Jenny Dixon: We must open our hearts and jobs to overseas students

As Auckland continues through the lengthy process of developing an agreed unitary plan it is important to recognise the contribution international students make to our city's reputation. Photo / Brett Phibbs

The amalgamation of Auckland and the introduction of the Auckland Plan have focused attention on Auckland's diversity, structure and economy.

As Auckland continues through the lengthy process of developing an agreed unitary plan it is important to recognise the contribution international students make to our city's reputation as a world-class city with a strong national and international profile.

International students bring significant benefits. They are an important part of our education system.

Currently there are 60,000 international students in Auckland. They contribute $1.65 billion to Auckland's economy. Nationwide they support 28,000 jobs. The fees they pay supplement the reserves of universities and other education providers, to the benefit of all students whether domestic or international.

International students contribute to the increasingly rich tapestry of community, liveliness and vivacity that our inner city needs. They bring insights into different cultures, and the opportunity to forge lasting relationships with their host countries. As students developing their education and skills they offer an important contribution, whether they choose to stay in NZ or return home.

The University of Auckland wants more international students. Nationwide the Government wants to double the income from international students from $2.5 billion now to $5 billion in 2025.

In a highly competitive global market for students, the students who choose Auckland over other cities have done their research. Students tell us they are influenced by quality of teaching and the reputation of the university, living costs, friendliness and work opportunities.

At the University of Auckland we recognise the importance of our reputation internationally in attracting students to New Zealand. We continue to strive in the face of massive investment by Asian universities to be recognised as top ranked universities.

It is heartening that the Government has recognised the importance of work opportunities. International students studying here are not wealthy and like domestic students want to work to meet living costs. For research students being able to work will not only be attractive to them for paying bills but also in informing their study.

We agree with Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce that rather than take jobs off domestic students, the broadening of work opportunities for international students will attract more international students - and that means more domestic jobs within the export education sector.

But we say Auckland and Aucklanders need to step up to support a high value growth sector of the economy ranked NZ's fifth largest export behind dairy, meat, travel and logs and wood. We urge employers to take on international students to work part-time while they study and fulltime once they have graduated.

We need public transport, which supports the flow of students to and from the tertiary education campuses scattered across our city. And we need Aucklanders to extend warmth to students who have chosen to travel far to study and by doing so contribute significantly to our city, our economy and potentially our futures.

At the heart of the international student industry are relationships.

While the students are here to learn, on the way they learn about us. These are the seeds of international connections, which New Zealand first discovered with the Colombo Plan 40 years ago and continues to benefit from today.

Dr Huang Ning, co-founder, vice-president and chief technical of Beijing's Green World Solutions, is a 21st century equivalent. He spent six years at the University of Auckland returning to Beijing with a PhD in Architecture in 2011 to establish a green low-carbon planning and design business. The company employs 20 people and has an ambitious growth plan.

Students like Dr Huang forge connections, which will flourish into business and trade taking New Zealanders with them.

Professor Jenny Dixon is the University of Auckland's Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Strategic Engagement.