Mr Chris Beard1
1Executive Officer, ISANA NZ , Wellington, New Zealand
In New Zealand international education has burst onto the scene as the new kid on the export block and added a new dimension to New Zealand society. At the same time, it appears to be the odd one out when compared to other lead export industries. School leavers and graduates with a keen interest in the country’s fourth largest export earner may find it difficult to identity sector-specific qualifications and ask themselves: ‘O professional pathways: Where art thou?’
In this presentation, Chris will report on ISANA NZ’s collaborative work that is supporting the development of sector-specific qualifications and professional pathways which prepare international education specialists. He will argue that such initiatives allow for the flourishing of innovative, evidence-based practice and the enabling of cross-sector responses to risk factors that weaken sustainability. ISANA NZ’s work syncs with the country’s new International Education Strategy 2018-2030, which calls for international education to be established as an academic discipline.
Biography:
Chris has worked in international education for 26 years. For most of this professional life he has had daily contact with international students through teaching and advising. He co-teaches a postgraduate course in International Education for Victoria University of Wellington’s MEd programme.