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Around the world in five
IRELAND
Irish gov’t creates group to enhance student wellbeing
Ireland’s government has announced the creation of a new group, chaired by the Union of Students in Ireland, to examine how student wellbeing and engagement can be enhanced at the country’s higher education institutions.
GLOBAL
Why ethical internationalisation is no longer a choice
By catering mostly to rich kids from rich families in the developing world, we surely have to admit that international education in developed countries serves to reinforce the economic inequality and social stratification in students’ home societies.
NEW ZEALAND
Returning student happy with coffee and company
Hannah Mello (29) was the first Otago PhD student to return to complete their studies in New Zealand, under a Government scheme to allow up to 250 overseas PhD students to return the country.
AUSTRALASIA
Spotlight on Australia and New Zealand
ICEF Monitor featured a country spotlight on New Zealand (including the 1,000 cohort announcement and the global pathways initiative) to their e-subscriber base. Recent surveys among agents and students gave high marks – and top safety ratings – to Australia and New Zealand in the wake of the success that both countries have achieved in limiting the spread of the coronavirus.
UNITED STATES
US: first Biden policies will “restore” international student confidence
US education organisations have welcomed Joseph Biden as the 46th president of the US, whose administration shows “encouraging signs” towards a more favourable climate for international education, science, and engagement with the world.
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An update from ENZ’s international teams
Instead, they’ve been taking proactive steps to support and connect with the international education sector safely, in line with local COVID-19 restrictions.
Communicating with stakeholders
For ENZ, ensuring the wellbeing of international students who remain in New Zealand over this lockdown period is a key priority. A factsheet outlining New Zealand’s support for international students has been developed and translated into the languages of key priority markets.
Our teams overseas have been communicating with a range of stakeholders from local government and institutions to providers and agents, and in some cases directly to students and parents to ensure they have the latest information.
ENZ staff have been recommending students enrol on NauMai NZ and asking international partners to pass SafeTravel information on to New Zealand students they may have on campus.
The International team is able to tap into these networks for market-specific insights to help inform the New Zealand international education industry’s next steps during this rapidly-evolving and unprecedented situation.
Anecdotally, the response in New Zealand has been well received overseas. New Zealand’s proactive approach to communications has been noted by partners.
Doing it digital
For our teams offshore, fairs, conferences and other international education events have had to be cancelled or postponed. As a result, they’ve ramped up their online activities.
To share best practice advice and take advantage of the pause in promotional activity, they’ve developed educational webinars for sector stakeholders.
1. On 24 March, ENZ Market Development Manager Shelly Xu teamed up with the General Manager of UMS (a China media specialist agency), Jordi Du, to deliver a webinar for New Zealand international education staff on Chinese social media. Over 30 people attended.
The Chinese digital space looks very different to ours. The platforms WeChat and Weibo rule, rather than Facebook and Twitter. Shelly and Jordi aimed to demystify Chinese platforms by taking providers through the Chinese social landscape and discussing what kind of posts would stand out to their target audiences.
2. On 17 March, ENZ Team India delivered a webinar especially for Indian agents and counsellors focused on business courses available in New Zealand.
An incredible 177 people tuned in to hear from ENZ staff as well as guest speakers: Associate Professor Lincoln Wood from University of Otago; Dr Jens Mueller from Massey University; Ashish Suri from The University of Waikato and Andrea McLeod-Karim from Victoria University of Wellington.
3. On 16 April, Senior Market Development Manager for Chile and Colombia, Javiera Visedo, was the guest on a Facebook Live session with the Blue Studies agency (who have over 21,000 followers) for the Latin America Spanish-speaking audience.
She also presented at Colfuturo (a Colombian scholarship-loan non-profit organisation) for a Study in New Zealand webinar on 17 April. This week, she will participate in a virtual fair organised by Colombian agency Estudiar.
For the chance to attend future webinars, keep an eye on E-News and the ENZ LinkedIn and Twitter pages.
Beginning to test market sentiment
As ENZ moves into the next phase of supporting the international sector, a new priority for our international teams is testing market sentiment.
For example, a survey was sent out to agents in Spanish-speaking markets in March. Of the 18 responses received, most of the agents have English language students in New Zealand and 68 percent are from Colombia. The agents set out their students’ main concerns at the moment: work situation while studying, uncertainty of the global situation, and visa expiration.
This fits with what we are hearing across all markets – agents and other institutional partners need information about New Zealand’s response to the current situation.
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Sister Schools Fund open
The fund is open to all New Zealand schools. Grants of approximately $2,000 - $3,000 per school will be awarded to successful schools to establish new sister school relationships, or to strengthen existing relationships, with a focus on sister cities/provinces.
The fund was announced during the Joint Working Group which took place during the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to New Zealand in November 2014.
