The International Centre

International Student Support
The International Student Support team advises and assists international students by identifying their needs, helping them find solutions, and directing them to appropriate services on and off campus. This includes personal issues, academic support, medical and travel insurance, Student Visa and Permit requirements, orientation, accommodation, and general concerns. Orientation programmes are run for all new international students prior to beginning their studies and regular information sessions are run throughout the academic year. During office hours we have a student lounge with computer access for international students’ use. International Student Advisers are available to see students and appointments can be made at the International Centre; phone +64 7 838 4439, email int.centre@waikato.ac.nz, website http://www.waikato.ac.nz/international/.

Compulsory Medical and Travel Insurance
The New Zealand Government has made it a legal requirement that from 1 January 2004 all international students must have appropriate and current health and travel insurance, as stated in the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students (http://www.minedu.govt.nz/). This must be for the full period of study in New Zealand and enrolment is dependent on proof of appropriate insurance. To simplify the process of selecting insurance, the University has selected Studentsafe-University (underwritten by New Zealand Insurance Limited) as the preferred insurance policy for all international students. The Studentsafe-University insurance premium can be added to tuition fees at the time of enrolment, resulting in international students being automatically enrolled in the Studentsafe-University insurance scheme. This premium will not be charged if evidence of an alternative compliant insurance policy is provided to the University before the specified deadline (please note there are only a small number of approved alternative compliant policies). For further information please refer to the website http://www.waikato.ac.nz/international/.

New Zealand Government Scholarships
New Zealand Development Scholarships (NZDS) and NZAID-funded Commonwealth Scholarships are awarded by the New Zealand Agency for International Development (NZAID) on behalf of the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Open to designated countries, the scholarships are for postgraduate and undergraduate (limited) study in New Zealand in areas of developmental relevance which will enable students to make a significant impact on return to their home countries. NZDS Scholarships have two categories; Public and Open. Students can only apply under one of these categories and must be resident in their home country at the time of application. The scholarships cover tuition fees, enrolment/orientation fees, return economy travel, medical insurance, and an allowance to meet course and basic living costs. Limited assistance may be available for dependants in New Zealand for courses of study 18 months or longer.

Further information on the scholarships and eligible countries can be found at http://www.nzaid.govt.nz/ or http://www.waikato.ac.nz/international/.

New Zealand International Doctoral Research Scholarships (NZIDRS) and New Zealand International Undergraduate Fees Scholarships (NZIUFS) are funded by the New Zealand Government and administered by Education New Zealand. NZIDRS are open to all countries and entitlements include tuition fees and living allowances. NZIUFS are open to designated countries and cover tuition fees only. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit. Further information can be found on the website http://www.newzealandeducated.com/scholarships/.

International Student Exchange
The International Centre administers the University’s international student exchange programmes and is the central resource of promotional material from partner universities from around the world. Almost all domestic and international students who are in good academic standing should be eligible to apply for an appropriate exchange after having completed the equivalent of two semesters of full-time degree-level study at the University of Waikato. International students may not go on exchange to their home country. Exchange students are expected to be positive ambassadors for the University of Waikato and New Zealand. With prior approval, study completed at the partner university can be credited towards students’ University of Waikato qualifications, although this cannot always be guaranteed in advance. In 2007, students with New Zealand citizenship or permanent residence will receive travel grants to assist and encourage them to participate in an international student exchange. Further information can be obtained from the International Relations Adviser at the International Centre.

Strategic Alliances, International Partnerships and Agreements
The University is a forward-looking, innovative institution that welcomes strategic alliances, international partnerships, and agreements. Consideration is given to international institutions that match the University of Waikato profile in terms of reputation, academic standing, and research output.

All proposals for University to University linkages should be discussed in the first instance with the Pro Vice-Chancellor (International). Proposals for guaranteed credit agreements need submission of full documentation to the International Centre, which will refer them to the appropriate academic authority for approval. Partnership proposals are welcome and will be explored on a case by case basis. Memorandums of Understanding should also be submitted as proposals to the International Centre, which will refer them to the appropriate authority.

Overseas visitors are welcome. Prospective visitors should contact the International Centre with full background information about their proposed visit. The International Centre will arrange an itinerary which meets both the visitors’ and the University of Waikato’s needs.