Tertiary institutions ready to welcome back international students
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Loading... - Cecile Sanchez
- 31 May 2022
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An injection of returning international students will be a welcome boost for ManawatÅ«’s education sector as New Zealand’s borders reopen post Covid-19.
International student numbers took at hit at tertiary institutions in Palmerston North – Massey University, UCOL and IPU New Zealand – when the Covid-19 pandemic took hold and borders closed, so the thought of students returning has been a welcome relief.
Earlier this year the Government announced a border class exception for up to 5000 international students to enter the country from mid 2022. Then earlier this month the Government announced the borders would fully reopen and students could apply to enter New Zealand from July 31.
Of the 5000 exemptions, universities were given 1450 places, including 217 for Massey.
A Massey spokesperson said the university looked forward to welcoming students who enrolled for this year and had been studying online overseas, as well as new students who had waited patiently for the borders to reopen.
“Massey will continue to attract international students, however we have anticipated the number of international students within our pipeline will be lower than previous years as borders are closed.”
The spokesperson said international students had been able to study online without a visa, so were studying part time, but once borders opened and they arrived in New Zealand, they needed to be full time.
International student numbers had been expected to increase from the 1837 it had in March.
Private training establishments, which included IPU New Zealand in Palmerston North, were allocated 850 students.
IPU spokesman Wayne Cooper said it was granted 32 students, fewer than hoped for, but it allowed students to make concrete travel plans.
Cooper welcomed the chance to accommodate international students, but said IPU was at least 12 months away from making significant steps to recovery, with the lingering effects on international education from the border closure likely to be felt for years.
IPU had put plans in place to alleviate the strain, including its programme where students start their studies online and finish in New Zealand, and it had worked with agents to keep IPU at the forefront of students’ minds.
“[IPU is] looking forward to when our campus is once again bustling with students from around the Pacific Rim and beyond. It's been a long time coming, and we're nearly there.”
The national polytechnic body Te Pukenga, which included Palmerston North’s UCOL, was allocated 700 students.
UCOL executive director of business and industry partners Jasmine Groves said UCOL had submitted a list of students to be considered.
She said UCOL, which had 118 international students last year, had continued to monitor the overseas market since Covid-19 began and adjusted its strategy to suit.
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