|
|
Economic Development Committee
7 August 2024
|
Study Dunedin
Update
Department: Enterprise
Dunedin
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1 This
report is to update the Economic Development Committee (EDC) on the activity of
Study Dunedin and the international education sector in Dunedin.
2 International
education was severely impacted by border closures introduced in the public
health response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Dunedin education providers are
positive about the rate of recovery since borders have re-opened and most have
ambition to achieve more.
3 Dunedin’s
reputation and visibility, institution’s staff capacity and business
relationships are largely favourable for ongoing recovery and eventual growth
of the sector.
4 Homestay
accommodation availability has somewhat recovered to meet demand; however, it
is an ongoing constraint for some institutions.
5 From
2026, more demanding achievement standards for English Language Learners in the
National Certificate of Education Achievement (NCEA) system are seen as a
potential risk to the sector.
RECOMMENDATIONS
That the Committee:
a) Notes the Study
Dunedin Update – August 2024
BACKGROUND
6 Enterprise
Dunedin provides a coordination and facilitation role for the international
education sector. This support extends beyond the Economic Development Study
Advisor to include Project China and Destination Marketing teams.
7 Staff
work with the Study Dunedin Advisory Group (SDAG) partners through a shared
work plan, called the Future Focus Plan. SDAG includes representatives
from the education institutions and student associations. The independent Chair
was re-appointed for another term at the last meeting of SDAG.
8 The
Future Focus Plan was developed with the sector in 2022. The plan identifies
shared priorities for the recovery of international education including
provision of homestay, provision of English language tuition, relationships
with sector partners such as agents, and destination marketing.
9 The
plan’s focus is largely economic but also includes activity for social,
environmental, and cultural outcomes. Study Dunedin supports civic and mana
whenua welcome events, sports days, cultural events, and social gatherings
often linking visiting students to resident communities and secondary and
tertiary international students together.
10 The
international education sector in Dunedin is typified by a cooperative approach across education institutions
and between secondary and tertiary sectors. This approach is recognised by
national bodies such as Schools International Education Business Association
(SIEBA) and Education New Zealand (ENZ). Further opportunities to work
strategically and efficiently for shared benefit are being considered.
11 In
2019, Dunedin hosted approximately 5000
international students at secondary schools, Pathway and English Language Centre,
and tertiary institutions annually. Border closures due to the Covid Pandemic
halted travel for international education.
12 As
of mid-2024 numbers of international students in Dunedin are around 2900 full
time equivalent (FTE).
13 As
numbers of international students have grown, education institutions have
rebuilt staff capacity including dedicated International Directors and Homestay
Coordinators.
14 International
education still represents a significant economic benefit to Dunedin, beyond
the development of research opportunities and social and cultural benefits.
Treasury notes that the total contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per
international student is $52,936.00 in 2024. With 2900 FTE international
students in the city, this represents a contribution to local GDP of around
$153M NZD.
15 Jason
Cushen, Director, Te Whirika (International), University of Otago said, ‘The
University of Otago’s Pae Tata 2030 Strategy has established the goal of
20% international student cohort of the total student population. While we have
not yet returned to our 2019 international student numbers, our numbers
continue to grow back and we have a comprehensive plan in place to rebuild our
international numbers, and in turn reach our 20% goal by 2030.’
DISCUSSION
Provision of Homestay
16 Over
the last 18 months, several schools and the Pathway and English Language Centre
at University of Otago have been unable to source sufficient homestay
accommodation and have turned away enrolments.
17 In
early 2024, Enterprise Dunedin surveyed homestay families including those who
no longer offer accommodation, to understand their motivation and perceptions
of homestay. The research findings will inform ongoing campaign activity to
support recruitment of homestay families across the city.
18 The
research also identifies opportunity to improve coordination within and across
education providers. Various models for provision of homestay recruitment,
support and management have been considered. Some schools are now jointly
employing staff and sharing contacts of homestay providers.
Table 1.
Dunedin Households Experience Hosting International Students
19 Mike
Waterworth, Assistant Principal, Director of International Students, Trinity
College said, ‘Our international department is growing but it is
hard work and fickle. Good homestays remain a limiting factor.’
Provision of English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
20 ESOL
achievement standards will require a higher level of student capability from
2026. This is part of wider changes to NCEA being rolled out by the Ministry of
Education.
21 Study
Dunedin Advisory Group heard concerns about the ability of international
students to achieve the co-requisite unit standards required for NCEA
qualifications, and then progress to further levels of study. This creates
reputational risk for international education providers in the eyes of agents
and potential students and their families.
22 Enterprise
Dunedin facilitated a workshop with Julie Luxton a national expert in ESOL,
teaching staff and International Directors from Dunedin secondary schools to identify
opportunities to improve outcomes for English Language Learners including
migrant and refugee pupils.
Industry
Relationships
23 Enterprise
Dunedin works with ENZ to support international agent familiarisation trips to
the city and wider region. ENZ support has included funding. Enterprise Dunedin also works with Dunedin based
agents to support visits by their international business partners to the city.
24 Since January
2024, Enterprise Dunedin has supported five familiarisation trips, hosting 30 education
agents from around the world, in the city. In this period, staff also presented
to two on-line business events where they engaged with 65 agents from around
the world.
25 Familiarisation
trips typically showcase education providers, enable networking and
presentations with international staff, and invitation to meet community
representatives.
26 Enterprise
Dunedin maintains relationships with engaged and productive agents via periodic
updates and utilises feedback from these agents to develop collateral to
promote the city.
