New Zealand education sector delegation heads to India

A delegation will head to India Saturday to drum up trade in the education sector, the New Zealand government announced Friday.

Led by Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Steven Joyce, the delegation would aim to lift New Zealand's profile as a destination for international students and to support New Zealand tertiary institutions and companies seeking to grow their business in the Indian market, reported Xinhua.

"India is New Zealand's third largest source of international students with 12,358 students enrolled in courses in New Zealand in 2011 -- an increase of 95 percent since 2008," Joyce said in a statement.

The government wanted to double the economic contribution the international education industry made to New Zealand to 5 billion NZ dollars ($4.09 billion) by 2025, he said.

"India is an important part of that future growth both in terms of students studying in New Zealand, and New Zealand providers working in India. The aim of the visit alongside a delegation of New Zealand tertiary institutions, education providers and companies is to further strengthen and build on our mutual education relationship," said Joyce.

"The closeness between our two education industries is reflected in the fact that up to eight memoranda of understanding are expected to be signed between New Zealand and Indian institutions covering areas such as vocational training, joint research training, student exchanges and ICT."

New Zealand also has good links with India in the aviation sector, with New Zealanders being involved in the design and building of airports in India, and New Zealand was highly regarded as a flight training location for Indian students.

"During the visit, we will be looking for greater collaboration to allow more New Zealand companies to take advantage of the aviation opportunities in India," said Joyce.