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- 2020 Edified Energiser Grants Flyer
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Winds of Change students team up to tackle shared climate challenges
While world leaders continue to discuss how to best tackle global warming, an inspiring group of students is stepping up collaboration between New Zealand and Chile to better understand the problems both countries face, share knowledge, and identify solutions.
The Winds of Change programme, funded by the Latin America Centre of Asia-Pacific Excellence (LatAm CAPE) and hosted by Otago University, is taking a broad approach by drawing in post-graduate students from a range of backgrounds including natural, physical or social science, business, finance, science communication, and humanities.
They are motivated to tackle climate change by developing sustainable strategies in land management, business, and policy-making. Supporting them is a team of talented academics from both countries whose insight and expertise are helping to create impact.
“The Winds of Change participants are extraordinary leaders from diverse backgrounds with a passion for making a difference,” says lead Otago academic Associate Professor Chris Moy.
“Their collaborative work will help inspire communities and drive change.”
Joining forces to reach common goals
Project manager Hélène Eunson says the multi-disciplinary approach is vital. “It is one of the key features and strengths of the programme. We need people who bring a range of perspectives in addressing climate change issues,” she says.
“We have come to realise that the scientists want to learn more about business and policy-making, and the policy-makers want to learn more about the science. We are trying to join forces to reach our common goals.”
Now in its second year, Ms Eunson says there has been huge interest in the six-month programme, which seeks to attract 30 students in each cohort - 10 New Zealanders based in New Zealand, 10 Chilean students based in New Zealand (“Chiwis”), and 10 Chileans based in Chile.
“These young leaders have a real drive to make a change. They volunteer their time and do not earn credits towards their degrees.”
The participants work in small groups on projects based on common interest, to investigate an aspect of climate change, its impact on the environment and communities, and to identify solutions. Their findings are presented at an annual symposium attended by key industry players, researchers, embassy representatives, and past participants.
The Winds of Change programme includes a series of workshops hosted by a range of expert speakers from both countries including business owners, industry experts, and academics studying climate change.
Pacific partners help shape future solutions
By studying the common climate change impacts that New Zealand and Chile are facing, the students are not only helping to shape future solutions, but also to build relationships with a key Pacific partner and enhance economic and social wellbeing in both countries.
Projects undertaken by the participants have tackled wide-ranging issues including wetland restoration, wildfires, water scarcity, rising sea levels, diversity in agriculture, and renewable energies.
Ms Eunson says the concept of global citizenship is a strong theme which runs through the programme. “The participants share experiences from their own countries and help to create bonds with each other by bringing their different perspectives to the table.”
Being involved in the programme has been a profound experience for many of the participants.
“Often, if you think as an individual about environmental issues, you don’t feel as though you can achieve much, but when you see all these people together with the same objective, you feel really powerful to make change,” says Julia Harvey, who grew up in Invercargill.
“Meeting people from different backgrounds with a common interest has provided a unique opportunity to learn about sustainability in both countries,” says Javiera Otero, originally from Villa Alemana, Chile, but currently living in Napier.
“This experience has given me hope for the future, as there are people out there who want to make changes to live a more compatible life with the planet.”
Winds of Change programme builds credibility and impact
Winds of Change is quickly building its network and outreach. “As we build the credibility of the programme, we will start to see long-term impacts,” Ms Eunson predicts.
This new generation of leaders is already anticipating a future of global collaboration. In last year’s first post-programme survey, participants identified the most important benefits as “building networks, connections, and relationships”, and “having confidence to work in a transnational team”.
LatAm CAPE Director Matthew O’Meagher says he looks forward to the ongoing expansion of the programme to include other partners, and ideally other nations in Latin America. “In this way we can continue to provide the best opportunities for our talented young New Zealanders to engage internationally on innovative scientific, sustainable business, and policy-focused, solutions to climate change.”
Dr Moy agrees. “Our future depends on culturally-aware young leaders that can think globally and work collaboratively to tackle climate change impacts.”
Learn more about the Winds of Change programme on the LatAm CAPE website.
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Introducing NauMai NZ
ENZ Chief Executive Grant McPherson is pleased to announce the launch today of a new digital platform, NauMai NZ, to support international students as they transition to a new culture and life in New Zealand.