27 Enterprise
Dunedin has supported schools and tertiary institutions to rebuild direct
relationships with their Chinese partners. In September a Dunedin education
delegation will visit two friendship cities with the support of staff.
28 The University of
Otago and Otago Polytechnic have noted lengthening times for Immigration New
Zealand to process visa applications and increasing rates of
‘decline’ for study visas as a challenge. These institutions are
working with their peers to advocate for improvement.
29 Wayne Angus,
Director of International Students, Otago Boys’ High School said ‘Short-term
study market, particularly Japan, is strong. Long-term market from China
building nicely; slow, sustainable growth is fine. Long-term enrolments from
other markets weak at present.’
Destination Marketing
30 Study
Dunedin partners (including Otago Polytechnic, the University of Otago, and
secondary schools) identified Japan, China, and Thailand as shared priority
markets for Dunedin’s international education sector in 2023/24. These
are reviewed annually and indicate preference for development of marketing and
engagement activity.
31
In the last year staff have:
· provided
cultural capability support for International Directors visiting China and
Japan
· published
translated city fact sheets for the priority markets
· published
two case study video featuring international students that have moved from
secondary to tertiary study and into employment in Dunedin
· published
a locations showreel of the city through the eyes of international students
· published
webinar presentations about Dunedin on ENZ’s website
· published
written interviews with students about their Dunedin experience
· developed
an Ambassador Programme for Japanese secondary students to encourage enrolment
at Dunedin schools
· designed
a scholarship providing discounted tuition fee and VIP Dunedin experiences to
support the Ambassador Programme
· promoted
the Dunedin Ambassador Programme in the Kbunsha Study Abroad Magazine, (20,000
copies are distributed through 3,000 schools across Japan)
· refreshed
the DunedinNZ website study pages.
32 Key messages
about Dunedin include that it is a compact city with valued amenities, a highly
educated community, and a young population. The city is close to nature and
recreation opportunities and has a growing economy with diverse strengths for
ongoing education and work opportunities.
33 Garry
Chronican, Director, Te Huarahi (Pathway), University of Otago, said ‘Very
active and effective International Marketing & Recruitment team. Slowly
moving in the right direction but a long way to go to catch up on the swiftness
and sophistications in other countries such as China. Study Dunedin are doing
an amazing job. Congratulations and thanks.’
OPTIONS
34 As a report for
noting there are no options.
NEXT STEPS
35 Enterprise
Dunedin will continue to provide support to rebuild and grow the city’s
international education sector.
Signatories
|
Author:
|
Antony Deaker - Economic Development Team
Leader
Akari Otsuka - Economic Development
Co-ordinator
|
|
Authoriser:
|
John Christie - Manager Enterprise
Dunedin
Nicola Morand - Manahautū (General
Manager Māori Partnerships and Policy)
|
Attachments
|
|
Title
|
Page
|
|
⇩a
|
Study
Dunedin Future Focus Plan 2024-25
|
62
|
|
SUMMARY OF
CONSIDERATIONS
|
|
Fit with purpose of Local Government
This decision promotes the social
well-being of communities in the present and for the future.
This decision promotes the economic
well-being of communities in the present and for the future.
|
|
Fit with strategic framework
|
|
Contributes
|
Detracts
|
Not applicable
|
|
Social Wellbeing Strategy
|
✔
|
☐
|
☐
|
|
Economic Development Strategy
|
✔
|
☐
|
☐
|
|
Environment Strategy
|
☐
|
☐
|
✔
|
|
Arts and Culture Strategy
|
☐
|
☐
|
✔
|
|
3 Waters Strategy
|
☐
|
☐
|
✔
|
|
Spatial Plan
|
☐
|
☐
|
✔
|
|
Integrated Transport Strategy
|
☐
|
☐
|
✔
|
|
Parks and Recreation Strategy
|
☐
|
☐
|
✔
|
|
Other strategic projects/policies/plans
|
☐
|
☐
|
✔
|
Uplift Export Education was a priority
action for implementation in Dunedin’s Economic Development Strategy
2013-2023. International education contributes to the Hub for Skills and
Talent, Linkages Beyond our Borders and Compelling Destination themes in the
strategy.
International education contributes to
the Social Wellbeing Strategy themes of Manaakitanga and Vibrant and cohesive
communities.
|
|
Māori Impact Statement
Discussion with the rūnaka has
identified opportunity to host pōwhiri for new students at their marae
and encourage visiting students to access their cultural tourism businesses
Pukekura Blue Penguins and Karitane Māori Tours.
|
|
Sustainability
Study Dunedin partners have sustainability
plans in place.
|
|
LTP/Annual Plan / Financial Strategy
/Infrastructure Strategy
No implications.
|
|
Financial considerations
No implications.
|
|
Significance
This decision is considered low in terms
of the Council’s Significance and Engagement Policy.
|
|
Engagement – external
Enterprise Dunedin maintains ongoing
engagement with the schools and tertiary institutions in Dunedin, central
government agencies such as Education New Zealand and Ministry of Education,
sector organisations such as Schools International
Education Business Association, ISANA International Education Association New
Zealand, various NGOs in the city such as student associations, Business
South, Dunedin Multicultural Council, Otaru Sister City Society and Dunedin
Shanghai Association.
|
|
Engagement - internal
Enterprise Dunedin has engaged with the
Carbon Zero team to discuss international education. This led to a workshop
with partners to discuss their institutions sustainability planning and
opportunities for further work collectively.
|
|
Risks: Legal / Health and Safety etc.
No identified risks.
|
|
Conflict of Interest
No conflict of interest.
|
|
Community Boards
No implications for Community Boards.
|
