Greetings to you all. My name is Roger Shew and I have just joined Lincoln University as the new International Director. I have been working within the international education industry for the past 17 years and I look forward to being part of the sector in Canterbury.

My most recent role prior to Lincoln University was Director of Marketing and Communications at the Chinese University of Hong Kong Business School. Living and working in Hong Kong for the past 6.5 years has been a rich and rewarding experience. As someone who was born and raised in Auckland, I was able to gain deep insight into the Chinese culture, improve my Cantonese and experience some of the challenges which are faced by our international students. For example, having to find accommodation in an unfamiliar city with limited local support has helped me to appreciate the resilience and determination of our international students when they first arrive to our shores. Prior to moving to Hong Kong I worked for 5.5 years at the University of Auckland as Deputy Director International Office, International Marketing and Admissions. Before this I was Study Auckland Manager, which has a similar role to Christchurch Educated.

The international education sector in New Zealand continues to evolve under the influences of government policies, global economic shifts, changing demographics and fierce competition. I believe that international students are vitally important for New Zealand’s talent pool ­– now and for the future, our cultural diversity and the nation’s economy. Therefore, I am pleased that I can bring my relevant experiences to the Christchurch Educated Board and I very much look forward to working with Canterbury’s family of institutions.

Roger Shew
International Director
Lincoln University