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Aminat chases sustainable energy dream for Nigeria
The former maths teacher and electrical engineering undergraduate has recently returned home to Nigeria after studying renewable energy at the University of Otago’s Energy Research Centre. She completed both a post-graduate Diploma and a Master’s of Science in Energy, Science, and Technology.
“It has always been my dream to study abroad, and New Zealand made my dream come true because I wanted to study renewable energy,” she says.
Manaaki scholarship key to education opportunity
“New Zealand is one of the top five countries in the world which excel at renewable electricity generation, and it is important to study in a country where you can get practical experience.”
Aminat says that the cost of international education overseas is beyond the reach of most people in developing countries, but that her experience was made possible through the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships, funded by the New Zealand government. When she applied in 2018, she was one of only a small number of students accepted from Africa “so it was a big deal for me”.
And so was getting here. “It was my first experience travelling overseas, my first time on a plane, my first time in a new country.”
But she says she was grateful for the orientation programmes available and quickly felt at home both at university, and in Dunedin. “Just two months after I arrived, the Christchurch mosque shooting happened, and the support I got from my neighbours, my colleagues, and my lecturers was amazing.”
Energy poverty drives study choice
Aminat says she is motivated to study renewable energy because of where she comes from.
“I wanted to study something would allow me to improve my own country. Every economy depends on a reliable power supply and in Nigeria we have nationwide blackouts regularly. We need to buy petrol to run generators. Most people have generators in their homes, even in the cities.
“If you don’t have adequate reliable power, it holds back every aspect of the economy and makes it very difficult for businesses to succeed. It affects everything - manufacturing, schooling, farming. You can’t even freeze excess seasonal crops, so most of it goes to waste.”
A European Union report released last year titled “Time to make energy poverty in Africa a thing of the past”, backs up what Aminat says. It found that nearly 800 million people globally live without access to electricity, about 600 million of them in sub-Saharan Africa.
“In a world of deepening inequalities between the haves and have-nots, this is a glaring injustice, the report says. “Africa is the world’s premium location to harness solar energy and is already demonstrating that a cleaner path is possible.”
“Renewable energy is a passion for me,” Aminat says. “We need to talk about renewable energy for the future in Africa. And the future is now.”
By coming to New Zealand, Aminat says she saw the potential of what can be achieved with a reliable power supply.
Her research, supervised by Associate Professor Michael Jack, explored how to use domestic hot water cylinders for energy storage in microgrids comprised of clusters of households with solar photovoltaic supply. “It’s definitely achievable but needs more research and I’m very keen to take it further.”
International education more than classroom learning
Aminat says studying in New Zealand was “the best-ever experience”, with excellent university facilities and approachable staff always ready to offer help and support.
“Studying in New Zealand has given me a voice. It has expanded my horizons, made me more informed, and opened doors for me. People are keen to listen to you when you talk. When you’re looking for a job, an international education experience makes you stand out.”
“Studying in New Zealand has given me a voice" - New Zealand international student and Manaaki scholar Aminat Razaq
While the quality of education is essential, Aminat says it’s also about what you learn beyond the walls of a classroom. “You learn a different culture, and you are given the opportunity to explore your chosen field of study and gain another perspective. By offering scholarships, you are also helping the country the students come from.”
For any students considering New Zealand as a study destination, Aminat says “don’t think twice”.
“New Zealand is probably the most peaceful place in the world, it has all the facilities you need to study, the researchers are top notch, and the people are welcoming.”
While studying in New Zealand has fulfilled one of Aminat’s dreams, she is already working on another one. “My new dream is to set up my own energy consultancy company and I’m sure I will achieve it. All the positive experiences I have had in my education will take me there.”
And she hasn’t ruled out a return trip to New Zealand. “I am considering studying for my PhD. I loved everything about studying in New Zealand and would love to come back.”
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Around the world in five
Canada
A new report by Statistics Canada has revealed international graduates typically earn less than their Canadian peers and are more likely to work in sales and services industries.
Australia
A new study into the perceptions of immigrants and immigration policy preferences led by The Australian National University (ANU) has found that Australians want less migration but also hold “large and often contradictory misperceptions”. At the same time, support for international students remains steady.
Africa
ICEF Monitor has analysed mobility patterns in East Africa, noting the growing emphasis on arrangements and frameworks that are beneficial for both sending and receiving countries.
United Kingdom
A UK public opinion poll has shown support for international students and for maintaining or increasing current numbers, with most voters not viewing students as migrants.
India
India’s University Grants Commission has introduced several higher education reforms over the last four years in keeping with the National Education Policy 2020.
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Allocation priorities for student visa applications
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has changed the way they allocate international student visa applications from students in New Zealand, so they have more flexibility and can process these applications more efficiently during the summer processing peak.
INZ’s allocation priorities change from time to time to reflect current demands and will be posted on their website. You can view these allocation priorities here.
Tuition fee receipt reminder
When a student is in New Zealand (onshore) and submits an application for a student visa, it is a requirement to provide a tuition fee receipt with the application at the time of submission.
The approval in principle process is not available for students who are in New Zealand. Any onshore application should include evidence a student:
- has paid their tuition fees in full for one year or one programme (whichever is shorter); or
- that they are exempt from paying tuition fees and their education provider has confirmed this.
If the receipt is not provided with the application, then it has an impact on the processing and the application takes longer to be processed. For more information, you can find INZ's Student visa application information sheet for continuing international students here.
International education data
Every year, INZ publish data on the offshore student visa approval rates and application volumes for education agents by market. They also publish the overseas student visa application decision data broken down by country.
Updated data for 2024 has now been published: View this data here
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- Around the world in 24
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Thailand retention campaign launches to encourage long-term study in New Zealand
ENZ Thailand has launched a retention campaign to encourage students from Thailand who have previously studied here to return to New Zealand for further study.
Students who choose to continue their education in New Zealand will be eligible for an air fare scholarship (valued up to NZD $3,000), making it easier for them to travel and transition into long-term study. At least 25 New Zealand education providers have volunteered to subsidise the award.
The campaign has already generated strong interest. It was launched at the New Zealand Summer Pre-Departure Orientation on 1 March in Bangkok with over 240 students and parents in attendance.
The scheme will work with students or education agents providing proof of previous study. Once the students are in New Zealand, they can rebate the air fare through coordination with their agents.
Education providers involved in the campaign:
Universities:
- Lincoln University
- University of Canterbury
- University of Otago
Schools:
- Auckland Grammar School
- Cambridge High School
- Glendowie College
- Hamilton Girls’ High School
- Hillmorton High School
- Kaikorai Valley College
- Lynfield College
- Macleans College
- Massey High School
- Mount Albert Grammar School
- Napier Boys’ High School
- Newlands College
- Nga Tawa Diocesan School
- Northcote College
- Palmerston North Boys’ High School
- Palmerston North Girls’ High School
- Papatoetoe High School
- Pukekohe High School
- Rosehill College
- Waitaki Girls’ High School
- Whanganui Girls’ College
- Whanganui High School
If you are an education provider interested in being involved in future retention campaigns, you can email Jaruwan Pongjaruwat, Programme Manager – Thailand at Jaruwan.pongjaruwat@enz.govt.nz.
