According to a press release by the Press Information Bureau of the Government of India (dated April 19, 2005)
India and New Zealand have signed an Education Cooperation Arrangement (ECA), here today. The ECA was signed by Shri Arjun Singh, Minister for Human Resource Development on behalf of India and Mr. Trevor Mallard, Minister of Education on behalf of New Zealand. The Education Cooperation Arrangement is in the form of an umbrella arrangement and provides focused attention to collaboration in the Education Sector between the two countries. The highlights of ECA are:
- Exchange of research materials, publications, educational literature, teaching aids, demonstration material and information;
- Organization of joint conference, exhibitions and seminars;
- Organization of joint research programmes and publications;
- Organization of training programmes for educational administrators and teachers;
- Exchange of academic and other administrative staff;
- Exchange of scholars, teachers, experts and students;
- Twinning arrangements between institutions of higher learning;
- Setting up of educational/training programmes between institutions of educational excellence in technical, vocational and higher education;
- Setting up of chairs on contemporary studies;
- Providing scholarships for further education in recognized institutions of higher learning;
- Providing mutual assistance in the fields of IT, computer, mathematics and science;
- Any other activity as agreed by both Governments
The two countries would also undertake the following activities:
- Exchange of information on education and training systems and policies in each country, including information relevant to interpretation and evaluation of qualifications;
- Dialogue between officials on matters relevant to this Arrangement, and
- Within the context of the respective education systems, facilitation of other forms of cooperation as may be mutually determined.
New Zealand is an interesting choice. I hope one of the reporters in Delhi questions Mr. Arjun Singh on the rationale for such an agreement and the tangible benefits expected, apart from the general stuff about exchange of ideas, joint conferences etc.
The bit about interpretation and evaluation of qualifications seems to indicate that both countries believe there can be increasing movement of qualified professional between the two countries.
The speech by New Zealand's education minister at the time of signing the agreement throws some light on their intent in signing this agreement. Their primary aim seems to be to export education to India by increasing the number of Indian students going to New Zealand for education. Economic Times reports that "the international education industry is worth more than $2 billion a year to New Zealand. Education now earns New Zealand as much foreign exchange as wool, butter or cheese—New Zealand's traditional export commodities."
Here're some excerpts from the speech by New Zealand's education minister.
Some of the world's leading research institutions are here in India. I want our students and staff to be more aware of this and to consider India as a place to come for study and research. In turn, I believe we also have a great deal to offer you.
We're lowering the costs of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) study for top quality international postgraduate students. These international students who come to New Zealand to work with our leading researchers will be given domestic student status and will no longer be charged full-fees by the universities. Also from 1 January 2006 their dependent children will be treated the same as our domestic students in compulsory schooling.
Concurrently, my government is amending its student visa policies to make New Zealand a more attractive and secure place to study. These changes include increased opportunities for part-time employment, to help supplement students’ income, and to make post-degree work experience in New Zealand easier to obtain. These initiatives are a further development of a framework for international education government launched last year.
Last year there were 2405 students from India in our country and this year this number has increased to 2567. In 2000, this figure was only 251. New Zealand is a safe, high quality, cost-effective destination for international students both at under-graduate and post-graduate level. New Zealand degrees are recognised worldwide and our graduates are welcomed for postgraduate studies at the top universities in North America and Europe. I would like to see the number of Indian students studying with New Zealand providers continue to increase and to see this increase accompanied by stronger institutional relationships and collaboration.