Tracking study series of Asian business graduates: First report launched
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In August 2008, Asia:NZ commissioned International Student Ministries of New Zealand to begin a longitudinal tracking study of Asia-born New Zealand-trained business graduates. Using repeat surveys and in-depth interviews over three years (2008-2010), the study examines the role that these graduates play in the development of New Zealand-Asia business relationships.
This first report discusses preliminary findings from the initial online survey of 131 students and 40 in-depth interviews. Those surveyed come from countries ranging from Pakistan, India through to Japan, Korea and Indonesia. The largest single nationality surveyed is from China with 43 percent.
Of those surveyed, 71 percent indicated that they had enjoyed studying in New Zealand, and just over half said that their studies had matched their expectations. However, a key problem identified was difficulty in building relationships with locals. Participants who reported positive relations with New Zealanders emphasised that developing trust takes time and opportunities to prove one’s trustworthiness.
Survey participants also indicated that they viewed tuition costs as the most negative aspect of studying in New Zealand, with almost 60 percent expressing disquiet at the cost of their academic tuition. This is despite the respondents identifying New Zealand’s perceived affordability as one of the main reasons for choosing to study here.
About half of the students desired permanent residency and to live and work in New Zealand, at least initially. Students expressed a strong interest in maintaining links with New Zealand and with those they had met during their time of study. Some spoke specifically about pursuing co-operative New Zealand-Asia business ventures between New Zealand and Asia.
The research points to a number of recommendations for stakeholders in education, policy development, and business. Given the role family of parental influence in student’s choice of destination, marketing approaches of the education sector should be connected with prospective students’ families as well as students themselves.
Straightforward work visa application processes should continue to be promoted for new international student graduates in the knowledge that for some of these graduates, finding full-time work may be difficult or a gradual process.
And the business community is urged to recognise the unique skills, understandings and connections that Asia-born New Zealand-trained business graduates can bring to an organisation, particularly if interested in developing or exploring links with Asian people or countries in the Asia region.
Read more:
Asia:NZ research director Dr Andrew Butcher discusses the findings on TV3's business programme
Article on the launch of the research
Read about the Business Education Partnership, a new alliance between the business community and the education sector aimed at preparing young New Zealanders for a future with the Asian region.
