Education New Zealand (ENZ) : strategic decision to discontinue its Recognised Agency (ENZRA) program

Education New Zealand (ENZ) has made the strategic decision to discontinue its Recognised Agency (ENZRA) program. This move comes after an extensive global review that incorporated feedback from New Zealand’s education providers, global education agents, and government agencies. The program’s discontinuation stems from identified shortcomings, including its perceived lack of value for successful agents, limited accessibility for emerging education consultants, and an inability to meet the evolving needs of New Zealand’s education providers.

However, ENZ remains steadfast in its commitment to aiding students interested in studying in New Zealand. This commitment will be upheld through ENZ’s worldwide staff network and ongoing relationships with education agents. The aim behind discontinuing the ENZRA program is to usher in a more inclusive and efficient approach. This new approach entails offering information and training to all agents, regardless of their size or expertise, fostering a collaborative environment.

As the ENZRA program concludes, a novel platform called AgentLab will be introduced. This platform is set to provide resources, webinars, and news specifically tailored to education agents. This transition aligns harmoniously with the refresh of the New Zealand International Education Strategy in 2022, signifying a forward-looking stance.

What was the ENZRA Program?

Education New Zealand’s Recognised Agency Programme (ENZRA) was conceived with the primary goal of fostering collaboration and partnership among education agencies. The intent was to contribute actively to positioning New Zealand as an enticing international study destination. Through this initiative, ENZ aimed to establish a structured framework that not only acknowledged the critical role played by education agencies but also harnessed their expertise to enhance the global appeal of New Zealand’s educational offerings. The program sought to forge a mutually beneficial relationship between education agencies and the nation’s academic landscape, elevating the visibility, accessibility, and allure of New Zealand’s educational opportunities to potential students worldwide.

ENZRA’s Journey

In August 2018, ENZ unveiled the revitalized Recognised Agency program at the NZIEC event, with implementation scheduled for November. Key changes were highlighted by Dan Smidt, ENZ’s Manager – Agents. The updated approach mandated annual criteria fulfillment for education agencies to attain or maintain Recognised Agency status, focusing on points and visa approval rates. This adjustment aimed to instill confidence in Recognised Agencies’ capacity to connect international students with New Zealand institutions. The renewal process also aimed to ensure accurate information on the Study in New Zealand website, benefiting students, parents, and education providers. The realignment with the International Education Strategy aimed to support top-tier education agencies and enhance student experiences. ENZRA’s enhancements were slated for launch on November 1, 2018.

In February 2021, ENZ confirmed its list of Recognised Agencies for the year, recognizing education agents for their integral role in assisting international students and their families amid COVID-19 challenges. ENZ extended the participation of existing Recognised Agencies due to travel restrictions affecting student placements. The updated list of Recognised Agencies was made accessible on the StudywithNewZealand website. ENZ indicated plans to reopen applications for the program in early 2022, reaffirming its dedication to quality education agency collaboration.

In September 2022, ENZ initiated a comprehensive review of the ENZRA program, aligned with the New Zealand International Education Strategy (2022-2030). This review sought to evaluate the program’s effectiveness in promoting New Zealand’s education globally. Acknowledging the significance of education agencies in advocating for the country’s education experience and providing support during COVID-19 challenges, ENZ enlisted an external consultancy firm for a three-month review involving consultations with various stakeholders. These stakeholders included agents, industry representatives, and government agencies. The outcome of this review was expected to lead to recommendations that enhance agent engagement strategies and potentially revamp the ENZRA and agent training programs, however, it was ultimately discontinued, giving rise to the inception of AgentLab.

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Source: ENZRA Discontinued, ENZRA Review, 2021 ENZRA Agencies, ENZRA Referesh

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Prajesh
Prajeshhttps://studentsherald.com
Meet Prajesh, a seasoned content creator who has been working with immigration businesses, educational institutions, and organizations across the globe for about a decade. With a wealth of experience in international immigration regulations, Prajesh has been dedicated to producing insightful blog posts and content, bringing individuals the latest insights into immigration matters.

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