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• Digital masterclass a runaway success

  Two New Zealand academics were among the speakers showcasing the latest technological solutions to revolutionise education at this second SEAMEO – New Zealand masterclass.  

  Professor Richard Green from the Department of Computer Science & Software Engineering at the University of Canterbury, who also co-chairs the NZ AI Researchers Association, presented on “AI is Revolutionising Sustainability, Food and Biosecurity”. Dr Suranga Nanayakkara, Associate Professor at the Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, presented on “Kiwrious: Keeping Kiwi Kids Curious”. The other two keynote speakers were from National Institute of Education, Singapore, and Universiti Malaya, Malaysia. 

  The event was broadcast on SEAMEO Secretariat YouTube Channel and targeted policy-makers, government officials, educators, teachers, lecturers at TVET institutions and universities in Southeast Asia and beyond.  

  “The high level of interest in this event reflects the changes that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused in the way we live, work and learn,” said ENZ’s Regional Director, Asia, Ben Burrowes.  

  “A huge part of the attraction of a New Zealand education has been our world-class teaching and learning environment. We have been focusing on teaching 21st century skills within our national education strategy. This includes soft skills enabling our students to become critical, creative and independent learners. Our use of digital technology in the classrooms is also widely recognised and remains a huge focus in our school and tertiary curriculum.  

  “This second Master Class gave teachers and educators in the Southeast Asia region an opportunity to learn more about what a New Zealand education can offer, and broaden their viewpoints on the technological disruptions arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.”    

  Officially admitted as an Associate Member Country in 1973, New Zealand's co-operative relations with SEAMEO include scholarships and provision of experts for SEAMEO Regional Centres. The first SEAMEO-New Zealand masterclass on “Education Technology and Digital Security” was held in September 2021.  

  The 2022 masterclass can be viewed from the following link on the SEAMEO Secretariat YouTube channel https://link.seameo.org/MasterClass/20220524

• The regional network – bright partners

  The full-day workshop was a great way to share regional international education developments and aspirations with the network. The programme included speakers from central government agencies such as the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) and Tertiary Education Commission (TEC), alongside SIEBA, ICEF as well as presentations from regional representatives.

  Simon Anderson, ChristchurchNZ’s Job Ready Project Manager said the day was highly valuable.

  “I was impressed at the positive and collaborative atmosphere from all participants, leading to meaningful conversation and debate throughout.”

  ENZ Regional Project Manager Sarah Gauthier said the workshop was an effective way to better understand how integral our regions are to supporting better profiling of international education across New Zealand.

  The RPP is a strong promoter and enabler of New Zealand’s variety of regional study locations, “while being the platform from where we engage with real New Zealanders about why and how international education is important to all of our futures,” Sarah said.

  “Our Regional Network works hard to develop and promote their points of difference and service provision to international students – so that students can better understand and choose the location that best suits their identity and ambitions.

   “Our regional partners work closely with their local media and stakeholders to tell compelling student stories and other announcements that help their community to really connect with international education and the benefits it could have for them,” Sarah said.

  Regional initiatives like the ‘work ready’ programmes for international students are key points of difference that can attract the students that can become a region’s future talent force.

  If you haven’t connected with the Regional Network – now’s your chance!

  Head here for more information and details.

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• New Zealand-trained astrophysicist receives top honour in Malaysia

  She was awarded the prestigious Commander of the Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia, by Sultan Abdullah at his annual Honours ceremony. It carries the title of Tan Sri, one of the highest federal titles, and is only held concurrently by 250 living recipients. 

  Dr Othman studied physics at the University of Otago in the 1970s and returned for post-graduate study in the 1980s, becoming the first woman to graduate from the university with a PhD in Astronomy and Astrophysics. She then went on to forge a remarkable career in the male-dominated space industry.  

  Colombo Plan Scholar 

  Dr Othman came to New Zealand on a Colombo Plan scholarship. The Plan, a forerunner to our modern development assistance programmes, aimed to promote economic and social development in Asia through education and training.  

  Having fallen in love with physics as a teenager in the 1960s, Dr Othman didn’t discover astronomy or astrophysics until she arrived in Dunedin to study for her PhD in 1974.   

  “There were very few books available at that time and there was not much interest here in Malaysia, but it was very different in New Zealand,” she says. “Neil Armstrong’s landing on the moon in 1969 was a very significant event, but I didn’t think at that time that I would have space as a career. Not in a million years.” 

  Studying in New Zealand opened a world of opportunity for the young, Muslim scholar. Not only did she make a career in the space industry, but she became a leading authority, being appointed the Director of the United Nations Office of Outer Space Affairs in 1999, and the founding director of Malaysia’s National Space Agency in 2002. 

  She acknowledges it has been challenging at times. “It’s been a hard road because I’ve had to start everything from scratch. There was no set path to get to where I am today.” 

  Working to promote science and technology 

  She says her role at the UN was less about science, and more about diplomacy and politics. “How to balance one country’s requirements against another’s. Bringing people to the table together, even if they don’t agree, to try and agree on how to proceed. The other aspect of the job was to see how we could use space to enhance the development of developing countries, especially in science and technology.” 

  It is mostly her work at home for which she has been recognised by the King. As Malaysia’s first astrophysicist, Dr Othman was instrumental in introducing astronomy and space sciences into school and university curricula, advised the Government on space matters, was the driving force behind the National Planetarium in Kuala Lumpur, initiated the country’s National Microsatellite Programme, and headed Mega Science 3.0, the ambitious project to transform Malaysia into leading global player in science and innovation by 2050. 

  Justice and fairness in New Zealand education  

  But it all started as an international student in New Zealand, a time Dr Othman remembers as being both liberating and rewarding. “I particularly loved the egalitarian environment of the university, and that reflected wider New Zealand society.”  

  “There will always be a role for New Zealand in supporting education internationally through its cultural perspective on science,” she says. “There is no hierarchy in New Zealand science – professors treat their students as equals and encourage them to challenge and ask questions. That approach has stayed with me through my career. 

  “New Zealand education also instils a deep sense of justice and fairness.”  – Malaysia alumna and astrophysicist Dr Mazlan Othman.