Bangkok--31 Aug--Baldwin Boyle Group (Thailand)
ASEAN Student Voice 2015 demonstrates Education New Zealand’s commitment to international students and provides platform to connect with their experiences
: Four Thai students were selected to take part in the ASEAN Student Voice 2015 (11-12 August), a special event organised by Education New Zealand (ENZ) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) to commemorate the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between New Zealand and ASEAN.
The students – Sirawit Pattanacharoenkit from the Auckland Institute of Studies, Arissara Poompoe from the AUT University, Buratat Sakultanapanich from the University of Otago and Siraroj Sahussarungsi from the Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki – were part of a group of 30, identified by ENZ as exceptional students from ASEAN countries currently studying in New Zealand. They were joined by 10 New Zealand students who recently toured South East Asia on the ‘Understanding South East Asia’ programme organised by New Zealand’s Victoria University of Wellington.
Over the two days, the 40 students were able to share their individual experiences of learning abroad and collaborate in an interactive programme designed to nurture and grow lasting connections between New Zealand and ASEAN countries.
“New Zealand places an enormous importance on understanding the New Zealand international student experience,” said Grant McPherson, Chief Executive, Education New Zealand.
“In the year which celebrates 40 years of diplomatic relations between New Zealand and ASEAN, it has been a privilege to bring together students from ASEAN and New Zealand as a reflection of our connectedness and friendship.”
As well as taking part in workshops to discuss the international student experience and the value of staying connected to Alumni networks post-study, the students also heard from Alumni and corporations who have successfully built careers and global networks through their New Zealand/ASEAN linkages.
“ASEAN Student Voice 2015 has given me the opportunity to express my personal New Zealand experience on a platform that could be heard by many others. The diversified backgrounds within this event were dynamic and energetic, yet it was synergetic. Hence, this reflects back to the strong 40 years relationship between New Zealand and the ASEAN countries,” said Butatat Sakultanapanich.
“Studying in New Zealand has opened up my soul. The past two years at the University of Otago had a significant impact on my character building. The University of Otago has moulded me into a more expressive, responsible, and confident person. New Zealand has also taught me to seize the opportunities whenever you have a chance because you will never know where that opportunity might lead you.
“Person to person relationships, networks, or connections is crucial in this society. The world is a small place, and you will never know where these connections might lead you or what door it may open. Therefore, always treasure people around you and always make good connections.
ASEAN Student Voice 2015 culminated in an evening reception where the students met with the New Zealand Minister of Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment the Hon Steven Joyce, along with 100 government and New Zealand institutional guests.
In 2014, a total of 3,692 Thai students were studying in New Zealand.
For more information about education opportunities available in New Zealand, please visit Study in New Zealand.