Agents visiting

Twenty specialist education agents from across East Asia descended on Queenstown last night hoping to hook up with one of 59 institutions around the country.

Education New Zealand (ENZ), a Government-recognised export-education umbrella body, is playing matchmaker with familiarisation seminars in the resort and Rotorua, which ENZ acting chief executive Kathy Phillips said was designed to "maximise the number of connections made, and hopefully the number of students the agents will enrol in New Zealand institutions".

"Education agents play a key role in bringing international students to New Zealand, and a first-hand look at everything our beautiful country has to offer makes them more enthusiastic and confident about sending students here," Mrs Phillips said.

ENZ figures show most international students study in Auckland (58%). Canterbury is the second most popular destination (15%), followed by Waikato, Otago and Wellington (5% or 6% each).

"We've set up a type of speed-dating event where agents and institutions have short, one-on-one meetings where they can decide whether they are a good match for working together in the future."

The agents come from China, Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea. Rotorua and Queenstown were chosen so agents could enjoy some of New Zealand's best tourist attractions after business was done, Mrs Phillips said.

After the week of meetings, the agents will travel in small groups to various regions of New Zealand, where they will visit institutions and see the lifestyle and facilities their students will experience here.

In many countries, education agents are widely used by students who are planning to study overseas. The agent suggests appropriate courses and institutions to the student, and helps them with the enrolment and visa-application process.

This is the second year the familiarisation programme has been held.

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