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• Alumni invaluable at fairs

  A first-time participant at an international education fair, Alexandra was keen to present Wanganui High School from both a student and staff perspective. She was very pleased with the results.

  “Sujin has an insider’s knowledge of our school and the New Zealand education system. Students and parents felt as if they were getting a genuine opinion from Sujin, not just from a marketer selling a product,” said Alexandra.

  For her part, Sujin was delighted to give something back. She studied over years 9 to 13 at Wanganui High School, finishing in 2008, and was keen to share her experience with others considering doing similar.

  “It’s been really special. I never thought I could do this and help people by explaining my thoughts and experiences,” said Sujin.

  Sujin says she finds New Zealanders “incredibly friendly, welcoming and open”. The best part of school for her was the opportunity to choose from a wide range of subjects such as drama, photography and psychology.

  On returning to Korea Sujin completed a BA in English literature and business at Dankook University. Now seeking the right professional path for her, she currently teaches English to high school students part-time.

  “I felt very sad that they were memorising the vocabulary but couldn’t actually use the words in a sentence. I do lots of speaking and listening with them – once they get used to it, they find it really fun.”

  Regional Director Lisa Futschek said: “It was great to see Alexandra and Sujin working so well together. In addition to the essential Korean language skills Sujin brought to the discussions, it was clear the families valued the opportunity to speak directly with a Korean student who had studied recently in New Zealand.” 

  Alexandra was in no doubt about the benefits of having a member of the Wanganui High alumni on her stand: “If Sujin hadn’t been there with me, we wouldn’t have achieved what we did. The conversations were fruitful and authentic. For me it was like having family with me on our booth.”

  And it truly is a family affair at the high school - Sujin’s brother is currently finishing his year 13 studies at Wanganui High School.  

• From Vermont to Victoria University

  Emma McDonough Faucher, a college student from Castleton in the state of Vermont, was one of 1089 applicants from 615 US universities to apply for the scholarship. She impressed the selection panel with her knowledge of New Zealand and desire to understand and experience the Kiwi lifestyle and culture, including Māoritanga.

  “I have wanted to study abroad my entire life and New Zealand has been my goal,” said Emma. 

  “Māori culture is one of the things I am especially looking forward to learning about – I find it interesting that Maori people describe themselves by their tribe (iwi), sub-tribe (hapū), mountain (maunga), and river (awa).”

  ENZ’s Regional Director for the Americas, Lisa Futschek said, “The creativity and passion of Emma’s submission distinguished it from the large number of other very impressive applications. The fact that she plays rugby also makes this a good match!”

  US students choose New Zealand as an education destination because of the unique study experience we offer – a high-quality education in an English-speaking country with a distinct culture and lifestyle. Students who come here are often adventure seekers who enjoy the great outdoors and like to get off the beaten track, but also want to enjoy the vibrant city life.

  ENZ partnered with leading study abroad advisory service, Go Overseas to run a six week campaign across the US from 1 September to 15 October. During this time over 26,000 people visited the campaign page, and 2,600 study abroad advisers and over 1500 universities were contacted and notified of the scholarship.

  Leads from scholarship applicants and others who registered interest have been referred to participating New Zealand education providers.

  “As well as giving a lucky student the chance to study in New Zealand, campaigns such as this are an important part of ENZ’s work to raise awareness around the world of New Zealand’s high-quality education offering,” said Lisa.

  

  Left to right: Sam Hoben, Education New Zealand Market Development Manager USA, Emma McDonough Faucher, scholarship winner, and Ana Maria Alfaro-Alexander, Ph. D, Study Abroad Advisor

   

• New Zealand shines at China Education Expo

  As the photos show, New Zealand’s presence at the fair had a big impact, with the Kiwiana finger puppets proving a popular and distinctive crowd pleaser as students assessed a sea of study options. 

  Initial feedback from industry participants also noted an increase in interest from agents; they report New Zealand is more and more in demand by their customers. The Beijing agent seminar had 120 participants, the majority of which were agents, who had come along to meet New Zealand institutions. 

  Alex Grace, Regional Director – Greater China, says collective hard work by government and industry to build awareness and raise perceptions of quality is clearly having an impact.

  “ENZ, as the government’s lead agency for international education, has paid particular attention to raising the bar in terms of how we package and present the New Zealand education experience. That was noticed and commented on with envy by other countries.”

  “It is gratifying to work in partnership with such a committed and professional group as that which signed up for CEE and our agent seminars. It is only by working together that we’ll increase the impact of our activities and a make a difference.”

