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In his recent visit to India, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon emphasized developing academia and cultural exchange between the two countries. Riding on this momentum, the Land of the Long White Cloud has initiated the New Zealand Excellence Awards (NZEA) 2025, providing Indian students with a great opportunity to acquire world-class education in one of the most peaceful and sustainable nations in the world.

With 29 scholarships offered to eight of New Zealand's highest-ranked universities, this program highlights New Zealand's dedication to offering Indian students international opportunities. The application process begins today, March 18, 2025, and the deadline for submission is April 30, 2025.

What are the New Zealand Excellence Awards (NZEA)?

New Zealand Excellence Awards 2025 is a collaborative program between Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao and eight of the country's top universities. The program awards 29 scholarships to Indian students for both undergraduate and postgraduate courses. The scholarships vary between NZD 5,000 and NZD 20,000, cutting down on the cost of pursuing higher studies overseas.

Who is eligible?

This scholarship offers Indian students a valuable opportunity to pursue their academic goals in New Zealand, provided they meet the following eligibility criteria:

Applicants must be at least 18 years old.

Applicants must be Indian citizens (not a citizen or permanent resident of New Zealand or Australia).

Applicants must meet Immigration New Zealand’s student visa requirements.

Applicants must reside in India at the time of application.

Applicants should have an unconditional offer for an eligible course.

How to apply?

Eligible students can apply for the scholarship by following the steps as provided below:

Step 1. Search programs and universities at studywithnewzealand.govt.nz.

Step 2. Apply directly to the university or through approved agents.

Step 3. Apply for a student visa at immigration.govt.nz.

Step 4. Apply for NZEA 2025 by the 30 April 2025 deadline.

Step 5. Select your preferred mode of living.

Step 6. Discover New Zealand life and plan your travels.

Interested students can also click here to apply.

Eligible universities

The NZEA is available for certain 8 universities in the New Zealand, interested students can verify the universities and their specialization as mentioned here:

Auckland University of Technology (AUT) – In the top 1% in the world, AUT stands out for its creative approaches to teaching and close ties to the industry.

University of Auckland – Ranks 65th in the world and excels in sustainability and research.

Lincoln University – Focuses on agriculture, environmental management, and viticulture, with high emphasis on sustainability.

Massey University – Provides courses at three locations, with a focus on agriculture, design, and veterinary science.

University of Waikato – Renowned for its forward-thinking education and triple-crown accredited management school.

University of Otago – New Zealand's oldest university, with a reputation for research and active student life.

Victoria University of Wellington – Based in the capital city, it is strong in creativity, government, and sustainability studies.

University of Canterbury – Strong in engineering, science, and business, with a focus on practical learning.

Aspirants can click here to view the full scholarship brochure.

One of the strongest features of studying in New Zealand is the possibility of working while studying. Students can work a maximum of 20 hours a week during the semester and full-time during breaks. Graduates are also entitled to a post-study work visa for 3 years, which will enable them to acquire valuable international work experience.

The New Zealand minimum wage will rise to NZD 23.50 per hour from April 2025, so that students can be able to sustain themselves economically while pursuing their studies. Besides, New Zealand's breathtaking landscapes, outdoor activities, and rich culture mean it is a fantastic place to live, study, and discover.

An Indian historian, Dr Manikarnika Dutta, is under threat of deportation from the UK after the Home Office decided that she had spent more days abroad than permitted while carrying out research in India, according to The Guardian. Having lived in the UK for 12 years and worked at top institutions like the University of Oxford, her request for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) has been rejected.

Dutta's scholarly research needs access to Indian historical archives, which demands regular travel. Home Office policy dictates that ILR applicants are not allowed outside the UK for longer than 548 days in any 10 years; Dutta's tally was 691 days, The Guardian reports.

Legal analysts contend that her research visits were an integral component of her research and compliance with visa requirements.

These trips were not a choice but a necessity in meeting her institutional and academic duties. If she hadn't taken those trips, she would be unable to write up her thesis, fulfill her institutions' academic conditions, or continue to maintain visa status," declared her solicitor Naga Kandiah of MTC Solicitors.

What is indefinite leave to remain (ILR)?

ILR is a UK immigration status that enables a person to work, live, and study without any time limit. It is also called "settlement" and is a route to British citizenship.

For the applicant to be eligible for ILR, he or she must satisfy particular conditions of eligibility, including staying in the UK for a consecutive period under a visa category that extends to settlement, complying with absence rules, and passing the Life in the UK Test in addition to showing proficiency in the English language.

For researchers such as Dr. Manikarnika Dutta, time outside the UK can influence ILR eligibility. Though working overseas can be a necessary component of academic study, exceeding permissible absences means applications may be refused.

Dutta initially came to the UK in 2012 to study for a master's at Oxford, according to The Guardian. She then switched to a spouse visa as the dependent of her husband, Dr Souvik Naha, a senior lecturer at the University of Glasgow.

"I was stunned when I received an email informing me that I have to go," Dutta explained to The Observer. "I have been living here for 12 years. Most of my adult life has been spent in the UK since I arrived to study at Oxford. I never imagined something like this would befall me."

