News

The number of international student enrolments at the University has dropped by 3.7 per cent, according to numbers released at the most recent University Council meeting. The figures reveal a drop to 1191 full-time international students enrolled in the University, down from 2011’s peak at 1664, and marks the third year international numbers have declined.

Tertiary Education Minister Steven Joyce expressed concern over the declining figures and said, in light of the Government’s hopes of doubling the value of international education to five billion dollars by 2025, the University is “behind the eight ball,” according to the ODT. Labour’s Tertiary Education spokesman, Grant Robertson, labelled the five billion dollar target as “unrealistic,” and an unreachable aspiration that “sets universities up to fail.”
Steven Joyce rejected the comments, stating, “[Robertson] doesn’t know what he’s talking about,” and the Government’s plans to double the value of international education was well thought out.

Critic spoke to the University’s Pro-Vice Chancellor (International) Helen Nicholson who said the drop in international enrolments “is related to several factors including the strength of the New Zealand dollar, the cessation of various overseas government-sponsored arrangements, and a decline in international enrolments from New Zealand secondary schools.” However, Nicholson said the University has seen an increase in study abroad students from the US and students from China. Numbers of international postgraduate students also recorded an increase, up 181 from 2008.

In 2013, Critic’s request for the cost spent on international marketing and advertising under the Official Information Act was declined, with University Registrar Jan Flood stating that breaking down the costs of advertising overseas would be a “monumental task” due to the “indirect” advertising by way of participation in fairs, giving seminars, visits to partner universities, etc.

Pro-Vice Chancellor Nicolson has since indicated that the University “regularly reviews its marketing plan to increase enrolments,” and is “working closely with Education New Zealand, a Crown agency with a primary role in international student recruitment, and the Dunedin City Council’s ‘Study Dunedin.’” She also indicated “[The University] has already taken various initiatives such as the development of new taught masters programmes, changes in the way it manages offers to potential students, and working in partnership with Immigration New Zealand under its Priority Visa Process to facilitate visa processing times.”