  New Zealand: Country of Honour for CEE 2015

  And there is more good news: New Zealand will be the Country of Honour for CEE 2015. Alex says: “Ambassador Carl Worker and I attended the Gala Dinner event at which New Zealand was named as next year’s CEE Country of Honour. This is a major achievement, representing not only the relationships developed by ENZ, but also the commitment over the years by our industry. Please start planning now to participate in October/November next year!”

  Fairs and agent seminars continue in Guangzhou, Chengdu and Shanghai through 3 November.

  

• Education in focus at Tourism Summit

  The summit focused on Tourism 2025, a framework aimed to achieve economic growth in the tourism industry including an aspirational goal to reach $41 billion in annual earnings by 2025.

  Grant was on a panel discussing the ‘target for value’ opportunities. International students and their families and friends are identified in the framework as one of the target markets that could deliver significant economic benefit to New Zealand.

  “I was keen to take the chance to remind the tourism industry that we are all part of the NZ Inc team. Raising awareness is important for both industries – people need to know about New Zealand to consider us as a destination as a student and a tourist,” said Grant.

  “With more than 97,000 international students, and growing, coming to New Zealand each year, that is 97,000 potential tourists who are in the main young, highly motivated and skilled communicators on social media. These students return home as advocates for New Zealand if we give them an experience of a lifetime – inspiring the next set of students and family and friends to come to this country.

  “And we know family and friends visit international students while they are studying in New Zealand, particularly around graduation or at the end of their programme so there are valuable connections to be made there.

  “The industry roadmaps tasked us with working more closely with New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and Tourism New Zealand, finding opportunities for joined up activities with shared market intelligence and shared services.

  “Recent edu-tourism campaigns in Brazil and Japan targeting English language students gave us the chance to test the water working with Tourism New Zealand and 22 English Language Schools. Branded 100% Pure New Zealand we pitched this country as ‘the most exciting place to learn a new language’ and offered $300 of tourism activity with each enrolment during a specific timeframe.

  “The campaign worked well in Brazil in particular, generating a lot of enquiries and we will continue to monitor the results to see how many of these turn into enrolments.

  “At a more grassroots level, I encouraged tourism operators to meet with their local education institutions to understand the opportunities available to develop joint programmes or student-orientated initiatives. Tailoring services to the needs, ambitions and budgets of students will ensure they take some of the New Zealand spirit with them when they go home.

  “And of course it is a two-way street - if tourism operators are engaging with young visitors and their families who are passionate about New Zealand, why not suggest they consider studying in New Zealand,” said Grant.

• Student ambassadors appointed in Christchurch

  “The Student Ambassador programme is one of several initiatives aimed at better supporting international students so that they make the most of their time in Christchurch and perhaps encouraging them to stay longer in the region,” said Richard Ashmore, International Student Pathway Coordinator with Christchurch Educated.

  “It is also a great personal development opportunity for the new ambassadors who will receive training and the chance to expand their own international networks.”

  The inaugural group of ambassadors is made up of 14 students from New Zealand, Australia, Afghanistan, India, China, Japan, Malaysia, Russia and the Philippines.

  “Some of the New Zealanders in the group benefitted from similar programmes during their own overseas study experience and want to help others in the same way,” said Richard.

  Izzie Guo arrived in Christchurch in 2009 totally unprepared for the shock of landing in a foreign environment with only a limited understanding of the language. She was fortunate to have amazing support from her homestay mum and senior classmates to help her adjust to a lifestyle, language and living environment vastly different to the one she had left behind in China. Now Izzie is looking forward to helping other international students faced with the challenges that come with embarking on a learning experience in a new country.

  “I have always wanted to help students new to Christchurch. I remember when I first arrived. I had many difficulties and so many people helped me in many ways. I want to give a little help and hopefully that can make a difference,” said Izzie.

  The student ambassadors are studying at mostly tertiary institutions including the University of Canterbury, Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology, Southland Institute of Technology, along with Middleton Grange and Kaiapoi high schools. 

  The student ambassadors were received into the programme by Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel in mid-October. In addition to their mentoring duties, the ambassadors will represent Christchurch Educated and the city of Christchurch at official functions and international education visits and events. They will start in their roles as fully trained ambassadors in January 2015.

  Interest in the roles was so high that a second group of ambassadors will be inducted into the programme next year.

• Building online brand ambassadors

  In June this year, to make sure we were getting the best out of our social media we merged 11 local Facebook pages into one global Facebook page – www.facebook.com/studyinnewzealand

  This move was important to both grow our online community of brand ambassadors and deliver a consistent global message to prospective students.

