Several education agreements were signed during Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's four-day trip to India earlier this month. Photo: LinkedIn / Education New Zealand - South Asia
Several education initiatives were announced during Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's recent trip to India, including the ratification of a refreshed cooperation arrangement between the Ministry of Education and its Indian counterpart.
"[This] arrangement will facilitate the continued exchange of information on India's and New Zealand's respective education systems as the basis for strengthening the bilateral relationship," a spokesperson from Education New Zealand said.
In the joint statement released after Luxon's meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, education was recognised as a significant part of New Zealand's bilateral relationship with India, which is country's second-largest source of international students.
According to Education New Zealand data, the country has a growing number of first-time international students, with 73,535 students enrolled in the first eight months of 2024.
Of these, at least 10,640 were students from India, compared to 7931 in 2023.
More students from India are enrolling at New Zealand universities (3635), and in master's programmes (4215) across universities, private training establishments and vocational training institutions.
New Zealand universities and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi have also collaborated in recent years through the New Zealand Centre.
The centre is an initiative between all eight New Zealand universities and IIT Delhi that promotes joint research in areas such as advanced engineering, artificial intelligence and data science.
More than half of New Zealand universities also offer dedicated packages targeting Indian applicants, including scholarships and fee discounts.
Several education agreements were signed during Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's four-day trip to India earlier this month. Photo: WhatsApp / Christopher Luxon
While in India, Luxon attended a programme at IIT Delhi and announced the New Zealand Excellence Awards 2025.
The awards are an initiative led by all eight New Zealand universities and supported by Education New Zealand to foster academic collaboration between New Zealand and India.
The initiative offers a $260,000 scholarships package, including 29 scholarships for Indian students enrolling in undergraduate and postgraduate programmes at New Zealand universities.
To be eligible, candidates must be at least 18 years old at the time of application. They must hold current Indian citizenship and should not be a citizen or permanent resident of New Zealand or Australia.
Applicants are also required to reside in India at the time of application and must meet Immigration New Zealand's requirements for a student visa.
In addition, they must have an unconditional offer from one of the New Zealand Excellence Awards eligible courses.
The application deadline is 30 April 2025.
"The event also marked the launch of the New Zealand Centre Innovation Fellowship, an initiative aimed at strengthening collaboration between New Zealand and India in innovation and entrepreneurship," the Education New Zealand spokesperson said.
"The fellowship will provide a two-week immersive experience in India's innovation ecosystem, covering travel, accommodation and a stipend."
A virtual internship programme was also announced that would offer 30 Indian IIT Delhi students the opportunity to intern remotely with New Zealand companies, gaining cross-border industry experience and insights into New Zealand's work culture.
10 education agreements signed
"The trade mission to India saw the signing of 10 education memorandums of understanding between New Zealand and Indian education institutions," the Education New Zealand spokesperson said.
"These agreements mark a significant step forward in deepening New Zealand's collaboration with India around joint research, student exchanges, academic innovation and fostering long-term institutional partnerships."
Of these, the University of Auckland signed agreements with IIT Kharagpur, Indian IT services company Tech Mahindra and Manipal Academy of Higher Education.
The agreement with Tech Mahindra included an enhanced academia-industry partnership through a pilot internship programme in AI, machine learning and quantum computing.
Signalling enhanced collaboration between the two countries in design, fashion and innovation, the Whitecliffe College of Arts and Design signed two agreements with India's National Institute of Fashion Technology and National Institute of Design.
The agreements focussed on faculty and student exchange, along with joint research and participation in international exhibitions.
New Zealand Fashion Week and Fashion Design Council of India also entered into an agreement to promote a circular fashion ecosystem as well as support emerging and established designers from both countries.
