AUCKLAND: Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) plans to sponsor 100 Malaysian students furthering their tertiary education in New Zealand, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The Deputy Prime Minister said this decision was prompted by uncertainties surrounding the latest US policies regarding foreign students, which have placed restrictions on Mara-sponsored Malaysian students bound for the United States.

“We have received offers from universities in New Zealand which are willing to accept our students.

“The offer does not only apply to Mara-sponsored students but may include those sponsored under the Public Service Department, PETRONAS and other agencies,” he told reporters at the Asean-New Zealand Business Council Engagement session held here yesterday.

Ahmad Zahid said Malaysian High Commissioner to New Zealand Mazita Marzuki has been tasked with seeking reasonable tuition discounts from New Zealand universities for these students.

The sponsored students are likely to pursue studies in green technology and renewable energy.

“New Zealand is highly advanced in green technology with 87% of its energy needs coming from renewable energy.

“We need to expose our engineering students to new aspects of these technologies,” he added.

Last month during his working visit to London, Ahmad Zahid announced that Mara-sponsored students initially bound for US universities this year would most likely head to the United Kingdom instead.

At that time, three UK universities had agreed to provide up to 20% tuition fee discounts for Mara-sponsored students.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also the National TVET Committee chairman, also said the government was looking at reviving the student exchange programme between Malaysia and New Zealand.

“At present, there are 690 Malaysians studying in New Zealand but only 20 from New Zealand in Malaysia,” he said.

He suggested that New Zealanders could be offered three- to six-month courses under TVET skills training programmes.

He said there were currently 1,398 TVET institutions in Malaysia offering various technical and skills training courses.