New Canterbury collaboration to develop recruitment pathways with Chinese high schools

The new group, known as the Canterbury Education Alliance (CEA), aims to recruit students directly from Chinese high schools and offer them a pathway of study from secondary school through to Lincoln University or straight to the university.

Canterbury schools involved in the project include Christchurch Boys’ High School, Lincoln High School, St Bede’s College, St Margaret’s College, Rangiora High School and Ellesmere College.

PEAL, which has strong networks in China, will support the implementation of the programme by facilitating relationships with local government and high schools in Chinese cities.

The International Directors from each high school, as well as Shaun Li (PEAL Managing Director) and Roger Shew (Lincoln University Director International) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the Lincoln University campus on Thursday 11 November.

Mr Li said the MOU signing represented a major milestone and formal launch of the collaborative venture.

“I still remember Roger and I discussing the idea of CEA only a few months ago and it’s wonderful to be here to realise our vision.”

Mr Shew described the collaboration as a fantastic opportunity for the partners to market together internationally.

“CEA will provide an innovative recruitment platform to share educational expertise between New Zealand and China, facilitate a smoother transition for the students from high school to university and improve the retention of international students in the Canterbury region,” he said. “We are very excited to formalise this new partnership.”

Lincoln University Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Bruce McKenzie expressed his positive support for the project during the MOU signing.

“It’s a really great opportunity, which will obviously benefit students, but it will also benefit the Canterbury region,” he said. “Pipelines are extremely valuable, and this collaboration suits our strategy, allowing us to work with Canterbury high schools in the area. I couldn’t be more supportive of this MOU.”

Carl Everett, International Director at Christchurch Boys’ High School also expressed his support, saying, “I’m positive that it will put us in a good position for when the borders open.”

All the CEA members are looking forward to working together. The next step of the Alliance is to hold a virtual meeting between its members and staff from Chinese high schools of one city, to begin the process of establishing relationships.​