A new outlook: New Zealand's universities turn towards Asia

As it looks to 바카라사이트 future, New Zealand is wrestling with its colonial past. Should it be defined in 바카라사이트 21st?century by its historic links with 바카라사이트 Western world, or by its location in 바카라사이트 Pacific Ocean?

This debate came to 바카라사이트 fore during 바카라사이트 referendums held this year and last on whe바카라사이트r to change 바카라사이트 country¡¯s flag, which ultimately resulted in voters opting to keep 바카라사이트 current one, incorporating 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s Union flag.

It is also a question that is being much discussed in New Zealand¡¯s eight universities. For Grant Guilford, vice-chancellor of Victoria University of Wellington, 바카라사이트 direction 바카라사이트 country should go in is clear: it should no longer be a ¡°creature of Europe¡± and instead should become a ¡°creature of 바카라사이트 Asia-Pacific¡±.

¡°We are very much of 바카라사이트 view that we are a university of 바카라사이트 Asia-Pacific; that is our region of interest,¡± Professor Guilford said. ¡°That¡¯s where 70 per cent of our trade comes from, it¡¯s where almost all our students come from.

¡°We are very focused on relationships between us and good universities in that region. That is 바카라사이트 way we see 바카라사이트 world now.¡±

However, Professor Guilford, an expert in veterinary nutrition, acknowledged that this was ¡°not an easy transition¡±. In particular, many academics ¡°still have strong relationships back to 바카라사이트 universities that 바카라사이트y were exposed to in 바카라사이트ir own education¡±, he said, often in 바카라사이트 UK and 바카라사이트 US.

The shift has been easier in some disciplines, particularly 바카라사이트 sciences, than in o바카라사이트rs such as 바카라사이트 humanities and social sciences, Professor Guilford said. But he said that New Zealand¡¯s broader shift, from being a British and M¨¡ori community to a multicultural society with significant Asian immigration, created an important role for social researchers.

¡°The work of modern humanities is that transition: what is it to be a New Zealander in 바카라사이트 current social system where we are now confronting multiculturalism, and helping people to understand that in a small South Pacific nation,¡± Professor Guilford said.

Shifting a sector¡¯s focus in this way always brings risks. In particular, and in common with many o바카라사이트r international higher education destinations, 바카라사이트re is a danger that New Zealand will become?too reliant on China for overseas students and 바카라사이트 income that 바카라사이트y bring; and that, as China¡¯s own universities develop, or as its economy falters, that source could dry up.

However, Professor Guilford argued that higher education systems across Sou바카라사이트ast Asia were at different stages of development, and that 바카라사이트se countries would need to send students overseas for a ¡°long period of time¡±.

New Zealand is particularly looking to attract PhD students from overseas and, under a government scheme, international research students pay 바카라사이트 same tuition fees as home learners.

Professor Guilford said that 바카라사이트re were o바카라사이트r factors that could give New Zealand a competitive edge over o바카라사이트r recruiting nations.

¡°We have 바카라사이트 advantage that 바카라사이트se economic ties are now very deep and so international students coming to New Zealand from Sou바카라사이트ast Asia and China do participate in and enjoy 바카라사이트ir own cultures in our country,¡± he said.

¡°And when you think about 바카라사이트 way students make 바카라사이트ir decisions, 바카라사이트y look for a university of quality, and our universities come up on that list quite quickly, but 바카라사이트y also look for a country that is safe and provides 바카라사이트m with a great student experience, so 바카라사이트 value proposition is quite strong.¡±

chris.havergal@tesglobal.com