New Zealand offers 16 postgraduate scholarships to Filipinos

New Zealand will be awarding scholarships to 16 qualified Filipinos to pursue their postgraduate degrees there in 2024.

In a press release, the New Zealand Embassy said all eligible candidates from the public, private, and civil society sectors may apply to join the New Zealand Manaaki Scholarship Programme from February 1 to 28.

The priority sectors for study include postgraduate degrees in climate change and environment; food security and agriculture; renewable energy; disaster risk management; public sector management; peace and conflict studies; and indigenous studies.

"Applicants should be under 40 years old at the time of commencing their scholarship and have at least one year of work experience (or two years if including internship and volunteer work). One must agree to return to the Philippines for a minimum of two years upon completion of the study," it said.

Scholarships will cover full tuition, living expenses, establishment allowance, medical and travel insurance, and travel to and from the Philippines.

Meanwhile, eight young Filipinos will be heading to New Zealand for their post-graduate degrees for the academic year 2023.

On January 30 AND 31, Ambassador Peter Kell will be in Baguio City to promote the scholarship program and encourage young Cordillerans to apply.

“Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships help build prosperity, security, and sustainable growth in the Philippines and a lifetime connection with New Zealand," Kell said during a pre-departure briefing for Manaaki scholars at the embassy in Manila earlier this month.

Kell explained New Zealand has been demonstrating manaakitanga (hosting, supporting, or caring for others) through scholarship programs since 1950.

"We manaaki scholars by providing them with a world-class education and positive New Zealand experience. We manaaki our partner governments by sending scholars back better equipped to contribute to their countries’ development,” the Ambassador added. — Sherylin Untalan/BM, GMA Integrated News