Precautions will be taken against coronavirus when University of Otago staff undertake a series of recently funded projects which aim to extend international health science links.
Associate Prof Joel Tyndall, of the Otago health sciences division, said a $1million Internationalisation Incentive Fund had been set up to boost the division’s international links.
More than $600,000 had already been allocated to proposals that sought to improve recruitment of international students for the division, and to strategic projects to support growth.
Some projects, including a planned new distance-taught course, would be largely unaffected by the international increase in Covid-19 infection cases, Prof Tyndall said.
The division would follow Government travel safety advice, to avoid places deemed unsafe because of Covid-19.
"It’s going to complicate international travel," he said. Some overseas academic meetings could be postponed.
Divisional associate dean, international, Prof Tyndall said the division strove to increase its presence as an international tertiary health sciences education and research hub.
"We want to be recognised internationally as a place that is attractive to international students," he said.
The division was keen to internationalise its teaching, research and service. Increased international collaborations and internationalisation of curricula would help achieve that.
Prof Tyndall and divisional pro-vice-chancellor Prof Paul Brunton were among members of a panel which had assessed applications for the fund.
The fund, established on an assessed trial basis, would likely be repeated next year.
The projects
Comments
Spending more $$ to attract foreign students whilst NZers can not get into medical school is obscene. We have kiwis who sit the first year exams with 90% plus failing to get into med, but foreigners paying big $$ can (with lower marks) get in. Fix the lack of NZ doctors first, then go out and get foreign students. Serve the country first, then your pocket books.