Scholarships

New Zealand ASEAN Scholars awards

Background
The New Zealand ASEAN Scholars awards empower individuals with the knowledge, skills and qualifications to contribute to economic, social and political development within the ASEAN region.

The New Zealand Aid Programme provides scholarships for eligible postgraduate students from the Philippines to undertake development-related studies at a tertiary institution in New Zealand.

The awards are for full-time postgraduate study (i.e. postgraduate diplomas, masters degrees and doctorates) undertaken in New Zealand.  An indicative allocation of 18 scholarships is made available for Filipinos who wish to obtain a postgraduate degree in New Zealand commencing in 2013.

Selection criteria
The New Zealand-ASEAN Scholars awards are open to eligible candidates from the public, private and civil society sectors. This acknowledges the significant contribution of the private and civil society sectors to the country’s social and economic development, but also recognises the New Zealand Aid Programme’s objective of supporting the Philippine government to strengthen public service capacity.

Themes
The core focus of the New Zealand Aid Programme is sustainable economic development. The New Zealand ASEAN Scholars awards aim to contribute to the achievement of Philippine human resource development objectives, particularly in areas where New Zealand has recognised expertise. The fields of study under the programme must relate to the following themes:

• Agriculture - agriculture, fisheries, dairy development, rural development, bio-security (protection of animal and plant health), food science
• Tourism - sustainable tourism, ecotourism, tourism management
• Governance - law, justice, legal and judicial reform, human rights/gender, social work
• Public sector - public administration, public policy, public sector management
• Trade and development - trade facilitation, market chain development, international trade, economics, improving the business-enabling environment, small and medium enterprise development
• Disaster risk management and climate change adaptation
• Renewable energy

   

Applicants will be selected on merit, including the development benefits of their proposed course of study.  Not all the above themes can be addressed each year, but each year and over time attempts will be made to select candidates across a range of these themes.

Leadership and academic excellence
Applicants who can demonstrate leadership qualities and potential for future leadership will be given preference. Priority will also be given to applicants who have demonstrated high academic standards, especially in their undergraduate degree. 

Eligibility criteria
Applicants must meet the following criteria before their applications are considered against the selection criteria, including any criteria specific to the Philippines.  At the minimum, to be eligible under the programme, applicants from the Philippines must:

• be a Filipino citizen residing in the Philippines;
• not be more than 35 years old at the scholarship start date;
• not have citizenship or permanent residence status of New Zealand or Australia, or be married or engaged to be married to a person who holds, or who is eligible to hold, New Zealand or Australia citizenship or permanent residence status;
• not hold, nor have held in the preceding 24 months at the time of application, a New Zealand Government or Australian Government scholarship;
• be applying to commence a new programme of study and not be seeking support for one already begun;
• be applying for a higher-level qualification than previously achieved;
• have at least two years work experience relative to their chosen career;
• be able to demonstrate a strong commitment to the Philippine public, private or civil society sector (as relevant) and to the development of the Philippines in general;
• have an unconditional offer for a postgraduate course at a participating New Zealand tertiary institution; and
• be available to take up the scholarship in the calendar year for which the scholarship is offered.

In addition, applicants must:

• be able to satisfy New Zealand Government requirements for international student entry to New Zealand (such as medical and character checks);
• not hold any other scholarship during the period of the New Zealand-funded scholarship;
• agree in writing that they will return to the Philippines for a minimum period of two years following completion of their scholarship in order to contribute to their country’s social or economic development.

Application process
Anyone applying for a New Zealand ASEAN Scholars award must identify their desired course of study and provide evidence of an unconditional offer of a place at a participating tertiary institution in New Zealand.

Applicants should submit an original and a copy of the application form completed in English, with a copy of the letter of offer from a participating tertiary institution in New Zealand, directly to the New Zealand Embassy in Manila. PhD students must also include evidence of correspondence with a potential supervisor.

Applications should be addressed and sent to:

    Manager – New Zealand Aid Programme
    New Zealand ASEAN Scholars awards
    PO Box 3228 MCPO
    Makati City 1272
    Philippines

Selection process
Applications are assessed and a short list is drawn up for consideration by a selection committee in Manila.  Some candidates will be contacted for an interview as part of the selection process. The list of recommended candidates is submitted to a regional moderation committee for review and approval.

Indicative timetable

• 10 August 2012: Deadline for applications (The embassy will not accept late or incomplete applications.)
• August – September 2012: Formal screening, short listing and selection by the selection committee
• September 2012: The list of recommended candidates is submitted to the regional moderation committee
• October 2012: Final results and letters of offer sent to successful applicants
• October – December 2012: Pre-departure arrangements (visa application including required medical tests)
• January – February 2013: Pre-departure briefing and departure for New Zealand

   

Attachment
Manila - NZAS New Zealand ASEAN Scholars awards application form as at January 2012.pdf
Manila - New Zealand ASEAN Scholars Participating Institutions.pdf