New Zealand and Sri Lanka have taken an important step towards building stronger education and workforce development ties, with senior education leaders, government representatives and industry stakeholders from both countries coming together in Colombo to explore new models of collaboration that support skills development, graduate employability and economic growth.
Hosted by Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ), the Applied Learning and Industry Connect event marks the first phase of a broader strategy to establish sustainable institutional partnerships and grow transnational education opportunities between New Zealand and Sri Lanka.
The high-profile event, held in Colombo at the Shangri-La Hotel on 24 August, focused on identifying practical partnership opportunities that strengthen workforce capability, enhance trainer capacity and support the delivery of high-quality, industry-relevant education and training.
His Excellency David Pine, New Zealand High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, delivered the inaugural address, reaffirming New Zealand’s commitment to strengthening education partnerships that contribute to skills development, innovation and economic prosperity.
The event comes at a significant time for Sri Lanka as it advances reforms across its higher education and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sectors to better align skills development with national economic priorities.
Participants from both countries examined vocational education systems, shared best practice in applied learning and industry engagement, and explored pathways for collaboration in programme delivery, trainer capability development and workforce readiness. Discussions were supported by expert presentations, facilitated roundtables and networking sessions, including contributions from the Asian Development Bank on Sri Lanka’s evolving skills ecosystem and opportunities for international collaboration.
Speaking at the event, ENZ’s Regional Director – India and South Asia, Adrian Hirst said:
“The future of education lies in stronger connections between classrooms and workplaces. Applied learning ensures students graduate with the practical skills, confidence and adaptability that employers value, while giving industry a meaningful role in shaping the workforce of tomorrow.
“We are confident that the ‘Applied Learning and Industry Connect’ initiative will enable New Zealand and Sri Lanka to work together to develop talent, strengthen innovation, and create lasting value for both our countries.”
Discussions at the event identified opportunities for institutional collaboration, knowledge exchange and co-designed partnership models that can deliver practical outcomes for education providers, employers and learners in both countries. These engagements are expected to create a pipeline of scalable partnerships that contribute to workforce development and future transnational education opportunities.
Earlier this year, ENZ delivered the first-ever Study with New Zealand Roadshow in Sri Lanka, reflecting its commitment to strengthening the long-standing education relationship between the two countries.
By combining New Zealand’s expertise in applied learning with Sri Lanka’s ambitions for education reform and economic transformation, both countries have an opportunity to develop innovative education partnerships that benefit learners, institutions and industry.
The successful conclusion of the Applied Learning and Industry Connect event marks another important milestone in the evolving education partnership between New Zealand and Sri Lanka.
Image Caption – Ministry of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education alongside Education New Zealand delegation.
About Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao
Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) is the government agency dedicated to helping New Zealand realise the social, cultural and economic benefits of international education. ENZ promotes New Zealand as a high-quality education destination offering excellent education and student experiences.
With approximately 85 staff in 15 locations around the world, ENZ works closely with New Zealand’s schools, English language providers, private training establishments, institutes of technology and polytechnics, and universities. Internationally, ENZ works with government agencies and education providers to identify and encourage sustainable growth opportunities for New Zealand’s education sector.
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