'Universities always side with students'

Dubai: Universities in New Zealand have been shown in poor light after an incident involving an Emirati student at Auckland University, said an educator.

Souad Al Halwachi, director of the Education Zone - a Knowledge Village-based company that facilitates students from the Gulf pursuing higher education in New Zealand, said after media reports people might think negatively of New Zealand universities.

"The university has taken a stand in response to what happened with Asma Al Yamahi and fired the professor. I just want to say that the university will always side with students and there is no need to worry about studying in New Zealand," she said.

New Zealand has eight universities, three of which were named among the top 200 universities in the world by Time magazine.

"We have sent more than 670 students from the Gulf there, a 100 of them are from the UAE. This year we are sending 20," said Al Halwachi.

"New Zealand has more than 3,000 majors. The most popular are engineering, commerce, education, medicine, computer science, graphic design, aviation and environmental science."

Al Halwachi said Asma passed through the Education Zone before she took off to New Zealand.

'Enthusiastic'

"I know the student. She has the enthusiasm and her grades were high. Not everyone gets accepted in universities in New Zealand.

"You need high grades and good academic standing," she said.

Students interested in pursuing their master's degree will need a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.5 on a scale of 4.

"Also, most of the students who go do not have a problem with the English language and if they do, they enrol in an English programme there until they get the hang of it," she explained.

Students leaving for New Zealand are usually given a pre-departure orientation about the country, its culture and education.

"People are familiar with higher education in the UK and the United States. New Zealand is still a fresh place with so many opportunities," she said.