12 July 2002 Media Statement

$75,000 Regional Initiatives funding for export education in Thames

“There will be a co-ordinator to run an export education pilot in the Thames Valley region,” says Industry and Regional Development Minister Jim Anderton.

The dedicated co-ordinator will manage a project part- funded by a $75,000 grant from the Ministry of Economic Development's Regional Initiatives Fund.

The pilot will bring overseas students into schools and communities throughout the region and is part of Thames Valley’s regional development strategy.

The Ministry of Economic Development will part fund the project for the first 12 months. The co-ordinator will work alongside the Thames Valley regional partnership, schools, host families, the Ministry of Education and other interested parties to run and evaluate the export education pilot and to plan for expanding export education in the region.

A study carried out in 2000 for the Thames-Coromandel and Hauraki District Councils, found that offering more courses in the Thames Valley region to international students has significant short and long term economic and social benefits for the region, including benefits from spending by visiting students.

"A dedicated full time person with the skills to help enhance export education as an economic development activity will be a real asset for a community that is seeking to build the diversity of its economy", Jim Anderton said. "The Thames Valley region will be able to capitalise on its significant historical and cultural assets and other strengths to make their plans for attracting additional students a reality".

ENDS
Note to Editors:

The Regional Initiatives Fund was established as part of the 2001 Budget Economic Development Package.

Funding is available for regional development projects which are consistent with the Government’s key goals and which have the potential to leverage economic growth as well as meet government objectives for economic, social and environmental development.

The fund is aimed at assisting regions to develop capability and to respond to opportunities. Eligible projects must show broad support within the region. Funding is available as a contribution towards the project’s costs and is assessed on a case by case basis.

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