In a significant development, a new organization, the New Zealand Education Representatives in India (NZERI), has been established by former members of the ENZRA program. This move comes months after Education NZ decided to disband its Recognized Agencies program, citing concerns about its effectiveness.
Comprising qualified and established organizations with decades of experience promoting New Zealand education, NZERI aims to address the vacuum created by the closure of the ENZRA program. The organization’s launch took place in New Delhi on February 12, with prominent figures from the education sector forming the leadership team.
Four Key Objectives of NZERI
The newly formed organization has outlined four primary objectives. Firstly, NZERI aims to promote New Zealand as a premier study destination for international education, collaborating closely with Immigration NZ. Secondly, the organization has committed to safeguarding the interests of students, providing comprehensive support from initial counseling to post-landing assistance, including settlement aid and pastoral care.
In a bid to uphold the integrity of the education system, NZERI has pledged to adhere to the highest standards of ethics, professional conduct, honesty, and transparency. To achieve this, both existing and new members will be required to comply with NZERI’s rigorous code of conduct.
Lastly, NZERI seeks to position itself as the leading facilitator and a self-regulated trusted bridge between New Zealand and India in the realm of international education. This involves close collaboration with Immigration NZ to strengthen ties and recognition.
Leadership Team and Structure
The inaugural president of NZERI is Liz Batra from the IEGC agency, with experienced figures such as Sandeep Jani as Vice President, Munish Sekhri as General Secretary, and Kshitij Garg as Treasurer. Ravi Lochan Singh from Global Reach is part of the executive board, sharing valuable insights from his experience with AAERI.
The organization has extended invitations to Education NZ (ENZ) and Immigration NZ (INZ) to join as permanent honorary members, fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors.
NZERI’s Role and Industry Collaboration
NZERI clarifies its role as a collaborative entity rather than an industry watchdog or policing organization. The leadership team emphasizes its commitment to working with education advisers, both existing and emerging, to collectively self-regulate and elevate industry standards.
Addressing the negative connotation associated with the term ‘agents,’ NZERI encourages the industry to refer to its members as ‘advisers.’ The organization acknowledges the need for sector regulation and expresses support for initiatives aimed at curbing unethical recruitment practices.
Advocacy and Collaboration for Sustainable Growth
NZERI plans to advocate for sector regulation and collaborate with organizations like ICEF, Immigration Advisers Authority, INZ, and ENZ to establish training and certification programs. These programs aim to enhance the skills of NZERI members and their staff, ensuring integrity in operations.
The organization is poised to collaborate with INZ to find solutions to challenges affecting the export education sector. NZERI will also engage with the government to address issues such as prolonged visa processing times, inconsistent decisions, and fund requirements.
NZERI’s plea to reinstate the processing of student visa applications in Mumbai reflects its commitment to improving the applicant experience and ensuring the quality and consistency of visa decisions.
In conclusion, NZERI envisions sustainable growth in New Zealand’s education export sector by attracting high-value students. The organization, with its vetted and trusted members, aims to support this growth under the dynamic leadership of the new government in New Zealand.
