The Brazilian Government recently announced 75,000 scholarships to students from low-income groups keen on overseas studies to enhance their skills and career prospects.
As well as reforming the education sector in Brazil, the initiative offers Private Training Establishments (PTEs) and tertiary institutions in New Zealand an opportunity to attract foreign students.
Brazil is the world’s eighth strongest economy with a growth rate of 7.5%. It boasts of a young population (35% of 203.4 million). Despite its impressive economic strides, Brazil lacks quality education system and only four of its 183 universities are rated as world-class.
Until recently, the primary choice of Brazilian students for overseas study was either UK or US. However, over the past three years, the choice has been in favour of Australia or Canada, with their share of Brazilian students placed respectively at 35% and 25%.
New Zealand has been lagging behind with just 7% of its foreign students from the South American country.
While Australia and Canada have a robust overseas marketing strategy covering most potential markets, New Zealand has been focusing mainly on China and South Korea.
Brazilians have also shown a strong demand for short-term English courses overseas to meet the growing need for English language proficiency within their country. The Brazilian Government and educational institutions in Brazil are keen to sign agreements with quality education providers overseas.
New Zealand educational institutions should liaise with local consultants or institutes to attract Brazilian students who wish to learn English.
But this should be preceded by a special immigration policy for Brazilian students as a recent change permits visas only to students enrolled for one year or longer where English is offered as a short term five-week course.
E-Learning is also popular in Brazil but only a few universities offer such programmes. This again creates vast opportunities for New Zealand education providers to cater to students in Brazil unable to travel or study overseas.
Architects wanted
Brazil needs 60,000 architects and engineers to meet its increased demand in infrastructure, in pursuance of which a number of Universities have signed agreements with education providers worldwide.
Two New Zealand universities are engaged in collaborations with Pontificia Universiadade Catolica De Sao Paulo, one of the largest universities in Brazil.
This should encourage others to form strategic partnerships with popular Brazilian universities for mutual benefit.
Andrew Kaushal is Managing Director of Kiwibuzz Limited, an online electronic store. He was among 23 Massey University MBA students who visited Brazil in September 2011 to explore opportunities for New Zealand businesses. The Group is seen here at Evonik Industries, a specialty chemicals company based in Sao Paulo.
