New agreement enables NZ students to study in Japan’s Ishikawa Prefecture

New Zealand university students will be able to study in the Ishikawa Prefecture of Japan, thanks to a new agreement signed by the North Asia Centre of Asia-Pacific Excellence (CAPE) and the Ishikawa Prefecture Governor.

The Agreement of Exchange aims to build “mutual understanding and friendship between New Zealand and Japan” through study tours to the Ishikawa region.

The North Asia CAPE is one of three Centres of Asia-Pacific Excellence launched by the government earlier this year. Focused on strengthening economic and cultural ties in the Asia-Pacific, the CAPEs are supported by a consortium of four NZ universities: Auckland, Otago, Waikato, and Victoria University of Wellington.

In October, a Japanese delegation, headed by Ishikawa Prefecture Governor Masanori Tanimoto, joined University of Auckland and North Asia CAPE representatives for a special signing ceremony. Attendees included Faculty of Arts Dean Professor Robert Greenberg and Head of School - Cultures, Languages and Linguistics Professor Bernadette Luciano.

Professor Paul Clark, Director of the North Asia CAPE, said the agreement reflects the long-held respect and regard that Japan and New Zealand enjoy.

'New Zealand students will feel at home in Ishikawa, a place of natural beauty and vibrant traditions,' said Professor Clark.

'The homestays that are part of the Ishikawa Japanese Studies Programme are a particular attraction for students from overseas,' added Governor Tanimoto.

Next month, 16 first- students from around New Zealand will travel to the Ishikawa Prefecture on the inaugural North Asia CAPE Japan Study Tour. The two-week-long immersion programme will focus on building and strengthening the participants’ cultural and language capabilities.

Pictured from left

Mr Yooichi Yamamoto, Ishikawa Prefecture Tourism Office

Mr Minoru Kikuchi, Consul General of Japan in Auckland

Mr Masanori Tanimoto, Ishikawa Prefecture Governor

Professor Paul Clark, NA CAPE Director

Professor Robert Greenberg, Faculty of Arts Dean

Professor Bernadette Luciano, Head of School - Cultures, Languages and Linguistics

Rebecca Wood, NZ Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade

Current New agreement enables NZ students to study in Japan’s Ishikawa Prefecture

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