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Māori and First Nations people connect during University of Toronto visit
18 indigenous students and two indigenous staff from the University of Toronto’s ‘First Nations House’ were invited to Aotearoa New Zealand for a week-long visit at Tirorangi Marae at the base of Mount Ruapehu in July.
The purpose of the visit was to enhance cross-cultural understanding between Māori and First Nations and Métis peoples and is significant as empowering iwi and hapū in the international education space is an important Te Tiriti obligation for ENZ, as an Aotearoa New Zealand government agency.
The visit took place during the time of ‘Puanga’ which is when the single star rises higher in the sky than the Matariki star cluster and is recognised by iwi and hapū that can’t see the Matariki cluster from their location.
Māori and First Nations and Métis people have ’sharing circles’ as a common way to teach and learn.
The group participated in a wide range of activities in the area while staying at the marae. They were then welcomed to Te Whanganui-a-Tara by the ENZ Wellington office, visiting Te Tiriti o Waitangi at Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga and and Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington, before finishing their trip in Whakatū (Nelson) with some adventure tourism activities.
Indigenous students Kieren and Bailey from the University of Toronto sampling Wellington’s outdoors with ENZ's Craig Rofe.
The First Nations and Métis members of the group experienced what living on a marae was like and were also immersed in how a tribe engages with the environment, and how iwi businesses, local council and government agencies such as the Department of Conservation (DOC) operate in the field with iwi partnership.
Iwi people sharing lake Rotokura’s healing power, a wāhi tapu (sacred place) for the local tribe.
Dr Craig Rofe, ENZ’s Kaitohutohu Matua Māori – Senior Advisor Māori, said that during the visit, Māori and First Nations and Métis people were able to compare the similarities and differences of their contexts to grow understand of their respective challenges and successes.
“The First Nations people’s struggles to overcome racism and prejudice resonated with tangata whenua, in particular the intentional elimination of language and the current mechanisms of revitalisation.
“Many stories shared with together showed the everyday trauma that resides in each of us and how, as indigenous people, we try to navigate these obstacles to make a better world for the next generation”, said Dr Rofe.
The trip motivated the students to connect more with their languages and culture upon their return.
Kenzie, from the Mohawk tribe said “when we meet again, I’ll be able to talk to you in my language, I’m declaring it!”.
Katherine from the Eskasoni First Nation tribe said “My experience connecting with the Ngāti Rangi revealed the transformative power of global Indigenous connections. Participating in ceremonies such as Hautapu and visiting Mount Ruapehu was particularly moving. Listening to their stories of ancestral ties to the land and taking part in traditional ceremonies that emphasized community and connection to the environment deepened my own personal understanding. This experience inspired me to initiate conversations with elders in my own community about our traditional land management practices.”
This experience also highlights the important offerings that Māori, and indeed indigenous knowledge, has to offer to international education. In particular, and not exclusively, the deep connection that indigenous peoples have with the environment and therefore natural obligation of care.
First Nation student, Alexis, discovers the origins, medicinal, spiritual and mechanical properties of harakeke (flax).
Sustainable practices and programmes can benefit from indigenous inclusion and perspectives, especially with the large-scale impacts of global warming and general pollution in many countries. The co-governance structure that Ngāti Rangi iwi and DOC work with as part of post Te Tiriti Settlement was used as an example of decolonised solutions within our New Zealand context.
There have been discussions between ENZ, Ngāti Rangi iwi, and the University of Toronto about an ongoing relationship and considering what a reciprocal engagement might look like moving forward.
Nāku te ika i hī, nāku anō i whakatau
Ki te haere, whāia i te Pare-i-te-taitonga, tērā taku ika.
This is a Ngāti Rangi iwi reference to the Ruapehu mountain being the ‘pillar post’ of the ‘Fish’ (North Island).
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ENZ leads NZ university delegation to the Middle East
From 29 April to 8 May, Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) led an education delegation, involving four New Zealand universities, to Oman, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia.
Across the region, the delegation visit focused on engaging with government agencies to promote New Zealand as a study destination for scholarship students, as well as meeting with agents and presenting to self-funded students looking for opportunities to study abroad. In Dubai, New Zealand universities visited international schools that offer strong student recruitment opportunities with expatriate students.
