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• From the Acting Chief Executive: Cold temperatures, warm hearts

  Tēnā koutou katoa 

  As a recent “polar blast” bought frost and icy conditions across New Zealand, my thoughts turned to the international students who arrived here in the warmth of summer. Living a long way from home in a different country is challenging enough without being subjected to freezing conditions. The good news is that all our research and everything we hear from our international students is that the welcome and manaakitanga they receive is universally warm. 

  In our Student Experience survey of 4,755 international students from the end of last year, more than 70 nationalities, 84 percent rated their overall experience positively, while another 83 percent said they would recommend New Zealand as a study destination.  

  Last Wednesday, along with our Chair, Tracey Bridges, we appeared before the Education and Workforce Select Committee comprising nine Members of Parliament. This happens every year. As a government agency it is part of reporting to Parliament. I am extremely heartened by the level of interest all the committee members had in international education. It is good to know the sector has advocates within Parliament. 

  Tracey has recently returned from Singapore, Thailand, and the Philippines as a member of the business delegation supporting Prime Minister, Rt Hon Christopher Luxon. Education was a big part of the Prime Minister’s itinerary, and it was great to have Tracey in the delegation. Throughout the entire trip we took every opportunity to emphasise the benefits of international education to the Prime Minister. A good example was in Thailand where ENZ hosted a series of engagements, including the New Zealand Alumni Networking Event. At this event the Prime Minister met 25 accomplished New Zealand alumni, who have made substantial contributions to the bilateral relationship between New Zealand and Thailand. You can read more about the visit in our E-News article here.  

  New Zealanders going offshore for an experience is an important part of international education and ENZ’s work. It is pleasing then to see 60 applications for the group round of the Prime Minister’s Scholarship for Asia and Latin America that closed 19 April 2024. Of the 60, 22 were for Latin America and 38 for Asia. The applications are being assessed and successful scholarship recipients will be determined in a few weeks’ time.  

  In summary it has been, as it always is, a busy and productive month across international education. May will be no different. 

   

  Waiho kia pātai ana, he kaha ui te kaha 

  Let the questioning continue; the ability of the person is in asking questions. 

   

  Keep warm everyone. 

   

  Dr Linda Sissons
  Acting Chief Executive

   

• New Zealand top of the world in university sustainability stewardship

  New Zealand universities have come out on top of the world for sustainability stewardship in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024. 

  New Zealand universities’ approach to sustainability and equality has been announced as world-leading by Times Higher Education (THE) in its most recent Impact Rankings (2024). The stewardship rankings saw New Zealand score an average of 85.3 to come out ahead of Australia (84.4) and Hong Kong (81.9). All eight New Zealand universities participated in the rankings. 

  Now in its sixth year, the Impact Rankings is the only ranking system in the world that measures universities’ contributions to the United Nations’ Sustainability Goals (UN SDG’s). The Rankings assess the commitment made by universities to sustainability across four broad areas: research, stewardship, outreach, and teaching.  

  In topping the table for sustainability stewardship, New Zealand’s universities have scored well against indicators such as tracking food waste and having sustainable food choices on campus (SDG 2), the proportion of senior female academics (SDG 5), having water reuse policies and measurements (SDG 6), ensuring energy efficiency with renovations of buildings (SDG 7), and guaranteeing a living wage (SDG 8). 

  New Zealand universities also came second equal in the world against sustainability outreach, meaning high scores were achieved for contributing to policies addressing poverty (SDG 1), collaborating with health institutions (SDG 3), providing programmes for the local community to learn about energy efficiency (SDG 7), participating in cooperative planning for climate change disasters (SDG 13), and providing expert advice to government (SDG 16). 

  ENZ’s Acting Chief Executive Dr Linda Sissons welcomed the results and said the global recognition for New Zealand’s universities working hard to make a positive impact in the face of pressing environmental and social challenges world-wide was significant.   

  “New Zealand’s education system is guided by Kaitiakitanga (the Māori concept of guardianship). This principle instils a deep sense of connection to our land and a commitment to ensuring its health and vitality for future generations.  

  "Kaitiakitanga informs the approach taken by our universities to resource management, conservation, and sustainable development that all contribute to the UN’s SDGs particularly in the areas of food security, bioenergy, sustainable urban development, and climate change,” said Dr Sissons. 

  Dr Sissons added “It is incredibly positive to have our approach to sustainability stewardship and outreach recognised as world leading. This is particularly important to us as we know that students around the globe are increasingly prioritising environmental and social responsibility and choosing to study at institutions that align with their personal values.” 

  In this year's Impact Rankings, a record 2,152 universities from 125 countries/regions were assessed. Progress is measured for each of the individual 17 SDGs, and across the goals as a whole. View the full Impact Rankings 2024 results here.  

