New scholarships will support students across Otago

Many Otago students receive vital financial assistance during their studies through donor-funded scholarships, which are generously supported by alumni and philanthropic organisations.

Two newly-established scholarships, recently launched on the Dunedin and Wellington campus', will support students in the School of Surveying Te Kura Kairūri, and Māori and Pacific students undertaking master's or PhD research in hauora Māori and Pacific health.

Otago's Director of Development and Alumni Relations Shelagh Murray says the scholarships will help students progress in their chosen fields by providing financial support and creating opportunities for furthering career goals.

“We're very grateful to Discovery Marine and ASPIRE for these important initiatives. The scholarships will provide much-needed support, and help open pathways in their areas of interest,” says Ms Murray.

Discovery Marine Scholarships for Hydrographic Surveying

A fantastic new initiative from hydrographic surveying company Discovery Marine, led by two Otago Surveying alumni, will support students during their studies and help them develop their own careers in the industry.

In May, Discovery Marine (DML) CEO Declan Stubbing (right) and Operations Manager Jimmy Van der Pauw visited the School of Surveying Te Kura Kairūri to announce DML's new scholarship for students studying hydrographic surveying.

“DML are proud to support the School of Surveying and hydrographic students specifically,” says Declan. “It's a really exciting time for graduates entering the hydrographic industry, with huge local opportunity across New Zealand and Australia. Jimmy and I are both Otago graduates, along with around half the DML team, and we're keen to support Emily Tidey, [Hydrographic Surveying lecturer and manager] and the School of Surveying to raise the profile of hydrographic surveying and ensure there continues to be quality graduates entering the industry.”

The scholarship will provide generous support to a student enrolled in SURV322 and SURV452 as well as a research project in their final year (such as SURV470 or SURV590). DML will pay for the successful student's fourth year tuition fees along with a paid trip to DML and to the annual Australasian Hydrographic Society seminar, and there's an opportunity for a paid summer internship at DML.

Applications open later this year for 300-level students.

ASPIRE Aotearoa Scholarships – research for a tobacco-free Aotearoa

A new scholarship opportunity for Māori and Pacific students to study for a master's or PhD degree was launched by the University of Otago, Wellington in May.

Made possible by a donation from the Quit Group Trust, the ASPIRE Aotearoa scholarships will provide supplementary funding to students who are awarded University of Otago PhD or masters' scholarships. The amount of the supplement is $15,000 per annum (or $7,500 for part-time students) for PhD students or $8,500 over one year for masters' students.

“The new scholarship opportunity aims to make study for masters' and PhD research degrees in smokefree research more accessible to Māori and Pacific students and help grow a new generation of expert practitioners and researchers in hauora Māori and Pacific health,” says Otago's Professor Richard Edwards, who is Co-Director of the ASPIRE 2025 Research Centre.

Applicants will need to develop a research proposal that aligns broadly with ASPIRE Aotearoa's aims and research interests, including research on smokefree and related policies couched with Māori or Pacific worldviews; investigation of smoking and vaping determinants, beliefs and behaviours; and research to inform and advance achievement of tobacco control goals for Māori and Pacific peoples.

Professor Richard Edwards