31 July 2014 at 9:00 am
Investment in international education provides boost
A plan to launch New Zealand’s first double LLM degree with China, and a marketing alliance targeting German applied science students are two of 18 new initiatives to receive development funding. Education New Zealand announced today.
Over $600,000 of co-funding was awarded in the third round of International Education Growth Fund grants to a mix of projects across the international education sector aimed at growing New Zealand’s international education industry.
The University of Waikato received co-funding to partner with law schools in China to enable Chinese students to complete their Chinese LLB and undertake a LLM at Waikato, as well as to enable Waikato students to obtain LLM qualifications that are recognised in China.
Study Applied Sciences – a marketing alliance of Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology (CPIT), Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT), Universal College of Learning (UCOL) and Otago Polytechnic (OP) – received co-funding to create print and digital material to raise awareness in Germany of applied science at New Zealand institutes of technology and polytechnics.
Other successful initiatives include a collaboration of four high schools from Auckland and Tauranga to attract more students from Mexico and a project by Hamilton-based Online Education Ltd to translate its ‘Code Avengers’ online computer programming and web development courses for new markets.
“A common theme across this round’s participants is collaboration, an imperative for the industry if we are to achieve our goal of increasing the value of international education to New Zealand to $5 billion by 2025,” says Grant McPherson, Chief Executive of Education New Zealand.
The IEGF offers co-funding to new and innovative projects targeted at international markets. Education New Zealand invests between $10,000 and $50,000 per project to match successful applicants' funding.
“Over three funding rounds we have invested just over $2 million in 59 growth projects that have helped develop new education products, opened the door to new markets, and facilitated contacts that will lead to new business or investment.
“International education brings social and cultural benefits to New Zealand, as well as contributing to economic growth, and we welcome opportunities to develop the market offshore for our world-class education programmes, products and services,” says Mr McPherson.
Applications for round four of the International Growth Fund open on 1 September 2014.
