a voice, to unite humanity around environmental protection. The objective of the initiative, according to him, is to unite people and countries in favor of practical solutions for the preservation of the seas.
Alexander Turra, professor at the Oceanographic Institute of the University of São Paulo, classified as the best in Latin America in the latest edition of the QS World Rankings, also participated as a panelist in Kōrerorero. “We need to put the sea in people's heads, hearts and souls, so that they realize that we are intrinsically connected to it,”, said Alexander. “The ocean is the foundation of what happens on the planet, so preserving the Earth starts there.”
Kōrerorero also had the contribution of New Zealand based Brazilian researcher João Souza, leader of the Moana Project, which seeks to understand the impact of climate change and extreme events on the main food sources linked to the ocean, in Aotearoa New Zealand. According to João, the project works through partnerships with the fishing industry and communities living in coastal regions, making use of their traditional knowledge.
“We have sensors on fishing nets, so every time fishermen throw that net into the sea, our sensors pick up signals. Thus, we are able to generate information about the ocean, even predicting the occurrence of extreme events. The knowledge acquired is shared with everyone involved”, explained João.
The debate was mediated by Jaqueline Gil, director of international marketing and sustainability at Embratur – Brazilian Tourist Board. There were 185 registrants before the event, which was accompanied live by 69 people, who received a certificate of participation. The Kōrerorero recording is available in Portuguese and English on the ENZ online platform.
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Around the world in five
Asia
South Korea outlines plans to host 300,000 international students - StudyTravel Network
The South Korean Government announced the Study Korean 300k Project in August, which aims to have 300,000 international students at South Korean universities by 2027 as part of its goals to secure more high-skilled workers and boost global competitiveness. A fast-track scheme to permanent residency in South Korea for international students with advanced degrees in key fields will also be established.
North America
The international education sector in Canada has expressed concerns about potential reforms, with the Housing Minister suggesting that a cap on international students should be considered while the Immigration Minister has referred to concerns about integrity in the system. This comes amid an emerging housing crisis that has been described as complex and multifaceted, and with Canada projecting to host 900,000 study permit holders by the end of 2023.
South America
Chile launches higher ed mental health plan
The University of Chile, in collaboration with multiple government entities including Chile’s Ministry of Education and Ministry of Public health, have launched a comprehensive plan to help domestic and international students take care of their mental health. The plan aims to address an “alarming rise” of students impacted by mental health problems in the return to in-person education after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Europe
German chancellor appeals to international graduates
The German Government’s Skilled Immigration Act will create new opportunities to enter Germany, with Chancellor Olaf Scholz saying that international graduates of Germany’s higher education system will help to successfully develop the country’s economy. Scholz said it was inspiring to see how many students from around the world come to Germany and wish to work there afterwards.
Africa
2022 US visas 'broke records' in India, Ghana and Nigeria
The US state department reported that it is issuing more student visas to applicants from African countries than anytime in the past six years, with more visas for students from Nigeria and Ghana being issued last year than any year in the past two decades. This comes after an estimated 92,051 African students were denied US visas between 2018-2022.
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Insights for PTEs & ELS on how to better attract students from China
In June, participants from Private Training Establishments (PTEs) and English Language Schools (ELS) in New Zealand were invited by Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) and the North Asia Centre of Asia-Pacific Excellence (CAPE) to attend a workshop looking at opportunities in China. The workshop was called “"Navigating the new dynamics of Chinese overseas students seeking to study with PTEs and English Language Schools."
Participants from PTEs and ELS at the June workshop co-hosted by ENZ and North Asia CAPE.
Following the conclusion of the workshop, a report was commissioned by North Asia CAPE and facilitated by ENZ, with Shanghai-based market research company China Skinny conducting an in-depth exploration of key topics discussed during the event.
The report, ‘Insights for New Zealand’s English Language Schools and PTEs to better attract Chinese students’, was launched at an event at ENZ’s Auckland office in September with participants from PTEs and ELS. Mark Tanner, founder and managing director of China Skinny presented the report putting a focus on:
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Building awareness of your institutions with your Chinese target audience.
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Considerations for PTEs and English language schools.
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Examples of how other institutions are marketing to their target audiences in China, with an accompanying checklist.
Richard Kensington, Principal of Academic Relations at UP Education, attended both the workshop and the report launch.
He said, “These initiatives by ENZ provided useful insights into Chinese students considering overseas vocational education, including some we were not previously aware of.
"It also reminded us of the significant potential in China’s vocational education market. We need to explore new, innovative ways to recruit students, rather than just relying on traditional methods,” continued Richard.
