NZ universities woo international students

Universities across New Zealand are leaving no stone unturned to lure international students as the borders are expected to re-open next year

Last month that Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins announced that New Zealand would open its borders in a phased manner to all vaccinated international travellers, including international students, next year.

International students, especially from India, are waiting to get to NZ due to its globally well regarded education system.

Indian Weekender spoke to leading universities and education providers across NZ to find out how they are gearing up and providing extra support to those coming to study in 2022.

The University of Auckland, which has launched a ‘support package’ that has been specifically designed for undergraduate and masters students from India who want to advance their study ahead of NZ’s phased border re-opening during 2022.

University of Auckland’s International director Brett Berquist was recently quoted as saying, “We are offering deferred fees payment for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) masters students,” he said.

As part of it, the master’s students will be able to begin their studies online from India while delaying their tuition payments until they activate their education loan when they travel to New Zealand. They will also be offered a 30 percent bursary starting in 2022.”

An undergraduate student support package that includes virtual micro-internships with NZ companies and a loyalty programme providing a one-course fee waiver after completing two semesters of full-time study is also on offer. This programme includes additional online support. “Our support package will allow students to begin building their employability skills, while starting their studies in India. And once they arrive in NZ, they will benefit from our work rights provisions which they can use while studying and for three years once their studies are complete,” University of Auckland Vice-Chancellor Dawn Freshwater was quoted as saying.

Unitec Institute of Technology, too, is providing International Study Grants to new international students intending to come in 2022.

Don Sirimanne, Unitec’s Manager Marketing and International Development said, “To assist our international students and maintain their connection with New Zealand, Unitec has launched an International Study Grant worth up to $5000 for all new international students enrolling in Bachelor's, Postgraduate Diploma, and Master's programmes in 2022.

“As Covid-19 has introduced many unforeseen challenges and expenses, the grant has been established to help reduce some of the increased costs students are now experiencing. We’re continuing to explore additional support mechanisms we may be able to provide and look forward to welcoming our new international students in 2022.

“Our Learner Outreach Programme also provides unique and dedicated assistance to international students through one-on-one engagement calls ensuring their wellbeing and providing additional support. 1972 learner outreach engagement calls were conducted with 502 international students in Semester 1 and Semester 2 this year. 

The University of Otago is another university that has been doing its bit to support international students, particularly those affected by financial hardships due to the global Covid-19 pandemic.

The university’s Director-International, Jason Cushen said, “We continue to support all international students through online delivery of courses where possible, expansion of scholarship provision to undergraduate and postgraduate international students as well as providing financial support to help offset MIQ costs for those students who have returned through government-mandated cohorts.”

It may be noted that the University of Otago committed $1.5 million as an initial investment to support Otago students where appropriate facing financial hardship as a result of the Covid-19 global outbreak through a hardship fund, Putea Tautoko, which was established by the University in April 2020.

Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT), provides study grants of up to $5000. MIT’s Director of International Luka Crosbie says, “MIT has provided education for a significant number of international students from India over the past twenty years. Many have enrolled with us because of strong recommendations from our local community. However, due to Covid-19 restrictions on travel, MIT’s recent focus has been on locally-based international learners.

“In 2022, we are offering new international students enrolling in Bachelor of Applied Management, Bachelor of Digital Technologies, Post Graduate Diploma, or Masters in Applied Technologies a study grant of up to $5,000 to help them achieve the next level of their qualifications (conditions apply).”

However, other education providers are not jumping on the bandwagon just yet. The University of Canterbury is one of them. Director of International Relations, Tracey Wilson said, “We have our dedicated support programmes for anyone that starts learning online, such as online mentors, online orientation but we don’t want to incentivise this option for international students given the lack of clarity in some areas, including the fact that despite the border beginning to re-open, overseas students can’t apply for visas before August 5, 2022.”