Quake fears bring Saudi students to Auckland

Steven Joyce. Photo / Sarah Ivey

Thousands of students from Saudi Arabia could be coming to Auckland after the Gulf nation banned its students from going to Christchurch because of earthquake fears.

Tertiary Education Minister Steven Joyce, who said 7000 Saudi students came to New Zealand to study every year, was in Riyadh last month to meet the Saudi Minister for Higher Education, Dr Khalid bin Mohammed Al Angari, to update him on progress being made in Christchurch after the earthquakes.

"While ultimately any decision for their students to return to Christchurch is one for them to make, the New Zealand Government and officials are working closely with them," a spokeswoman for Mr Joyce said.

Masoud Mujtaba, an official at the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission in New Zealand, said that the Government decision to stop funding scholarships to Christchurch followed pressure from concerned parents who feared for the safety of their children.

Most Saudi students coming to New Zealand are sponsored by Government-linked institutions or organisations.

In 2008, there were 1097 Saudi students enrolled in higher and tertiary institutes in the city, and the figure increased to more than 1200 in 2009 and 2010.

Since the earthquake, only about 450 students have remained.

"There are a few students who feel comfortable studying in Christchurch, they can remain, but new ones are not being sent there," Mr Mujtaba said.

He said New Zealand was a popular choice because it gave quality education, and was seen as being friendly and safe.

The Government is planning to turn the the $2.3 billion education industry into a $5 billion one in which Middle East students play a vital part.