International Education Package Scores A+

International Education Package Scores A+

“The Budget package for international education initiatives is an A+ paper” says Robert Stevens, Chief Executive of Education New Zealand. “The package includes a comprehensive range of initiatives that collectively support the industry, recognise the importance of international education to the country, and helps lay firm foundations for future development”.

The package, announced by Education Minister Hon Trevor Mallard, features a number of new initiatives, including funding for research and development of new delivery options, scholarships and study-abroad awards, the appointment of education counsellors offshore to build relationships at an official level in key markets; and a renewed emphasis on quality control and generic promotion.

“The international education market is growing and changing rapidly” says Robert Stevens. “Our institutions have worked hard to build an industry that delivers huge educational, economic and social benefits for New Zealand. We are delighted that the Government has recognised that it has a real role to play in encouraging industry development. Education is not like selling widgets – it is inextricably linked with international social and cultural development and has enormous ramifications for relationships within the global community of nations. Industry and Government working in partnership is the recipe for maximum benefit for students and stakeholders alike.”

As the industry has grown, developing new modes of supply and meeting changing market requirements have become critical factors in ensuring that New Zealand remains an educator of choice in the international marketplace. “Within the last few years we have seen major changes in the type of education that international students want, the countries that have emerging demands, and the way in which many countries that formerly sent students abroad have evolved their own education systems”, says Robert Stevens. “We have also seen an explosion in the number of countries competing for students, and a transformation in the services offered. New Zealand enjoys an excellent reputation, but we must meet this changing demand. These Government initiatives will support our response to this demand and help maintain New Zealand’s position in the market”.

“Industry has been supportive of the necessity for Government to take an active role, where appropriate, in this unique industry” says Robert Stevens. “We are delighted that this Government has recognised the tremendous progress that the industry has made, and is backing it with a range of practical and useful measures that will assist one of New Zealand’s biggest economic success stories of the first half of this millennium decade to continue its development and build on its achievements”.

1 Education New Zealand is the national industry body for New Zealand’s education exporters. The organisation is a not-for-profit Trust that is fully owned by the education industry.

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