Tertiary Education Minister Pete Hodgson today announced an agreement to promote stronger education linkages between New Zealand and Turkey.
The education cooperation arrangement, which was signed by New Zealand�s ambassador to Turkey Hamish Cooper and Turkey�s Ministry of National Education in Ankara overnight, aims to strengthen the exchange of information and cooperation between educational institutions and authorities.
�This arrangement will reinforce and deepen the friendly relations between our two countries, building on the already warm ties by further expanding our education linkages,� Pete Hodgson said.
�It is a direct outcome of high-level visits to New Zealand by Turkey�s Prime Minister in 2005 and Minister of Education in 2006 and highlights the growing reputation of New Zealand�s education system, institutions and their academic staff.
�New Zealand�s potential as an education provider complements Turkey's expanding need for good quality tertiary education for its large young population.�
The number of Turkish students studying in New Zealand has the opportunity to grow with the introduction in 2006 of the Turkish-government sponsorship programme which allows up to 100 Turkish students to be eligible for places in New Zealand tertiary education institutions.
�By building on this strong foundation of education cooperation between our two countries, we will not only strengthen our respective education systems, but also our economies and societies,� Pete Hodgson said.
