Scholarship recipients off to a good start

Nine students from secondary schools in the greater Wellington region were welcomed to Whitireia this week.  These students were all recipients of 2014 Whitireia Secondary School Leavers Fee Scholarships.

This is the sixth year that Whitireia has offered these scholarships to students in the greater Wellington region, they were first offered in 2008.  Since this time, 103 scholarships have been awarded to students studying on a multi-year degree or diploma programme at Whitireia.

The scholarships are always very popular with students and schools said Fiona Wain, Schools Liaison Manager, Whitireia.  “The number of applications we receive far exceed the number of scholarships available”.

We are delighted with this year’s scholarship recipients said Wain.  “The students are all of a high calibre and will be studying towards a degree in Nursing, Paramedics, Early Childhood Education, Visual Arts and Design or Social Work.  We look forward to following their study progress over the next three years and celebrating their success when they graduate”.

These scholarships provide students with a good start to their tertiary study said Don Campbell, Chief Executive, Whitireia.  “We are pleased to be offering them and providing opportunities again this year for students in the communities in which we are established”.

Since the introduction of the Secondary School Leavers Fees Scholarships, 35 of the recipients have graduated with a Whitireia degree or diploma qualification and 15 are due to graduate this year.  There are still currently 35 scholarship recipients completing their qualifications.

Successful scholarship recipient, Jacinda Tamatea from Mana College is looking forward to her three years of Nursing study at Whitireia.  “The first four weeks have been great and Whitireia is just what I expected.  I am excited to be studying at this great local polytechnic, it has a great reputation for nursing training.  I am grateful for being awarded a scholarship to study here; it certainly takes the pressure off”.

The scholarship valued at $4,000 assists with tuition costs for the recipients first year of study.