Opening Doors To Educational Opportunities: Education New Zealand Teams Up With Top Universities And Government

As a top-ranking university globally, could you tell us about the variety of courses at the University of Canterbury that Indian students can explore? 

The University of Canterbury, founded in 1873, is New Zealand's second-oldest university and boasts the country's first Faculty of Engineering. With a strong emphasis on civil engineering, our programme is globally ranked in the top 100, particularly excelling in earthquake engineering due to our experience in rebuilding after the Christchurch earthquake. 

We serve as a gateway and logistical hub for Antarctic research, hosting international meetings on the subject. In addition to our major courses, we focus on emerging fields such as clean and renewable energy, aiming for Christchurch to become New Zealand's green hydrogen capital. Notably, New Zealand ranks fourth globally in space launches and just last week, we inaugurated the world's first runway to space in Banks Peninsula, outside Christchurch, catering to smaller probes. 

Our university thrives on collaboration, leveraging our size to create a supportive and innovative ecosystem. Despite our size, we house unique and impactful initiatives, offering students unexpected opportunities in various cutting-edge fields. This collaborative spirit extends across local government, researchers and businesses, making our academic environment truly dynamic and enriching. 

How does the university manage to provide a top-notch education while keeping it affordable for students, especially for Indian students? 

Regarding affordability and access, our university has a long-standing commitment dating back to its founding in 1873 to offer education to all, irrespective of financial means. Last year, we celebrated our 150th anniversary by introducing the Te Kakau a Māui scholarship, providing a full ride for students from low-decile schools and emphasising our dedication to making education accessible. 

While our fees are moderate by New Zealand standards, we understand that for many Indian students, they can be significantly higher than what they would pay in India. To address this, the government offers scholarships like the Manaaki scholars, representing 23 per cent of New Zealand's foreign aid budget, showcasing a belief in the transformative power of education for development. 

Specific scholarships are available for Indian students, although they may not cover the full cost. These scholarships are programme-specific, typically reducing tuition fees to around 30,000–35,000 Kiwi dollars per year, comparable to global standards. In alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP), we are working on innovative approaches, such as partnering with institutions, allowing students to start their bachelor's in India and seamlessly transition to New Zealand for their master's, reducing the overall time and associated costs. 

Considering the growing demand for resources, how does the university ensure students have access to essential learning resources without adding extra financial strain? 

In our commitment to supporting student success, we have implemented a holistic programme known as Key on YouTube, spearheaded by our Deputy Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs. This initiative revolves around leveraging an online learning management system to enhance the educational experience. While students attend traditional lectures, the flexibility of this system allows them to revisit lectures online, take notes and engage in exercises at their own pace. 

To proactively monitor student engagement, we have integrated automated processes that track online activity. If a student disengages for an extended period, our system initiates personalised outreach, starting with automated messages and escalating to text messages. This ensures that students receive timely support, allowing us to address potential challenges before they become obstacles. 

One standout feature of our support system is the peer-assisted learning initiative. If a student faces difficulties, they are paired with a successful second-year mentor who provides guidance and support. The university covers the cost of this mentorship, allowing struggling students to benefit from personalised assistance at no extra expense. 

This approach has yielded tangible results, with success rates increasing by a notable 20 points. Additionally, our commitment extends to providing ample on-campus resources. Students have access to 24/7 computer labs, well-equipped libraries and various learning materials, ensuring a generous and supportive learning environment without imposing additional financial burdens on students. 

How does the university leverage technology and innovative teaching methods to control costs while maintaining high-quality education, especially in today's tech-driven world? 

We've made substantial investments in this area, especially in response to the sudden shift to online teaching during COVID. Our dedicated learning and teaching design team collaborates with experts and teachers to reimagine and completely redesign courses, ensuring they remain cutting-edge and state-of-the-art. It's not just about individual teachers; we have a comprehensive team approach. 

Additionally, we have developed a new suite of online programmes, including Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) with over 100,000 global participants, Micro Masters and 16 micro-credentials. Both our fully online master's and bachelor's degree programmes are specifically crafted for online learning, not merely digitised lecture notes. This approach ensures a high-quality, tailored experience. 

Our commitment to online education is reflected in ongoing research in this space, as we anticipate it will continue to be a significant aspect of education for the next 50 years. 

Recently, the New Zealand government announced an investment of NZ$ 400K towards internationalisation and student mobility initiatives. Can you elaborate on this?  

New Zealand, including both the government and universities, has invested significantly, allocating a substantial amount to support initiatives in international mobility and education. This not only facilitates renewals but also maintains visibility with the Indian government, anticipating future Prime Minister visits, which are instrumental in strengthening relationships and increasing New Zealand's visibility among Indian students. 

The New Zealand Centre at IIT Delhi, a collaborative effort involving all eight universities, focuses on advancing research partnerships and fostering a shared core message and values. Education New Zealand plays a pivotal role in coordinating these efforts, ensuring effective communication and collaboration among the universities. 

The New Zealand Excellence Awards (NZEA) is a scholarship programme tailored for Indian students, jointly funded by Education New Zealand and all eight universities in the country. Education New Zealand has established partnerships with various Indian institutions, fostering student exchange and collaborative research initiatives. Notable partners include IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, OP Jindal Global University, TATA Institute of Social Sciences, the University of Delhi and the University of Mumbai, among others.  

How does the university intend to encourage cultural exchange and diversity on campus to create a welcoming atmosphere for international students? 

We invest significantly in this area. Our colleague Monique, though not present today, recently organised a competition. We host an orientation week, arrange various events and parties and have an active Indian student club. Last year, the Mayor of Christchurch hosted two receptions for international students, during which we introduced the first international student awards. Each recipient received a swag bag and a speech and they enjoyed some drinks and food. Creating a welcoming atmosphere is crucial to us and we ensure that Indian students, upon arriving in Christchurch or any other New Zealand city, discover a thriving Indian diaspora, facilitating connections within that community. Simultaneously, we encourage them to forge friendships with local Kiwis. 

Are there particular areas or fields where you see the potential for more collaboration and investment between New Zealand and India? 

I believe it's important to keep growing the research I'm working on. Also, we're exploring if there's a way for New Zealand to work together in delivering programmes. We're thinking about how we, maybe as a consortium of all eight universities, could do something similar to what's happening with IIT Delhi. The 'what's next' question is still something we are figuring out.