Her husband's ILR application, however, was successful. Legal fight erupts as Home Office refuses to budge Following her ILR being refused, Dutta applied for an administrative review, but this was also unchanged. The Home Office warned: "You must now leave the United Kingdom. If you don't leave voluntarily, you may be subject to a re-entry ban of 10 years and prosecuted for overstaying."

Kandiah has initiated a court action over the decision of the Home Office. The Home Office has subsequently promised to review its decision within three months.

This Home Office decision has been absolutely stressful for the both of us. It's had a psychological impact," explained Naha, Dutta's husband. "I give talks on these topics, and have read articles about victims, but never imagined it would happen to us.

The U.S. Department of Education has announced canceling more than $600 million in grants provided for teacher training programs, citing concerns about content considered "divisive" and antithetical to American values. The move has sparked a countrywide controversy regarding the place of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in education.

The Department of Education says that the action is aimed at avoiding taxpayer money going to support programs that advance "ideological agendas" over educational excellence. Officials believe public schools should be shielded from politics and concentrate on basic skills as opposed to social and cultural ideologies.

Public dollars shouldn't be spent promoting divisive narratives that politicize education instead of strengthening it," added a Department spokesperson. The cuts have been positioned by the administration as part of an overall attempt to depoliticize teacher training and steer funds toward academic achievement programs.

The budget cuts will disrupt operations at several universities, nonprofits, and organizations that offer teacher training programs centered on DEI. Several of these institutions have embedded cultural competency, anti-bias education, and inclusive pedagogical strategies into their curricula—components that are now being targeted.

Teachers and education activists contend that these programs are essential to preparing teachers to teach diverse student populations, especially in low-income communities. Critics of the cuts caution that eliminating funding for DEI-related programs may exacerbate educational inequalities and affect student-teacher interaction.

The funding rollback has drawn mixed reactions from political leaders, educators, and the general public. Conservative groups have welcomed the cuts, arguing that teacher training should focus on core subjects like math, science, and literacy without ideological influence. Progressive organizations, however, view the move as part of a broader push against diversity and inclusion policies.

As institutions and schools prepare for the budgetary blow, education policymakers are likely to fight the cuts in the next few months. Alternative sources of revenue could be pursued in some states to sustain DEI-related training programs, whereas others could implement new standards that will comply with the federal move.

While debates concerning DEI and education policy are growing, the long-term ramifications of the cuts remain unclear. Tune in for more news as the situation unfolds

Former US President Donald Trump has demanded that the US Education Department be closed immediately, referring to it as a "big con job". This is not the first time Trump has lashed out at the department, with his own Education Secretary, Betsy DeVos, making similar comments while in office as well.

Trump's invitation to eliminate the Education Department is only one part of his greater agenda to reimagine the federal government

Trump asserts that the department is full of "radicals, zealots, and Marxists" who are hurting children. Trump's administration had earlier tried to shut down several small agencies, but Congress opposed them.

The Education Department plays a vital part in defining the nation's system of education, from grade school to college. Abolishing the department would need the backing of Congress, which is unlikely to be realized. Democrats as well as the majority of Republicans have shown unflinching opposition to Trump's proposal because it would deliver a crushing blow to the nation's system of education. 

Trump's action has ignited widespread outrage from parents, students, and teachers. Twitter and other social media have seen others post about their opposition to the plan using hashtags #ProtectPublicEducation and #SaveOurSchools.The National Education Association (NEA), which represents the largest teachers' union in the US, has denounced Trump's proposal as "a reckless and irresponsible attempt to dismantle the education system.

The NEA has vowed to fight any attempt to abolish the Education Department. While the controversy rages on, this is one thing for sure: Trump's demand that the Education Department be shut down has ignited a furious battle about the future of America's educational system. Since schools in the country are already grappling with numerous issues, the last thing they can do without is a rushed and poorly thought-out proposal to dismantle the very department that sustains them.

A growing number of Indian students in the United States are abandoning their part-time jobs due to rising fears of deportation, as highlighted in a recent report. These students, who heavily rely on such jobs to sustain their financial needs, are now facing a tough choice between their education and economic survival.

The heightened anxiety stems from stricter enforcement of regulations under the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). The US government has imposed stringent requirements mandating students to report any changes in their employment status promptly. Non-compliance with these regulations could potentially result in deportation, leading many Indian students to preemptively quit their jobs.

"We are being forced to choose between our education and our livelihood," shared an Indian student who wished to remain anonymous. "It's a difficult decision, but we feel we have no choice."

The situation has prompted concerns within the Indian government, which is actively engaging in diplomatic efforts to address the issue. "We are working closely with the US government to ensure that Indian students are not unfairly affected by these regulations," stated a spokesperson for the Indian Embassy in Washington D.C.

The development has raised broader concerns about the future of Indian students in the US, who contribute significantly to the country's economy and academic environment. Experts warn that the ongoing uncertainty may deter prospective students from pursuing education in the US, potentially impacting both enrollment rates and cultural diversity within American institutions.

Are you an early-career researcher with a passion for environmental issues? Here’s your chance to shine! Applications are now open for the prestigious MOPGA (Make Our Planet Great Again) Fellowship 2025, aimed at inviting 60 talented individuals from around the globe to conduct research in France.