The University of Auckland has announced an exclusive support package for Indian students looking to pursue undergraduate and master’s programmes after the phased reopening of the New Zealand border in 2022. Indian students play a significant role in the research activity of the university. The initiative reflects the commitment of the University of Auckland to its Indian students, whom they consider as valued members of its community.
According to Dawn Freshwater, Vice-Chancellor Professor of the university, India and its student community have suffered immensely due to the Delta and Omicron variants of Covid-19. Aspiring international students had to give up on their study abroad plans and opt for online models instead.
International Director Brett Berquist is leading the process to support Indian students through the challenging period of phased border reopening. International students depend on educational loans for their studies. But the pandemic has led to a crisis because these loans are hard to get while studying online and part-time. The University of Auckland recognizes the challenge and is a deferred fee option for STEM master’s students.
With this facility, Indian students can begin their studies online from their home country without making their tuition payments right away. They can wait until they travel to New Zealand and get their education loan. Further, the university will also offer a 30 percent bursary to these Indian students starting this year so that they can start with their master’s programmes without economic hindrances.
The university has also developed a support package for undergraduate students after extensive research with Indian students and their families. The package includes a loyalty programme offering a one-course fee waiver after they complete two semesters of full-time study. Additionally, students can join virtual micro-internships with NZ companies. The programme also offers additional online support.
The objective of the support package is to help students build their employability skills even as they start their studies in India. Once they land in New Zealand after border reopening, they will benefit from the country’s work rights provisions while studying and for three years after completing their studies.
New Zealand is gearing up for welcoming vaccinated international students back to its campuses this year. The country has already approved eight COVID vaccines for international flyers, including the Indian-origin Covaxin and Covisheild vaccines.
The University of Auckland recently sponsored the QS India Summit. It has also launched the country’s first joint Ph.D. programme with IITs. It is establishing a New Zealand Centre at IIT Delhi along with seven other universities from the country. The centre will be the venue for a New Zealand connection for Indian students.
If you are considering studying abroad why don’t you discuss your prospects and opportunities with experts at Lurnable’s dedicated study abroad counselling division LurnPathways?
