Government funding for NZ education

International education in New Zealand is to be given NZ$10 million (US$7 million) by the government over the next four years to reinvigorate the high-earning export industry.

Tertiary Education Minister, Michael Cullen, announced the government decision in August as part of the International Agenda – the government’s five-year strategy for promoting New Zealand education overseas.

A total of 93,000 foreign students from 150 countries are currently undertaking studies in New Zealand, with economic returns worth nearly NZ$2 billion (US$1.4 billion) a year. For all the long-term success, however, international student enrolments have declined since a peak in 2003, and the agenda aims to refocus the country’s engagement with international education – New Zealand’s fourth largest export earner.

Cullen said that the three priority areas were: “promoting the already strong reputation of our education, enhancing the recognition of our qualifications abroad, and extending our education diplomacy activities in the Gulf States”.

The money will be split between these three priority areas in portions of NZ$3.96 million (US$2.8 million), NZ$3.4 million (US$2.4 million) and NZ$2.4 million (US$1.7 million) respectively. The strategy is expected to increase the number of overseas students electing to study in mainstream education in New Zealand, which in turn, should improve the country’s economic performance.

Cullen said, “When we increase our global connections, we build our economy and help to strengthen New Zealand’s sense of national identity. Education contributes strongly to these priorities for New Zealand.” He added, “There is no doubt that a successful international education sector will pay dividends for New Zealand by helping us compete and prosper on a world stage.”

The NZ$10 million comes on top of heavy government funding already provided in recent years. In 2004, NZ$70 million (US$48.9 million) was invested in a five-year programme that funded such initiatives as bringing international PhD students to the country, and has resulted in a 60-per-cent increase in the number of foreign doctoral students in New Zealand.

In Australia, Melbourne’s eight metropolitan universities are teaming up with the City of Melbourne in an alliance that aims to market the city as the “Boston of the southern hemisphere”.

The Melbourne Vice-Chancellors’ Forum has been formed to tackle the current lack of promotion for the city as a higher education study destination. The forum is expected to push for government funding for the marketing effort.

This initiative comes after a recent report, Melbourne – Australia’s Knowledge Capital, revealed that the annual turnover of the eight universities tops AUS$4 billion (US$3.3 billion), and that the centres’ overseas students bring in more than AUS$2 billion (US$1.7 billion) per year – the equivalent to Melbourne’s tourism industry.

Underfunding by the government is one factor compromising Melbourne’s international standing among international students, it is speculated, despite Melbourne being ranked the fifth best university city in the world by RMIT University’s Global University City Index. In second place behind London is Boston – which is home to Harvard, Massachussets Institute of Technology and Boston and Northeastern universities.

Chair of the forum and Lord Mayor, John So, underlined the importance of Melbourne’s universities to the city. “They have a significant impact on Melbourne’s arts and cultural life through theatre, museums and libraries; research conducted at the universities results in benefits for the community; and the presence of students in the city creates an exciting vibrancy.”

The British Government has been called upon to offer more scholarships to Chinese students in an attempt to boost the nation’s worldwide reputation as a study overseas destination.

Labour MP and Select Education and Skills Committee Senior Member, Gordon Marsden, proposed a bill on 5 August following concerns that the UK is losing potential Chinese students – regarded as the largest market for international student recruiters – to other Western countries. The committee wants ministers to set up a foundation that offers scholarships and fellowships, to be funded by the Government and the industry.

A report released by the committee in August emphasised that “short-term gains in fee income” must not be the driving factor behind international student recruitment. The future sustainability of the higher education sector in relation to enrolling overseas students also relies on establishing genuine relationships with both overseas students and institutions, it suggests.

The Committee recommended that the Government and British Council create partnerships with Chinese institutions, mirroring the example set by the successful UK India Education and Research Initiative. MP Barry Sheerman, Chairman of the committee, said of potential collaboration between China and the UK, “It is clear that [partnerships] bring significant educational, cultural and economic benefits to universities and to the country more generally.” He added, “Key decision makers in China believe that the time is ripe for a major growth in collaborative research between the UK and China and this could lead to a massive increase in funding for UK universities.”

News in brief

Student numbers increase in Holland

Rising international student applications to Dutch institutions is in reaction to immigration policy changes, according to the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND). The IND processed 6,000 applications from overseas students by the end of August this year – 1,000 more than last year. As of 1 August, foreign students – via their educational institutions – have been able to send applications for residence permits to a designated IND office, subsequently minimising the time involved.

US-Chinese partnership

Collaborative degree-programmes are getting underway at a number of US higher education institutions. Humboldt State University in Arcata, CA, is one of five institutions selected to participate in the second phase of the Sino-American 1+2+1 Dual Degree programme. An average of 60 Chinese students per year are expected to complete a minimum of two years’ study at the university’s Arcata campus. The additional five universities bring the total number of US institutions actively involved in the programme to 13.

Canadian flight college opens its doors

A newly opened flight training centre for international students in Fredericton, NB, could be the largest in Canada before the year is out, say officials. A CAN$1 million (US$960,000) repayable loan was announced by the provincial government in July to give financial help to CANLink Aviation, who set up the Fredericton franchise of Moncton Flight College. A total of 60 Chinese student pilots are hoped to start their training by the end of the year.

Full name: International Public School Education Association
Year established: 1994
Organisation’s main role: to promote collaboration among our member school districts and to support members in their efforts to promote British Columbia public education. We have 37 full members and 2 associate members.
Contact details:
Margaret Davis
Tel: +1 2507493869
Email: mdavis@inter-connected.ca
Web: www.studyinbc.org

What activities has Ipsea been involved in recently?
Ipsea has been working on a strategic business plan for better promotion of our programmes. This year we will be focusing on our marketing through improvements to our website and increasing collaboration with other organisations. Ipsea was also instrumental in the establishment of an exciting new national organisation called CAPS-I (Canadian Association of Public Schools-International), which includes members from every province in Canada.

How have international enrolments fared among your members in the last 12 months?
Our numbers have stayed pretty much the same although we have seen a slight decrease in students enrolling to achieve high school graduation, an increase in students who wish to study for short-term programmes, and a significant increase in elementary-age students. Our members have diversified their recruiting efforts and adapted to the needs of students beyond Asia. Many European and Latin American students prefer the short stay option. There has also been a demand for programmes for younger students – mostly from South Korea – that we have been able to respond to. We need to be flexible in what we offer and meet the demands of clients as they change.

Why do you think international students choose to study in public secondary schools in British Columbia?
We have been hosting international students since the 1980s so we provide a wealth of experience and excellent programmes for our students. Our English instruction strategies are well-developed as are our homestay programmes. British Columbia has a very desirable climate and beautiful scenery with unparalleled recreational opportunities. The public education system is strong in BC and a BC graduation diploma is recognised and respected worldwide.

What plans do you have for the future in terms of increasing the profile of British Columbia as a study destination overseas?
Improved marketing with a focus on the 2010 Winter Olympics and increased cooperation with our provincial and federal governments, both of whom are taking an interest in marketing Canada as a study destination.