New Zealand is planning to set up an office in Mumbai to expand its education footprint in India. The country plans the establishment of an education promotion and market development role within the New Zealand Consulate General in Mumbai.
Student visas issued to Indian nationals seeking to study in New Zealand increased more than 10 per cent last year, making India one of the fastest growing student markets for New Zealand.
“Our student numbers from India have continued to grow. And while currently we get a majority of our students from northern states, having a presence in Mumbai will enable us to focus more on the west and south of the country, where interest in New Zealand is also high” said New Zealand’s (ENZ) Regional Director South Asia Ziena Jalil.
The Mumbai expansion comes on the back of increased activity in India in the last six months, including a new brand launch, acknowledging India’s position as New Zealand’s second largest source of international students.
“We know that Indian students are looking for high quality, affordable education with good career pathways. New Zealand is perhaps one of the few countries in the world, if not the only one, which has all of its universities in the Top 500 globally,” said Jalil.
More than 11,000 students from India study in New Zealand, and Ms Jalil says New Zealand has put in place policies to make the country a top choice for international students.
Immigration New Zealand Area Manager, based in Mumbai, Nathanael Mackay said, “The New Zealand Government has announced changes to our work rights programme which will allow more international students to work while they study, enabling them to gain valuable first world business experience”
“New Zealand is highly regarded internationally in areas such as agriculture and food processing; health; the creative sector – including media and entertainment; IT; and travel, tourism and hospitality. These are all sectors in which we can add value to Indian partners,” Jalil said.
Deepa.nair@thehindu.co.in