International student numbers up

New Zealand's international education sector is on an upswing despite the recession, an education conference heard yesterday.

Ministry of Education chief executive Karen Sewell said overall enrolments of international students were up 7 per cent, and private education institutions, such as English language schools, had an 18 per cent rise.

"It is likely that New Zealand's increasing competitiveness has been a key contributor and the reduced New Zealand dollar has helped."

New Zealand education providers earned $600 million from international students, and the national economic benefit in foreign exchange was $2.36 billion in 2008.

There were 88,557 international students enrolled in New Zealand last year, with 50,177 in Auckland alone, contributing $1.34 billion to the region.

"That's a huge contribution."

Speaking at a Study Auckland conference, Ms Sewell said export education had become a "key industry" and a part of the economy "that cannot be ignored", which the Government would remain committed to.

The Government has pledged $2 million of "new money" in this year's Budget to promote New Zealand education overseas, bringing its total contribution to the sector to $3.45 million. The export education levy, which is the contribution by all education providers with international students, will add a further $1 million.

"In the current climate, when all sorts of programmes are being cut or cut back in education, I think this is a practical statement [from the Government], and a commitment in principle to international education."

She said the sector played an important part in shaping young minds for the economic and social future, which the Government had acknowledged as being with countries in Asia and the Pacific Rim.

"Nearly every New Zealander at some time of their lives is going to have links with Asia ... and looking to countries in Asia and the Pacific Rim are relatively new to New Zealanders, certainly in historic terms."

Tourism Auckland chief executive Graeme Osborne said the conference offered a valuable learning and networking experience for industry professionals.

"The importance of export education should not be underestimated. It's moving ahead in leaps and bounds and, as an industry, we need to work together to maximise opportunities."

Mr Osborne said the international student market contributed 54 per cent of the total value-added GDP, and new markets included Germany, France, Spain, India and Malaysia.