Following one of Education New Zealand's biggest events of the year, the India-New Zealand Education Week, educational ties between New Zealand and India are expected to improve. This week, which will begin on April 17, 2023, will promote research conversation while fostering innovation culture exchange and collaboration in the context of global education. A number of interactions between Indian academics and New Zealand institutions were part of the week's activities.

New Zealand has announced an investment of NZ$400K towards internationalisation and student mobility initiatives, demonstrating its overall commitment to India. The resumption of the partial scholarships offered through the New Zealand Excellence Awards is one of these, as is increased collaboration with the New Zealand Centre at IIT Delhi.

One-of-a-kind scholarship programme called the New Zealand Excellence Awards (NZEA) is created specifically for Indian students. All eight New Zealand universities and Education New Zealand jointly fund the awards. Over 200 Indian students have received support through the scholarship since its launch in 2016 so they can continue their studies abroad at renowned universities in New Zealand.

Grant McPherson, CEO of Education New Zealand, said in a speech at the event that New Zealand's educational system is multicultural and future-focused, giving students the chance to earn degrees that are employable.

India is a top partner for collaborations, exchanges, and student mobility for New Zealand. We are pleased that today's announcements regarding the New Zealand Centre and the scholarship programme for the New Zealand Excellence Award show our dedication to India as a partner in education. Mr. McPherson concurred.

 Prof. James Gomes, Dean International of IIT Delhi, who spoke on behalf of the institution, added, "The New Zealand Centre embodies IIT Delhi's efforts to embrace internationalisation, providing opportunities for new research collaboration and global exposure for our students. In 2022, the first round of jointly funded research collaboration awards was made, and it aided in the development of cooperative, long-lasting, and self-sustaining research programmes.

Prof. Gomes continued, "Today's Memorandum of Understanding has further strengthened the partnership and cooperation in research, teaching, and fellowships between India and New Zealand and provides a chance to explore other innovative ventures."

At a media roundtable hosted by the New Zealand High Commission, the announcements were made in the presence of HE. David Pine, New Zealand's High Commissioner to India, Grant McPherson, CEO of Education New Zealand, Prof. Alister Jones, Senior Deputy Vice Chancellor, University of Waikato, and Dr. Erik Lithander, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Strategic Engagement University of Auckland.

The India-New Zealand Education week has senior level attendance from all 8 universities from New Zealand and focusses on high level engagement between New Zealand universities and Indian institutions and partners.

The visiting senior delegates and academics from New Zealand universities include:

Guy Littlefair, Pro Vice Chancellor, Auckland University of Technology
Annie Goh, International Director, Lincoln University
Christopher Gan, Head of Department Financial & Business System, Lincoln University
Christopher Carey, Executive Director Global Engagement, Massey University
Gaurab Sen Gupta, Deputy HOD Food & Advanced Technology, Massey University
Erik Lithander, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Strategic Engagement University of Auckland
Alister Jones, Senior Deputy Vice Chancellor, University of Waikato
Graham Wise, Director of International Development, University of Canterbury
Anthony Ballantyne, Deputy Vice Chancellor, University of Otago
Blair McRae, Deputy Vice Chancellor Victoria University of Wellington
Vasso Koutsos, Deputy Director International Marketing & Recruitment University of Auckland

All the New Zealand universities have India based/responsible staff, who are also accompanying the delegation during the NZ-India week, these include:

Fatima Sayed-Naqvi, Recruitment Manager Auckland University of Technology
Linda Oostenrijk, Recruitment Manager, Massey University
Ashish Suri, Recruitment Manager, University of Waikato
Mohammed Hussain, University of Canterbury
Victoria McEniery, Otago University
Ankit Mehta, Victoria University of Wellington.