   

  Top countries/regions for sustainability stewardship in THE’s Impact Rankings 2024  

  Country/region	Number of ranked universities	Average stewardship score
  New Zealand	8	85.3
  Australia	21	84.4
  Hong Kong	5	81.9
  Ireland	8	81.4
  Canada	24	80.5
  United Kingdom	68	79.7
  United States	46	69.1
  South Korea	24	67.9
  Belgium	5	65.2
  Netherlands	6	64.5

  Note: Table only includes nations with five or more ranked universities. Credit: Times Higer Education Rankings 2024 

   

  Top countries/regions for sustainability outreach in THE’s Impact Rankings 2024  

  Country/region	Number of ranked universities	Average stewardship score
  Hong Kong	5	81.4
  New Zealand	8	80.4
  Canada	24	80.4
  Australia	21	80
  Ireland	8	76.4
  United Kingdom	68	75.6
  Belgium	5	71.9
  Germany	8	68.1
  South Korea	24	67.9
  Netherlands	6	66.2

  Note: Table only includes nations with five or more ranked universities. Credit: Times Higer Education Rankings 2024 

   

  For further information 

  Stephanie Morison, Senior Communications Advisor,  

  Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao 

  Stephanie.Morison@enz.govt.nz | +64223020104  

   

  Notes to Editors:  

  About Education New Zealand (ENZ) https://www.enz.govt.nz/   

  Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) is the government agency dedicated to helping Aotearoa New Zealand realise the social, cultural, and economic benefits of international education. Our role is to promote New Zealand as a high-quality education destination offering excellent education and students experiences and to encourage New Zealand students to study overseas. 

  With approximately 110 staff in 16 locations around the world, ENZ works closely with New Zealand’s diverse education sector which includes schools, English language providers, Private Training Establishments, Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics (Te Pūkenga), and universities. Internationally, we work with a range of education stakeholders, including government agencies and education providers to identify and encourage sustainable growth opportunities for New Zealand’s education sector.    

• Naluri April agents event

• Visit to Education New Zealand to learn about the digital marketing programme

• MSNZ MP 2

• 703380 5079 Dunedin Homestay 1976

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• Raising the profile of NZ’s PTEs with China education agents

  In China, large education agencies play an important role in raising the awareness of a New Zealand education to prospective students and their families. For this reason, 10 director-level representatives from the largest Chinese agencies were invited to join a Famil tour by Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) to demonstrate in person how New Zealand offers a modern, high quality and sophisticated learning environment for Chinese students.  

  In early May, the group visited education providers in Dunedin, Invercargill, and Auckland with a full and varied programme including visits to high schools, a primary school, universities, institutes of skills and technology, and private training establishments. There were also several cultural and tourism activities planned as well as networking events with economic development agencies, private training establishments and English language schools.  

  A key part of the Famil was the networking function held at the end of the week of activities at Media Design School in Auckland, providing a platform for New Zealand’s Private Training Establishments (PTEs) and English Language Schools (ELS) to engage directly with the visiting agents. Representatives from 24 providers from Auckland, Christchurch and New Plymouth attended the event.   

  

  ENZ’s General Manager Māori, Ed Tuari, welcomes the guests to Media Design School with a mihi and welcome.

  The event included opening remarks by ENZ’s General Manager Sector Engagement and Innovation, Wendy Kerr, who reiterated to the education agents that New Zealand’s PTEs and ELS play a vital role in New Zealand’s international education ecosystem.  

  “Our PTEs and ELS are renowned for their innovative programs, real world and practical approach and strong commitment to student success and employability.  

  These institutions equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive as global citizens in today’s interconnected world.” 

  

  ENZ’S General Manager Sector Engagement and Innovation.

  On behalf of ENZ, Wendy also expressed her appreciation to the agents for their ongoing collaboration and support, saying that the agents’ promotion of New Zealand PTEs and ELS opens doors for Chinese students to access world-class education and invaluable international experiences. 

  A panel discussion took place, focusing on the opportunities and challenges in the China market, featuring three directors moderated by Ruth Cooper, Country Director New Zealand of Media Design School and QTI co-Chair.  

  During the panel discussion, the agents suggested that providers could enhance their promotion efforts in China by highlighting employment opportunities and utilising Chinese social media to share the most up-to-date information. 

  

  Ruth Cooper, Country Director New Zealand of Media Design School and QTI co-Chair (left) facilitates a panel discussion on the opportunities and challenges in the China education market.

   

  

  With the formalities out of the way, our education providers had the opportunity to mix and mingle with the education agents.

