Parul University has launched India’s first New Zealand Centre of Excellence at a private university. The launch took place in the presence of Matthew Ayers, Deputy High Commissioner of New Zealand to India. Senior leaders and academics from six of New Zealand’s eight universities also attended the event.
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Preeti Nair, Kshitij Garg, Dr Geetika Nair and H.E. Matthew Ayers launch INSPIRE NZ – New Zealand Centre of Excellence at Parul University
The Centre follows three years of academic, student and research engagement. Parul University led this work with Estero Education Services and New Zealand universities.
Unlike traditional centres, this initiative builds on partnerships that are already active. It brings existing programmes and collaborations together under one platform. The aim is to deliver clear outcomes through continued academic engagement.
Parul University has expanded its international partnerships across several areas. These include curriculum development, student mobility, faculty engagement and research.
Through the new centre, the university plans to expand:
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Structured student exchange pathways
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Faculty exchange programmes
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Joint research projects
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Sustainability-focused initiatives
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Long-term academic capacity building
University Leaders Highlight the Centre’s Goals
Dr Devanshu Patel, President, Parul University, said:
“This Centre of Excellence reflects Parul University’s long-term commitment to building meaningful, structured, and outcome-focused global partnerships. Our vision is to ensure that international collaboration strengthens academic depth, research relevance, and student opportunity.”
Dr Preeti Nair, Director – Centre of International Relations & Research (CIRR), Parul University, added:
“INSPIRE NZ is the result of sustained academic alignment and collaborative execution. It provides a cohesive platform that integrates student mobility, faculty engagement, and research dialogue into one scalable and future-ready framework.”
Kshitij Garg, Managing Director, Estero Education Services, highlighted the focus on practical results. He said:
“What makes this Centre of Excellence truly distinctive is that it is built on outcomes, not intent. Parul University has demonstrated what it means to commit institutionally—through leadership support, faculty engagement, and a student-first approach. INSPIRE NZ brings structure, visibility, and long-term direction to a collaboration that was already delivering real impact.”
New Zealand Universities Support the Partnership
The initiative has received support from New Zealand university partners.
Djhoanna Lambert, Associate Director – Global Engagement & Partnerships at Victoria University of Wellington, said:
“Incredible energy at the launch of INSPIRE NZ. This partnership—uniting Parul University, Estero Education Services and six of the eight New Zealand universities, including Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington—creates a dynamic platform for connecting academics, researchers, and students across mobility programmes, entrepreneurship, innovation and research. It was a privilege to present two new articulation agreements between Victoria University of Wellington and Parul University in Design Innovation and Computer Science during this auspicious event.”
The two new articulation agreements cover Design Innovation and Computer Science. They mark another step in the academic partnership between the two universities.
Estero Education Services has played a key role in building the collaboration. It helped align institutional priorities and maintain continuity. It also supports the development of long-term academic outcomes.
India–New Zealand Relations Create Further Opportunities
The centre’s launch comes amid growing ties between India and New Zealand. The two countries recently concluded the India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement. Education is one of the key areas of cooperation under the agreement.
Through this centre, Parul University and its New Zealand partners aim to build a long-term academic ecosystem. The initiative seeks to strengthen people-to-people ties and support research and innovation. It also aims to position New Zealand as a preferred study destination for Indian students.
About Estero Education Services
Estero Education Services is a New Zealand–India education management organisation. It provides guidance to students seeking higher education in New Zealand. The organisation also supports ethical, outcome-driven international education partnerships and institutional collaboration.
Email: info@estero.co.nz
