Supporting Otago

Bridget Moral

These scholarships, made possible by the gifting of funds by alumni and friends of the University of Otago, are offered to students who have demonstrated academic ability and who can show financial need arising from a disability.

This year's recipients are finding the scholarship to be of immense help in pursuing their chosen paths at Otago.

Bridget Moral, who is studying Neuroscience, says that receiving the scholarship was a happy moment. Her family, she says, “were over the moon; my mum especially”. With high medical costs to meet, the scholarship has provided financial relief, enabling Bridget to attend University.

Coming to Dunedin from New Plymouth and not knowing many people, she says her introduction to Otago as a scholarship student was very positive. “I really liked that we got to go to small events and meet new people.”

Monique Mulholland, a Health Sciences First Year student, says that when she received her scholarship, “I was ecstatic. I was so happy that all my hard work at college had paid off. I am immensely grateful to the benefactors of the scholarship who are making my dreams all that more attainable.“

Monique Mulholland

Monique believes that the scholarship's greatest benefit for her has been helping to pay some of her fees for St Margaret's College. “Without this wonderful gift, I would not be able to experience the ultimate first-year experience. The scholarship has also helped me academically – even though the year is just beginning – simply because, for me, it means that I know there are people out there who believe I can succeed and that really helps, especially when you are doing a course such as Health Sciences First Year, which can be very stressful.”

For both Bridget and Monique, the scholarship introduced them to the services provided by Disability Information and Support.

“Since I have begun University, I have realised all the little things that they do to make a more smooth transition,” says Monique. “For example, they have ensured that all my lectures and labs are fully accessible for me, including where my exams may be – so I am extremely grateful for their wonderful support.”