New Zealand draws Indian students

New Zealand has registered a two-fold increase in the number of Indian students in the last three years.

According to New Zealand Trade Commissioner Cliff Fuller, from 2,500 students three years ago, the number has risen to 6,000 now. The island nation has an edge over other countries in wine making, commercial pilot training, agri and marine engineering courses, but information technology and business management courses drew more Indian students.

“The recession prompts people to have a fresh perspective and a lot of them are looking at upgrading their education qualifications.There is light at the end of the tunnel and the higher qualification may help sustain during job cuts,” he said.

Fuller was in town recently to participate in an education fair.

He added that they were in the process of arranging meetings of New Zealand-based companies with Indian players. “Some of our companies are in touch with the milk processing companies in Punjab for skill development and upgradation of equipment used in commercial dairy farming,” he said.

This apart, New Zealand companies would also share their skill set in supply chain management, reducing wastage in agriculture and breeding programmes.