Export Education takes us to the world domain

In an article titled ‘Downgrading Indian market begs the question’ published in our June 1, 2011 issue, New Zealand Career College (NZCC) Managing Director Feroz Ali had emphasised the importance of India as a profitable and mutually beneficial export education market and had urged the government to refocus its market strategy.

That comment was prophetic, since Prime Minister John Key announced a joint Education Council with $1 million annual fund with India for promoting education during his official visit to Delhi (Indian Newslink, July 1, 2011).

“New Zealand’s education relationship has gone well beyond just education recruitment. This new initiative aims to strengthen that relationship even further and increase academic links between our countries and open up new opportunities to collaborate on education services,” Mr Key said after signing the Agreement with India’s Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on June 28, 2011.

Although modest, the $1 million joint venture is expected to pave the way for cooperation at greater levels in the future. Both countries are well known for their research activities and the formation of the new Council would help in synergising efforts in several areas.

Refocusing India

Mr Ali had also urged Education New Zealand to revise the participation criteria and recommence marketing efforts in India, after it became a Crown entity.

“If we are serious about promoting Export Education as a durable sector and if we are keen to establish New Zealand as a popular international student destination, we must recognise India as a major market. PACE (Point Accumulation Event Fairs) encourage collaboration and hence must encourage and facilitate quality export providers collectively in New Zealand to market their courses and programmes in India,” he had said.

Once again, his view has proved to be providential, for Education New Zealand will be conducting a number of workshops and fairs in several major Indian cities this year. As Mr Ali had pointed out, in order to bring back universities and polytechnic to the Fairs in India, it is imperative to put in place stringent criteria for participating Private Training Establishments (PTEs).

Export Excellence

The growing importance of India as a trading partner encouraged us to include the ‘Business Excellence in Export to India Category’ in the Indian Newslink Indian Business Awards since their launch in 2008.

This award recognises a business that successfully captures the benefits of the global market demonstrating outstanding export achievements, sustainable growth and results. Our panel of judges look for evidence demonstrating export growth in volume and as a proportion of business revenue.

The fact that Professional Bar and Restaurant School, an Auckland based PTE won the Award in 2010 and 2011 underscored the significant role played by the export education sector.

NZCC has been the sponsor of this category over the past two years. Mr Ali said that the institution decided to be a part of the Awards Scheme because of its growing importance in the country.

“We are pleased to be involved with Indian Newslink in promoting quality education providers. I am confident that with combined efforts, all quality education institutions can keep unscrupulous organisations and agents out of this sector,” he said.

Surging numbers

The number of students from India has quadrupled in the past seven years.

India has overtaken China as the greatest source country of new students. In the 2009-2010 year, 5900 new students from India were granted visas, compared to 4,900 new students from China.

A 2007 report on a national survey of international students in New Zealand found that their top five reasons for choosing New Zealand were (a) English speaking country (b) Personal preference (c) Safety (d) International recognition of New Zealand qualifications and (e) Quality of education.

INZ works in partnership with other agencies in supporting the export education sector.

All education providers (primary to tertiary) hosting international students must be signatories to the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students, which is managed by the Education ministry.

All tertiary education providers wishing to offer courses to international students must first be registered and accredited by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) and have NZQA approval of their courses.

Faster assessment

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) also has an important role to play in boosting New Zealand’s image as a quality education destination.

Potential students can apply online if their education provider is accredited with INZ as a Student Online Partner (initial assessment of online applications is guaranteed within 48 hours).

Officials said that overseas students must provide the appropriate information documentation required to ensure speedy processing of their applications.

“At present, 30% of all manual applications are incomplete, which means processing is delayed while INZ seeks and receives the missing material.

INZ aims to ensure it has the capacity and capability to deal with all applications in a timely manner, particularly at peak processing times. This means continuing to meet its commitment to 48-hour processing of online applications through Students Online Partners and deciding 96% of all applications (manual applications included) within 30 days, subject to applicants meeting health, character and other standard requirements,” officials said.

The photograph (by Bhavnesh Soni) appearing here shows New Zealand Career College Managing Director Froze Ali announcing the winner of the ‘Business Excellence in Export to India’ at the Indian Newslink Indian Business Awards held at the Sky City Convention Centre, Auckland on November 14, 2011. Former Indian High Commissioner Sureesh Mehta is also seen greeting Professional Bar and Restaurant School Managing Director Luella Bartlett with the Trophy.

Indian Newslink Indian Business Awards 2012