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  • Schools sector infrastructure a key focus of renewed ENZ-SIEBA partnership

    Under the agreement, SIEBA will provide resources and support tailored to schools, including webinars, workshops and newsletters, mentoring, good practice templates and advice.

    “We hope that this partnership will help schools retain the infrastructure and expertise they’ve worked so hard to build,” ENZ Business Development Manager Mary Camp says.

    “We’re looking forward to continuing our strategic partnership with SIEBA, working together to offer practical ways to support schools and their staff through the next phase of the pandemic.”

    SIEBA played a key role in supporting hundreds of schools through the early days of COVID. From April to June 2020, ENZ enabled SIEBA to provide triage support and crisis advice services to schools across the country, providing advice to manage issues related to the closure of the border and repatriation of international students.

    “We are very pleased to extend our partnership with ENZ and be involved in the important work of helping the school sector be ‘Ready-to-Go’ when students can once again enrol in New Zealand schools,” SIEBA Executive Director, John van der Zwan, says.

    “Special effort will go to providing professional learning and development and support for new international professionals as they join the sector and to provide opportunities for all international staff to explore and prepare for the challenges of working in a post COVID-19 environment.”

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  • International students provide Asia perspective for Canterbury businesses

    The students had signed up to take part in the Business School’s first Global Virtual Micro-Internship Programme, providing them with real-world research and industry experience, while enabling local businesses to tap into the expertise and insights international students can offer of their home countries. 

    A total of 35 mostly Commerce students participated in the three-week programme, working in nine teams across six local businesses which were keen to be involved. They were divided into the three Chinese teams, three Malaysian teams, and one each from Thailand, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka.  

    The programme had a competitive element, with the teams competing for a prize pool of $1500. They were judged on a range of criteria, with the most important factor the extent to which the research was designed, undertaken, and presented in a way that met their client’s needs. 

    Programme meets needs of students and businesses 

    Programme lead Will Shannon, also UC Business School’s Internationalisation Director, was excited to be able to develop the programme with the local business community, saying it met an unfilled need for international students wanting practical business experience, and highlighted the skills they had to offer.  

    The catalyst for the programme was the release of a report by Asia New Zealand Foundation Te Whītau Tūhono in mid-October which found that South Island businesses were keen to expand trade and investment links with Asia, but often lacked the right skills and connections to make it happen.  

    Fifty-seven percent of businesses surveyed identified language skills as a barrier to business, and 51 percent said they lacked knowledge of target markets and relevant organisations in Asia. 

    “We consistently get requests from international students wanting practical experience where they can apply their knowledge to real world problems,” Dr Shannon says. “So, when the Asia New Zealand Foundation report came out, we had the perfect combination of companies needing what international students can provide.” 

    Opportunity for international students to be involved 

    New Zealand’s border restrictions mean that close to half of the Business School’s international students are studying remotely, while others were unable to travel home for summer. This added impetus to the programme.  

    “We’d been looking for ways to engage students here over the summer break,” Dr Shannon says. “And while the offshore students have been catered for with online lectures, it can feel a bit isolating for them, so we have actively sought opportunities to involve them and get them the extra-curricular experiences that they need.” 

    He says it worked out well for all the teams, many of which were a mix of onshore and offshore students, because there were students “on the ground” in Asia who could easily talk to people locally. This added value to the insights that they were able to provide their clients. 

    The businesses represented a range of industries and included a rental car company, a business working in the motorsport industry and specialising in engine modification, a research agency looking to set up an office in Asia, a high-end safety product for the hair and beauty industry, and a truffle company gearing up to export.  

    “The enthusiasm of local businesses to be involved exceeded our expectations, as it’s the first time we’ve done this.”  

    The students had to tailor their approach to meet the varying needs of the clients, with the university providing mentors, workshops, and regular meetings to ensure it was a learning experience and to keep everyone on track.  

    For the New Zealand Truffle Company, co-founders Catherine and Matthew Dwan already knew that they offered a high-end product. They were keen for the students to help them research previously un-targeted Asian markets, likely consumer demand and, importantly, whether Halal certification would be needed in predominantly Muslim markets, as truffles are traditionally searched out by dogs.   

