New Zealand opens the door to 250 graduate students, but they will have to pay

New Zealand’s door has been reopened to foreign students, but only to 250 graduate students who will have to pay for their own quarantine.

Education Minister Chris Hipkins says the students must have had a visa to study in New Zealand at the master’s or doctoral level, but were unable to enter the country when the border was closed in March.

“These are students who have or had a 2020 visa, and whose long-term commitment to study here was interrupted by Covid-19,” he said.

“Priority will be given first to those who need to be in the country for the practical components of their research and study.

“The first students are likely to arrive in November 2020, with the majority arriving in the new year.”

They will be subject to the same two-week quarantine requirements as returning New Zealanders and a select group of “critical workers.”

The Education Ministry says “they will be asked to reserve a space in advance in a managed isolation and quarantine facility before traveling.”

“Everyone entering New Zealand with a border exception, including international students, will have to pay fees for administered isolation,” he says.

Priority will be given to students who:

• are enrolled in doctoral programs;

• are enrolled in a degree that includes practical components (eg medicine, veterinary medicine, engineering, laboratory science, agricultural research);

• You cannot progress or complete your study while at sea.

“If the 250 places are not covered by PhD students in these priority categories, the focus is likely to shift to Master’s level 9 students in the same priority categories,” says the ministry.

The grant is a small first step toward restoring the country’s $ 5 billion international education market. The first 250 students make up about a fifth of 1 percent of the 117,000 foreign students who normally come to New Zealand each year.

“I recognize that other international education providers, such as private schools and training establishments, will be disappointed that their students are not part of this borderline exception group,” said Hipkins.

“Our approach is pragmatic and allows us to carefully manage the demand at our quarantine facilities and the complex nature of bringing students back to the country.

“Allowing these students to travel to New Zealand is a step in the right direction for the international education sector. The government will review other possible border exceptions, when it is safe to do so.”

He said that the health, safety and well-being of the people in New Zealand remained the government’s top priority.

“Tight border restrictions remain critical to protecting New Zealanders against Covid-19 and ensuring that Kiwis can return home,” he said.

“There are many calls for the government to grant exceptions. So far around 10,400 exceptions have been granted for people such as essential health workers, other critical workers and family members of New Zealand citizens or permanent residents.

“Last month, new exceptions were announced for some normally resident temporary visa holders, more New Zealanders partners and a limited number of veterinarians, deep sea fishing crews, and mobile agricultural and horticultural plant operators.

“The exception today is a balanced decision that recognizes the vital role that international education will play in New Zealand’s recovery and reconstruction and the need to continue the fight against the pandemic. It will allow us to welcome a good number of doctors and doctors. Master’s students who are caught offshore and who need to be in New Zealand to complete their work. “

He said that international doctors and other graduate students “make a significant contribution to our research and innovation systems and increase the global reputation and competitiveness of our institution.”

The Ministry of Education will now be in contact with tertiary education organizations to work on the identification and selection of students. Students who have questions about this process should contact their providers first.

Universities NZ and Education NZ welcomed the measure and looked forward to expanding it.

Universities NZ Executive Director Chris Whelan said: “We hope to extend this as soon as possible to all of our international students staying abroad.”

Education NZ Executive Director Grant McPherson said: “We look forward to the possibility of more border exceptions, which will benefit as many providers and students as possible, when it is safe to do so.”

National Party Leader Judith Collins said today that a national government would offer 200 scholarships worth $ 50,000 each to foreign PhD students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

“We are encouraging global talent to engage and connect with our business community. We look forward to establishing strong cultural and professional ties with the best and the brightest in the world,” he said.

“Our technology sector has amazing potential. By attracting the right talent and creating an environment for growth, our technology sector will drive our economy for years to come.”