Hon Dr Michael Cullen
Minister for Tertiary Education

7 November 2006 Media Statement

Boost for export education in Asia and Middle East

Education projects focused on opportunities in Asia and the Middle East have received a boost from the latest funding round of the Export Education Innovation Programme (EEIP), Tertiary Education Minister Michael Cullen announced today.

The projects will help provide medical training in the Middle East, new ways of delivering education in India and Vietnam, and aviation management courses in South East Asia.

"Supporting international education is an investment in New Zealand’s future," Dr Cullen said. "The sector generates about $2 billion annually for New Zealand. It also strengthens our international links, and increases the skills, knowledge and productivity of our education providers."

The EEIP aims to help develop New Zealand’s international education sector as a world-class and innovative provider of education. The programme recognises that international educators looking at diversifying their services offshore need limited, but practical support.

The contestable fund helps education providers that have a viable and innovative plan for offshore education. EEIP funding has to be matched at least dollar for dollar by each applicant.

The EEIP projects funded are (GST inclusive):

- Massey University – School of Aviation ($85,332) – aviation management training in South East Asia

- AIS St Helens ($73,998) – New Zealand education online in Vietnam

- University of Otago - Wellington School of Medicine ($105,000) – Middle East occupational medicine, continuing medical education and continuing professional development - a collaborative project with the Harvard Medical School Dubai Centre

- Universal College of Learning ($125,000) – flexible educational delivery into India

"The projects will help showcase the abilities of New Zealand’s tertiary institutions to the world and add to our growing reputation as a quality provider of tertiary training. If we are to transform New Zealand into a higher wage, knowledge-based economy it is important we seize these opportunities," said Dr Cullen.

For more information go to: http://www.educationnz.org.nz/

ENDS

© Scoop Media