Chilean students to study in NZ with new agreement

Up to 300 students a year from Chile can study in New Zealand under an agreement signed today.

Ministers said it was the beginning of a programme which would bring Chilean and New Zealand students, researchers and institutions much closer.

"Chile is the strongest education relationship New Zealand has in Latin America," Education Minister Chris Carter said.

"The agreement signed today demonstrates the strength of our education and research ties and sets the platform to take our relationship into the 21st century."

Tertiary Education Minister Pete Hodgson said 300 scholarships a year would be offered by the Chilean government for students to study at a range of New Zealand universities, institutes of technology, polytechs and private training establishments.

The agreement is part of Chile's $US6 ($NZ8.3) billion Bicentennial Fund for Human Capital Development.

New Zealand is among the first five countries to be included in the arrangement, along with Australia, Canada, Britain and the United States.