HELPING ASPIRANTS: Paul Vaughan (right), New Zealand Trade Commissioner to India, interacts with a parent at the New Zealand Education Fair which was organised by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and Education New Zealand in Chennai on Thursday.
51; PHOTO: K PICHUMANI

CHENNAI: From being an adjunct to the Australian education scenario, New Zealand education is coming into its own, if the response by students to the New Zealand Education Fair, held on Thursday, is any indication.

The eighth edition of the day-long fair, organised jointly by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and Education New Zealand, was attended by 150 students within the first hour of its opening. Representatives from 20 educational institutions had set up shop, counselling students on all aspects of the admission process.

Growing number of students

"The number of education seekers to New Zealand is growing every year. Though China still continues to send the largest number of students among Asian countries, among postgraduate students, India constitutes a major chunk. Last year, 1,300 Indian students entered higher education in New Zealand," Paul Vaughan, New Zealand Trade Commissioner to India, told reporters after inaugurating the fair.

India was amongst the country's top four education markets and there was a 45 per cent growth this year in the number of Indian students. The country had witnessed a nine per cent growth in international student applications over last year's figures.

The Indian market was significant as many students opted to stay on after completing studies and meet New Zealand's talent and skill requirements, "a trend that was more marked among Indian students than any other significant market."

The most sought after courses were business, information technology, engineering, biotechnology, web designing, fashion technology and hotel management and tourism. Though Mumbai and Chandigarh were major centres, Chennai was also emerging as a viable market.

State-funded varsities

The USP of New Zealand education was that all eight universities were State-funded and hence cost of education was much lower compared to other English-speaking countries such as Australia and Canada. Also, the rate of unemployment was low and a shortage of skilled manpower meant better job prospects for the trained.

The country had put in place a revised and improved student visa policy through which students can seek employment after six months of stay and can then go on to seek permanent residency or citizenship, Mr. Vaughan said.

Top universities such as University of Auckland and Lincoln University participated in the fair, offering courses such as business studies, engineering, IT and Computing, food and dairy technology, plant science and horticulture, hospitality and hotel management, nursing, forestry and sports management.

From Chennai, the New Zealand Education Fair will move on to Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chandigarh and Kolkata. Students seeking higher education in New Zealand can contact www.edunz.india@nzte.govt.nz

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