This initiative will support schools to deliver on the Government’s Leadership Statement for International Education, which seeks to increase New Zealanders’ skills and knowledge to operate effectively across cultures. The fund also delivers an outcome from the School Sector International Education Roadmap, in which schools expressed a desire to grow institutional partnership channels with offshore schools.
A sister school partnership is a planned collaboration designed to offer the partners mutual benefit. Applicants need to explain how their planned activity will contribute to strong sister school relationships which foster learning opportunities, cross-cultural skills development and friendship between our two countries.
Activities may include (but need not be limited to);
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staff and/or student exchange
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curriculum-based collaborative projects
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enhanced language programmes.
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- 838426 0283 Studyinnewzealand ThinkNEW
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ENZ refreshes Recognised Agency programme
Following extensive review, ENZ has made key changes to its Recognised Agency programme.
On a yearly basis, educations agencies will need to meet core requirements to gain or retain Recognised Agency status, including meeting a points target and minimum visa approval rate.
“This aims to give confidence to stakeholders that Recognised Agencies are successfully, and consistently placing international students with New Zealand education providers,” said Dan.
“Furthermore, the annual renewal process will ensure that the Recognised Agency information listed on the Study in New Zealand website is up-to-date and providers useful information to students, parents and education providers who are seeking to engage with an education agent.”
The changes to ENZRA broadly align with the objectives of the International Education Strategy, and contribute to the attraction of high-value students through ongoing support of quality education agencies.
“Education agencies play an important role in assisting international students. By engaging more closely with high-quality agencies, we hope to help enrich the student experience by ensuring they are provided with comprehensive, accurate and factual advice regarding studying and living in New Zealand.
The new ENZRA programme will be live from 1 November 2018.
Further information can be found here.
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Building connnections with career counsellors in India
Seven of New Zealand’s universities took part in the conference, which attracted more than 1,400 delegates, representing 56 nationalities. The university delegates engaged in panel discussions on a range of topics, including ethical counselling and preparing for education abroad, which were well attended. Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) led the New Zealand delegation as a gold sponsor of the event.
Launched in 2016, IC3 is the largest platform for connecting high school career counsellors in India with tertiary education institutions. The conference brings together school leaders, teachers, counsellors, universities, education organisations, government bodies, industry leaders and others with an interest in sustainable and inclusive counselling, focused on student success.
Jugnu Roy, ENZ’s Director of Engagement based in India, says participation in the annual conference is valuable for ENZ as well as for the universities involved.
“High school careers and college counsellors are key influencers for students in India when it comes to making choices about tertiary study and future careers. This event has been a great help with building our connections with schools across southern India, so we can develop a pipeline of international students interested in undergraduate study in New Zealand.
“The timing of the conference worked well as an opportunity for branding, visibility, and reconnecting with Indian schools soon after the opening of New Zealand’s borders. This was the first time we had been able to attend in person for two years.
New Zealand universities interacting with schools at the networking session.
“Our participation in the event has already led to increased interest in a New Zealand education among high school counsellors, who are keen to invite New Zealand institutions to their schools for university fairs and to meet with students.
“In a country like India, where many countries are trying hard to attract international students, New Zealand’s presence sends a strong signal that we are committed and here to stay.”
The 2022 IC3 Institute Student Quest Survey Report was published during the conference. More than 10,000 students responded, naming the top three factors affecting their choice of university: programme details, financial aid/scholarship information, and potential job opportunities.
For more information about the conference, see the IC3 Conference website here.
For more information about the recent student survey, see the IC3 Institute website here
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Economic valuation of international education underway
An update of the economic valuation of the international education industry is currently underway in New Zealand.
Education New Zealand is responsible for commissioning an economic valuation analysis of the international education industry. This research provides the quantitative evidence for the industry’s contribution to New Zealand.
Infometrics and National Research Bureau have been commissioned by ENZ to estimate the current size of the international education industry including expenditure by foreign students in New Zealand. The research includes surveying international students (and in some cases their guardians), via either a web-based or paper survey.
The valuation follows a similar exercise in 2012 /2013 when students were also surveyed. An interim valuation was produced in 2014 which valued the international education industry, at $2.85 billion, supporting more than 30,000 jobs.
A copy of the report and an infographic of key findings are downloadable here.
An updated economic valuation report is expected in October 2016.
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Sharing the international student experience
In August, ENZ and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade brought together 30 international tertiary students representing all ten ASEAN countries, and ten New Zealand students who had participated in the Prime Minister’s Scholarships for Asia Understanding South East Asia programme. The purpose? To celebrate 40 years of diplomatic relations between New Zealand and ASEAN by strengthening connections among students, and to provide the students with a platform for sharing their views on the international student experience in New Zealand.
Over 100 nominations were received from a range of New Zealand’s universities, institutes of technology and polytechnics, and private training establishments for students from ASEAN countries to participate. Each nominating institution had at least one representative at the two-day programme in Wellington. Participating students were enrolled in a range of programmes from Level 4 certificates through to doctoral level.
