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Consultation on proposed changes to Rule 18
NZQA is consulting on the following proposed changes to the NZQF Programme Approval and Accreditation Rules 2018:
- Removing the student visa decline rate from Rule 18. This would no longer be the measure for when prior schooling with English as the language of instruction could be used as evidence of English proficiency.
- To use this provision, international students would need to have either
- a) completed their schooling in New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the UK or the United States; or
- b) been awarded an internationally recognised qualification taught in English such as an International Baccalaureate Diploma or Cambridge ‘A’ Levels.
Dr Grant Klinkum, NZQA Deputy Chief Executive Quality Assurance, says the proposed changes respond to risks that NZQA and Immigration New Zealand have identified in the tertiary education sector.
“The student visa decline does not reliably reflect English language proficiency, and the countries involved had varying levels of quality within their English medium schooling options.
“We believe using prior schooling where English was the language of instruction will be a stronger indicator of English proficiency.”
NZQA is seeking feedback on the proposed changes, including what steps and how long your organisation would need to adapt to these changes, and if there are any other internationally recognised secondary qualifications taught and assessed in English that you would like to see included in Rule 18.
Consultation closes 11 February 2019.
To find out more and to complete the consultation survey, click here.
- Hawkes Bay Economic Impact Reports 2015 16
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International education drives soft power in offshore markets
Former Ambassador to Brazil Caroline Bilkey knows this only too well. She says our strong reputation in international education is a “success story” which pays dividends down the line, as former students happily help to build our profile globally.
In her role progressing New Zealand interests offshore, Ms Bilkey has seen first-hand the benefits of working within networks of local people who studied in New Zealand.
“Not only is their experience in New Zealand a great conversation starter, but it also means you are more likely to be given the benefit of the doubt, and the person may be more willing to advocate your issue with their peers, because they know and like New Zealand, having studied there.”
Trade and business can benefit from link to international education
With more than 30 years’ experience with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and multiple offshore postings, Ms Bilkey knows of countless instances where trade and business have benefited from a direct, or indirect, link to a former international student’s New Zealand education experience.
One such example is an Argentinian-Brazilian woman who returned to Brazil after studying in Auckland, to work for Fonterra and Zespri. Ms Bilkey describes the woman as “able to talk enthusiastically about the New Zealand story behind the products coming in”.
She believes there is something “quite special” about the links built through international education, largely because students are usually young, and their experiences are intense and formative.
Whether it is international students coming to study in New Zealand or Kiwis studying abroad, Ms Bilkey believes that there are many benefits associated with international education, beyond diplomacy, international trade, and the obvious economic benefits.
Positive international education experience opens hearts and minds
There are higher-level, public good benefits, she says. “A positive international education experience contributes to the global good, as it opens hearts and minds and encourages tolerance.”
Other benefits for all of us include the exposure to cutting-edge thinking and breakthroughs resulting from research collaboration between New Zealand and international students’ home countries. “The idea that if you get outside the box and have people coming in with a different approach, that can sometimes generate really positive, new and innovative ideas.”
Ms Bilkey is in no doubt that a positive international education experience in New Zealand boosts our connectivity with the rest of the world by building long-term relationships, enhancing business, opening doors to trade opportunities, and helping shape global citizens, all badly needed in a world facing unprecedented challenges.
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ENZ hosts Kiwi orientation for Tokyo students
ENZ hosted an orientation for 33 high school students about to embark on a year of study in New Zealand at the New Zealand Embassy in Tokyo last Friday.
From education to lifestyle, representatives from ENZ and MFAT spoke to the students about everything New Zealand has to offer.
The students are part of the “Next Generation Leadership” programme organised by the Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education. Under this programme, some 200 high school students in Tokyo are selected annually to receive scholarships for one year of study in the US, Canada, Australia – and as of this year, New Zealand, which will receive 40 students starting February.
The New Zealand study orientation included an interactive Q&A session discussing pathways to New Zealand universities (including ITP and PTE options), outdoor activities available in New Zealand and how computers and technology are incorporated in the classroom. One student made a speech in English during the day, expressing her excitement for her adventures in New Zealand.
Ahead of Japan’s hosting of the 2019 Rugby World Cup and 2020 Olympics, the Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education has been busy working with the city’s school sector to promote international education and student exchange.
To further strengthen its relationship with the Board, ENZ will be securing a new partnership under the Arrangement on Education Cooperation. The partnership is set to be signed by ENZ and the Board next month with a reception to be held at the New Zealand Embassy in Tokyo.
Misa welcoming students to the orientation
Misa Pitt, ENZ’s Senior Market Development Manager – Japan, said the partnership with the Board of Education in the nation’s capital is a significant milestone for ENZ Japan.
“This partnership will provide a fantastic opportunity for us to promote future expansion of the existing student/teacher training programme in New Zealand as well as to support the Board’s new initiative on inbound student recruitment to Japan.
“We look forward to working with SIEBA, English New Zealand and other groups to introduce the exciting new programmes available in New Zealand.”
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Residence Programme Changes
On 12 October 2016, the number of points required to be selected to apply for residence under the Skilled Migrant Category was raised from 140 to 160. Changes were also made to the way applicants prove their English language ability.
You can find detailed information on the changes here.
No changes were made to Post Study Work Visa options.
