Earlier this month I had the pleasure of attending the launch of the Accelerator youth training programme at The Warehouse. This is off the back of their successful ‘Red Shirts in the Community’ programme and is being delivered in partnership with The Warehouse, Youth Hub and the Ministry of Social Development. It’s fantastic to see one of our own as a key partner in this initiative, great work Senthil Perumal.
Congratulations to Kendall Flutey, founder of Banqer who has been named 2019 Young New Zealander of the year. We are proud to have Banqer as a member, Kendall was also a key member in helping establish EdTechNZ. Banqer is an inspirational example of what Kiwi’s can achieve in the EdTech Space!
In case you’ve been hiding under a rock and missed it, Education Minister Chris Hipkins has announced: a significant shakeup of the ITO’s, amalgamation of New Zealand’s 16 Polytechs into New Zealand Institute of Skills & Technology, along with changes to the “on job” funding models. I’m sure there will be lots of speculation on whether this is a good thing or not, I won’t comment and time will tell, but it does hold great promise if it can be executed well, it was clearly inevitable.
These changes are particularly important to us and the broader tech sector, given that a significant percentage of NZ’s tech talent come in via these education channels. One thing highlighted to me that I find interesting is that the consultation documents mention a central role for the Open Polytechnic in distance learning, along with the potential for greater use of educational technology generally.
SIGNAL ICT Grad School, (a collaboration between the five main South Island TEO’s) is offering a limited number of $2000 scholarships for ‘Educate’, a two-year part-time distance learning PG Cert in ICT, designed for teachers who want to lead and influence the teaching of DT within their schools or wider community.
Looking for investment in your EdTech business? This article highlighting $1.45 billion of investment in 2018 in the USA reinforces that in this sector, the USA is the centre of the EdTech universe!
For those of you in Auckland, Xero are hosting an event ‘Bridging the Gap’ – Education to Employability on Monday, 18 March 2019. This will be an interactive panel discussion and networking evening to hear from innovative industry experts, educators and content creators who are reinventing the status quo in curriculum, content and education delivery. This will be part of a wider group of events at Xero that day.
Haere rā
Shane Kerr
Chair
EVENTS AND NEWS
Read Freemium perils and loss of control a great article from Phil Garing on the true/hidden cost of “free” services
Attend Xero Learn – Bridging the Gap – Education to Employability 18 March, Auckland
Discover why Edtech leaders must adopt a ‘visionary’ view of the workforce. Read QPEC’s thoughts on the Minister’s New future for work skills training in NZ
Get the highlights and insights from one individual “at the epicenter of edtech” FETC 2019: The Right Stuff for the Future of Education
This Myth vs. Facts Infographic is based on USA stats but may provide some good guidance when making decisions on EdTech.
Check out Core Education’s top 10 trends for 2019.
Join Digital Identity NZ and Blockchain New Zealand at the next Tech Alliance event series Leveraging Blockchain for your Digital Identity on 14 March, Wellington and 21 March, Auckland.
Contribute to the AI Forum’s 2019 research project Towards Our Intelligent Future: New Zealand’s AI Roadmap learn how you can be involved.
Be part of Techweek19, 20-26 May nationwide. Plan your own EdTech event to inspire the sector and build expertise. If you would like to be involved event submissions are open now.
Entries for the 2019 Hi-Tech Awards are open until 4 March. Check out the categories and consider a nomination. Save the date for the 2019 Gala Dinner on 24 May in Auckland
Reimagine learning at uLearn19 Conference register before 31 May to receive the Earlybird discount. Taking place in October in Rotorua, you’ll be joined by 1500 like minded educators over three days
Registrations are open for the 2019 Export Essentials workshops running throughout New Zealand from February to July.
Apply for a $2000 scholarship from SIGNAL ICT Grad School, for ‘Educate’ (a collaboration between the five main South Island TEO’s) a limited number are available.
Last chance to register, the Tech Marketers conference is taking place tomorrow in Auckland. Register for AI-Day 2019 a multi-day conference, taking place in Auckland 27 March to 7 April.
Travel to EdTechXEurope 2019 in London, 18 June. Connecting over 900 investors, innovators and influencers from education companies globally. Later that month attend London EdTech Week 18-25 June, 2019.
Callaghan Innovation launches Scale-Up New Zealand, a free online platform with verified information on New Zealand’s innovation ecosystem. Learn more and register to be part of Scale-Up New Zealand.
Check out #ISTE2019, 23-26 June in Philadelphia, super earlybird pricing ends 1 March.
World changing ideas start in New Zealand! Meet the UpStarters and learn more about New Zealand’s tech and innovation story.
