India is currently hosting recipients of New Zealand’s Prime Minister’s Scholarship for Asia (PMSA).
Eight business students from Ara Institute of Canterbury and 20 fashion, textile and business students from Massey University are now on a programme ranging from four to six weeks in India.
The PMSA programme is funded by the New Zealand government and encourages New Zealand students to study in Asia to experience the benefits of international
education.
Commitment to India
Education New Zealand (ENZ) Regional Director (South East Asia & Middle East) John Laxon said that the PMSA reinforces the government’s commitment to India and our education relationship.
“These scholarships build on New Zealand’s status as a top destination for Indian students, creating partnerships with prestigious Indian education institutions and between the future leaders of both countries,” he said.
As a part of the PMSA programme, eight Ara Business School scholars are currently in India on a six-week series of classroom lectures at Jaipuria Institute of Management in Noida and KCT Business School in Coimbatore to develop a better understanding of the business environment in India.
Their focus in on entrepreneurship and the Indian rural economy.
While in India, they will also visit local business establishments including dairies, textile mills and start-ups.
Interactive session
In January, ENZ hosted the Ara students at the New Zealand High Commission in Delhi for an interactive session about the country’s relationship with India, and the available engagement opportunities. The session, chaired by Acting High Commissioner Suzannah Jessep, was attended by faculty members from Jaipuria and Ara Institute.
ENZ also hosted a project presentation called ‘Closing the Loop’ for the Massey awardees at the High Commission. This was based on India’s circular economy strategy to phase out land filling of recyclable materials by 2025.
The Massey students teamed up with 20 creative arts students from National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), New Delhi, to produce an outfit made from sustainable and organic materials sourced in India.
Fashion at Mission
Students worked in groups mixing their textile, fashion and business talents, and even created a sustainable ‘business plan’ to accompany their outfits.
The High Commission lawns were then transformed into a makeshift runway for the students to showcase their garments to the senior faculty members from Massey and NIFT in attendance.
Massey University Senior Lecturer and Major Coordinator for Fashion Design Sue Prescott said that the event highlighted the potential for fashion to address real world issues such as over-consumption, global warming and ethical production processes.
“Through studies in fashion supply chain, traditional fashion industry methods are challenged, and team design and production projects like this help lead to innovative and sustainable thinking,” she said.
Photo:
Massey University and NIFT student cohorts with their fashion-textile creations (models at the rear)
Picture by Education New Zealand