In Oman, the focus was on promoting the New Zealand education offering at the Global Higher Education Exhibition (GHEDEX) in Muscat. ENZ’s pavilion with the University of Otago, the University of Waikato, the University of Auckland, and Massey University attracted strong interest from well-qualified students and their parents, and government and institution representatives.
In Riyadh, the delegation visited Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University (PNU) with representatives from the University of Waikato and Massey University to explore institution partnerships. PNU is a women’s university with 50,000 students (57 percent studying STEM subjects) and its own metro system. The university is interested in broad cooperation agreements covering study abroad, joint programmes, exchange, and PhD, particularly in the areas of renewable energy, computer science, digital media, and sports.
The New Zealand delegation with the Director of International Cooperation and Director of Strategic Partnerships at Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University in Riyadh
Saudia Arabia has a new Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques scholarship programme that aims to send 70,000 students to top-ranked universities by 2030. In the UAE, ENZ met with the Scholarships Office of the Presidential Court in Abu Dhabi to discuss New Zealand as a destination for this prestigious programme. Approval of New Zealand universities by government agencies in Saudia Arabia and the UAE would have a positive impact on New Zealand’s engagement with other government ministries and funding bodies in both these countries as well.
ENZ’s Regional Director Americas, Middle East & Europe, Amy Rutherford, said this delegation visit was a valuable opportunity to engage with senior education officials in Riyadh on this new scholarship programme as well as exploring institution-to-institution partnerships.
“We have emphasised to Saudi officials New Zealand universities’ areas of expertise that align with the subjects set out under the programme. However, getting New Zealand onto the Saudi Arabian government’s list for scholarships will take regular and persistent engagement from NZ Inc partners and education institutions,” Amy said.
“The approval of New Zealand education providers [on the list] would be an important signal of the high quality of New Zealand education and potentially support our involvement in other areas of government funding, such with the National Institute for Education and Professional Development, the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC), or the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Tourism.”
ENZ’s Senior Advisor, Middle East and Europe, Bronwyn Shanks, said the delegation visit was a good opportunity to grow vocational education links and reengage with New Zealand alumni in the region.
“As Saudi Arabia works to diversify its economy and upskill its population in line with Vision 2030, there are clear opportunities for Te Pūkenga. There is a cooperation agreement on the table with TVTC, and the new Wa’ed scholarships pathway is focused on vocational education and training.
“We engaged with many New Zealand alumni who were very positive about their experiences in New Zealand and the opportunities a New Zealand education has created for them. The real excitement recently has been around Rayannah Barnawi, the first Arab woman to go into space, who is a University of Otago graduate,” Bronwyn said.
Read more about University of Otago graduate Rayannah Barnawi
The New Zealand delegation with Ambassador Richard Kay and Second Secretary Jess Minehan-Fitzgerald from the New Zealand Embassy in Abu Dhabi, with officials from the Scholarships Office at the UAE’s Presidential Court
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NAFSA 2023: Inspiring an inclusive future
The theme for this year was ‘Inspiring an Inclusive Future’. The event provided opportunities for international education professionals to reconnect with key partners and discuss new opportunities for international exchanges, identifying indigenous engagement opportunities, developing new partnerships, expanding scholarship opportunities and progressing, diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
University of Otago Director Te Whirika (International) Division of External Engagement Jason Cushen said, "The many conversations and meetings held during NAFSA underscored the range of possibilities and some of the challenges we all face coming out of the pandemic, being able to engage with dozens of partners and potential partners over a matter of days is of incalculable value."
NAFSA was held in Washington, D.C and is one of the largest events in the international events calendar. Around 8,500 registrants and 400 exhibitors signed up to learn about the latest innovations, proven strategies, and best practices in international education.
ENZ Education Counsellor and Regional Director Americas, Middle East and Europe Amy Rutherford said "The size and scale of NAFSA is difficult to appreciate if you haven't attended, but it demonstrates how competitive the international sector is across the world. The New Zealand presence at NAFSA plays an important part in promoting New Zealand's high-quality education offering on a world stage".
ENZ had a busy programme at the conference. ENZ Director of Engagement North America DuBois Jennings co-presented a session on Supporting Comprehensive Internationalisation: National Government Perspectives.
"As we continue to develop the Internationalisation Strategic Framework, the presentation was a great opportunity to share our progress with our partners and colleagues around the world. Doing this alongside the US Department of Education highlighted the similarities and differences of two country’s governments approach to Internationalisation," said DuBois.
