Massey University is optimistic a new government agency will succeed in boosting the number of international students coming to the country.
"We are supportive of any initiative that increases the international awareness of educational opportunities in New Zealand," spokesman James Gardiner said.
The agency was announced in the Budget. Its funding of $84 million is almost double the $44m previously split between the Ministry of Education, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and the Education New Zealand Trust.
Mr Gardiner said he was still waiting to see details of how the agency would work. "We're optimistic and we're supportive. We're trying to [increase] our own international student numbers – anything the Government does to support that is a good thing."
The university had an office dedicated to attracting international students which worked "all around the world". While the veterinary course had a reputation internationally and was over-subscribed each year, the university was trying to raise the profile of its science and business departments overseas.
Tertiary Education Minister Steven Joyce said international education was a vital sector of the economy. "International education contributes at least $2.3 billion to our economy. It supports about 32,000 jobs. And the sale of our education expertise overseas is estimated to be worth at least $100m annually."
The extra money would be used for promotions overseas and building education relationships with key trading and education countries. "As the industry moves to recover from the Christchurch earthquake, this extra funding will help reassure students that New Zealand is a safe place to get an education," Mr Joyce said.
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