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International student employment: overcoming barriers
The panel, chaired by ENZ’s Director Student Experience, Hayley Shields, featured a diverse and informed range of views from
- Brett Berquist, Director International at the University of Auckland
- Dr Cate Gribble, Senior Research Analyst at the University of Auckland
- James Koo, former international student and founder and CEO of Niesh, a free student discounts app
- Paul Hickey, Managing Director at SpeakData
- Charan Mohan, former international student and now Business Intelligence Analyst at SpeakData.
Dr Cate Gribble talked about the need to raise awareness of the benefits to businesses of employing international students to counter employer concerns around the challenges of international student employees, including perceptions they won’t fit culturally, their English will be limited or that their visa situation will make paperwork too challenging. Students also find their international work experience in their home country is not always valued here, and employers often require New Zealand citizens or Permanent Residents.
Brett Berquist added that we need to counter the perception that international students will not stick around.
“The reality is that all students, both domestic and international, are equally mobile. Employers need to stop thinking Kiwis make employees for life, and that international students are a flight risk.”
James Koo said the lack of transparency around these concerns is a challenge for international students. As a result, many international students end up sending a generic CV and cover letter to any and all available jobs, too discouraged to spend time tailoring their CVs to each role.
James also noted that student expectations can sometimes be unrealistic, and some students expect to work in large, prestigious companies whereas most New Zealand companies are SMEs – which he noted can actually offer more opportunities and experiences for students and recent graduates.
SpeakData’s Paul Hickey then talked about his experience hiring international students, such as fellow panellist Charan Mohan. While Charan clearly had the hard skills required for his company, Paul needed to be convinced of his soft skills, which he calls being ‘Kiwi-ready.’
“Often, international students come into interviews and talk solely about their studies and qualifications when actually, we’re just as interested in hearing about their interests outside of work.“That social aspect plays a big part – sharing a story about kayaking in Taupo at the weekend or going to an All Blacks game is an easy way to connect with Kiwi employers.”
Paul also talked about the need to work with institutions to create a pipeline of talent.
“Employers often take a short-term view and hire people ‘just in time’ rather than looking ahead, whereas if you expect to have 10 new positions available in two years’ time, why not try to establish a pipeline for talent through local institutions who can connect you with new graduates with relevant skills?”
Panellists also agreed that having internships and work experience in education programmes will also help international students get into the job market when they graduate.
Brett concluded that while all these approaches can reduce barriers, ultimately, a strategy is required – supported by data that is already available in reports such as the Ministry of Education’s ‘Moving Places’, ENZ’s Beyond the Economic and Immigration New Zealand data.
It is an ongoing discussion that will continue to be in the spotlight in New Zealand as the industry works to meet international student expectations of global employability.
- Student Visa Dashboard for July 2017
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NZ-China Tripartite Partnership Programme Update
First established in 2005, the NZ-China Tripartite Partnership Fund is an ENZ sponsored initiative to support the development of diverse research relationships between New Zealand and China. This Fund supports our wider goals to develop strong global connections and highlight the quality of New Zealand education and research.
ENZ is pleased to announce the 2023-24 New Zealand – China Tripartite Partnership Fund recipients:
- “Teaching physical education for the 21st century: Building collaborative partnerships to enhance the teaching of PE in schools” Associate Professor Alan Ovens, the University of Auckland will partner with Beijing Normal University and Gannan Normal University.
- “Identification of molecular biomarkers of pain in red deer” Associate Professor Kevin Lawrence, Massey University will partner with City University of Hong Kong and Qingdao Agricultural University.
- “The Digitalization of School Governance: A Comparative Study of School Governance between China and New Zealand” Liuning Yang, University of Auckland will partner with Peking University and Guangdong University of Foreign Studies.
ENZ also recently caught up with the 2022 NZ-China Tripartite Fund recipients to hear how their Tripartite Partnership research projects are tracking a year on. Professor Nicholas Rowe at the University of Auckland visited their research partner in May to provide a workshop at Beijing Normal University.
Workshop participants at Beijing Normal University
Professor Rowe also virtually presented on their project, Teacher training for creativity and collaboration at the NZ-China Higher Education and Development Symposium 19 May at Yangzhou University.
