NZ signs education deal with Libya

Education Minister Anne Tolley. Photo / Christine Cornege

New Zealand could soon play host to more than 300 fully funded Libyan students a year, in a deal worth up to $30 million annually.

Education Minister Anne Tolley today signed an agreement with Libya's Secretary for Education and Science Research, Dr Abdulkabir Fakhry, making New Zealand one of only five countries eligible to receive Libyan government scholarship students.

The agreement outlined the basis for New Zealand's engagement with Libya over the next five years in the educational and scientific fields in both compulsory and tertiary education sectors.

Mrs Tolley said many New Zealand education providers saw big potential in increasing engagement with Libya.

Conservative estimates were that New Zealand stood to get over 300 students a year in fully-funded scholarships worth up to $30m, she said.

"Libya is an emerging education market for New Zealand. It is a nation coming out of a period of international isolation and ready to re-engage with countries like ours."

The agreement was the first government to government memorandum between the two countries and gave the opportunity for collaboration in joint research projects, joint academic programmes and student and faculty exchange.

- NZPA