Search

Showing 10 of 7183 results

  • Around the world in five: News round-up 3 March 2016

    THAILAND 

    The Bangkok Post reports on the pace of progress to reform the education system in Thailand, the impact of this on Thai people and the Thai economy, and the flow on effects of intense competition for international schools in Bangkok. The article states Thailand may now be ready to increasingly look to foreign partners to make progress; the Education Ministry is reported to be working with Cambridge University to reform English language teaching and assessment and talking to education officials in Finland. 


    GLOBAL

    Research in to the regional differences in motivations, goals and behaviours of students seeking to study internationally culminated in FPP Edu Media producing a report that provides insights in to which messages and education offerings resonate in which markets. Download the report here.


    JAPAN 

    This month the Japan Business Federation, Keidanren, has brought forward the national start date for its companies’ rigorous graduate hiring processes, with mixed views to date on the impact for Japanese students studying abroad. From this year the association has advised members to begin interviewing students from June for job offers in October. Encouragingly, Keidanren’s guidelines have suggested companies make allowances for students abroad when hiring. The PIE News provides more detail.


    SAUDI ARABIA 

    The recently appointed Minister Mohammed Al Isa has signaled that the Ministry [link in Arabic] will review a long-standing ban on foreign universities being established in Saudi, and commented that private education will ‘drive the future of the education sector’.


    MALAYSIA

    The Malaysian government has reported that it is on track to meet its goal of attracting 200,000 international students annually by 2020. Earlier this month it announced that all university students will be required to pass English language, currently taught as a second language, in order to graduate from university. The government expects a focus on English languages skills at all levels of its education system will make Malaysia a more attractive international education destination. Read more in The PIE News.

  • Student visa approval rates available

    The list of approval rates for student visas is updated every year by Immigration New Zealand and relates to the change to Rule 18 of the Programme Approval and Accreditation Rules, which was implemented in October 2015. Only relevant student visa categories are counted to produce this list, which covers offshore student visa applications only.

    The rule change brought in to effect different programme entry requirements for international students from countries with a student visa approval rate below 80 per cent. English language entry requirements for international students from countries with a student visa approval rate of 80 percent or above remained the same.

    Organisations have until 2 March 2016 to reflect the updated approval rates. 

  • Pathway visa pilot update

    That is, an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test (or equivalent test) must be submitted by students who:

    • intend to undertake a study pathway that begins with an English language course leading to a programme of study at levels 5 to 8 on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework, and

    • are from a country that has an annual decline rate of more than 20 per cent for student visa applications.

    These students must demonstrate that they only need an improvement of an IELTS 0.5 band score (or equivalent) to gain entry to their intended level 5 – 8 course. For example, if a level 5 course has an English language entry requirement of IELTS 5.0, an IELTS test (or equivalent) must be submitted with a student’s application with a minimum overall band score of 4.5. 

    The English language course must also be completed within a 16 week period.

    Students from countries with a visa approval rate of above 80 percent no longer need to demonstrate IELTS levels.

    Find out more here.

  • Meet the Brazil expert

    Ana took the opportunity to clarify the recently-introduced – and then removed – tax on international education fee transfers and gain insights from Maura on New Zealand’s competitive advantage in the Brazil market.

    Ana: What is the Brazilian Educational and Language Travel Association (BELTA) is and what does it do? 

    Maura: BELTA is a non-profit organisation that works across Brazil. Launched in 1992, it was the first association working in the field of international education in Latin America. Today, BELTA agencies represent 75 percent of Brazil’s international education market. These agencies are committed to promoting, facilitating and delivering education and exchange services (educational and cultural programs of all kinds and for all ages, courses, internship and volunteer work programs), in Brazil and overseas. BELTA is often asked to share its experiences with other countries to help them organize their own associations.

    Besides promoting Study and Exchange Travel, BELTA monitors the standard of services offered by its associated companies, evaluating their performance from both a student and international partner organisation perspective. Only agency partners of the highest integrity and who agree to abide by the Association’s Social Statute and rigid Code of Ethics are allowed to join BELTA.

