LIVE RECORDING: Arriving and Thriving - Supporting International Students to Succeed - a ’Students First’ Symposium

On 25th September 2025, this panel came together to discuss New Zealand's growth plans for international students, the panelists' personal experiences as international students, the initiatives their universities have to support international students' wellbeing and sense of belonging, and the political and economic challenges facing international education in New Zealand.

They also discussed New Zealand's unique position in the international education market compared to other countries and the importance of aligning international student programs with the country's workforce needs.

Your panel:

• Prof Damon Salesa, Vice Chancellor, Auckland University of Technology (AUT)
• Prof Jennifer Milam, Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic, University of Waikato
• Christopher Carey, Executive Director, Global Engagement at Massey University
• Stephanie Milam, International student

And Chaired by Prof Judyth Sachs, Chief Academic Officer at Studiosity.