Toi Ohomai Manager Recognised for Outstanding Contribution to International Education

Toi Ohomai International Services Manager, Ada Chen, has won the Professional Leadership Award at the ISANA NZ – International Education Association of Aotearoa Awards.

Ada was presented with the award at the association’s forum event, held in Auckland on Wednesday, 29 October.

The award recognises an individual with a strong commitment to learner-centric practice in New Zealand’s international education sector.

Ada was nominated by colleagues at Toi Ohomai for her leadership, integrity, and commitment to enhancing cross-border learner experiences for ākonga. She also received several letters of support from community leaders, international stakeholders and ākonga, including Rotorua Mayor, Tania Tapsell; Priority One Acting Chief Executive, Greg Simmonds; Rotorua Chinese Community of Commerce Chair, Isabelle Yee; and International Education Agent, Jennifer Zhang.

Ada says she is honoured to receive the ISANA NZ – International Education Association of Aotearoa Professional Leadership Award.

“I want to express a heartfelt thank you for the recognition. This award is a reflection of the incredible people I have had the privilege to work with and learn from over the last 25 years in the international education sector."

"Particularly, I want to thank Kavitha Magesan and the International team for their nomination. All the credits should go to the team, and the community and Toi Ohomai, who cultivated me over the years,” she says.

As well as working Toi Ohomai, Ada currently serves on the Advisory Board of Education Tauranga, and is a Board Member and former Co-President of the Rotorua Chinese Community of Commerce.

She is currently a PhD candidate at Deakin University, undertaking research titled “Understanding International Students’ Career Supports and Employability in Vocational Education and Training (VET) in Australia and New Zealand”, and recently submitted her Master’s research for publication, titled “The Impact of Wellbeing on International Students’ Satisfaction and Loyalty: Evidence from the Bay of Plenty Tertiary Institutions”.