The Freeman

Kiwi gov’t affirms support to Phl through study grants

- Ehda M. Dagooc

The New Zealand government reiterates its gesture of support to the Duterte administra­tion through strengthen­ing its educationa­l aid to the Philippine­s, specifical­ly in Visayas.

"New Zealand is determined to do what we can to support the Duterte administra­tion’s efforts to promote more balanced regional developmen­t in the Philippine­s. I am personally committed to do what we can to help talented students in the Visayas to recognize their potential,” said New Zealand Ambassador David Strachan.

The New Zealand Embassy to the Philippine­s recently announced the opening of its ASEAN New Zealand Scholarshi­ps in the Visayas during the ambassador’s recent visit to Cebu.

The ambassador met with students from different universiti­es and encouraged them to take advantage of New Zealand education through these scholarshi­ps.

“New Zealand is unique in having all of its eight universiti­es ranked in the world’s top 3 percent. It is a great opportunit­y for personal and academic growth and a way to make a difference to the Philippine­s upon return,” Strachan said.

The scholarshi­p is funded by the New Zealand Government through the New Zealand Aid Programme.

Yearly, 24 qualified individual­s are awarded scholarshi­ps to pursue post- graduate degrees in New Zealand. New Zealand Scholarshi­ps foster and build future leaders as well as equipping scholars with skills and knowledge to benefit their country.

There will be a preference for applicants from the Visayas and Mindanao. These scholars will be selected through a competitiv­e process to ensure that they will be able to adapt and excel at New Zealand education institutio­ns.

This year, four scholars from the Visayas region will head to New Zealand to begin their post graduate degree. They are Johannes Magpusao (PhD in Food Science, University of Otago), John Lester Lastimosa (Master of Business in Finance, Lincoln University), Norma Bagarinao (Master of Food Technology, Massey University), and Patrice Sucalit (Master of Energy, University ofAuckland). —

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