Members of the New Zealand and Colombian governments made the deal at a bilateral education meeting in Wellington, May 28, where they committed to joint initiatives in internationalising higher education; technical and technological education; vocational training; and innovation.

“Education, along with agriculture, is one of two key strands in our bilateral relationship,” Joyce said.

Colombia has the potential to become a significant international education market for New Zealand

“The number of fee-paying Colombian students studying in New Zealand increased from 207 in 2007 to 727 in 2012, which would suggest Colombia has the potential to become a significant international education market for New Zealand.”

Delegates also used the meeting to familiarise themselves with each other’s education systems. Plans to help more Colombian PhD students study in New Zealand were discussed – so too how New Zealand could support Colombia in its goal to make English an official language.

New Zealand is keen to increase trade with Latin America as shown by Prime Minister John Key’s tour of the continent in March. To coincide with the SOI, a delegation led by Colombia’s Vice Minister of Education Patricia Martinez Barrios is touring New Zealand this week to visit major New Zealand firms and training institutes.

Joyce said it would provide more exposure for New Zealand education. “Tours like this are a great opportunity for New Zealand to showcase to Colombian education officials its skills and expertise in the technical and vocational education and training (TVET) sector, and its links with industry and the labour market.”