"ENZ’s framework will be a first as it will inform how we bring New Zealand international education strengths to the world through a Māori cultural lens." he said.
The conference also was a time of increased connection for ENZ. Texas International Education Consortium (TIEC) made ENZ part of their Preferred Partner Network. TIEC is an association of Texas institutions focused on the development of Internationalisation and education abroad programming. ENZ and TIEC will work together to develop a range of activities that enhance the quality of education and promote cross-cultural understanding between Texas and New Zealand.
ENZ also hosted a networking function at Embassy of New Zealand. Over 300 people were invited from across the international education sector. New Zealand Ambassador to the United States of America Bede Corry and ENZ Chief Executive Grant McPherson delivered opening remarks, with University of Auckland Kaiarataki Pro Vice-Chancellor (Māori) Michael Steedman as MC for the evening.
- Viet Nam card
- Sunshine books prof Wang3
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- Around the world in 10 v2
- March 2016 Student Visa Dashboard
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Around the world in five
Australia
An IDP survey finds that reactions are varied across key student sending markets to Australia’s tighter immigration rules and higher financial requirements and visa fees. The findings suggest, however, that increased financial requirements and application fees could influence the study plans of half (or more) of prospective students
India
In its first full budget since coming to power for the third term, the Modi government has focused on some major funding allocations for different areas in India’s education sector.
Malta
International students are turning to Malta for study opportunities – in part due to a scheme that allows them to earn back the majority of their tuition fees once they start working.
Nepal
Study visa issuance to Nepalese citizens has grown in three of the top four English-speaking destinations.
United States
The Biden-Harris administration in the US has announced actions to speed up visa processing for college graduates who hold job offers, sending a positive signal for prospective international students.
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Aotearoa welcomes New Zealand Schools Scholarships students from Viet Nam
14 high-achieving Vietnamese students will be arriving in Aotearoa New Zealand over the next few months to take up school placements across the country from Kerikeri to Upper Hutt, from Ōtūmoetai to Manawatū.
NZSS is the flagship initiative under the Aotearoa New Zealand School Sector Strategy in Viet Nam. It was launched in 2019 and is exclusively offered to Vietnamese students from Grade 8 – 10. Since its launch NZSS has grown to become a prestigious, top of mind scholarship for local students.
Nguyen Huy could not make it for the in-person Awards Ceremony in HCMC, so we arranged a special meet-up for his family at the Embassy in Hanoi with Ambassador Tredene Dobson, who awarded him with the NZSS certificate.
ENZ’s Business Development Manager, Mary Camp said that the scholarship programme not only offers talented Vietnamese students the opportunity to experience our country’s world-class education but also brings new perspectives and ways of thinking to Kiwi students as they learn alongside international friends.
“Schools in Aotearoa New Zealand are excited to welcome these top scholars from Viet Nam. Previous scholarship winners have had great academic success, made valuable contributions to their schools in NZ, and have gone on to attend top quality universities in NZ and internationally” added Mary.
This year’s award winners were celebrated at a ceremony on 18 June in Ho Chi Minh City where H.E Tredene Dobson, New Zealand Ambassador to Viet Nam opened the awards ceremony and pre-departure briefing and congratulated all the students.
ENZ’s market manager Van Banh (far left) and Guy Lewis, Consular, NZ Embassy in Hanoi, with NZSS award recipients and family members at the awards ceremony and pre-departure briefing.
ENZ’s Regional Director for Asia, Mr Ben Burrowes also congratulated the students via video link and said it was fantastic to have a range of ex-scholarship winners and parents join us to share their tips and advice to this year’s winners.
“ENZ is absolutely committed to its relationship with Viet Nam and we are excited to welcome the NZSS recipients this year. The NZSS programme is designed so that more Vietnamese school students can access a world-class New Zealand education experience. As we saw pre-COVID, the NZSS recipients received the highest quality education and care while they were in New Zealand and that will certainly continue in 2023,” said Mr Burrowes.
A special thanks goes to the VSANZ - Vietnamese Students' Association in New Zealand for its President's presentation on the Pre-Departure Checklist and the NEW tips.
Ms Ha An Nguyen, President of VSANZ, shared useful tips for NZSS students to get well-prepared for the new learning journey in New Zealand.
We wish these students the absolute best for an exciting and rewarding study experience ahead as they start school across the country this week and in the coming months.