    Assigned to the truffle business was a Malaysian team and an Indonesian team which provided cultural and religious insights in their findings. The Malaysian team even provided a list of guidelines when engaging with businesspeople in Malaysia.  

    The programme proved to be a valuable experience for both students and clients and, based on its success, the university is already considering running it again in 2022. 

    Programme was “experience of a lifetime” 

    "The Global Virtual Micro-Internship Programme was the experience of a lifetime,” says Nuranisa Nabila Binti Zainudin, a member of the winning Malaysian team.  “It provided me with a remarkable opportunity to learn, grow, and unleash my skills both personally and professionally while working for the best New Zealand company with an incredible team.” 

    “We know that international students are crying out for practical experience and sometimes their knowledge and skills are overlooked,” Dr Shannon says. “There was a lot riding on this, but they did what we knew they were capable of, so I think it would be a shame not to build on the experience.” 

    As a bonus, the students have built invaluable contacts in the New Zealand business community.  

    “We know that many jobs come about through connections,” says Dr Shannon. “It is great that the students have had experience of working with local companies in a professional setting, got endorsements for their skills, and will have gained confidence to go out and build their networks.” 

    He believes the programme has highlighted the unique skillset that international students can offer the community.  

    “We have amazing people here ready to contribute.” 

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  • New Zealand and international secondary students to grow cultural competence skills together

    Qualitative research[1] from ENZ concluded that New Zealand businesses who employed staff with cross-cultural competencies found this contributed to a more energising workplace, which helped to foster creativity and innovation as well as other benefits.

    The employers agreed cross-cultural competence was a sought-after skill when hiring staff, leading ENZ to fund the programme for more high school students around the country.

    Grant McPherson, Education New Zealand’s Chief Executive says, “The insights from New Zealand businesses around the benefits of cross-cultural competencies within their teams have been one of the key reasons we’ve taken this initiative to help grow cultural competency, providing an alternative to international school exchange experience while borders are closed.”

    This work supports the third goal of the New Zealand International Education Strategy 2018-2030 to develop global citizens within New Zealand and aims to help both students and teachers develop their cross-cultural skills together with their global peers.

    ENZ and Massey University first partnered with the American Field Service (AFS) in July 2020 to launch a pilot of the NZGCC programme. The virtual programme delivers animated videos, quizzes, assignments and weekly live facilitated dialogue sessions for local and offshore learners to talk with each other online in real time.

    Following the success of the pilot, ENZ today announced a further $380,000 investment to subsidise the cost for 321 New Zealand and 486 international learners to develop cultural self-awareness, empathy for other cultures, emotional resilience and ways to build bridges in multicultural settings.

    18 online modules cover topics such as stereotypes, empathy, dealing with conflict and resilience, and will be delivered to international learners from India, China, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, the Republic of Korea, Indonesia, Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Peru and Chile.

    The newest students to benefit from the NZGCC programme are Whanganui Girls College, Cullinane College, Whanganui High School and Awatapu College pupils. Starting today, 23 Whanganui and Manawatu students will partake in a virtual learning exchange with 20 high school students in Tokyo, Japan, in a partnership with the Tokyo Board of Education.

    Whanganui Girls College principal Sharon Steer says the new programme will help students build their understanding of global cultures – critical ‘soft’ skills that will also prepare them for life after high school as they enter the workforce.

    “An important part of our curriculum is developing strong communication skills and setting our students up for success in the workplace. The NZGCC programme will add another dimension to our lessons by teaching our students how to develop meaningful relationships with one another despite language and cultural differences,” said Steer.

    “This allows our students to connect with peers in Japan and learn more about their culture without having to get on a plane when international travel remains limited.” 

    In addition to secondary school students, the NZGCC programme will support teachers in indigenous communities in Pacific Alliance countries, and people undertaking English language and teacher training in Indonesia, Vietnam and the Republic of Korea.

    Around 100 students from decile 1 to 5 schools across New Zealand will be offered NZGCC scholarships to participate in a virtual exchange with their peers in Asia.

