Dunedin ramps up study destination appeal in competitive Shanghai market
Dunedin (Wednesday 13, November 2018) – Dunedin’s appeal as a top-class international study destination took another stride
under a new agreement signed in Shanghai last week.
The agreement between Otago Boys High School and Shanghai’s Guangming High School becomes the eighth sister school MoU
to be signed between Dunedin high schools and Shanghai high schools.
As part of the growing relationship between Guangming High School and its two local sister schools, Enterprise Dunedin
will put together a welcome programme for students who enrol to study in Dunedin through Guangming. The programme will
include a Mayoral welcome, hosted tours of the University of Otago and Otago Polytechnic, and business visits, and will
help to differentiate us from other potential study destinations.
Otago Boys High School Rector Richard Hall says that the signing of the sister school agreement is a significant
opportunity for the staff and students of this school to engage globally.
“As a school we see the benefits being two ways, in providing Guangming students with a first-class education here in
Dunedin, and for our staff and students to travel to Shanghai and learn about a different culture,” says Mr Hall.
The agreement, which was facilitated by Enterprise Dunedin, builds on the strong connections and existing sister school
relationship between Guangming and Otago Girls’ High School which began five years ago.
The signing was one of several highlights of a Dunedin delegation’s visit to Shanghai this week led by Mayor Dave Cull
and also including Deputy Mayor Chris Staynes and Enterprise Dunedin Director John Christie.
Mayor of Dunedin Dave Cull says, “Chinese parents are increasingly seeking a quality international education for their
children in innovative learning environments.
“Thanks to Dunedin’s reputation for educational excellence and the strong civic and educational links built up through
our sister city relationship, Dunedin is considered a top-class international education destination by Shanghai – one of
the world’s largest cities.
“We’ve seen from recent figures that international education benefits Dunedin’s economy by nearly $200 million a year
and this latest agreement will build on that,” says Mr Cull.
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