    Along with the Board of Directors, I am responsible for ensuring BELTA functions correctly, and for representing the Brazilian market to international government and education entities. BELTA is a member of the Federation of Agencies Associations, and I am its president for the next four years.

    The income tax on international transfers relating to educational purposes (such as student exchange programmes) has recently been in the news. The Brazilian government has now announced that it will not charge those transfers. Would you clarify and comment on that? 

    At the start of January the Brazilian government decided to end the tax exemption for payments due abroad. The proposed rate for the new tax was between 6.38 percent and 33 percent. Fortunately, on 26 January 2016, the Department of Federal Revenue published that study abroad programs would be exempt from the new tax.

    Brazilian students are now able to plan their international exchange programs with the knowledge that they will not have to pay this tax. This good news for our New Zealand partners!

    We know the weakening of the Brazilian Real in relation to the American dollar and the Euro has had an impact on the demand for education abroad to those destinations. Do you believe that New Zealand may be a more desirable study destination in the current economic scenario? 

    New Zealand has a big market in Brazil because of the favourable exchange rate and the high quality of the education. The opportunity to work while studying is also very appealing for Brazilian students. All of these conditions combined places New Zealand in a special position as a destination for the Brazilian student. 

    Brazilian students are looking for qualifications that will help them succeed in the challenging job market. They are looking for postgraduate and specialized programs that will position them well in the job market, when the Brazilian economy is back on track. New Zealand is well-placed to fulfil this demand.

    What’s your connection to New Zealand? What’s your view of New Zealand as an education destination for Brazilian students and what advice you would give to NZ institutions wanting to attract Brazilian students?

    I have visited New Zealand as part of my job, visiting a range of education institutions. I have also had the opportunity to visit the country with my family as a tourist. It offers great education and lifestyle opportunities for students and fantastic tourism experiences.

    Students are able to live in a very safe environment, can choose from a great variety of high quality institutions and subject areas, in all kinds of cities or towns. And all within a country with beaches and mountains, fields and farms, with very hospitable and well-educated people.

    New Zealand is a top education destination and I love its people! This is my very personal opinion!

    Institutions wanting to receive Brazilian students should:

    • offer high quality academic programmes and excellent facilities, including accommodation

    • work with high-quality agencies

    • promote the school regularly throughout the year

    • offer good advice on visa processes

    • be open and understanding to the cultural differences between New Zealand and Brazil.

    Find out more about BELTA at http://www.belta.org.br/

  • News and Media Releases

  • Kiwi fashion talent on show at New Zealand Fashion Week in Malaysia

    Students from Massey University, Otago Polytechnic, Bay of Plenty Polytechnic, Whitieria Community Polytechnic, WINTEC and Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology (CPIT) are competing.

    They worked ‘virtually’ in pairs with their Malaysian counterparts to create four distinct outfits, which will be judged by leading New Zealand footwear designer Kathryn Wilson and Malaysian celebrity designer Bill Keith. Each collection will be based on the theme of ‘rejuvenation’ and be inspired by the rebuild of Christchurch city - this year the Week’s theme is the reconstruction of Christchurch.

    The second annual New Zealand Week (11-15 March) in Kuala Lumpur aims to raise New Zealand’s profile in Malaysia including in investment, tourism and education. The week coincides with major education fairs in Kuching, Penang and Kuala Lumpur which will have a strong presence from New Zealand education institutions.

    It is being branded RESTART to raise awareness, and attract Malaysian involvement, in Christchurch’s reconstruction.

    Education New Zealand developed the Virtual Re-Start Fashion Competition to showcase the quality of New Zealand fashion institutions and attract the attention of Malaysian students, encouraging them to come and study in New Zealand.

    More than 2000 Malaysian students studied in New Zealand last year. “The competition is an amazing way to showcase both New Zealand and Malaysian talent, and the fabulous opportunities made possible through the infusion of education and cultural diversity. It’s great to see Education New Zealand using creativity to market New Zealand education. These students represent the next generation in the fashion industry so I am really excited to see what they come up with,” says Kathryn Wilson.

    For New Zealand Week, Education New Zealand worked closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise. Seminars will also be held to promote South Island tourism and investment in the Christchurch rebuild.