    ENZ’s Chief Executive Grant McPherson said the programme’s expansion is a key part of diversifying education in new virtual forms fit for a globally connected world.

    “We’re pleased to continue our support for the NZGCC programme to bring New Zealand and international learners together in a virtual environment to gain the skills needed to live, work and learn globally.

    “As well as helping to develop the global citizens of tomorrow, this programme demonstrates the reciprocal benefits of international education, giving our rangatahi a chance to learn with high school students from around the world, and giving their offshore peers a chance to learn ‘with’ New Zealand and our unique way of thinking.”

    More information about the NZGCC can be found here:  https://www.globalup.com/

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    [1] https://intellilab.enz.govt.nz/document/583-employer-perceptions-of-hiring-international-graduates

    Notes to editor:

    • Education New Zealand is the government agency responsible for building international education to benefit New Zealand socially, culturally and economically. For more information, visit enz.govt.nz
    • Developing Global Citizens is the third goal of the New Zealand International Education Strategy 2018-2030.
    • Education New Zealand has a focus on developing global citizens within New Zealand, so that more learners gain the knowledge they need to live, work and learn globally.
    • The Global Competency Certificate (GCC) is a research backed programme teaching cultural self-awareness, empathy for other cultures and ways to build bridges in multicultural settings. It is designed by American Field Scholars (AFS), a global non-profit internationally recognised as leaders in Global Citizenship.
    • In 2020, Education New Zealand partnered with Massey University and American Field Scholars to deliver a customised version of the GCC programme to New Zealand students and international students in New Zealand and abroad.
    • One Palmerston North student who completed last year’s pilot summarised the experience as ‘eye-opening’: “The main takeaway was the ability to see life from different perspectives to our own, to understand how different cultures, experiences and beliefs can impact others. Being part of this course has truly opened my eyes to some of these viewpoints and I’ve learned to embrace them with an open mind.”

    Media contact

    Hazel Dobbie, ENZ Director Communications
    Hazel.Dobbie@enz.govt.nz 021 579 917

  • COVID-19 update for education providers

    Thank you for your ongoing support and care for international students at your institutions.

    Please read below for the latest advice from the Ministry of Education for Alert Level 4. For information especially for international students, visit the COVID-19 page on NauMai NZ.

    Advice for COVID-19 cases in tertiary education providers or accommodation

    Read the latest guidance in the Ministry of Education 23 August Tertiary Provider and International Bulletin

    Guidance for school hostels for all alert levels - Ministry of Education

    International students are eligible for COVID-19 vaccination

    As a reminder, international students, as temporary visa holders, are eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine as part of New Zealand's national vaccine programme.

    The Government has expanded the list of essential workers eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccination to include people who work in accommodation services (including tertiary accommodation providers). Children aged 12-15 are also now eligible for the vaccine.

    Full details are available on the Unite against COVID-19 website: COVID-19 vaccines | Unite against COVID-19 (covid19.govt.nz)

    Stress counselling and support

    During this time, it's natural to feel emotionally and physically drained.

    You’re not alone in this and you don’t need to cope on your own. Friends and family members can help you to cope.

    You can also get help and information from:

    • your education provider
    • your GP or local community health centre
    • Youthline at 0800 376 633 or youthline.co.nz
    • Need to Talk by calling or texting 1737

    In an emergency always call 111.

    Information in different languages and the Golden rules for Alert Level 4

    Information is available in a variety of languages on the Unite against COVID-19 website, including Chinese, Hindi, and Japanese.

    The Ministry for Ethnic Communities | Te Tari Mātāwaka have released videos in different languages about the ‘Golden rules for Level 4’. Please  share this link to the videos with your networks to support our community.

    Financial support for businesses

    The Government has activated a range of supports for businesses. Find out what financial support you can get for your business on the Unite against COVID-19 webpage.

    https://covid19.govt.nz/business-and-money/financial-support/financial-support-for-businesses

    Student Hardship for International Learners

    There is also support available for international students which is available below:

     

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