KEY POINTS:
New Zealand Trade & Enterprise (NZTE) and Education New Zealand (ENZ) have signed a new five-year partnership agreement aimed at helping New Zealand's $1.9 billion education export industry grow.
The agreement - signed today by ENZ Chief Executive Robert Stevens and NZTE Chief Executive Tim Gibson - aims to build on the relationship between the two organisations under the 2001 Five Steps Forward initiative.
Mr Stevens said Five Steps Forward had seen the education industry become a significant export earner.
"Today's agreement will help us to maintain and grow the contribution we make to the overall economy."
Mr Gibson said under the terms of the agreement, ENZ would be responsible for promoting New Zealand as a destination for international students, allowing NZTE to concentrate on investigating education and training opportunities for New Zealand in the international corporate, industry and government markets.
"There is strong demand in a number of countries for expert assistance in areas such as curriculum development, quality assurance, and professional development programmes: all areas in which New Zealand is well-placed to assist."
ENZ would have access to NZTE resources overseas to help carry out its activities.
Mr Gibson said it was a strategic relationship similar to NZTE's links with other export organisations like Biotech New Zealand and Meat & Wool.
Mr Stevens said by allowing each organisation to focus on a specific area of work, the new global strategy would ensure New Zealand remained top of mind for individuals and organisations looking for high-quality education and training.
- NZPA
