Historic statement signed to entice more Korean students to NZ - and vice versa

The lines between the Republic of Korea and New Zealand have been significantly bolstered with a recently signed statement.

According to the Ministry of Education, the agreement will pave the way for students to further their studies in either country.

Secretary for Education, Iona Holsted says the signing of the statement means New Zealand can now undertake further bilateral work opportunities that have the potential open up a world of study opportunities for young people here.

"The joint statement is a step towards our students being able to have previous qualifications more easily recognised abroad and will provide access to further study that has traditionally been difficult to access," Holsted says.

"While there is still more to do, I'm looking forward to seeing the shared benefits for both countries.

Signed in Wellington yesterday, the Joint Recognition Statement between the two countries follows the completion of a joint research report – Comparison of Senior Secondary School Qualifications.

According to officials, the report will support higher education institutions in both countries to make decisions about the comparability of the Korean High School Certificate and the New Zealand National Certificate of Educational Achievement Level 3.

The report indicates that senior secondary school curricula in the two countries are broadly comparable, largely based on the number of common denominators for Mathematics and Science subjects using the concept of internationally recognised 'best-fit'.

NZQA chief executive, Dr Karen Poutasi says it is hoped that more Korean students will come to New Zealand to study and vice versa.

"The statement is the first of its kind signed by Korea and is a sign of confidence in the quality of education in both countries," says Dr Poutasi.

"Formal acknowledgement of cooperation arrangements and recognition statements is increasingly common practice in a globally connected world. We look forward to further dialogue between our two countries.

According to Dr Poutasi, NZQA aims to have qualification recognition arrangements with at least 50 countries by 2020.