Steven Joyce
20 September, 2011
International education Leadership Statement released
Doubling the economic value of international education to New Zealand is at the heart of the Government�s Leadership Statement for international education, says Tertiary Education Minister Steven Joyce.
�The government has preparedthe first version of a Leadership Statement for international educationwhichsets bold aspirations for the growth that we want to achieve over the next 15 years.�
Mr Joyce says the government regards international education as a very important industry, not just for its own value but for the role it can play in strengthening New Zealand�s economic, cultural and social links with the world.
�As a trading nation, these links are vital as we work to strengthen ties and form new ones with our major trading partners across Asia, Europe and the Pacific.�
The leadership statement, which will be refined and developed with the sector over the next 12 months, aims to double the economic value of international education to $5 billion over the next 15 years. It includes targets to:
- increase annual revenues from providing education services offshore to at least $0.5 billion
- develop and sustain mutually beneficial education relationships with key partner countries in Asia, the Pacific, the Middle East, Europe and the Americas
- increase the number of international students enrolled in New Zealand providers offshore, from 3,000 to 10,000
- double the number of international postgraduate students (particularly in programmes in addition to those at PhD level) from 10,000 to 20,000
- increase the transition rate from study to residence for international university students
- increase New Zealanders� skills and knowledge to operate effectively across cultures.
Mr Joyce says the development of the leadership statement, coupled with the establishment of Education New Zealand � the new Crown Agency set up to oversee and grow the international education sector � will provide a sharper focus and give the sector a real boost.
The full statement is available on the Ministry of Education website: www.minedu.govt.nz
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