Dunedin education providers will not be able to access any of the $5 million of Government funding set aside to reverse declining international student numbers in Christchurch, Education New Zealand says.
The University of Otago had expressed an "informal" interest with Education New Zealand, the Crown agency responsible for promoting the country as a destination to international students, about Dunedin institutions being able to access the funding.
International pro-vice-chancellor Prof Sarah Todd said the earthquake had affected student numbers at institutions throughout the South Island, not just those in Christchurch.
Many overseas students and institutions believed the quake had affected the whole island and there was an elevated risk in Dunedin, she said.
An Education New Zealand spokeswoman said the extra Government funding was specifically set aside to help boost international education industry of greater Christchurch and would not be used to help providers outside that area.
"The fund is for $5 million, over four years, and has been set up to support rebuilding international education in greater Christchurch, which suffered a 37% decline in international student numbers in 2011 as a result of the earthquakes."
In contrast to Christchurch, the Otago region had a 7.9% increase in international students last year - including primary, secondary and tertiary education - the second largest rise for any region after Wellington, she said.
