18 scholarships in New Zealand available for Pinoy post-grad students by 2014 — embassy

The New Zealand Embassy in Manila said 18 scholarships are available for Filipinos who wish to obtain a postgraduate degree in New Zealand starting in 2014.

In a news release on Tuesday, the embassy said the New Zealand-ASEAN Scholars awards are open to eligible candidates from the public, private and civil society sectors.

The awards are for full-time postgraduate study (i.e. postgraduate diplomas, masters
degrees and doctorates) undertaken in New Zealand.

Public service

According to the embassy, the New Zealand Aid Program aims to support the Philippine government in strengthening its public service capacity.

The embassy said the core focus of the New Zealand Aid Program "is sustainable economic
development."

"The New Zealand ASEAN Scholars awards aim to contribute to the achievement of Philippine human resource development objectives, particularly in areas where New Zealand has recognized expertise," it added.

The fields of study under the program must be related to the following themes:
• Agriculture - agriculture, fisheries, dairy development, rural development, biosecurity (protection of animal and plant health), food science
• Tourism - sustainable tourism, ecotourism, tourism management
• Governance - law, justice, legal and judicial reform, human rights/gender, social
work
• Public sector - public administration, public policy, public sector management
• Trade and development - trade facilitation, market chain development,
international trade, economics, improving the business-enabling environment,
small and medium enterprise development
• Disaster risk management and climate change adaptation
• Renewable energy

Selected on merit

The embassy said applicants will be selected on merit, including the development benefits of their proposed course of study.

"Not all the above themes can be addressed each year, but two NZAS Information Sheet
each year and over time attempts will be made to select candidates across a range of
these themes," it added.

The embassy said applicants who can demonstrate leadership qualities and have high academic ratings, especially in their undergraduate degrees, will be given priority.

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible under the program, applicants from the Philippines must:
• be a Filipino citizen residing in the Philippines;
• not be more than 40 years old at the scholarship start date;
• not have citizenship or permanent residence status of New Zealand or
Australia, or be married or engaged to be married to a person who holds, or
who is eligible to hold, New Zealand or Australia citizenship or permanent
residence status;
• not hold, nor have held in the preceding 24 months at the time of application, a
New Zealand Government or Australian Government scholarship;
• be applying to commence a new programme of study and not be seeking
support for one already begun;
• be applying for a higher-level qualification than previously achieved;
• have at least two years work experience relative to their chosen career;
• be able to demonstrate a strong commitment to the Philippine public, private or
civil society sector (as relevant) and to the development of the Philippines in
general;
• have an unconditional offer for a postgraduate course at a participating
New Zealand tertiary institution; and
• be available to take up the scholarship in the calendar year for which the
scholarship is offered.

Applicants must also:
• be able to satisfy New Zealand Government requirements for international
student entry to New Zealand (such as medical and character checks);
• not hold any other scholarship during the period of the New Zealand-funded
scholarship;
• agree in writing that they will return to the Philippines for a minimum period of
two years following completion of their scholarship to contribute to their
country’s social or economic development.


Application process

The embassy said anyone applying for a New Zealand ASEAN Scholars award must identify their desired course of study and provide evidence of an unconditional offer of a place at a
participating tertiary institution in New Zealand.

Applicants should submit an original and a copy of the application form completed in
English, with a copy of the letter of offer from a participating tertiary institution in New
Zealand.

PhD students must also include evidence of correspondence with a potential supervisor.
Applications should be addressed and sent to:
New Zealand ASEAN Scholars awards
c/o Bato Balani Foundation, Inc.
6 th Floor, PDCP Bank Center
Rufino corner Leviste Streets
Salcedo Village, Makati City
1227 Philippines

- VVP, GMA News