Now, New Zealand woos Indian students

Kiwi educational institutions are keen to tap the growing interest of Indians to pursue higher studies abroad.

Educational institutions from New Zealand are eyeing the growing interest of Indian students to pursue higher studies abroad, as Wellington liberalised its visa policy for students.

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The New Zealand Education Fair 2006, kickstarted on Saturday, with representatives of 20 educational institutions from across the country counselling Indian students and their parents about various aspects of their institutions.

The liberalised visa policy has led to 45 per cent growth in applications from Indian students to study in New Zealand, Country Trade Commissioner Paul Vaughan said.

He put market of Indian students aspiring to go to New Zealand at 60 million dollars a year. In last five years, over 5,000 Indian students have studied in New Zealand.

"Indian students make an ongoing contribution to New Zealand, as many chose to stay on after their studies and help meet our talent and skill requirements," he said.

The Fair would also be organised in Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Chandigarh and Kolkata over the next 15 days.

Institutions in New Zealand offer various courses like business studies, engineering, IT and computing and hotel management.