14 September 2016 at 9:00 am
International education gets $444,000 boost in co-funding
Just over $444,000 has been allocated as co-funding to 14 new growth initiatives in the international education industry through the International Education Growth Fund (IEGF) administered by Education New Zealand.
The IEGF is designed to help New Zealand’s education providers achieve growth by boosting bold, innovative ideas to maximise international education opportunities.
“The 2016 round of the IEGF brought applications from around the country, building on a sustained period of growth in international students choosing New Zealand as their study destination,” said ENZ Chief Executive Grant McPherson.
“We are particularly keen to see further growth across New Zealand so it is encouraging that more than two thirds of the innovative projects awarded funding are from education providers in the regions.”
Successful projects range from a fully integrated literacy programme in the United States, and the development of school-to-university pathway programme with middle schools in Changzhou, China, to the establishment of institutional relationships with selected Norwegian institutions.
Massey University is collaborating with the University of California at Davis to develop a world-class training programme in oiled wildlife response.
AFS Intercultural Programmes New Zealand is working with intermediate schools in Wellington to deliver a short programme for Chinese students which has a strong intercultural component.
“It is vital for New Zealand to continue to build on our international connections and ensure our young people are equipped with the cultural capability to study, live and work in the increasingly interconnected world we live in,” said Mr McPherson.
“Market diversification is key to the sustainable growth of international education. We welcome education providers exploring new avenues and looking to expand into new markets. Over half of the successful recipients are targeting more than one market while others are setting out to widen their reach to include US, Germany, Norway and Japan,” he said.
Matched funding worth up to $50,000 is open to all quality education providers, peak bodies, and businesses that offer education services or products internationally. The application process is competitive with preference given to bold approaches to growing the international education industry. In this latest round, 49 applications were received.
For a list of the successful recipients, click here.