Many of the nominating institutions created online media content around Student Voice and the students themselves set up a Facebook page especially for the event which attracted media attention both in New Zealand and overseas.
The students heard from industry experts on the importance of alumni networks, the value of a New Zealand education, and the importance of ASEAN-New Zealand links in business.
Lester Khoo from AUT University engaged the students on how a New Zealand education can launch careers in ASEAN, with one student responding:
“The launch pad was really useful and changed my perspective of being an ASEAN student. I used to think very selfishly about my own career not about the development of my country and other ASEAN countries. The launch pad makes me realize there might be something that I can do to improve my country and the relationship between New Zealand and ASEAN countries.”
In the key download session of Student Voice 2015, the students employed “Design Thinking” methodology to share their international student experiences and to think creatively together to reframe any challenges as opportunities.
There was lots of discussion around the quirkiness of New Zealand life which the students rated as very appealing. This included getting to understand and use Kiwi slang, and the relaxed and welcoming way everyone treats each other. Life in New Zealand is “sweet as”.
Integration in New Zealand was a topic that was very important to the students. They collaborated to develop a range of solutions to improve the integration process for international students in New Zealand. These included initiatives for New Zealand institutions but also advice for international students themselves. Some of the ideas for initiatives focused on campus events, and social media activity, to encourage an appreciation of cultures, and for international students to actively look for opportunities to engage with their New Zealand peers.
ENZ will be sharing further detail directly with the New Zealand institutions who engaged in Student Voice.
One student commented on the integration process by saying, “independence especially in a foreign country is a challenge, making it more difficult when homesickness strikes and adaptation is hard. But I think it’s all part of the process, because in a brighter perspective, New Zealand offers a wide opportunity to search for new paths in expressing yourself and adopting to different cultures and people.”
The students also listed some of their “top fives” on a range of topics.
Reasons for picking NZ as your study destination
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Overseas graduates are inspirational and exceptional
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Experience new things and independence
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Higher quality of education
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Financial support i.e. scholarships
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To fulfil my fly fishing obsession
Things I hope my NZ education will provide for me
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Change
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Professional development
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Friendship network
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World class education
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Personal development
Things that influenced my decision to study abroad
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Safe, clean and student friendly environment
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More job opportunities and linkages
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Multicultural environment
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State of the art technology and top notch quality of education system
Things that surprised me about NZ
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You can take a banana to the exam room
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Slang is the new English
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You can banter with professors – no more ‘yes sir’
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Four seasons in one day
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Ethics approval is required for animal studies – even for mussels!
Things I would tell my friends about studying in NZ
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Surprising kindness – a kiwi high school teacher decided to pay for my studies overnight
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To see people go to school bare footed
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NZ institutions offer a world class standard of education and you will definitely change as individuals to become a well-rounded person
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Explore – do outdoor activities
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The freedom of expression
Things I would say to recommend NZ to potential students
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Come to one country and see the whole world
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Number 1 place to experience study and witness the best of nature
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The best place for study and family life
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It is really safe here – 2nd safest county in the world. Low crime rate, Low accident rate.
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Mixed religion – freedom to practice our beliefs
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NZ’s updated Code of Practice – caring for international students
The following article is based on a presentation by Julia Moore from the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) at NZIEC KI TUA 2022 in August. NZQA is responsible for administering the Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021 (the Code), which came into effect in January this year.
All domestic and international tertiary students, and international students in schools, are now covered by the Code. Offshore learners are also covered, with updated guidance from NZQA explaining what is expected, and what pastoral care might be provided for people studying offshore.
Wellbeing is closely connected with success in education, and this is recognised in the updated Code. The Code signals a new way of thinking about success for learners which includes wellbeing and acknowledges that being heard and responded to is part of wellbeing.
“International learners should be able to have their voices heard and heeded,” Julia said.
The Code sets a framework for the relationship between providers and students. It acknowledges solutions are best found locally, so the Code requires providers to work out what is appropriate in their own setting, and for meeting the needs of diverse learners. Learners and their communities need to be included in the design, review, and improvement of practice. Taking care of international learners has become an organisation-wide responsibility for the education provider, rather than the sole responsibility of pastoral support teams or the international office.
“We aim to support providers’ continuous improvement in taking a whole-of-organisation approach to pastoral care, honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and responding appropriately to the diverse voices and wellbeing needs of their learners,” Julia said.
You can listen to NZQA’s full presentation at the link below.
NZQA holds regular workshops on the Code, and you can find out more here
Links to further information:
Read the Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021
Code resources for tertiary providers
Code resources for school signatories
If you have any questions, please email the code team at NZQA: Code.Enquiries@nzqa.govt.nz
- Overall May 2015 visa dashboard 1