   

• New Zealand education on the world stage at NAFSA 2024

  More than 8,500 international education professionals descended on New Orleans to take part in the 76th annual NAFSA Association of International Educators (NAFSA) conference from 28 to 31 May. Due to its scale, the conference is an important strategic platform for New Zealand in raising brand awareness for our international education offerings. 

  This year, the New Zealand Pavilion featured imagery from ENZ’s new brand campaign Learn New Every Day. The pavilion provided an eye-catching focal point to showcase the New Zealand education brand, our education products and services and proved a friendly meeting point for the hundreds of meetings and engagements held over the course of the week.  

  With an audience of thousands of international education professionals in one place, the University of Otago harnessed the opportunity to launch its new brand. Jason Cushen, Director – International from Otago said that NAFSA was the perfect place to launch amongst our global partners and friends, the university’s new tohu (symbol) and Te Reo Māori name, Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka, a metaphor meaning A Place of Many Firsts. 

  

  ENZ’s NAFSA team at the celebration of the international launch of the University of Otago’s new brand and Te Reo Māori name – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka. From left to right: Natalie Lulia, Associate Director of Engagement North America, DuBois Jennings, Director of Engagement North America, Amy Rutherford, Regional Director for Americas, Middle East and Europe, Ben Burrowes (Regional Director for Asia, excluding China and Acting General Manager International), and Janine Huxford, Manager, Global Events and Education Agents.

  To open New Zealand’s participation at the event, ENZ and all eight universities co-hosted a networking event ‘The New Zealand Experience’. Welcome remarks were shared by Amy Rutherford, ENZ’s Regional Director for Americas, Middle East, and Europe and Counsellor (Education) with Distinguished Professor Jacinta Ruru, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Māori at the University of Otago, as MC for the evening. 

  Amy said that the networking event was an opportunity to celebrate reciprocal partnerships, which form the cornerstone of the New Zealand International Education Strategy.  

  “Key partners and stakeholders from around the globe were invited to connect with our New Zealand education representatives at the networking function. It also gave us the opportunity to showcase and celebrate New Zealand’s international education with old friends and new and set the tone for a busy and positive week of more networking, meetings, and valuable engagements. 

  “This entire week is incredibly important for amplifying our visibility and credibility as a small but high-value education host country on the world stage. Having a presence here means we can meet face-to-face and build sustainable relationships with a wide range of players in our sector on a scale that, due to our location in the world, we do not get to do every day,” added Amy. 

  

  ENZ’s Regional Director AMEE, Amy Rutherford, with Carlos Enrique Vecino Arenas - Director for International Affairs, Universidad Industrial de Santander and Giovanni Anzola, Director International Relations, Universidad Externado during a meeting with Colombia Challenge your Knowledge at the New Zealand Pavilion. Amy is holding poi which were given as gifts to partners.  

  ENZ also took part in a panel talk called ‘What is indigenous-led internationalisation’? The panel explored how indigenous and non-Western knowledge and worldviews are essential for intercultural learning through the experiences and work of Māori education experts. The panel provided examples of how indigenous ways of knowing and being can enhance intercultural learning and what Indigenous-led internationalisation looks like in practice.  

  Moderated by DuBois Jennings, ENZ’s Director of Engagement North America, the panel of experts included Distinguished Professor Jacinta Ruru, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Māori at the University of Otago, Paulette Tamati-Elliffe, Manager at Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, and Natalie Lulia, ENZ’s Associate Director of Engagement. The session was very well attended with the NAFSA Board Chair LaNitra Berger commenting that the session was incredibly informative and well done.   

  

  ENZ’s Associate Director of Engagement, Natalie Lulia participating in a panel talk called ‘What is indigenous-led internationalisation?’ at NAFSA 2024.

  Natalie said that it was a wonderful opportunity to be invited to showcase the important work that Aotearoa New Zealand is doing within our indigenous internationalisation ecosystem and our unique approaches to international education. 

  “It is not often you get to hear the perspectives of expert voices from iwi, university, and government agencies who are the driving forces behind this work, let alone on an international platform such as NAFSA. 

  “We are seen as a world leader in this area, which is why the session proved so popular and people were having to sit on the floor! I am looking forward to continuing this discussion next week at the British Columbia International Education Week Conference in Vancouver where I have been invited to speak on this topic, alongside the CE for Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi, Professor Wiremu Doherty,” added Natalie 

  Following the success of New Zealand’s participation at NAFSA 2024 it will be ENZ’s turn to host our friends from NAFSA in a few weeks. We will be welcoming Dr Fanta Aw, CEO and Executive Director of NAFSA, and LaNitra Berger, NAFSA President and Chair of Board of Directors, to New Zealand when they will attend the NZIEC KI TUA conference from 6 to 8 August in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington.