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• Connect roadshow 2017

• Wellington International Student Excellence Awards 2016

  Twelve international students were acknowledged at the inaugural Wellington International Student Excellence Awards, held at Parliament on Friday 14 October. The awards, presented by Deputy Prime Minister, Bill English, recognise the region’s best all-round international students.

  Wellington Regional Economic Development Agency (WREDA) Chief Executive, Chris Whelan, says international students are an important part of New Zealand’s education community, with the awards taking into account academic achievement as well as contributions made in sports, arts and the community.

  “Last year, approximately 7,500 international students studied in Wellington. They not only make a valuable economic contribution, but make an important cultural impact on their school communities,” said Whelan.

  “We’ve developed these awards to recognise the contribution made by individual students.”

  The winners covered a range of ages, from a primary school pupil to PhD student, including:

  To Quan Quach

  As a member of young leadership groups including Vic Crew, Victoria University of Wellington Student Association, Kiwi Mate and AIESEC, To Quan Quach of Vietnam has made a significant contribution to internationalising Victoria University. To is also on the Business School’s Dean’s List for academic achievement. 

  Anamika Nampoothiry

  Hailing from India, Anamika Nampoothiry has made a second home in Wellington, where she currently studies at WelTec, after previously studying at Queen Margaret College. Anamika was awarded proxime accessit in 2015, and a top IB scholar award. She is a dancer and singer, student librarian, and soon-to-be engineer. 

  Yang Xiao

  Currently studying at Onslow College, Yang Xiao from China, has helped organise multiple fundraising and social events to encourage integration within school life and beyond. Yang plans to study at Victoria University before pursuing his dream of becoming a pilot for Air New Zealand. 

  Lothar Krumpen

  Leaving Germany for Wellington’s Scots College, Lothar Krumpen soon made too many friends to leave his new home, and decided to continue his New Zealand study at Victoria University last year. As well as being a top law student and averaging A+’s in his commerce papers, Lothar has represented both Wellington and the New Zealand University hockey teams.

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• Students ‘tell the story’ about international education

  Tips: Involve international and local students in your promotional events. Their personal experiences and insights help to ‘tell the story’ in an authentic way.

  The two students spoke confidently to an audience that included Associate Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Louise Upston, who launched the new strategy. 

  Yufei described how it felt to come to New Zealand, not knowing what it would be like or how he would be treated.  He also spoke about his homestay family, and taking up soccer and surfing.  Hannah described some of the benefits of having international students in her class, and what she has learned from them.

  Education Tauranga Manager Anne Young, who organised the event, said she was delighted with the students’ contribution.

  “Listening to Yufei brought home to everyone just how big a deal it is for a young student to come here from another country, and how important it is for us to look after them well,” Anne said.

  “It was great to hear from Hannah too, about how much international students contribute to learning, in the classroom and outside.”

  If you would like to find out more about the new education strategy for Tauranga, please email Anne Young at anne.young@educationtauranga.co.nz 

• International students awarded for ICT excellence

  Ruslan Levenets, who originally studied law in Russia, came to study in New Zealand in preparation of a career change. 

  “I had some practical skills and interest in IT, but my main motivation for study was to have a strong theoretical background,” said Levenets.

  Ruslan was awarded most outstanding student for the Graduate Diploma in Information Assurance and Security. The award was sponsored by ISACA, an international professional association for IT governance.

  Mike Binkhorst, president of the Wellington chapter of ISACA, believes supporting top students is an important part of building the future of their industry. 

  “We're keen to encourage people into the profession to make a difference in the field. ISACA promotes frameworks and standards in IT to improve governance and security. Education and supporting the next generation is a big part of that,” said Binkhorst.

  

  Alexander Sokolov with Alisdair McKenzie

  Also achieving excellence in IT was Alexander Sokolov who was awarded most outstanding student for the Graduate Diploma in Information Technology. He received his award from Alisdair McKenzie, a member of WelTec’s IT Industry Partnership Committee. 

  “WelTec’s Industry Partnership Committee offers guest lectures, takes interns and reviews WelTec's IT programmes – all so that they deliver what the industry is needing,” said McKenzie. 

  “We work to ensure that the tertiary education sector is harmonised with business and industry requirements.”

  Ian Hunter from WelTec’s School of Business & IT said the involvement of industry associations makes a significant difference to the way WelTec students are taught. 

  “Our students are working on real scenarios and real problems as part of their academic programme,” said Hunter.

• International students learn how to crack job interviews

  The ISA members have attended monthly meetings with the police throughout 2016, as part of an Ambassador programme designed to build awareness of crime prevention methods for students.

  Jessica Phuang, Auckland City District NZ Police Asian Liaison Coordinator, said the mock job interviews were set up to show appreciation for the students’ involvement in the programme, as many of them will soon be graduating and searching for jobs.

  “Some students were taken aback, especially with problem-solving questions which are not common practice in their own countries,” said Phuang.

  The mock interviews were set up in the style of speed-dating, with Auckland Presbyterian Church generously lending its hall for the event.

  Interviewers included school providers, church members, community volunteers, and police Inspectors.

  Each ISA member was interviewed for eight minutes, followed by two minutes of feedback on their answers, their CV and body language – before moving on to the next interviewer. 

  Common feedback from interviewers was that students had a tendency to expose their weaknesses, a cultural practice to demonstrate modesty, Phuang said. 

  “The interviewers encouraged the students to share their strengths, and demonstrated how to do this without being seen as ‘blowing their own trumpet’.” 

  The ISA programme is an Auckland-based police initiative that raises issues connected with safety for international students. The initiative was also launched in Wellington in September.