Changing perceptions
Even as their southern neighbour, Australia, reports a 20 per cent fall in international student applications, New Zealand reports a 10 per cent hike for 2011.
When Peter Jackson chose to shoot The Lord of the Rings in Wellington, he was one of the first to applaud the country’s fast progressing academic infrastructure. He was not wrong. With only 18 to 20 students per classroom, New Zealanders enjoy personalised classes and the best of modern facilities.
“Every student is treated as an individual. They are given the space to grow and think without being subject to harsh rules. New Zealand was also the first country in the world to adopt a code of conduct for international students,” says Dr. Mishra, visiting faculty at Auckland University of Technology.
In the past ten years the country has invested considerable time and resources to build up their research facilities. With natural wilderness and solitude, New Zealand has grown to become an attractive destinations for academic scholars from across the world. Even as Australia reports a 20 per cent fall in international student applications, New Zealand reports a 10 per cent hike. The annual revenue from international students in New Zealand also grew by 10 per cent in 2009 to $ 664 millon. But what makes New Zealand attractive to Indian students in particular?
“There was a time when students would not consider New Zealand as an option for foreign education. It was alien to most Indian households and at best considered a popular holiday destination,” says Rajiv Gupta, CEO, EGE Global Consultants. But over time Gupta has been witness to a changing mindset.
“In the past five years this perception has changed drastically. As job rates fall and competition increases in the traditional education hotspots, people are
viewing less saturated markets with greater interest. Suddenly these countries seem to have better standards of living and lower competition,” explains Gupta. New Zealand promises a good quality of life for students with very little strain on one’s bank balance. An annual 2 per cent increase in scholarships and funding opportunities for international students makes studying here all the more cost- effective.
New Zealand also has many active organisations that work to attract foreign students. For example Education New Zealand, an agency that aims to promote New Zealand education around the world, ran several secondary school cricket competitions in Delhi in 2010. These participatory events help spread awareness and information about the quality of education that can be found in New Zealand. They also serve as informal question- answer sessions where prospective students can clarify doubts before or after the main event.
“I found out about education in New Zealand when some representatives came down to my college to hold a talk on quantum mechanics. This gave me the chance to learn about the various universities and facilities available there,” says Miriam Jhandelwal, 28, an alumnus of St. Stephen’s College.
Auckland University of Technology, Lincoln University, Victoria University of Wellington and University of Otago are some of the popular choices for students looking to pursue a course in New Zealand. Most colleges here achieved a graduate employment rate of over 90 per cent in 2011. “Graduates usually manage to find jobs abroad. New Zealand has excellent ties with companies in Australia, US, and mainland Europe. Basically you end up paying less to enter the western market. There are plenty of corporate jobs available in New Zealand as well, especially if one is looking to work in the film or tourism industry,” explains Jhandelwal.
With the government looking to increase investment in the education sector, one can expect much more from the Kiwis in the years ahead.