Parul University Establishes India-New Zealand Centre of Excellence at International Week 2026!

Indian Universities are playing at the forefront of Tech, Innovation & Global Frontage. They’re well-synced and are building lasting partnerships for research and teaching with universities all over the world, bringing fresh perspectives straight into their classrooms.

Aligned with the recently concluded India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, under which education has been identified as a primary area of bilateral cooperation, Parul University has formalized this partnership through the MOU of the India-New Zealand Centre of Excellence.

The India-New Zealand Centre of Excellence at Parul University is a dedicated academic platform designed to:

• Enable joint research projects and grant collaborations
• Facilitate co-teaching and shared curriculum development
• Support faculty exchange and development
• Strengthen student mobility pathways
• Build long-term Indo-NZ academic cooperation

let’s wave hello to a solid academic partnership built with six universities from New Zealand.

Parul University is the first private university in India to open a New Zealand Centre of Excellence, and the first to bring together faculty from all six Kiwi universities under one roof.

International Week 2026 at Parul University hosted:

• 70+ academic delegates
• Representatives from 22+ countries
• Multiple institutional dialogues and partnership discussions

The alliance covers senior academic leadership teams from these A-graded universities. 

• University of Otago
• Auckland University of Technology
• Massey University
• Victoria University of Wellington
• Lincoln University
• University of Canterbury

The launch was attended by many reputed dignitaries, including Matthew Ayers, New Zealand’s Deputy High Commissioner to India.

• Senior leaders from 6 out of 8 New Zealand universities were present.
• Built on the strength of 5 million people, New Zealand’s universities achieve global recognition far beyond their size.
• Onboarded Universities: University of Otago, Auckland University of Technology, Massey University, Victoria University of Wellington, Lincoln University, and University of Canterbury.
• Education New Zealand (ENZ), the government agency for international education, was also a part of this move.
• Estero Education Services played a primary role in launching INS

To ideate, plan and collaborate mutually on research, by co-teaching classes, developing faculty, sharing research infrastructure, and organizing cultural exchanges. They’re building education frameworks that actually keep up with global challenges and what industries need.

Dr. Preeti Nair who heads Parul University’s Centre for International Relations and Research, says this partnership proves the university’s commitment to real, research-driven global connections, not just sending students abroad.

Subsequently, Dr. Geetika Patel,Vice-President of Parul University, adds that the Centre of Excellence is a perfect addition to the university’s mission of forming global partnerships!