New agency to promote international education

A new agency is being set up to promote international education, the Government said today.

It would be running by September and take over functions currently held by the Ministry of Education, Education New Zealand and NZ Trade and Enterprise, Tertiary Education Minister Steven Joyce said.

Mr Joyce said international education contributed more than $2 billion to the economy and supported about 32,000 jobs, but so far efforts to promote growth had been fragmented.

The new agency would operate under the Crown Entities Act and would focus solely on international education, providing a sharper focus, better co-ordination and better value for money, he said.

"We have in New Zealand excellent schools, well-respected universities, institutes of technology and private providers," Mr Joyce said.

"It's important for New Zealand that we reassure students, their families and countries that we remain a safe and reputable international education destination and we are very much open for business,"

Mr Joyce said that after the tragic death of a number of international students in the Christchurch earthquake it was important for reassurance to be given that New Zealand was a safe and reputable international education destination.

Education New Zealand said it supported the move.

"The Government has signalled that it wishes a greater level of direct involvement in return for greater levels of investment from the taxpayer," chairman David Caygill said.

"We are looking forward to combining our efforts."

Mr Caygill said he understood the new agency would operate under the name Education New Zealand.

- NZPA