The research project Professor Stephen Croucher and Associate Professor Ming Li from Massey University are working on with their Chinese partners was recently featured as a case study in a publication commissioned by New Zealand China Council. You can learn more about this Tripartite research project, “Protection of the Endangered Languages and Cultural Diversity in West China: A Case study of Miao Minority Language in Guizhou Province, China” in Collaborative Horizons.
Dr Shengnan Wang at the University of Auckland is currently recruiting participants for “The Project Hui: An innovative virtual exchange programme for preservice teachers in New Zealand and China.” Wang will travel to China in October to meet with research partners at Beijing Normal University to discuss publication and future collaboration opportunities.
The New Zealand China Tripartite Partnership Programme is experiencing a surge of activity as researchers between New Zealand and China plan and embark on travel to continue their research.
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What Kiwi employers value in New Zealand-educated international graduates
A new research report published by ENZ looks into Kiwi employers from small to medium-sized (SME) businesses to show what they most value in New Zealand-educated international graduates.
The report, Employer Perceptions of Hiring International Graduates, was launched today at the Global Internship Conference, hosted by the University of Auckland.
The research looked into the hiring practices, pressures and opportunities for employers from SME businesses, which make up 97 percent of enterprise in New Zealand.
ENZ Chief Executive Grant McPherson said the research identified two key areas of New Zealand-educated international graduates’ value to Kiwi SMEs.
“One was the keen attitude of international graduates, which is defined as positively contributing to work outputs; and the graduates’ multicultural energy, which is seen as positively contributing to workplace morale,” McPherson said.
Characteristics associated with a keen attitude include perseverance, earned success, drive and willingness to take on tasks, while those associated with multi-cultural energy include an energising effect and the fostering of creativity and innovation.
“Research we have commissioned previously highlighted the importance that international students place on post-study work and career opportunities and outcomes, and how central this is to a successful overall student experience.
“This research showed that some students find New Zealand poses some challenges in this area,” McPherson said.
The research involved in-depth interviews with SME employers from a range of industries across New Zealand from Whangarei to Dunedin, and a further half-day workshop. The focus was on international graduates who have a post-study work rights visa within current immigration settings.
“There are clearly opportunities to improve employment outcomes for New Zealand-educated international graduates,” he said.
“ENZ is planning to re-define the perceived value of New Zealand-educated international graduates in the eyes of New Zealand employers, based on the research findings.”
Employability is a theme that sits across all three of the goals in the New Zealand International Education Strategy 2018-2030, launched in August last year.
For a full version of the report – see here: Employer Perceptions of Hiring International Graduates.
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ENZ-Enroller partnership looks to maintain capability of schools to host international students
ENZ is subsidising the cost of Enroller’s digital platform for schools for the remainder of 2021 and 2022. The funding will start with secondary schools.
“ENZ is aware that international student departments at schools are busier than ever, managing the increased pastoral care needs of students still in New Zealand,” ENZ General Manager – Partnerships & Marketing, Paul Irwin, says.
A report released by Edified in March showed that international recruitment and marketing in schools is in a state of flux. Due to a lack of travel, schools are relying more than ever on digital marketing – however, support and guidance is needed to support international departments to make the transition to digital.
“Our aim is to support more schools to continue digital marketing, managing enquiries and applications quickly and easily. This partnership will also help ensure that the schools sector is prepared for when international students return to New Zealand,” Irwin says.
ENZ and New Zealand company Enroller have worked together before on a research project that was completed in 2019.
That research indicated Enroller was incredibly useful to both schools and agents. 90 per cent of schools who participated said it was a more efficient way of processing student enrolments, saving them between two and three hours’ of work per student enrolment. Of the education agencies surveyed nearly 70 per cent said that Enroller made it easier to submit and manage applications to NZ schools.
The next step of that research project will continue with the 2021 partnership.
“We’re excited to be able to offer additional support to schools and continue the work that ENZ and Enroller began in 2018.” CEO and co-founder of Enroller, Michael Barry, says.
“The NZ school sector is hurting – It has been a long and uncertain 12 months for many. The extension of this research project will enable multi-tasking international departments, and their education agency partners, the additional digital capability and resource that they need to manage the rebuild of their international student roll, cost-effectively.”
Representatives from ENZ and Enroller are looking forward to sharing more on the partnership at Enroller’s upcoming virtual roadshow for current Enroller clients. The webinars will take place at 2:00pm on 25 May and 11:30am on 26 May.
