India is second largest & fastest growing source of international students to New Zealand

NEW DELHI: Representing 12% of the international student population in the country, New Zealand is turning out to be an emerging attraction for Indian students aspiring to go abroad. In last one decade there has been 700% increase in number of students from India. First time student visas has increased by 123% in January-July 2014 from that of the same period in 2013. 

This was revealed by New Zealand High Commissioner to India, Grahame Morton, stating that New Zealand’s economic future is very much tied to our key relationships and India is a key export market for New Zealand. He said that one of the best to make these connections is through the people-to-people links that international education offers. 

According to Immigration New Zealand Area Manager Nathanael Mackay, the country has put in place policies to make the country a top choice for international students. “The New Zealand Government has made changes to our work rights programme which allow more international students to work while they study, enabling them to gain valuable first world business experience whilst they study,” said Mackay. 

In 2013 there were a total of 11,984 Indian students studying in New Zealand, representing 12% of the international student population in the country. Management and commerce with 38% is the most popular option followed by information technology (15%). “We want to ensure that Indian students studying in New Zealand gain a meaningful experience, which will provide them with greater future opportunities, particularly in study areas in industries experiencing skill shortages in New Zealand such as IT, engineering, science and technology and construction,” said Mackay. 

On India specific approach, Ziena Jalil, regional director, South and South East Asia, ENZ said: “Over the last year ENZ has undertaken a range of initiatives to raise awareness of New Zealand as a study destination. These have included institution visits, media programmes, digital campaigns, education fairs, scholarship opportunities and other events. We’ve launched a new agent programme – working with quality agents to guide students and we have also expanded our own presence in India, with the expansion into Mumbai, which gives us greater reach into the western and southern states.” 

Recently a range of scholarships were announced which includes New Zealand India Sports Scholarships. For example University of Waikato in Hamilton, New Zealand has launched a NZ$1million international scholarship fund early this month. The scholarship for Asia will provide financial aid for pre-degree (foundation), undergraduate and postgraduate students with scholarships of up to NZ$10,000 on offer to students from 12 Asian countries – India, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea and the Philippines. 

India is currently the second largest & fastest growing source of international students to New Zealand 

* Indian students contribute more than NZ $250 m to New Zealand’s economy 

* In 2013 there were a total of 11,984 Indian students studying in New Zealand, representing 12% of the international student population in the country 

* There has been a 700% increase in Indian students in New Zealand since 2004. This equates to more than 10,000 students 

* First time student visas are up 123% (4,195) from January to July 2014 in comparison to the same period in 2013 

* Total student visas (renewed visas and first time student visas) are up 83% (5,380) from January to July 2014 compared to the same period in 2013 

* The most popular fields for enrolments in 2013 were: management & commerce (38%), information technology (15%), engineering & related technologies (10%), health (10%)