NauMai NZ reflects the Māori concept of manaakitanga, Grant said.
“Our culture of care and respect for all visitors is incredibly important. We are therefore delighted to launch this first phase of NauMai NZ, which supports the first six months of the international student journey, a time when students need extra help.
“We are proud that the majority of students have a fantastic, often life-changing, time in New Zealand. We want this to be the case for every student.”
The content and design of NauMai NZ is the result of research-based insight. It includes advice on working in New Zealand, culture and lifestyle, accommodation, healthcare and wellbeing services.
“Students have been telling us that they need to know where to get reliable, up-to-date information about living and studying in New Zealand, and NauMai NZ provides this.
“This is a generation that is online 24/7 – and NauMai NZ has been designed to provide useful information at their fingertips.”
The first phase of NauMai NZ provides a trusted government source of information that students need in a clear and accessible way. Ultimately, the platform will provide personalised support for students throughout their study, extending beyond graduation to work and a career.
“It is a privilege to host visiting students and we all have a responsibility to look after them.”
The New Zealand International Education Strategy 2018-2030 was launched in August 2018. NauMai NZ aligns with an action in the Strategy – to improve the availability of clear, timely and customer-focused information about education and immigration to students and providers.
NauMai NZ also embodies the objectives of New Zealand’s International Student Wellbeing Strategy by providing content connected with the social, cultural, community, health and wellbeing needs of international students.
The development of NauMai NZ is being led by ENZ in collaboration with Immigration New Zealand, Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, Ministry of Education, and the New Zealand Qualifications Authority.
The platform is fully integrated with ENZ’s wider digital ecosystem, including its platform and analytics capability, providing a new layer of support for the international student journey.
Visit NauMai NZ here: https://naumainz.studyinnewzealand.govt.nz/
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- Scholarship information session Viet Nam1
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- Senior Advisor Stakeholders and Governance September 2017.pdf
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From the CE: Keeping the focus on NZ
Kia ora koutou,
It’s July and in New Zealand the middle of winter. Halfway through the year it’s a good time to reflect on how far we have come in a rapid six months. My first reflection is that it is great to have international students back in our communities, lecture theatres and classrooms. Since the borders reopened, we’ve seen good volumes of student visa applications, and those applications are reflected in steady growth in enrolments. While some parts of sector are doing better than others, the big picture is that learners are considering and choosing New Zealand as the place to come for a quality international education.
Having travelled to India, the US and Canada, and most recently China, alongside sector representatives, we should not underestimate how important this awareness and preference is. International education is hugely competitive. Competitors like Singapore and Ireland are not sitting still and we, collectively, need to keep New Zealand in front of the high-value students we want to attract.
In my opinion, the Prime Minister’s visit to China did just that. Education was a significant part of the itinerary and its importance as part of the bilateral relationship was mentioned in almost every engagement with the Government of China. The Prime Minister delivered an address at Peking University, and he had the opportunity to meet with alumni in a more informal environment. We also saw excellent coverage of the visit in key China media. China is an important partner market for New Zealand, and this was a very successful visit. A word of thanks to everyone involved in its organisation, the sector members of the delegation who travelled and everyone who participated. I know it was a mammoth task.
Another reflection I have is how pleasing it is to see young New Zealanders getting out into the world again as Prime Minister’s scholars. Reciprocity, as I am reminded when I am in market, is an important part of international education. Around 171 New Zealanders from 14 groups will travel to Asia and Latin America over the next year as part of the most recent Group round and the second round of individual scholarships will open next week.
As we look to what lies ahead, the theme of next month’s NEW ZEALAND INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION CONFERENCE KI TUA, Te Ara Ki Tua The pathway forward, will provide an immediate opportunity to focus on our future. Thanks in advance to the sector leaders who are speaking or running workshops in what looks to be a compelling programme at our 30th conference. KI TUA is our annual opportunity to get together as one and to listen, learn, discuss and importantly, network. Globally, we are a small participant and to build on the good start of the past six months we must continue to move forward together. I encourage you to attend and I look forward to meeting and talking with many of you in a few weeks.
Ki te kotahi te kakaho ka whati, Ki te kapuia e kore e whati
Alone we can be broken. Standing together, we are invincible
Ngā mihi nui,
Grant McPherson
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