AUT launches new Chinese microsite
AUT today launched a Chinese microsite to raise visibility of the University amongst prospective Chinese students and their families to encourage them to study onshore at AUT following a three-year disruption caused by COVID.
AUT’s Director of International Relations and Recruitment, William Ho, says the development of the new Chinese microsite is part of the University’s biggest international recruitment campaign which kicked off on the 1 August, coinciding with New Zealand’s full border opening to international students.
“Today’s launch is an important signal to the highly competitive Chinese market that AUT welcomes Chinese students to join the university whānau onshore either for the first time, or if they’ve been enrolled in an AUT online programme, to come and live in Auckland and enjoy an in-person student experience with us.
“We’re very pleased we can showcase all that AUT has to offer on the Mandarin language website and have focused on ensuring the beginning of a student’s journey with us is easier and more accessible, for them, their parents and our China-based agents and university partners.
“Our Chinese students, along with other students from around the world, are an incredibly important part of AUT, and the wider community in Auckland. They bring unique perspectives, networks, and opportunities that enhance the learning experience for our whole student body.
“We want them to know that we’re New Zealand’s most welcoming and diverse university situated in the heart of one of the world’s most dynamic and liveable cities,” says William.
The new site includes information and videos about AUT’s academic courses, pastoral care programme, employability, social, cultural and sporting clubs and activities available to our students.
It has been designed to suit the technical requirements of our Chinese audiences so that their first digital experience with AUT is in line with their high expectations, some of which are unique to China.
For example, by hosting the site behind the China firewall, it loads in less than one second, has the functionality to host China’s hugely popular social media channels, WeChat and Weibo, and it will be listed on the Chinese equivalent of Google, Baidu.
Inbound enquiries from prospective Chinese students can also be managed by AUT’s onshore China team via the new site.
AUT has also committed to support international students who are studying full-time online in Semester 2, 2022 to transition to on-campus study if they can arrive in New Zealand during the semester.