Southern Institute of Technology held a celebratory afternoon tea at International House last Friday to thank the Invercargill Licensing Trust (ILT) for their support of international students through the establishment of the ILT Academy Zero Fees English Scholarship.
ILT guests Paddy O'Brien (President), Chris Ramsay (CE), Bharat Guha (CFO) and Suraj Thapa (ILT Internal Auditor - Corporate), along with Invercargill MP, and Minister for Vocational Education, Hon Penny Simmonds, were hosted by SIT Operations Lead, Daryl Haggerty, Amanda Whitaker (GM - Strategy, Development and Innovation), Hamish Small (Head of Faculty) and Sarita Mittal (Programme Operations Manager). Eight scholarship recipients attended, which provided an opportunity for the guests to meet with students studying the New Zealand Certificate in English Language (NZCEL) Level 3 and Level 4 and hear firsthand about their progress.
First offered in 2024, the NZCEL scholarships were a response to re-engaging with international students following the impact of the pandemic years, which, over a four-year period, reduced international student numbers at SIT. The collaboration with the ILT was to encourage the return of international English language students, because prior to 2020, English language students had a high retention rate, with over three-quarters of students staying in Invercargill and enrolling in higher level study (mainly degrees) with SIT.
Dr Teri McClelland, International Manager (who is recruiting overseas and was unable to attend the function) reviewed the economic benefits to the region when international students choose to study at SIT, outlined in the BERL report - an economic impact assessment of SIT - completed in October 2022. The report estimated that international students spend an average of $12,400 annually, not including expenditures made by student partners and families. It also noted that international students contributed to annual employment of approximately 78 FTEs (Full-time Equivalents) annually in the Southland region.
ILT Chief Executive, Chris Ramsay, said when the scholarship proposal was put to the ILT, it was a very easy decision for the Board to provide the support necessary to ensure its success. The $120,000 from ILT was seen as an investment in both SIT and the wider community, knowing the funding would help stimulate the return of international markets. “ILT are really pleased and proud to be able to continue the strong relationship that we have had with SIT for a number of decades. Our vision is for a vibrant Invercargill, and the provision of this funding is totally in line with our vision.”
The first intake of NZCEL Level 3 started in May 2024, with four international students. Three intakes of Level 3 and Level 4 (2024) have been successfully completed; currently there is one class each of Level 3 and 4. To date, 24 scholarships have been granted - 9 at NZCEL Level 3 and 15 at NZCEL Level 4, with students coming from Thailand, Korea, Japan, Indonesia, China and Vietnam.
Simultaneously, the NZCEL programmes have also benefitted Southland’s refugee community, who’ve been able to join the classes to develop their English language skills, helping with integration and enabling them to move onto further study.
Dr McClelland said the scholarship has been very successful – “both in attracting international students to SIT who complete their English requirements and then move on into further study with us; and in supporting our refugee community in gaining the English language skills necessary to gain employment or undertake further study.” She added it was unlikely that SIT would have offered the qualification without the ILT scholarship support. “It’s great to see both our international and local communities benefitting from it.”
Scholarship recipient May (Jinsook Kim) has come from South Korea to study English, and says she now has more confidence. “Earlier I had no confidence in speaking English... it has become easier for me.” May is motivated to improve her English because her goal is to continue studying at SIT. “My major is architecture …I want to work as an architect in New Zealand.”
Similarly, Xiaocong Wu of China has been in New Zealand for five months and is currently studying Level 4. “I came last year; I’ve just finished Level 3.” He has been learning past/present/future tense, and said his SIT English teachers were “funny and interesting”. Xiaocong enjoys living in Invercargill – “It’s quiet and the people are very kind. I like this environment.” Aiming to progress to further study, Xiaocong intends to enter Quantity Surveying at the diploma level and then advance to the Level 7 course. “It will be very useful for my future work,” he says.