On February 26, to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and New Zealand, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon visited Foreign Trade University to engage with faculty members, lecturers, and students.
During the visit, Luxon shared the latest updates on study programmes and scholarships available for Vietnamese students this year.
In his speech at the event, prime minister Luxon highlighted New Zealand’s world-class education system and the enduring cooperation between the two countries in this vital field. Over the years, New Zealand has awarded numerous scholarships to outstanding Vietnamese students pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate studies.
"New Zealand is home to a globally renowned education system, with all eight of our universities ranked among the top 2 per cent worldwide. For Vietnamese students seeking a high-quality English-language education, New Zealand is an outstanding destination," he said.
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New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon speech at the event |
Currently, approximately 1,700 Vietnamese students are studying in New Zealand, and Luxon expressed hope that this number will continue to grow.
"This year, we are expanding our scholarship programmes, increasing the number of awards for Vietnamese students by 56 per cent, as we recognise their strong potential and valuable contributions to both our academic community and New Zealand as a whole," said Luxon.
In 2025, the New Zealand government will increase the number of Manaaki Scholarships for Vietnamese citizens to 39, up from 25-30 in previous years. Scholarship recipients can choose to study at any of the eight public universities or three public institutes of technology in New Zealand.
For secondary education, the New Zealand government offers exclusive scholarships for Vietnamese students from grades 8 to 10, with each scholarship covering 50 per cent of the first-year tuition fees.
For the first time, 14 New Zealand Universities Awards will be available for undergraduates.
The Manaaki Scholarships provide financial support for Vietnamese students pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate studies.
Specifically, the 2025 New Zealand Schools Scholarships for Vietnamese students in grades 8-10 will offer a record 45 awards. This scholarship is designed for exceptional high school students who wish to study at secondary schools in New Zealand.
New Zealand is developing key fields such as STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), economics, medicine, and AI, areas that also align with Vietnam’s priorities and are highly sought after by international students.
In his welcoming remarks, Assoc. Prof. Bui Anh Tuan, president of FTU, emphasised the strong educational ties between Vietnam and New Zealand, particularly in light of the 50th-anniversary milestone.
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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Anh Tuan, president of Foreign Trade University speech at the event |
He also expressed appreciation for New Zealand’s support of Vietnamese students through scholarships, academic exchange programmes, and institutional partnerships.
"The crucial role of education in strengthening bilateral relations cannot be overstated. We hope that the Vietnam-New Zealand EduConnect event will continue to foster collaboration and create tangible benefits for students in both countries," Tuan said.
A key highlight of the event was the signing of several MoUs between Vietnamese and New Zealand educational institutions to enhance comprehensive cooperation.
Among them, an MoU between Massey University and Foreign Trade University aims to introduce a dual master’s degree programme at FTU campuses, providing opportunities for both Vietnamese and regional students and professionals.
Participants in the programme will earn degrees from both universities upon completing their studies at FTU.
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MoU between Massey University (New Zealand) and Foreign Trade University (Vietnam) |
Other MoUs signed at the event further underscored the commitment of higher education institutions in both countries to fostering an international learning environment for their students.
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