Other interested schools can request a pack of information – please contact ENZ Business Development Manager Mary Camp (mary.camp@enz.govt.nz) for more information.
- Vietnam NZ
- IMG 1512
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Education New Zealand hosts first-ever NZ-China Education Week
Early Childhood Education Symposium
The inaugural New Zealand-China Early Childhood Education Symposium with China Centre for International People to People Exchange (CCIPPE), an agency under the Ministry of Education of China, was well-received by the audience of over 1,000 people.
ENZ General Manager – International, Lisa Futschek, provided opening remarks alongside distinguished officials from China who expressed support for the dialogue around ECE to continue between our two countries.
“It was very moving to hear Deputy Director General Xiaochun YANG speak te reo Māori in his closing remarks,” ENZ Director – Greater China, Miranda Herbert, said.
“The ECE Symposium highlights the special relationship between New Zealand and China and our long history of engaging in bilateral dialogue in a variety of education related fields to learn from each other.”
Educators tune into the ECE Symposium.
Part of the success of participation was due to CCIPE’s social media post which attracted over 8000 reads (pre-event). CCIPPE article with photos: 2020中国-新西兰学前教育研讨会在线成功举办 (qq.com)
The entire symposium was bilingual – no small feat in a virtual environment. ENZ used subtitles on pre-recorded presentations, interpretation for the live speakers and engaged a bilingual MC with experience in the ECE field.
University of Auckland Associate Dean International – Faculty of Education and Social Work, Marek Tesar, presented a session at the symposium titled “How ECE Teachers Shape Our Children: Fostering Quality ECE Teachers—Formal Education and Professional Development."
“A fantastic event, which brought together an interdisciplinary group of people to discuss the important topic of early childhood education. It has emphasised the many opportunities for ongoing collaboration between New Zealand and China and I hope that this is the first of many such symposia – hopefully in person next time!” he said.
Watch the recording
To view the recorded symposium, please log back into your ECE Symposium Attendee Login. Didn’t have a registration? Choose Attendee Registration and complete the registration on this website: https://event.dragontrail.com/NZedu/en
Once logged in, navigate to Floor Plan and click “Education Symposium 2020”
Then you will see this screen to click “Playback”
The Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) present at Sino-New Zealand Higher Vocational Education.
8th Sino-New Zealand Higher Vocational Education Conference
This year’s Sino-New Zealand Higher Vocational Education conference moved to a virtual platform this year which enabled continued dialogue between New Zealand and China.
Over three half-days, it focused on challenges and innovations in online learning and international collaboration for managers, teachers and researchers in vocational education and training.
Conference organisers, Wintec and co-organiser, Skills International worked closely with China partners Tianjin Light Industrial Vocational Technical College, Qingdao Vocational Technical College and Central Institute for Vocational Technical Education to deliver an engaging event for the live audience in Tianjin and the virtual attendees.
Agent Seminars
The Agent Seminars reached an audience of 500 attendees from across the Greater China region over two days.
Agents were welcomed by New Zealand’s Ambassador to China, H.E. Clare Fearnley, heard from Immigration New Zealand, Tourism New Zealand, and even learned how to order a green tea in te reo Māori.
With over 44 New Zealand institutions and regions exhibiting in the virtual exhibition hall, agents were able to connect through the virtual meeting rooms to have one-on-one conversations. ENZ trialled a virtual conferencing platform created for the China market that allowed our Chinese agents to join via WeChat and tailor their view to local language.
ENZ wants to thank all the exhibitors, presenters and attendees who participated in New Zealand Education Week to help make it a success and we appreciate your adaptability to a China-friendly virtual platform.
ENZ has received great feedback from both sides on the programme and future partnership opportunities – there is a strong desire to continue dialogue.
Watch the recording
Note, the Agent Seminars were over two days and the majority of presentations are in Chinese language.
To view the recorded seminars, please log back into your Agent Seminars Organization or Attendee Login.
Didn’t have a registration? Choose Attendee Registration and complete the registration on this website: https://event.dragontrail.com/NZedu/en
Once logged in, please navigate to Floor Plan and click “Agent Seminar Presentations”.
Then you will see this screen to click “Playback” for either 25 or 26 November.
- Wellington workshop