  At the time of the merge, our Facebook community had 120,679 ‘likes’. The global page has well and truly surpassed all our initial goals, rocketing to 268,300 fans in just five months. On average we reach 3 million fans a week, including 80,000 engaged fans each week.

  Breaking it down, our Facebook audience is 45 percent female, 55 percent male and is aged between 18 and 24. Our largest audience is in India followed by Thailand, Brazil, Malaysia and Colombia.

  Compared to competitor countries, Study in New Zealand is performing very strongly with more ‘likes’ than Australia, Canada and the UK – we just have the USA to catch.

  In recent weeks our global community manager has noticed a significant shift in the conversation among prospective students on Facebook. When we first launched the global page, most of the questions were very high level – ‘how do I study in New Zealand?’ and ‘what is New Zealand like?’ The questions we’re getting now are much more specific and qualified;

  “I am from Bangladesh. I am interested to pursue a diploma at SIT, will Invercargill be an affordable place to live?”

  “What is the different b/w diploma and masters? Which is more job oriented?”

  “I want to know how’s New Zealand for aeronautical engineering in bachelor program & what is the cost for it?”

  Another notable change is that our community is starting to self-moderate – answering each other’s questions with great advice or helpful links. We have a number of New Zealand institutions and agents who are joining in to provide great support through this channel to prospective students with questions.

  In November a social campaign will be launched to further grow and stimulate this online audience with further activity planned for 2015. With an absence of Facebook in China, we are currently developing an equivalent social media platform on the popular site Weibo .

  Join the conversation at www.facebook.com/studyinnewzealand.

• NZ-India Sports Scholarships announced

  Minister Nathan Guy and former Black Cap’s captain Stephen Fleming, along with High Commissioner Grahame Morton presented the awards at an event which also marked 101 days until the start of the 2015 Cricket World Cup.

  Education New Zealand’s Regional Director for South and South East Asia, Ziena Jalil congratulated the students on winning the year-long scholarships to study at tertiary institutions around New Zealand.

  “The level of students applying for the scholarships was particularly high – we are working to increase the quality and level of qualifications studied by Indian students in New Zealand and these scholarships reinforce that,” says Ziena.

  The scholarship recipients are studying programmes ranging from bachelor degrees in sport and exercise to postgraduate study in sports physiotherapy and clinical exercise physiology. They will be studying at AUT, the Universities of Otago and Waikato, Unitec, UCOL and SIT.

  Among the recipients are twin sisters Tashi and Nungshi Malik who are the first twins to have climbed Mt Everest, and Surabhi Date a former captain of the Indian Women’s Rugby Team.

  “It was great to bring all the recipients together to receive their awards at the Cricket World Cup event in front of more than 250 Indian government, education and business contacts as well as a New Zealand business mission,” said Ziena.

  “The evening was a showcase for New Zealand as a country and particularly our world-class reputation for excellence in sports and education.”

  The New Zealand India Sports Scholarships programme is one of the several activities underway to deepen New Zealand’s education relationship with India. The initiative was first announced as part of the Prime Ministers’ Education Initiative which seeks to enhance bilateral tertiary education cooperation between New Zealand and India.

  Almost 12,000 students from India studied in New Zealand in 2013 making it the second largest source country for international students to New Zealand.

  

• PM’s Scholarships for Asia announced

  “The experience these students will have while living and studying in a different culture will stay with them for the rest of their lives,” says Peter Bull, Education New Zealand’s General Manager International.

  “While in Asia, the students will establish enduring relationships and networks that will help them to succeed in the global economy and bring benefits to New Zealand.”

  “Education relationships are two-way and having smart capable New Zealand students studying in Asia is very valuable in building capability for New Zealand's future.”

  The Prime Minister’s Scholarships for Asia cover overseas study, research or internships ranging from six weeks to two years at the best Asian institutions.

  Successful recipients include a group of students from Unitec who will travel to Japan with service robots they have built, a student from the University of Auckland undertaking a Masters in International Law at Seoul University, and a student with a background in primary produce markets aiming to complete a Chinese language course so he can specialise in trade between New Zealand and China.

  Since the inaugural awards in December 2013, just over 350 New Zealand students have been awarded PMSA scholarships. 

  “As well as the individual benefits, scholarship recipients act as ambassadors for New Zealand and showcase the quality of our education system wherever they go in Asia. The more Kiwis who get the chance to study overseas, the better for our own international education industry,” says Mr Bull.

  “Our students make an invaluable contribution toward raising awareness of New Zealand, giving Asian students a direct link with study in our country and representing the possibilities that are out there to experience the benefits of an international education.” 

