New Zealand-EU education exchange programme announced
An international education exchange programme between New Zealand and the European Union for postgraduate (Masters)
students was announced today.
The three-year European Union-New Zealand Exchange Pilot Programme will see the development of a joint postgraduate
study programme at New Zealand and European universities for their students. It will be modelled on existing
EU-Australia and EU-United States projects, and has flowed from discussions between Trevor Mallard and European
Commission officials last year. The programme will be jointly funded by the Tertiary Education Commission and the
European Commission, with participating institutions also making a small contribution.
Education Minister Trevor Mallard said the exchange programme will promote greater understanding and interaction between
the peoples of the European Union countries and New Zealand.
“We share close ties with the European Union in many areas such as science and technology, education, cultural links and
people to people contacts. Our relationships is growing, with the European Commission opening an office in Wellington
this year.
“The programme will enable at least 24 students each from New Zealand and Europe to study at participating institutions
from 2005. Students studying abroad will pay tuition and fees that apply at their home institution,” Trevor Mallard
said.
Associate Education (Tertiary Education) Minister Steve Maharey said students studying abroad would bring home to New
Zealand valuable international knowledge.
“If New Zealand is to be a birthplace of world-changing people and ideas, we need to provide more opportunities for our
emerging knowledge leaders to interact with other leading thinkers from around the world.
“Proposals are now being sought from New Zealand and European tertiary institutions to participate in the exchange
programme. Proposals should be submitted by 16 June 2004. We expect to announce the successful proposal in July,” Steve
Maharey said.