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Supporting PTEs to grow internationally
The recent 2024 ITENZ Conference in September provided the ideal platform for Sharon-May McCrostie, Acting General Manager of Sector Engagement for Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) to highlight some of ENZ’s work to support Private Training Establishments (PTEs).
Strengthening New Zealand’s reputation as a preferred destination for international students studying with PTEs by taking a collaborative approach with the subsector has been key, said Sharon-May.
“This includes how ENZ works with PTEs to develop the subsector by organising roadshows, in-market education fairs, events and webinars. We also have a strong pipeline of activity ahead, working with PTEs through strategic marketing, partnerships, capability building, with a focus on delivering high-quality educational experiences,” added Sharon-May.
The team at the ENZ booth during the 2024 ITENZ conference. From left Business Development Manager, Jane Yang, Coordinator Sector Engagement, Isabella Gunadjaja, Acting GM Sector Engagement, Sharon McCrostie, and GM Māori, Ed Tuari. Ed kick-started conference proceedings with an energising mihi whakatau.
During her presentation, Sharon-May highlighted four key points:
- Expanding recruitment efforts in key markets such as India, China, Viet Nam, Latin America, and the Philippines, will be incredibly important in the diversification of the international student base. This will also be vital in achieving the New Zealand government’s goal to double export earnings from international education to $4.4 billion by 2027 and meeting the student enrolment target of 85,000 by 2024/25 (up from 69,000).
- ENZ conducts targeted marketing campaigns that aim to boost visibility and awareness of a New Zealand education. Providers can leverage ENZ marketing support in their international journey through tools like BrandLab for developing promotional materials and AgentLab for connecting with education agents.
- ENZ provides valuable market insights through IntelliLab, offering data on trends, student preferences, and enrolment statistics to help providers make informed decisions.
- Lastly, to improve the student experience, ENZ provides resources such as NauMai NZ and conducts an annual Student Experience Survey, giving providers insights into how they can better meet the needs of international students.
Sharon-May ended by confirming ENZ’s commitment to the subsector.
“We are committed to providing ongoing support for PTE providers through research, resource and capability building. We look forward to continuing our efforts in supporting the growth of this very important part of New Zealand’s international education eco-system,” said Sharon-May.
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Reminder about education providers’ responsibilities when using education agents
The responsibilities for Code signatories are covered in detail in Section 38 (for tertiary education providers) and Section 58 (for school education providers). Section 38 reads as follows:
38. Process 2: Managing and monitoring education agents
Signatories must have practices for effectively managing and monitoring the performance and conduct of education agents in relation to learner safety and wellbeing under this code, including –
(a) carrying out and recording reference checks on potential education agents to ensure as far as possible that they are not involved in any conduct that is false, misleading, deceptive, or in breach of the law; and
(b) entering into written contracts with each of its education agents; and
(c) during the term of a contract, monitoring the activities and performance of its education agents in relation to –
(i) their obligations as specified in the contract; and
(ii) whether they provide prospective and enrolled international tertiary learners with reliable information and advice about studying, working, and living in New Zealand; and
(iii) whether they act with integrity and professionalism in their dealings with prospective and enrolled international tertiary learners; and
(iv) whether they have engaged in any activity or conduct that, in the opinion of the signatory, is or may be in breach of the law or that jeopardises the signatory’s compliance with this code; and
(d) managing the education agents by –
(i) terminating contracts with an agent if there is evidence which, on balance of probabilities, shows that the education agent –
a. has been involved in any serious, deliberate, or ongoing conduct that is false, misleading, deceptive, or in breach of the law; or
b. has jeopardised the signatory’s compliance with this code; or
(ii) taking appropriate action to address misconduct by act or an omission by an education agent in relation to the other matters described in subclause (c); and
(e) ensuring that its education agents have access to, and maintain, up-to-date information relevant to their duties as specified in the contracts with the signatory.
The full Code is available on the NZQA website here.
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Student Ambassadors build global citizenship skills
Since it was set up in 2021, the programme has involved around 85 secondary and 50 tertiary students in six participating regions – Northland, Auckland, Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty, Hawkes Bay, Whanganui and Wellington. Northland acted as national coordinator.
“International students can sometimes find it difficult to connect with locals, make friends or venture outside their campus,” says Sahinde Pala, GM Sector Services at Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ).
“Language and cultural barriers, hesitation to meet new people, lack of knowledge of opportunities off campus, or budget constraints – many factors can play a part. The emergence of Covid-19 and lockdowns made it even more important to address these challenges, and so we worked with a range of people, including regional partners and Welcoming Communities, to develop the student ambassador programme.”
The programme has developed differently in each region, but with the same shared goals. Another common factor has been the training provided for student ambassadors – the opportunity to complete a New Zealand Global Competence certificate, training in social media, and specially tailored training provided by ISANA NZ.
“Student ambassadors are bridgebuilders and leaders, who create opportunities for students from different cultures to form relationships and learn about each other,” Ms Pala says.
“The ambassadors themselves also gain from the programme, by developing their understanding of cultural differences and learning new skills and strategies that are valued by employers. And regional communities benefit when international students feel valued and connected – they are more likely to remain in the area or recommend it to others.”
The ISANA NZ Student Ambassador Training explores intercultural concepts in an interactive and engaging format that can be run online or in-person. Participants are then able to apply their learning to develop activities and events that help students to connect with the wider community. Debrief sessions towards the close of a programme cycle support students to reflect on what they have learned from being a student ambassador.
“I enjoyed learning about how communication works between different cultures, going over cultural values and how some are visible and invisible and learning top tips to help me improve as an ambassador” – student feedback.
“Our Northland student ambassadors joined the ISANA workshop as a group of excited students interested in global citizenship and finished as a tight knit group of inter-cultural leaders in the school community. They learnt to work together, giving everyone a chance to contribute and respecting each other’s perspectives. The communication and planning skills honed in the workshop, enabled them to run a large-scale ‘Matariki Kai Festival’ event, introducing a range of food from cultures across the school to the students.” – Jo Lees, National Ambassador Coordinator and Project Manager at Study Northland.
Other activities sparked by the programme in different parts of New Zealand have included a Kiwi Cooking Class, an Auckland Weekly video series, international languages week events and Matariki events organised and run by the ambassadors, diplomatic events attended by ambassadors from other countries and an International Students Issues Panel Discussion.
One of the student ambassadors was recently profiled by ENZ: Michael Ren – Award-winning app designer eyes a future in tech | Education New Zealand (enz.govt.nz)
Several regions have indicated they hope to continue their student ambassador programme beyond 2022: Northland, Tauranga and Hawke’s Bay.
“This student ambassador training is much needed, not only for the international education sector but also across wider communities in New Zealand. In fact, I think everyone could benefit from this training if they have not received similar training before in intercultural communications and leadership,” says Wenhua Yang, Regional Manager at Learning Hawkes Bay.
To learn more about the ISANA NZ Student Ambassador Training, please contact: caroline.stevenson@isana.nz
- By Colin McDiarmid 2782 1
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