  Applications are now open for the next round of scholarships and close on 30 March 2015. Visit the PMSA pages to find out more about eligibility and the application process, and for a list of all scholarship recipients to date.

• China's First Lady receives Honorary Doctorate

  Madame Peng was awarded the Doctor of Literature (honoris causa) in recognition of her international contributions to the performing arts and health and education programmes.

  In the citation in advance of bestowing the honorary doctorate, Sir Richard Taylor noted Madame Peng’s distinguished academic and public service career:

  In the 1980s, she was the first person in China to graduate with a Master’s degree in traditional ethnic music from the prestigious China Conservatory of Music, where she is now both a professor and PhD supervisor. Today she holds a wide array of senior positions in her areas of artistic expertise, including Vice-President of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles, Vice-Chair of the Chinese Musicians Association, and Dean of the Art Academy of the People's Liberation Army, where she holds the rank of Major-General. Madame Peng is also an Adjunct Professor at Peking University, China’s most highly-regarded university and a close and longstanding partner of Massey University.

  Within China, Madame Peng has worked for many years to promote rural development, girls' and women's education, and public health. She has been an ambassador for tobacco control since 2009, and serves as Voluntary Advocate for HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis control and prevention for the Chinese National Health and Family Planning Commission, which is another Massey University partner in China. In 2011 the World Health Organisation likewise appointed her as a Goodwill Ambassador for Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS, a role that has involved her in a series of high-profile international events to promote concerted action on the two diseases. 

  In March this year, the United Nation Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) named Madame Peng as a Special Envoy for the Advancement of Girls’ and Women’s Education in recognition of her commitment to empowering girls and women through access to quality education, her outstanding contribution to fighting inequalities in education, her devoted service to human development and creativity, and her dedication to UNESCO’s ideals and aims. Addressing Madame Peng, UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova said, “To succeed, we need role models, and you are an immense role model for millions of young girls in China and beyond”.

  ENZ’s China Team had suggested a visit by Madame Peng to CoCA, due to its status as the first art and design school outside of North America to be granted “substantial equivalency” by the US National Association of Schools of Art & Design.

  “This visit – the only separate programme for Madame Peng while she was in New Zealand – showcased a niche area where New Zealand institutions are at the forefront globally”, says ENZ's Regional Director Alexandra Grace. 

  “It was clear from the ceremony that Madame Peng was very pleased to receive this honour, and she was visibly impressed by the calibre of students’ work during her post-conferment tour.”

  In her address, Madame Peng expressed her “heartfelt thanks”, describing Massey University as the “leading university in New Zealand” that had produced many outstanding graduates including government ministers, Olympic champions, an All Black coach and many business leaders.

  “All are important contributors to the prosperity of the country and I believe, with this wonderful faculty and its students, Massey University will enjoy an even greater future," she said.

  Find out more about Madame Peng’s visit to Massey University here.

• Roundtable explores distance education recognition

  The roundtable involved senior officials from Chinese education agencies and representatives from the University of Otago, Massey University, New Zealand Qualifications Authority, Universities New Zealand and Education New Zealand.

  The recognition of New Zealand distance education programmes has been an item of discussion between New Zealand and Chinese authorities for many years. Currently all foreign qualifications delivered by distance, or with a distance component, are not recognised by Chinese authorities.

  “This isn’t a New Zealand-specific issue,” says ENZ's Regional Director Alexandra Grace.  “We are very much at first steps, in terms of building understanding of how we assure quality outside of traditional face-to-face qualification delivery. Greater understanding of our processes may also contribute to China’s domestic reform of its local distance qualifications."

  The New Zealand-China Free Trade Agreement signed in 2008 included commitments to undertake work on “evaluation of the quality assurance criteria for qualifications which include a distance delivery component.”

  Discussions on the recognition of New Zealand distance education qualifications have been ongoing since then.

  The roundtable showcased Otago University’s renowned Master in Aviation Medicine qualification which is fully taught by distance and has been offered for over 26 years. Over 100 students are currently studying the programme from the Middle East, North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. Graduates of the programme meet internationally recognised ‘best practice’ standards for aviation medicine practitioners and are frequently employed by airlines including Cathay Pacific, Emirates and Qantas.

  The roundtable also featured Massey University’s Master’s degree programmes in Veterinary Medicine (Biosecurity) and Public Health (Biosecurity) which has been completed by nine senior Chinese officials. The qualifications, which require four months to be spent at Massey and the remainder by distance study from China (one year in total), represent collaboration in teaching between Massey’s teaching and research groups, EpiCentre, and the Centre for Public Health Research. 

  Further work is slated on sharing of information and best practice.