Kolkata: In a bid to boost bilateral ties, Indian and New Zealand varsities have partnered to offer as many as seven joint research projects worth NZ$460,000 (US$403,500), a statement said Thursday. Education New Zealand (ENZ) and the University Grants Commission, India, have collaborated to offer diverse programmes for Indian and New Zealand researchers as part of an initiative by the India New Zealand Education Council (INZEC) seeking to enhance bilateral tertiary education cooperation.

"I'm delighted that the India New Zealand Education Council announcement will see New Zealand and Indian researchers working side-by-side and contributing to knowledge creation in both our countries," Grahame Morton, New Zealand High Commissioner to India, said in the statement. The topics covered will include health and migration patterns in the South Pacific, managing India New Zealand institutional challenges and the impact of climate change.

Among the Indian universities, participants include Jamia Millia Islamia University, New Delhi, Anna University, Chennai, Madurai Kamaraj University, Tamil Nadu, University of Delhi, University of Calcutta and Amritsar's Guru Nanak Dev University. "The INZEC research grants are another aspect of collaboration which lies at the heart of New Zealand's approach to international education. We regard 'win-win' ventures as being critical to the future of our education and training relationship," said Ziena Jalil, ENZ regional director, South Asia.