Once students have graduated, they may want to stay on and work in New Zealand for a while to gain work experience, or even consider staying in New Zealand permanently. There are pathways that make it easier for those graduates to stay, if they meet certain conditions. You can find out more here.
- IMG 1511
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Signing up to a bright future for the Deaf community
A serious encounter with Ménière’s disease partway through his PhD studies was a life-changing event in more ways than one for Arash Tayebi.
The inner ear disorder resulted in him losing the hearing in one ear and facing up to the possibility he could become deaf in the future. Studying at Auckland University, and feeling far from his home in Iran, he says the experience hit him hard.
But Arash turned one of the biggest challenges in his life into an opportunity. He became the driving force behind Kara Technologies, an award-winning start-up using digital sign language avatars to make communications of all kinds accessible to those with hearing issues.
His own situation made him question the noticeable lack of deaf people studying at universities, becoming entrepreneurs, and holding leadership positions in the workplace. “I asked myself if I become completely deaf will I not be able to succeed in study and work?”
Engaging with the Deaf community he learned of the real shortage of teachers of sign language, and the complexities in resolving that. Bringing in teachers from overseas is not the answer because they do not know New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL). Closed captioning, which can automatically caption speech is of limited use as young children cannot read, and existing avatars are not expressive enough for Deaf people.
“I said let’s work together to come up with a solution.”
Turning a vision into reality
What started as a small project with Kelston Deaf Education Centre, now part of Ko Taku Reo Deaf Education New Zealand, ultimately morphed into Kara Technologies. But it took vision, determination, and “mind-blowing” support from people he met along the start-up journey.
"The cool thing about New Zealand is that if you have a vision nobody will call you crazy, they’re here to help and happy to take a risk. That’s fantastic."
“There was so much I needed to learn about running a business. I wasn’t rich, so I needed funding. And as the concept was new, I needed the support of the Deaf community.”
Arash’s first break came when Kara Technologies was named Social Enterprise winner in Auckland University’s start-up business competition Velocity $100K Challenge in 2017, giving him access to seed funding and a mentorship programme. Then there was UniServices, which helps to commercialise promising student ventures through investment, advice, and connections. And in the wider community there was GridAKL, an innovation support community with a downtown campus. “If I had a problem, I could always find someone there who was happy to offer advice,” he says.
Estimates of NZSL users vary significantly, from about 4000 for whom it is a first language to more than 20,000 who have some knowledge of it. Arash and his team are committed to their vision of improving meaningful access to information for the Deaf community, and they are already making an impact.
Kara Technologies has produced a diverse suite of avatars, signed children’s books and a range of videos. It has been recognised many times for its innovative work, most recently being named a 2022 finalist in the Public Good category at the NZ Hi-Tech Awards.
Looking to the future
The team at Kara sees a future where TV shows, bank machines, travel websites, online registration forms, live theatre, social media, gaming, and virtual reality technologies are all equipped with sign language avatars. “We want the daily life of a Deaf person to be as easy as a hearing person,” Arash says.
The company is currently trialling emergency messaging by using a set of pre-recorded motion-captured animations, making it possible to relay time-critical information quickly.
Kara is already attracting interest in the US and Canada, where Deaf advocates are excited by the technology. “They are impressed that a small country can make such a contribution. It makes me proud because I call New Zealand home.”
Arash says it’s hard to believe the decision he made to come to New Zealand to study in 2013 has led to where he is now. “I thought I would probably complete my PhD and end up in an academic teaching role. But I have a company, a team, a vision, and fantastic friends. It’s all happened because of the great support I’ve received here.”
He only wishes it was easier for innovators like him to stay on when they finished their studies. He would love New Zealand to introduce a Talent visa like Australia and Canada have. “If you have a cool project they will welcome you, but in New Zealand, you need to secure a job. I already have a job, but it is in my own company,” he says.
“When New Zealand encourages international students to come here it needs to be able to harness their talent, nurture them, and benefit from their talent.”
But Arash says he would always encourage students to come here. “Take yourself out of your comfort zone and you will meet amazing people. New Zealand is a crazy, creative country which could easily be your second home.”
- India 1
- 9 Oct Tokyo Fair 2
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Around the world in five
US
Hawaii: From holiday destination to educational hub?
A campaign by the Study Hawaii Educational Consortium aims to double international student numbers by 2026. Several countries across Asia as well as Brazil, Norway and Germany have been highlighted as priority markets.
EUROPE
Europe’s ambition to double Erasmus+, boost language skills
The European Commission wants to double the number of Erasmus+ participants by 2025 and ensure schoolchildren within the EU learn two languages beyond their mother tongue.
CHINA
E-sports: How China’s video gamers went from couch to classroom to career
China’s Ministry of Education added e-sports as a new major in higher education last year, and at least 20 Chinese colleges and vocational schools have since begun offering e-sports studies.
JAPAN
English test requirement for university sparks debate
New government plans for reform of Japan’s university admissions examination system will require students to pass a new standardised English test in 2020. The move has sparked strong but mixed reactions among higher education institutions, including over the use of privately run tests.
THE NETHERLANDS
Foreign enrolment in the Netherlands reaches a record high in 2016/17
The Netherlands now hosts more than 112,000 international students, two-thirds of whom are pursuing full degree programmes. In addition, international degree students represented 164 different nationalities, marking five straight years of a trend toward greater diversity.
