New Zealand gov't to build Asia-Pacific expertise

The New Zealand government is investing in the creation of a network of Asia-Pacific research and study centers in a bid to deepen ties with the wider region.

Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce on Thursday announced 34.5 million NZ dollars (24.32 million U.S. dollars) in funding to develop new Centres of Asia-Pacific Excellence (CAPEs) in New Zealand universities.

"New Zealand's future is increasingly tied in with the Asia-Pacific region," Joyce said in a statement.

"With some 71 percent of our total trade already with Asia-Pacific countries, we must secure our future by investing more in preparing our young people to understand the language, culture and economies of this diverse range of countries."

CAPEs would be cross-institutional centers of excellence in the language, culture, politics and economics of countries or groups of countries within the Asia-Pacific region.

As well as teaching about and researching these countries, they would be mandated to help all learners, exporters, and government agencies improve their understanding of the countries and their languages.

"Each CAPE will develop strong linkages with its region of specialty, facilitate student and faculty exchanges, and become a focal point for New Zealand's relationship with that part of the world," said Joyce.

"We initially intend to set up three CAPEs headquartered in universities around the country specialising in countries or groups of countries in North Asia, Southeast Asia and Latin America." Endit