Extended work rights good news for Christchurch

Extended work rights good news for Christchurch

9 August 2012

Extending work rights to more English language students studying in Christchurch is a valuable addition to the Government’s $5 million international education promotion programme announced for the city by Minister Joyce, in March, says Education New Zealand Chair Charles Finny.

Commenting on today’s announcement by Immigration Minister Nathan Guy on student work rights, Mr Finny said that “international education is important to Christchurch, and all the players in the sector are working extremely well together to make sure the world knows Christchurch is a high-quality education destination.”

Education New Zealand, which is responsible for New Zealand’s international education promotion and representation worldwide, has been working closely with the international education sector to develop and execute a growth and revitalisation plan for Christchurch.

“The plan supports all parts of the city and region’s international education sector with a team in Christchurch working with providers, as well as local and central government,” Mr Finny said.

Work on an initial $1 million package of support is well under way. This includes:

• $170,000 to build a greater Christchurch/Canterbury-wide international marketing plan that all providers can use in key international markets, and which can be built on over time as Christchurch changes

• $510,000 for 2012 sales and growth initiatives, such as subsidised travel grants, to increase the flow of students to Christchurch, re-develop capability and confidence of hosting international students, and get positive messages back into offshore markets

• $155,000 to help maintain a presence in Christchurch’s top five offshore markets starting with an education mission focused on Japan

• $165,000 to support and develop industry capability to help grow enrolments over the next three years. This package includes events and marketing support for staff, membership incentives to drive collaboration, combined campus development and a marketing mentoring pilot involving 10 schools in greater Christchurch.

About Education New Zealand

Education New Zealand was established in September last year as the government agency responsible for New Zealand’s international education promotion and representation worldwide.

Our aim is to help the international education sector meet the goals set out by the Government – to double the economic and social contribution of international education to New Zealand to $5 billion by 2025.

We create strategies and programmes alongside New Zealand’s international education sector, government agencies, and governments overseas that increase and broaden our international education activities – from onshore and offshore delivery of education programmes to the sale of our education knowledge, products and consultancy skills.

www.educationnz.govt.nz]

ENDS

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