     

     

  • Upcoming VAC openings in Jakarta, Singapore and Bali

    From 18 March in Indonesia, and 25 March in Singapore, Immigration New Zealand offices in Jakarta and Singapore will no longer receive visa applications.

    All applications that were previously received by these offices should be sent by mail or courier to the New Zealand Visa Application Centre (VAC) in Jakarta from 18 March, or Bali from 22 April, and from 25 March in Singapore.

    Applications can be submitted to the relevant VAC by mail or in person.

    INZ has more information, including contacts and fees, here.

  • Another 100 Chilean students to arrive in July

    The 100 students will arrive in New Zealand in July and will study at schools around the country.

    Prime Minister John Key, who was in Chile leading a trade mission of New Zealand businesses, says there is the potential for the announcement to “lay the foundations for a regular study programme in New Zealand for high-achieving Chilean students”.

    Education New Zealand’s Santiago office helped secure New Zealand’s place as the country of choice to pilot the “Penguins without Borders” programme and its extension. The programme’s name comes from the traditional black and white Chilean school uniform.

    Last year New Zealand was the first country to be selected by the Chilean Government for the programme.

    Mr Key said “New Zealand’s selection as the pilot country for this programme speaks volumes for the high regard in which our education system is held”.

  • Sports education opportunities opening up in India

    India’s Delhi University women’s football team training with the Asia Pacific Football Academy at Lincoln University is an early example of growing activities between India and New Zealand sports education providers.

    While the Delhi University project is helping building connections at institutional level, there are opportunities emerging across a range of sports education and related disciplines.  

    According to one recent industry report, sports spending in India is outpacing the country’s relatively high economic growth rates.

    India’s Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) has a focus – and a NZ$370 million annual budget – to develop sports in India.

    Every Indian school with more than 100 students is expected to employ a part-time physical education (PE) instructor. When this legislative requirement is fully implemented, millions of physical education instructors and teachers must be trained or up-skilled.

    The Indian government has also said it will setup sports institutes, with private sector support, in every district of the country. Private sector involvement in sports education is on the rise.India is also broadening the types of sports it plays.

    The first edition of the Elite Football League of India (EFLI) kicked off late last year - matches were beamed to 70 million homes across India.

    Based on the current trends in India, and interest from the Indian system, the following disciplines and areas could be explored for opportunities in India:

    • Sports management

    • Physical education in schools

    • High performance centres

    • Sport science and medicine.

    Education New Zealand’s New Delhi office helped Delhi and Lincoln universities and the Asia Pacific Football Academy get their partnership underway.
    For more information contact: Dr Shruti Jain, Project Coordinator, Education New Zealand, New Delhi.

     

  • CPIT graduates share honours in ENZ’s Virtual Re-Start Fashion Competition

    Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology (CPIT) fashion graduates Phoebe Ratcliff-Reid and Melissa McIndoe, with their Malaysian counterparts from Raffles College and the Malaysian Institute of Arts, won first and second prize in Education New Zealand’s New Zealand Week fashion competition held in Kuala Lumpur this week.

    Fittingly, the fashion collection was based on the theme of ‘rejuvenation’ and inspired by the rebuild of Christchurch city.

    Along with CPIT, students from Massey University, Otago Polytechnic, Bay of Plenty Polytechnic, Whitieria Community Polytechnic and WINTEC took part. They worked ‘virtually’ in pairs with their Malaysian counterparts to create four distinct outfits.

    Education New Zealand developed the Virtual Re-Start Fashion Competition to showcase the quality of New Zealand fashion institutions and attract the attention of Malaysian students, encouraging them to come and study in New Zealand. More than 2000 Malaysian students studied in New Zealand last year.

    The winners were:
    •    1st prize
    Phoebe Radcliff-Reid (CPIT)
    Kathryn Lagrosa Rao (Raffles College of Higher Education)

    •    2nd prize
    Melissa McIndoe (CPIT)
    Liew Chee Yeng (Malaysian Institute of Arts)

    •    3rd prize
    Hannah Shand (Massey University)
    Moto Keek Wen Han (Raffles College of Higher Education)

What's in it for me?