Boost for International Educators

14 December 2004

‘Innovation Programme Boost for International Educators’
‘The Export Education Innovation Programme (EEIP) is an excellent initiative that will give a real boost to the development to New Zealand’s international education industry’ says Robert Stevens, Chief Executive of Education New Zealand. ‘Our institutions are tremendously experienced in providing education to international students that come to New Zealand. The next frontier is to effectively harness that experience and capability and expand beyond our shores. The EEIP will help kick-start this process, and give institutions the confidence that they are not alone in blazing the trail for the future.’

The EEIP was launched today by the Hon. Trevor Mallard, Minister of Education. The programme was announced in the Budget earlier this year, and is being developed and implemented by Education New Zealand working in cooperation with the Ministry of Education. The programme makes funding available on a contestable basis to institutions that are looking to diversify educational delivery beyond bringing students to New Zealand.

‘A key principle of the EEIP is that potential projects will be peer reviewed by an expert advisory body’ says Robert Stevens. ‘This body will consist of experienced practitioners that have a successful involvement with diversified delivery and offshore provision, not just in education but in other businesses. The fund is not for ‘pie in the sky’ projects. Applicants will have to demonstrate that their project is soundly conceived and capable of solid long term development.’

The first round of applications are being invited now, and applications close on January 21st. The fund, which is $500,000 in the first year, rising to $1,000,000 in out years, will be targeted initially towards research and validation. Application details can be found at http://www.educationnz.org.nz/innovation/index.html

‘We anticipate many excellent proposals’ says Robert Stevens. ‘New Zealand’s capacity for international students is finite, and the industry knows that future expansion will come beyond our shores. We are delighted that the Government has recognised this and backed the industry to evolve and diversify.

In the last decade, the value of international education to New Zealand has gone up over 1000%. With intelligent and innovative development in the diversification of products, services and modes of supply, the next decade could see further spectacular growth’.

ENDS

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