UNZ part of Ministerial delegation to Latin American

UNZ Executive Director Chris Whelan is part of a Ministerial delegation of university representatives led by Tertiary Education Minister Steven Joyce to strengthen education links with Latin America.

Chris Whelan says New Zealand is an increasingly popular destination for Latin American students wanting to study overseas, making up about 4 per cent of the total international student population.

The 10-day trip includes participating at a science, innovation and technology education conference at Bogotá’s Universidad del Rosario where the Minister will give a keynote address, and an international education conference in Cuiabá, Brazil.  The delegation is also attending innovation forums in Santiago, Chile, and Bogotá, Colombia.

Mr Joyce says, “New Zealand’s education relationship is focused on research collaboration and scholarships, particularly relating to agriculture, science and innovation. The visit will explore opportunities for co-operation in new areas including teaching training, curriculum development and qualification frameworks.

“Within the region, plans to internationalise education systems is also an opportunity for New Zealand to expand its existing relationships into new areas.

“International education fosters learning opportunities and links between New Zealand and the world, encourages collaboration and knowledge sharing, and builds people-to-people connections.”

The Minister says. “As a small trading nation our level of success in this Asia-Pacific century will be determined by our level of connectedness.”

Delegates include the Vice-Chancellor of Victoria University, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Enterprise) of the University of Otago, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, International and Business Development of Lincoln University; a South American specialist at Lincoln University; and the Chief Executive of Education NZ.