First Sino-NZ Cooperation Program graduates celebrated

Thursday 16 June 2016 has been written into the New Zealand Tertiary College (NZTC) history books as the inaugural graduation ceremony for the Sino-New Zealand Cooperation Program took place in Fuzhou, China.

The Fujian Preschool Education College, education agency China Liberal Technology Development Company Limited and New Zealand Tertiary College came together to celebrate the first 142 graduates of the program which aims to support early childhood teacher education in China.

Founded in 2013, the program sees students graduate with an NZTC, New Zealand Qualifications Authority approved, Certificate in Early Childhood Teaching (Level 6) and a China Ministry of Education approved three year Diploma in Early Childhood Education. Supported by Education New Zealand, the educational relationship between New Zealand and China has been strong, endorsed by the addition of NZTC to the Chinese Ministry of Education’s Study Abroad List in December last year.

Education New Zealand government representative in China, Alexandra Grace, attended the ceremony and shared a special message with the graduates.

“Relationships between countries are shaped by leaders, but developed by people. As the first cohort of graduates you are now dual ambassadors both for China and New Zealand. You hold in your hands, and in your hearts, and in your minds an understanding of both our countries which is necessary to take the New Zealand – China relationship to greater heights still,” said Grace.

NZTC Chief Executive Selena Fox thanked Ms Grace for attending the event, appreciating the opportunity to share first-hand the difference NZTC’s certificate qualification has enabled in the learning and lives of the students.

“This inaugural graduation ceremony symbolises the successful cooperation that crosses oceans, languages and cultures between New Zealand and China, coming together as a result of our shared commitment to the education of teachers of young children,” said Fox.

Graduate speaker Wenfeng Zhu reflected on the graduates early childhood education journey to date.

“During our time of study, NZTC expatriated many outstanding professors in the field of early childhood education to our school to further explain the relevant knowledge to us. At the same time, it provided us with hands-on experience in foreign teaching methods,” she shared.

Further educational opportunities are available for the graduates as they consider completing an NZTC Bachelor of Education (ECE) in China or New Zealand, or a teaching qualification in New Zealand.