Knowledge Village connects the Middle East with New Zealand educational opportunities

Education Zone is the exclusive Middle East representative for the top New Zealand universities and polytechnics, and was set up by an entrepreneurial Bahraini businesswoman who recognized the opportunity in the region's education market, when she was living and studying in Auckland. Suad Alhalwachi, Managing Director, is already counseling and placing students at institutions in New Zealand, working in conjunction with the New Zealand Trade Development Board in Dubai.

"New Zealand education offers tremendous opportunities for students from the Middle East through the very wide range of subjects offered at all levels, from undergraduate to PhD, and their quality - all universities and polytechnics are accredited by the Government and follow the code of practice for international students. The education system is based on the British system but it has evolved into a distinctive, highly personalised style, focusing on teaching students how to think rather than what to think.

"New Zealand itself is a relaxed, friendly and safe destination which also offers great outdoor leisure opportunities. It is also a very cost effective international study destination compared to many other countries, with very competitive tuition fees, accommodation and overall living costs.

"We aim to increase the current number of around 100 students from the Gulf studying in New Zealand. The next academic year starts in January 2004, so there is plenty of time for students to look at the options in New Zealand. We undertake the whole testing and placing process here in Dubai, carefully matching each student's skills and objectives with the best programme available, through our highly personalised service."

Education Zone works closely with the New Zealand Trade Development Board in Dubai: "Part of Education Zone's mission is to increase awareness of New Zealand higher education in the Middle East, and the recent visit to Dubai of the Honourable Trevor Mallard, New Zealand Minister of Education, helped enormously in raising the profile. It also reflects the real commitment that New Zealand has in creating educational opportunities for prospective students here.

"We chose to establish Education Zone in Knowledge Village for two reasons: firstly, the world class infrastructure that is being created there and, just as importantly, the community of institutions and companies that will be based there. Education Zone wants to be associated with this exciting new development and also to contribute to it, ultimately by offering educational programmes from New Zealand to students in the Middle East from our base in Knowledge Village."