New Zealand aims to attract more Indian students: Envoy

To attract more Indian students, New Zealand has taken several steps such as introducing three-year, post-study work visa for international students, its envoy Joanna Kempkers said today.

The New Zealand High Commissioner to India said her country attracts about 20,000 Indian students every year.

"We are trying to get more Indian students in New Zealand universities. New Zealand has eight universities and there are also government-supported institutions," she told PTI on the sidelines of 'New Zealand - India Academic Conclave' here.

Kempkers also said that New Zealand focuses on more quality education that thousands of students are pursuing in the country.

Asked about the steps being taken to encourage Indian students to study in New Zealand, Kempkers said that the government has just announced new three-year open post-study work visa for all international students studying undergraduate degrees, masters degrees and Ph.D study.

Also, New Zealand is the second most peaceful country in world, she said.

According to a statement, the academic conclave builds upon a range of initiatives that are pushing New Zealand to the fore as the preferred international education destination for students, with a 15 per cent increase in Indian students choosing to study in New Zealand universities.

At the conclave, New Zealand's Regional Director of Education (South, South East Asia and Middle East) said, "We are delighted that Indian students are future-proofing their careers by choosing to study in New Zealand, particularly given the recent introduction of a three-year open post-study work visa for bachelor's, masters and Ph.D degree international students..."