Annual Conference

Our annual conference is the chance to connect with other international education professionals, enhance your organisation’s international education programme, and further develop your own professional practice.

ISANA NZ Conference 2023

AUT, March 23 & 24

Growing international education:
Strengthening capacity and ensuring sustainability

You can now register and log in to the conference website to view information about the event. We will continue to be updating workshop details and inviting expressions of interest from presenters. Key themes of the conference will address current issues, risks and opportunities for the sector:

  • Code Essentials and the Capability Toolkit
  • Learner Wellbeing and Satisfaction
  • Building Professional Competence

The ISANA NZ conference aims to:

  • Showcase the new online Capability Protect toolkit
  • Offer leading strategies and models for intercultural competencies
  • Provide multiple networking opportunities
  • Offer timely professional support for experienced and new practitioners
  • Provide smart tools for Code compliance and enhancing the learner experience
  • Cater to the growth needs of fledgling international programmes

Who is the conference for?

Practitioners, educators, programme managers, advisors, learners, researchers, government agencies and NGOs involved in the tailored support of international learners. This cohort includes international students, refugee background learners, new settlers and RSE workers.

Our exceptional keynote speakers include:

Distinguished Professor Emeritus Paul Spoonley – Co-Director, He Whenua Taurikura. National Centre for Countering Violent Extremism

The Christchurch call and the challenges of an online world: International education’s role

Paul is a New Zealand sociologist and was formerly the Pro Vice-Chancellor of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Massey University. He specialises in understanding social change and demography as well as political extremism. He has written or edited 29 books on demographic change, ethnic identity and far right extremism. Paul will present on the role of international education in supporting Aotearoa’s social cohesion.

Prof. Colleen Ward – Founding Director of the Centre for Applied Cross-cultural Research, Victoria University of Wellington

The critical importance of managing international learner expectations

Colleen’s major areas of research expertise are intercultural relations and factors that facilitate or impede adaptation to a new culture. A highly cited author, Colleen has published numerous ground-breaking studies investigating the international student experience. She will discuss key findings that are critical to sector sustainability.

Dr. Dougal Sutherland – Registered Clinical Psychologist and Umbrella CEO

Applying clinical insights to international learner welfare and protecting professional boundaries

Dougal has worked for many years in public mental health services providing psychological support to children, parents, and families. He is CEO of Umbrella and high-profile commentator on mental health issues. Dougal will share strategies and practices that he believes will support and enhance international learner wellbeing.

David Bycroft – Executive Director Bycroft Consulting

Sustainable enterprise in international education

David is a successful Australian education business consultant who has worked in the international education sector globally for over 20 years.  He founded the Australian Homestay Network (AHN) which offers the largest network of hosts in Australia and has a significant role promoting national homestay guidelines and standards. David will discuss strategies for building international education initiatives that are learner-centred, versatile and sustainable.

Ticket Type:

ISANA NZ member                               $480

Non-member                                        $570

Student                                                   $150

Day only                                                  $250

Day + canapes                                        $300

Conference Sponsor

Conference sponsors are offered a table/booth space, free attendance, company logo on conference material and company brochure in delegate folders

Who benefits from ISANA NZ conferences? 

Practitioners, educators, programme managers, advisors, learners, researchers, government agencies and NGOs involved in the tailored support of international learners. This cohort includes international students, refugee background learners, new settlers and RSE workers.