Government looks to revive education market

A virtual tour of New Zealand for Asian schoolchildren, a Victoria University study programme in Vietnam and other projects have won funding as the Government tries to restore the ailing export education industry.

Education Minister Trevor Mallard has announced the first four projects to be funded by the Export Education Innovation Programme.

The programme, part of the $40 million Budget package, aims to restore the $2.2 billion industry that has seen a massive drop-off in the number of students coming to New Zealand.

It marks a significant change of direction as the country attempts to sell its education internationally, rather than attract foreign students here.

The new fund - which will rise to $1 million a year for three years - is designed to give extra money to educators demonstrating a "viable and innovative offshore export education plan".

The first grants go to:

* Auckland University of Technology: $73,265 for the integration of advanced English studies with Jinan University in China.

* Christchurch College of Education: $42,975 for professional development programmes for English and bilingual school teachers from China.

* Heurisko Limited: $57,690 to run GlobalFieldTrips.com - a virtual New Zealand education experience for students in years 8-10 in international schools across Asia.

* Victoria University: $75,000 for a foundation studies programme in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Mr Mallard said the projects would help develop New Zealand's offshore education.

"Offshore education is rapidly growing internationally, and it is important that New Zealand develops its capability in this area," he said.

Projects were considered by a specialist advisory body. Funding had to be matched at least dollar-for-dollar by the applicant.

Export education has traditionally been about attracting international students to New Zealand.

But the industry has been hit hard by bad publicity in the key Chinese market, and stiff competition from Australia, the UK and Canada.

Stuart Boag, communications director at Education New Zealand, said expansion would depend on how successfully New Zealand providers could build partnerships and provide services offshore.

"The challenge of taking up opportunities offshore is more about investment, risk management and practical implementation than about whether we have something to offer," said Mr Boag.

Many institutions had already blazed the trail for offshore delivery and the latest support from the Government was very welcome, he said.

"The selected institutions are the vanguard of an ever-growing educational trend."