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It started a few years back and gathered real pace in June 2007 when the 'New Zealand Educated' campaign was kicked off by 'Education New Zealand' [Images], the main industry body that represents institutions offering education for international students. The last 4 years have been really critical as regards the developments that are being taking place in New Zealand in the international education sector. Several laws have been made and many other amended to make the overall experience, safe and conducive for growth in a New Zealand institution. And why not! After all, the international education industry has been valued at over $ 2 billion by the most recent official stats. We present you here the excerpts of an exclusive interview with Ms Kerry Greig, Immigration Manager with New Zealand High Commission and Mr. Maninder Singh, Expert, Admission services with BetterThink, a language division of Top Careers & You (TCY). What type of courses are in demand for overseas students, especially Indian students? Kerry Greig: Business and management studies, IT and pilot training as also post graduate qualifications Maninder Singh: People from all over the world come to New Zealand for their overseas education. Students educated in the New Zealand education environment are earning reputation as a new breed of innovative thinkers and are enjoying career success the world over. Courses in demand are MBA, BBA, IT, Computer Science. Moreover, international education in New Zealand is one of the biggest foreign exchange earners for the nation. This is supported by the recent announcement by the Tertiary Education Minister Michael Cullen in the press in August 2007 about the sanctioning of $ 10 million for international education. How important is the knowledge of English language for the students? Kerry Greig: They should have a good level of English for the appropriate courses they are enrolling in. Students do not normally travel to New Zealand to study English. Maninder Singh: Where English is not the native language, a student may be required to demonstrate proficiency in written and/or spoken language. To assess this prerequisite, the English language requirements for entry to mainstream programmes for any student for whom English is a second language are: ~ Successful completion of a course of at least 12 weeks duration in which the medium of instruction and assessment has been in English. Under this criterion, a certified course transcript must be supplied with the application for enrolment. ~ Diploma programmes: IELTS level 6.0 with no band less than 5.5 or successful completion of a course of at least 24 weeks duration in which the medium of instruction and assessment has been in English. Under this criterion, a certified course transcript must be supplied with the application for enrolment. How easy or difficult is for an Indian student to get a residency status in New Zealand? Kerry Greig: If students have a qualification that attracts points under our Skilled Migration Policy and if they subsequently have an offer of skilled employment, and some work experience they should have enough points to apply for residence. Once they finish a NZ qualification that would qualify for points under the Skilled Migrant Category, they get a twelve months open work permit. During that period they are eligible to accept any employment in line with their qualification to make themselves eligible for residence. They should have enough points to apply for residence with the NZ qualification, the work experience and the skilled job offer in line with their qualification. Maninder Singh: As for Australia, getting a residency status in New Zealand is surely a possibility. You need to secure certain defined number of points in order for you to be eligible for the residency status. The most important component of the point system is your 'Qualification points'. It means that if they complete a qualification for an institution from New Zealand, they qualify for certain points which when added to the points under other categories like those for age, relevant work experience, they would tend to become eligible to apply for a residency status. Hence, a NZ qualification is definitely a plus here. However, a respectable score in IELTS is definitely the starting point. How important is the English language for Indian students? Maninder Singh: The significance of knowing the English language has never been as dire as it is being felt now. With our Government getting strict on unscrupulous travel agents, people have realised the value of going abroad through the legal way. Taking a test in English proficiency -- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) -- or enrolling in an English-speaking course puts prospective immigrants, especially the students, to a foreign land on a sound footing. We at BetterThink not only help our students get the required bands but also equip them for life-time. Number of free practice tests in IELTS and English language are available on www.tcyonline.com, the online initiative of TCY. I always advise my students to attempt as many tests as possible to improve their band score and command over the language. Kerry Greig: We have quite strict laws in place to protect students. In New Zealand a foreign student can only be granted student visas to study courses approved by the government at educational institutions that have been approved by the Government. The institutions have to abide by a code of practice in relation to student pastoral care and the quality of instruction provided etc. In India there is a general understanding that the majority of students are seeking to study in New Zealand with the goal of obtaining permanent residence in New Zealand. We are very happy for students from this market to study in NZ for qualifications that will assist them obtain residence in New Zealand. Maninder Singh: As I mentioned earlier as well, earning good qualification points is the key. In fact, permanent residency status is the ultimate aim of the people aiming to study in New Zealand. Hence, the candidates attempt for the courses favourable for eligibility in applying for permanent residency status thereby accumulating the appropriate number of points for the said purpose. Regarding safety, The Education Review Office (ERO) releases reports on overall treatment with the foreign students in the NZ Institutions. The last few reports have observed the foreign students had "an overall better and safe experience" in the NZ institutions. The strengthening of 'The Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students' was the step taken in favour of the international students. Maninder Singh: This, ultimately, is the way to focus your core competencies towards the recent shortages that NZ faces in a certain breed of professionals. Hence, securing good qualification points by pursuing education in Computer Science, IT and Business Administration and several other streams get you good qualification points which further increases your chances for getting a permanent resident status in the country. Maninder Singh: With the population of the country merely touching 4.5 million, there are numerous employment opportunities in the country. The concept of placements, as prevailing in India, is also exercised by some of the reputed institutions there in NZ. Top Careers & You (TCY) is an organisation that trains national and international students for high-end examinations viz. GRE, GMAT, CAT, SAT, IELTS and TOEFL. |
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