‘Maintaining the Edge’

Education New Zealand Media Advisory 11/08/04

‘Maintaining the Edge’

The 13th International Education Conference, hosted and run by Education New Zealand, opens next week at the Sheraton Hotel in Auckland.

‘2004 has been a watershed year for the international education industry’ says Robert Stevens, Chief Executive of Education New Zealand. ‘In addressing the major issues which face the industry, Conference will inform, encourage and inspire institutions large and small as the face the challenges of today’s marketplace. Industry growth is not just about ‘bums on seats’. It is about the way our industry matures and adapts to continue to play a leading role both for New Zealand, and for students across the globe. These are exciting times, and this will be an exciting Conference’.

Over 350 delegates from all sectors of the international education industry are expected to gather in Auckland from the 18th -20th August.

‘We have chosen as our theme this year ‘Maintaining the Edge’ says Robert Stevens. “New Zealand is at the forefront of international education. This industry has been a leading agent of educational, economic and social growth in New Zealand. More to the point, we have been a destination of choice for hundreds of thousands of capable students from many different countries. This is good for them, and good for all of us. Conference is an important component in equipping the industry for further success and ensuring that the mutual benefits continue’.

Key Sessions of Conference Include:

Mr Yang Jun; a senior official from the Chinese Ministry of Education, who will give the Chinese perspective on the Chinese/New Zealand educational relationship

Hon. Trevor Mallard; Minister of Education

Offshore Campuses – a major panel discussion featuring Australians Tony Pollock (Monash University) and Nicholas Dwyer (Hailebury College) together with Paul Sutcliffe (Western Institute of Technology; New Plymouth) and John Rodgers (Marlborough Boys’ College). All of these panellists have extensive experience in setting up and operating offshore campuses

Alan Olsen, a vastly experienced international education consultant will compare New Zealand’s international education environment with an ‘ideal’ system

Robert Stevens, Chief Executive of Education New Zealand, will set the scene with his opening address on Thursday morning

Sue Blundell, CEO of English Australia, will share the Australian language market experience

Key stakeholders will present, including Howard Fancy (Secretary for Education), Karen Van Rooyen (CEO of NZQA), Alan Koziarski (NZTE) and Brendan Quirke (NZIS)

The spotlight will go onto crucial markets, including China, Japan, Korea and South America. A range of other feature sessions will cover a wide spread of industry issues, from institutional research through to professional development to the unveiling of the national marketing plan for 2005.

An important precursor to Conference will be the public release of the Pan Industry Strategy at 7-15pm on Wednesday 18th . This is the first time that a joint industry strategy has been developed, and represents the culmination of considerable input from an industry cross sector Reference group. This strategy not only sets a direction for institutions, but has also been essential in providing a frame of reference for Government initiatives.

The inaugural International Education Excellence Awards will be presented by the Hon. Steve Maharey at the Conference Dinner on Thursday night.

ENDS

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