NZ students visit India under PM’s scholarship awards

NEW DELHI : 180 New Zealanders have been awarded prestigious Prime Minister’s Chris HipkinsScholarships for Asia (PMSA) as part of the second 2017/18 round.

The students from across New Zealand include 60 individuals and 12 groups of 120 students, making 180 students in total.

They will travel to destinations including Korea, China, India and Singapore to study, carry out research or undertake an internship.

“The PMSA enables talented Kiwi students to enjoy unique experiences living and studying in Asia at a formative time in their lives,” education minsiter Chris Hipkins said. “They will become more outwardly focused and engaged in international issues and interested in other cultures.”

“Students having learning experiences in Asia also benefits us at a national level – it means New Zealand is growing the collective skills and cultural understanding required to make a mark on the global stage and show leadership in matters of significance to the Asian region.”

Individual awardees, who are at tertiary level or have recently graduated, will carry out programmes that span six weeks to two years.

Group PMSA awardees include 10 Massey University students who are travelling to India for six weeks.

Five of the students will take up internship positions at Jaipur Rugs, an international awardwinning knotted rug company, and five will take up positions at Bhu:sattva, a leading eco fashion company.

The students will learn global approaches to design business within a sustainable practice framework.

A total of $1,443,448 was awarded this round for 2017/18 covering both individual and group awardees.