US appeal hits rock bottom, according to an international survey of 400 education agents
New Zealand’s management of the Covid-19 pandemic has boosted the international standing of its higher education system, with the country’s perceived appeal to students rising the most out of several key countries surveyed.
To date, with some 22 deaths and 1,220 cases, New Zealand has been relatively unaffected by the virus, and widely cited as a success example of combatting the virus.
Now, a survey of 400 agents from 63 countries across education provider Navitas’ network has revealed that 85 per cent place New Zealand top of the list of countries that have become more appealing as study destinations as a result of the way their governments have responded to the pandemic.
Australia and Canada are the second and third most popular, at 77 and 75 per cent respectively, followed by Singapore at 61 per cent.
In contrast, just 30 per cent of agents thought that the UK government’s handling of Covid-19 has made it a more attractive place to come and study.
The US came out as the worst out of the six nations on this measure, at 14 per cent.
There has also been an increase in interest in studying in New Zealand, Australia, and Canada compared with other countries, according to more than half of agents surveyed.
And hundreds of thousands of students have not yet decided where they will go to study, says the Navitas report.
Chris Whelan, Universities New Zealand’s chief executive, described the findings as “a huge opportunity for New Zealand universities…but only if we are able to bring students safely into the country in time to take advantage of this positive perception.”
“Having certainty about a starting date for face-to-face study will encourage international students to enrol in New Zealand universities, even if their initial experience is online,” said Whelan. “Certainty about timing is what we’re after.”
The new research echoes the results of a study conducted earlier this year by higher education rankings agency Quacquarelli Symonds, which revealed that New Zealand was chosen as the country that has handled the coronavirus outbreak the best by 28 per cent of prospective international students surveyed—more than double the number who selected China, the next highest country.
One QS survey respondent commented on NZ’s performance: “They carried out proper awareness. They prioritised health over economy, they actually listened to science. They ensured proper awareness and complete lock-down. They acted fast. They maintained transparency.”