Government's $1m to attract overseas students

The Government is putting more money into promoting international education in a bid to attract "high calibre" overseas students, Tertiary Education Minister Michael Cullen said today.

He said the $2 billion a year industry played a vital role in fostering links into the world and helping New Zealand lift its own education and research standards.

"Attracting the best is therefore a critical part of our economic transformation agenda," he said in a speech to the International Education Conference in Auckland.

"We have a lot to offer -- world class facilities and teachers -- but we can do better if we are to maximise the opportunities."

Dr Cullen said $1 million from the export education levy would be re-allocated to support promotion and marketing.

In addition, the Government would put $200,000 into promotion and marketing work in India.

There would be ministerial missions to North Asia and Northern Europe during this financial year and to South East Asia and the Middle East next year.

"We will be lifting our profile in key overseas markets," Dr Cullen said.

Dr Cullen said his officials were working on proposals to expand existing scholarship programmes.

International education has become an important economic factor and is the country's fourth largest export industry.

About 90,000 foreign students from 150 countries are studying here.

The Government and the education sector work together to promote it and this financial year $12.5 million is going into development.

That is in addition to the $3 million raised through the export education levy which is paid by education providers.

- NZPA