UC Opens Applications for ‘Global Competence in the AI Era’ Short-Term Study Programme

Summary

The University of Canterbury is taking applications for its 2027 summer break 'Global Competence in the AI Era' short-term study programme, open to students at partner institutions. The two-week programme runs from 17 January to 30 January 2027 at UC's main campus in Christchurch, with applications closing on 15 October. It draws on the UNESCO Global Competence Framework and the OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) global competence assessment framework as its academic foundation.

No programming or technical background is required. The focus is on building core digital-era capabilities: understanding AI, using tools effectively, cross-cultural collaboration, and solving real-world problems. The programme retains its immersive learning experience with approximately 10:1 mixed teams alongside UC local students, along with classic modules including Māori cultural immersion, a visit to the Chinese Consulate-General in Christchurch, a meeting with the Mayor, and a HIT Lab NZ technology experience.

It also adds upgraded content including AI experience workshops, digital art storytelling, and sustainability field teaching. For programme enquiries, contact Ms Winnie Zhang on WeChat: TS18217284535. On-campus contact: Ms Xu, International Cooperation and Exchange Office, phone 0631-7592627, QQ 857131551.

Rongcheng College will hold in-person information sessions: 21 September at 14:00 in Room A404, New Teaching Building, and at 16:00 in Room D201, Fourth Teaching Building; 22 September at 13:30 and 15:00 in Room A404, New Teaching Building.

Commentary

The University of Canterbury's new 'Global Competence in the AI Era' short-term study programme is built on UNESCO and OECD frameworks, sets no technical entry barrier, and emphasises cross-cultural collaboration and practical problem-solving. It retains an immersive 10:1 mixed-team experience with local students while incorporating modules such as Māori culture and a Consulate-General visit, underscoring New Zealand's distinctive strengths in attracting international educational exchange. For New Zealand SME owners, programmes like this not only advance New Zealand-China education cooperation but may also create opportunities for local firms to connect with Chinese universities and future talent.

Short-term study and cultural exchange by Chinese students in New Zealand helps deepen understanding of the local business environment, laying groundwork for future trade, investment or technology cooperation. From an industry perspective, international education is a significant services export for New Zealand, and China has long been one of its largest source markets. Although post-pandemic recovery has been uneven, customised, clearly themed short-term programmes like this are emerging as a new growth driver for attracting Chinese students.

At the same time, the programme's focus on AI and global competence aligns with the current global digital transformation trend. New Zealand has a certain research base in AI applications and digital creativity — such as human-computer interaction research at HIT Lab NZ — which can offer participants frontier experiences. For NZ SMEs, it is worth watching the potential talent flows and knowledge spillovers such programmes generate — for example, by connecting with participating Chinese students or exploring cooperation possibilities with Chinese universities in AI applications and sustainability.

As the South Island's leading research university, UC carries local influence in engineering and technology disciplines, and the programme's upgraded AI workshops and sustainability field teaching may offer local businesses technology linkages and innovation inspiration.

Keywords: University of Canterbury, short-term study programme, Global Competence in the AI Era, 2027 summer break, applications close 15 October, UNESCO Global Competence Framework, OECD PISA, Christchurch, information sessions, international cooperation and exchange

Summary in Chinese | 摘要

新西兰坎特伯雷大学2027寒假“AI时代全球胜任力”短期访学项目正式启动，面向合作院校学生，项目时间为2027年1月17日至1月30日，共2周，地点在基督城坎特伯雷大学主校区，报名截止10月15日。项目以联合国教科文组织（UNESCO）全球胜任力框架和经济合作与发展组织（OECD）国际学生评估项目（PISA）全球胜任力评估框架为学术基础，不要求编程或技术背景，重在培养理解AI、善用工具、跨文化协作和解决真实问题的数字时代核心能力。项目保留与UC本地学生约10:1联合组队的沉浸式学习体验，以及毛利文化沉浸、中国驻基督城总领馆参访、市长见面会、HIT Lab NZ科技体验等经典模块，并升级AI体验工作坊、数字艺术叙事、可持续发展实地教学等内容。

项目咨询联系Winnie张老师，微信号TS18217284535；校内联系人国际合作与交流工作部徐老师，电话0631-7592627，QQ 857131551。荣成学院将举办线下宣讲会：9月21日14:00新教A404室、16:00四教D201室，9月22日13:30和15:00新教A404室。

Commentary in Chinese | 评论

坎特伯雷大学此次推出的“AI时代全球胜任力”短期访学项目，以UNESCO和OECD框架为学术基础，不设技术门槛，强调跨文化协作与实际问题解决，并保留与本地学生10:1联合组队的沉浸式体验，同时融入毛利文化、总领馆参访等模块，显示出新西兰在吸引国际教育交流方面的独特优势。对于新西兰中小企业主而言，这类项目不仅促进中新教育合作，更可能为本地企业带来与中国高校及未来人才建立联系的机会。中国学生在新西兰的短期学习与文化交流，有助于增进对当地商业环境的理解，为后续贸易、投资或技术合作埋下伏笔。

从行业背景看，新西兰国际教育产业是其重要服务出口领域，中国长期是最大生源国之一。尽管疫情后恢复进程波动，但此类定制化、主题鲜明的短期项目，正成为吸引中国学生的新增长点。同时，项目聚焦AI与全球胜任力，契合当前全球数字化转型趋势，新西兰在人工智能应用、数字创意等领域具备一定研发基础，如HIT Lab NZ的人机交互研究，可为参与者提供前沿体验。

对NZ SME而言，可关注此类项目带来的潜在人才流动与知识溢出效应，例如与参与项目的中国学生建立联系，或探索与中国高校在AI应用、可持续发展等领域的合作可能。坎特伯雷大学作为南岛主要研究型大学，其工程与科技学科在本地具有影响力，项目升级的AI工作坊和可持续发展实地教学，或为本地企业提供技术对接与创新灵感。

关键词: 坎特伯雷大学, 短期访学, AI时代全球胜任力, 2027寒假, 报名截止10月15日, UNESCO全球胜任力框架, OECD PISA, 基督城, 宣讲会, 国际合作与交流

Source: Harbin University of Science and Technology