Doing Business in India programme

The 16 postgraduate students have just returned from a two-week Doing Business in India programme. 

Education New Zealand funded the students from New Zealand’s universities on the programme at the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) in New Delhi. The IIFT, an autonomous public business school, is widely recognised for its knowledge and resources in foreign related trade and research having trained more than 40,000 business professionals across 30 countries.

Greg Johnston, a University of Waikato honours student and budding entrepreneur, says the Doing Business in India programme was “outstanding”. 

“What Education NZ have provided for us is outstanding and they made a great decision to link in with IIFT. The calibre of IIFT faculty is world-class”.

Greg, who is passionate about international trade and commerce, was quick to apply for the chance to participate in the programme that aimed to enhance New Zealand’s trade and education links with India. 

He says Doing Business in India delivered on its promise to help New Zealanders to better understand trade patterns, business opportunities and procedures to successfully engage in business with India.

Education New Zealand’s Regional Director South Asia, Ziena Jalil, hosted the students at a networking event at the New Zealand High Commission in New Delhi along with other New Zealand government agency officials. 

“The Doing Business in India programme has given some of New Zealand’s brightest emerging talent an opportunity to learn how India does business – emphasizing the official requirements for starting and operating an industrial or commercial business in India. Just as importantly, each participant on the programme was an ambassador for New Zealand education.” 

The participating students came from six of New Zealand’s eight universities. They were chosen on their ability to demonstrate cross-cultural understanding and awareness, their understanding of the importance of the global networks and partners for New Zealand’s business success, and on their understanding of the importance of India to New Zealand’s trade and economic future. 

The Doing Business in India programme supports the 2011 New Zealand and Indian Prime Ministers’ Education Initiative announced to enhance bilateral tertiary education cooperation. 

This education initiative was also the catalyst for the establishment of the New Zealand India Education Council under which Education New Zealand recently put out a call for joint research applications from New Zealand and Indian academics. Over 60 research applications were received in response to the call. A joint New Zealand-India panel will decide successful applications during the first week of May.