India's Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has proposed joint degree programmes between Indian and New Zealand universities as part of the newly signed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two nations. Signed on April 27, 2026, in New Delhi by Goyal and New Zealand's Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay, the landmark deal opens fresh avenues for collaboration in higher education. This move aims to deepen people-to-people ties, enhance student mobility, and foster research partnerships, positioning New Zealand's universities at the forefront of Indo-Pacific academic exchanges.
The proposal comes at a time when Indian student enrolments in New Zealand have surged, reaching around 10,640 between January and August 2024—a 34 percent increase from the previous year. With Indians now comprising 11 percent of all international students, New Zealand's eight public universities stand to gain significantly from uncapped visas and extended post-study work rights under the FTA.
Background on India-New Zealand Education Ties
Relations between India and New Zealand in higher education have evolved steadily over the years. The New Zealand Centre at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, established in 2020, exemplifies this progress. This unique collaboration involves all eight New Zealand universities—University of Auckland, University of Otago, University of Canterbury, Victoria University of Wellington, University of Waikato, Massey University, Lincoln University, and Auckland University of Technology (AUT)—working alongside IIT Delhi on joint research, faculty exchanges, and student mobility.
Recent initiatives include Parul University's launch of India's first India-New Zealand Centre of Excellence in February 2026, partnering with seven New Zealand institutions for curriculum co-development and visiting professorships. These efforts build on Education New Zealand's roadshows and MoUs, such as the University of Auckland's agreements with Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) and Chitkara University, focusing on research in AI, health sciences, and sustainable development.
The FTA accelerates this momentum by addressing barriers like visa caps and work restrictions, enabling New Zealand universities to attract top Indian talent while offering their students exposure to India's dynamic innovation ecosystem.
Piyush Goyal's Vision for Joint Degrees
During the FTA signing ceremony at Bharat Mandapam, Piyush Goyal responded to Todd McClay's mention of degree recognition by advocating for collaborative programmes. "Why don't we try to run courses and programs in New Zealand and Indian universities and give joint degrees to students of both countries?" Goyal asked, highlighting the mutual benefits.
Joint degrees—where students earn a single qualification awarded by both institutions—or dual degrees, granting separate credentials from each, would allow seamless credit transfer and shared curricula. For New Zealand students, this means hands-on experience in India's burgeoning tech and research sectors; for Indians, access to New Zealand's world-class facilities in agritech, environmental science, and health.
Goyal emphasized cultural immersion: New Zealanders gaining insights into India's diverse society, while Indians discover Kiwi innovation and work ethic. This aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in India, which encourages twinning and joint programmes with foreign universities.
Key FTA Provisions Revolutionizing Student Mobility
The India-New Zealand FTA introduces groundbreaking education-specific clauses, marking the first dedicated student mobility annexure for New Zealand with any partner.
- No Numerical Visa Caps: Removes limits on Indian student visas, easing enrolment pressures on New Zealand universities amid rising demand.
- Guaranteed Work Rights: Minimum 20 hours per week during studies, supporting living costs in cities like Auckland and Dunedin.
- Extended Post-Study Work Visas (PSWV): Up to three years for bachelor's and master's graduates in STEM fields; four years for PhD holders—creating pathways to skilled migration.
- Working Holiday Visas: 1,000 annual multiple-entry visas for young Indians (18-30), fostering cultural exchange.
- Temporary Employment Entry (TEE) Visas: Quota of 5,000 for skilled professionals, including educators, IT specialists, and healthcare workers.
These provisions could boost India's services exports in education support services, valued at USD 255.8 million in FY2025. For New Zealand, they promise sustained revenue from the world's fastest-growing student market. Official FTA announcement from Press Information Bureau.
Opportunities for New Zealand Universities
New Zealand's universities, already hosting over 12,000 Indian students as of late 2025, view the FTA as a game-changer. Dr. Erik Lithander from the University of Auckland noted that uncapped visas will enhance diversity without overwhelming infrastructure, while post-study options retain talent in high-demand fields like engineering and IT.
Joint programmes could generate new revenue streams through shared tuition and research grants. With Indian enrolments projected to double to 20,000 by 2027, universities like Otago and Canterbury anticipate growth in postgraduate cohorts, particularly in health, data science, and climate studies—areas of mutual strength.
Photo by Arno Senoner on Unsplash
Spotlight on Existing Collaborations
Several partnerships pave the way for Goyal's vision.
New Zealand Centre at IIT Delhi: Facilitates 10 joint research projects with USD 100,000 seed funding, spanning AI, sustainable agriculture, and public health. Prime Minister's Scholarships support exchanges.
Parul University Centre of Excellence: Links seven NZ universities for joint research, professorships, and curriculum design in engineering and business.
These models demonstrate feasibility, with potential expansion post-FTA. Details on NZ Centre at IIT Delhi.
University of Auckland: Leading the Charge
New Zealand's top-ranked university has aggressively pursued Indian ties. Recent MoUs with MAHE and Chitkara enable faculty exchanges and co-developed courses in business and health. A historic joint PhD with IIT Kharagpur allows co-supervision and shared resources.
In March 2025, Auckland signed multiple agreements during an India visit, focusing on innovation fellowships and student pathways. Vice-Chancellor Professor Jenny Salesa highlighted how these align with the FTA's mobility goals, predicting a surge in joint programmes by 2027.
University of Canterbury and IIT Madras Partnership
In April 2026, the University of Canterbury signed an MoU with IIT Madras, creating a structured Master's pathway. BS students from IIT Madras can transition to Canterbury's Master of Applied Data Science upon meeting criteria.
The deal covers joint research, co-teaching, conferences, and mobility. This exemplifies practical joint degree implementation, with potential replication across NZ's STEM-focused universities. University of Auckland's India partnerships.
University of Otago's Engagement
Otago has hosted India roadshows and signed its first student exchange with Ashoka University. Scholarships worth NZD 260,000 target Indian postgrads in medicine and sciences. Partnerships with BSE Institute Mumbai prepare business students for global roles.
Otago's focus on health research complements India's biotech growth, setting the stage for joint clinical trials and dual MSc/PhD tracks.
Benefits for Kiwi Students and Researchers
While Indian inflows dominate headlines, NZ students gain from exposure to India's scale. Joint degrees offer internships at firms like Infosys or Tata, building networks in the world's fifth-largest economy.
Research collaboration tackles shared challenges like climate resilience—NZ's agritech with India's precision farming. Faculty exchanges enrich curricula, with NZ academics accessing India's vast datasets and labs.
Photo by Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash
Challenges and Path Forward
Challenges include curriculum alignment, quality assurance, and funding. NZ's Qualifications Authority (NZQA) and India's UGC must streamline recognition.
Yet, optimism prevails. Universities NZ anticipates pilot joint programmes by 2027, backed by FTA commitments. Government incentives for research could accelerate progress.
| Aspect | Pre-FTA | Post-FTA |
|---|---|---|
| Student Visas | Capped | Uncapped |
| Work Hours/Week | Variable | Min 20 hrs |
| PSWV Duration | 1-3 yrs | 3-4 yrs STEM/PhD |
| Joint Degrees | Limited | Encouraged |
Future Outlook
The FTA positions New Zealand universities as gateways to India's youth bulge—over 400 million aged 15-29. Projections suggest a 50 percent enrolment rise by 2030, fuelling economic growth.
As Goyal noted, this is a "win-win" for trade, jobs, and education. NZ institutions must seize this to innovate, diversify, and globalize. Education New Zealand India snapshot.
With strategic partnerships expanding, India-NZ higher education cooperation promises transformative impacts for students, faculty, and economies alike.