The report is based on insights drawn from a survey of 700 vocational and language school considerers and interviews with eight education agents in China. A copy of the full report can be found here - Insights for NZ's ELS & PTEs to better attract Chinese students.pdf
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‘Apply four months in advance of travel’ - INZ Update
Visa processing update
As at 7 October 2023, the average processing timeframe for an international student visa application submitted from outside of New Zealand is six weeks (29 working days). This is counted from the time the student submits their application, until the time the visa is declined, or the visa granted. Whilst the average processing time is six weeks, Immigration New Zealand continues to strongly recommend that students apply for their visas around four months ahead of their intended travel date, especially as we are entering the main student processing peak combined with summer, which sees high numbers of visitor visas. We cannot prioritise processing for late applications and are unable to prioritise based on travel bookings. Students should not finalise travel plans until they have their visa granted.
The approval rate for offshore student visa applications received (1 Aug 2022 – 7 Oct 2023) is 84%
Tertiary student in-study work rights
Tertiary students’ in-study work rights have typically been linked to whether the qualification being studied gains points under the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC). As of 9 October 2023, only qualifications at Bachelor’s degree Level 7 or above qualify for points.
To maintain work rights for tertiary students, references to the SMC in the in-study work instructions have been removed. Eligible qualifications, programme level and type will be shown instead, to carry over the eligibility of many students studying below a Bachelor degree.
Since 9 October, all students studying a full-time programme that directly results in a New Zealand qualification at Level 4 or above on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF) are eligible for in-study work rights of 20 hours per week. Training schemes and micro-credentials are not qualifications and remain ineligible for in-study work rights.
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2023 PIEoneer Awards - Celebrating NZ international student finalist, Nehara Pandey
Nehara was one of only seven students from across the globe shortlisted as finalists for the ‘International Alumni of the Year’ category at the 2023 PIEoneer Awards. She was the only student in her category from the Southern Hemisphere and up against fellow international students from the UK, United States, and Germany.
The PIEoneer Awards is hosted annually by PIE News, a prominent international education news platform, and honours individuals and organisations across the globe driving excellence and innovation in education and beyond. The ‘International Alumni of the Year’ award celebrates international students who have made a significant contribution to their institution and the wider community. This year, the ceremony took place in London on Friday 22 September.
Nehara is originally from Goa in India and proudly neurodiverse. She completed her foundation studies at UP International College’s Wellington Campus in 2021 where she proved her drive for academic success, scooping up the Overall Excellence Award at the Wellington International Student Excellence Awards that same year.
Growing up by the ocean in India sparked her interest in environmentalism and she is now furthering her education at Victoria University of Wellington with a Bachelor of Science, majoring in marine biology. As well as being a dedicated conservationist, climate correspondent, and aspiring marine biologist, she is also a strong advocate for the neurodiverse community. You can read about her many achievements in UP Education’s media release on her nomination here. UP Education also produced a showcase video, featured below, that highlights Nehara’s remarkable achievements and how a New Zealand international education has helped her succeed.
Nehara participated in the awards ceremony online and said it was an exciting experience to be a part of and such an honour to represent both New Zealand and India at an international level.
"I was introduced to so many organisations and people breaking barriers in the field of International Education. Although I did not win, this was such a unique learning experience and I'm extremely grateful to UP Education for nominating me.
“Studying at UP Education and now at Victoria University of Wellington has taught me so much and allowed me to grow both personally and professionally," said Nehara.
"I'm incredibly thankful to both institutions for allowing me to pursue my dreams of working in the field of conservation," she added.
Richard Kensington, Principal, Academic Relations for UP Education said that Nehara’s success story reflects the transformative educational experiences New Zealand can offer its international students.
“We were absolutely thrilled for Nehara that she was an ‘International Alumni of the Year’ finalist. This is yet another achievement that she can add to the already long list of achievements to her name,” said Richard.
ENZ’s Regional Director, America’s, Middle East and Europe, Amy Rutherford, was invited to participate in the 2023 Awards as one of 41 independent judges presiding over the 20 award categories. She joined two other New Zealanders on the panel including Gavin Millar from Nayland College in Nelson and Dr Pii-Tuulia Nikula from The Eastern Institute of Technology | Te Pūkenga in the Hawkes Bay.
ENZ’s Amy Rutherford (5th from left) with fellow judges, including Gavin Millar from Nayland College (far right), at the 2023 PIEoneer Awards
Amy said it was a huge honour to be invited to take part in the awards which celebrate the achievements of individuals and businesses who make such significant contributions to international education around the globe.
“The calibre of the nominations received for the PIEoneer awards was especially high this year. It was a particularly proud moment to see Nehara representing New Zealand’s international education sector on this global stage and see her recognised for the outstanding contributions she makes to so many areas of her personal and academic life.
“On behalf of Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao, I’d like to extend our congratulations for her nomination in these awards and achievements thus far. I know she will continue to do amazing things,” added Amy.
The list of awards and winners can be found here. If you or your organisation would like to make a nomination for the 2024 PIEoneer Awards, entries will be opening in February 2024.
