SIEBA: bringing together international education providers

Issue: Volume 94, Number 6

Posted: 20 April 2015
Reference #: 1H9cqr

The Schools International Education Business Association of New Zealand (SIEBA), established by international education providers from the school sector, is now open for business.

SIEBA is a school sector member-based incorporated society born out of the development of a strategic roadmap that identified priorities to enable growth in international education for schools.

Launched just over a month ago, SIEBA is well on the way to meeting its initial membership targets, with membership numbers at almost 100 at time of writing.

SIEBA Establishment Board chair and international director at Avondale College, Chris Klaassen, is not surprised by the enthusiastic response. “This reflects a desire among schools to work together to drive growth in the sector – the central premise around which SIEBA was formed.

“With a vision to lead, connect and grow international education business for schools, the members of SIEBA will be a game-changer for the industry.”

International education supports around 30,000 jobs nationally, and brings $2.85 billion into the New Zealand economy each year. New Zealand schools and their communities currently benefit by $350 million per year from enrolling international students.

Equally as important, according to Chris, is the contribution international students make in enriching our schools and communities culturally and socially.

“International education in schools benefits everyone. International students gain a high-quality education in a safe and welcoming environment, and their Kiwi classmates gain valuable inter-cultural skills that prepare them well for life, work and study on the world stage,” says Chris.

From marketing to code attestation advice, SIEBA will provide schools with leadership, access to collaborative projects and best practice, enabling them to grow the quality of their international programmes and respond to growth opportunities.

Linda Miller, principal of Otago Girls’ High School, and Establishment Board member, welcomes the launch of SIEBA. “Having worked in a range of schools including large, small, rural, urban, those with an established international student programme and those struggling to get such a programme off the ground, I am excited that SIEBA will provide support and benefit to each one of these schools.”

Anne-Marie Biggs, SIEBA Establishment Board member, and principal of Glendowie Primary School, believes success for SIEBA relies on having a strong and all-encompassing membership that truly represents the huge range of schools across the country.

“Being a member of SIEBA will ensure that you are part of the conversation and that your school’s voice is heard. As well, you will have a hand in developing the products and services that will help your school to achieve its growth goals in international education.”

For other sectors of New Zealand’s international education industry, SIEBA will be the ‘go to’ place for those providers wishing to collaborate with schools in establishing stronger pathways for international students onto tertiary study.

SIEBA has been registered as an incorporated society with 15 foundation members, and now welcomes membership from all New Zealand schools that are signatories to the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students (COP). SIEBA membership is open to all schools, regardless of their level of involvement in international education, and promises to be a great source of information, support and resources to schools across the spectrum.

Schools can join SIEBA via the website(external link) and those with membership applications accepted by 22 May will be eligible to nominate candidates for the board. Voting for the board will take place at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 23 June and schools whose membership has been accepted by 5 June will be eligible to vote. Key dates are listed above.

Further enquiries are welcome, and these can be made to: enquiries@sieba.nz or directly to a member of the SIEBA establishment board(external link)

SIEBA fact box

Key dates

22 May Schools whose membership applications have been accepted by this date will be eligible to nominate candidates for the board.

5 June Schools whose membership applications have been accepted by this date will be eligible to vote for the board at the AGM on 23 June.

23 June SIEBA AGM.

Fees

Initial membership fees have been deliberately set at a rebated amount while SIEBA is developing a full suite of products and services. The following membership fees apply during the establishment period, with the full fees not payable until the beginning of 2018.

Year High Schools Primary and Intermediate
1 (1 July – 31 Dec 2015) $187.50 $93.75
2 (1 Jan – 31 Dec 2016) $750.00 $375.00
3(1 Jan – 31 Dec 2017)

$1,125.00

$562.50

4 (1 Jan – 31 Dec 2018) $1500.00 $750.00

BY Education Gazette editors
Education Gazette | Tukutuku Kōrero, reporter@edgazette.govt.nz

Posted: 4:44 pm, 20 April 2015

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