Parul University Starts Global Academic Collaboration via India-New Zealand CoE during International Week 2026

Vadodara-based Parul University becomes the first university to partner with faculty members from seven New Zealand universities by inaugurating the India-New Zealand Centre of Excellence during the International Week 2026. The University also achieved a national milestone by becoming the first private university in India to establish a New Zealand Centre of Excellence. Under this MoU, the partners will agree on joint research and academic collaborations, along with shared infrastructure and culture exchange programs.

Building the idea of a worldwide dialogue platform, International Week 2026 has brought together 22+ countries and 70+ international academic leaders on the university's campus. Significant institutions such as Education New Zealand, Estero Education Services, University of Otago, Auckland University of Technology, Massey University, Victoria University of Wellington, Lincoln University, and University of Canterbury were part of this international academic exchange. The India-New Zealand Centre of Excellence highlights the university’s focus on global engagement, measured academic results, and the long-term creation of academic value in the international education space.

The centre was officially launched in the presence of senior officials from Education New Zealand (ENZ) and top New Zealand government universities. The launch was graced by Matthew Ayers, Deputy High Commissioner of New Zealand to India, along with senior academic leaders representing six of New Zealand’s eight universities, highlighting the depth and institutional seriousness of the partnership. INSPIRE NZ aims to create new forms of long-term institutional partnerships that transcend short-term mobility programs, promoting long-term academic collaboration between Indian and New Zealand universities.

This knowledge-sharing initiative aims to leverage co-teaching and collaborative methods to promote faculty development programs, in turn, encouraging new research frontiers and the development of programs driven by innovation. INSPIRE NZ has been built on three years of substantial academic, student, and research engagement, making it an outcome-driven initiative rather than an intent-driven. The MoU promotes joint research infrastructure, policy, and excellence along with industry-centric, future-prepared education, aligning with new challenges that the world is facing. This collaboration has been strategically facilitated by Estero Education Services, helping in integrating institutional priorities and sustaining continuity to achieve international results.

Speaking about the collaboration, Dr. Preeti Nair, Director, Centre for International Relations and Research, stated, “Through this INSPIRE NZ initiative, we are further delineating our constant quest and efforts towards going beyond mobility to meaningful and collaborative global engagements focusing on research, innovation, and academic growth.” Dr. Geetika Patel, Vice-President, Parul University, added, “The establishment of this centre is yet another reflection of our resolve towards building international collaborations with long-term, quantifiable academic impact.” The launch also aligns with the growing momentum in India–New Zealand bilateral relations, particularly following the recent India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, under which education has been identified as a priority area of cooperation.

Parul University continues to grow its global presence by promoting strategic international collaborations, establishing academic partnerships, and innovation-centric endeavours. With INSPIRE NZ, the university reaffirms its commitment towards developing successful global ecosystems delivering measurable academic values.

Note: The views expressed in this article are those of Parul University and do not reflect/represent those of Shiksha.