International students overcome challenges to win Wellington University scholarships

Six young international students have achieved academic excellence in the face of adversity, winning scholarships for their first year of study at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.

The students from Russia, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, India, Sri Lanka and Japan have been awarded scholarships for their academic achievements during their UP International College Foundation Studies Programme.

Completing their foundation studies during a global pandemic saw these young students navigate a range of challenging circumstances including border closures, a national state of emergency, a six-week lockdown and a rapid shift from classes on campus to online learning.

UP Education CEO of University Partnerships Marnie Watson said the scholarships awarded this year held special significance.

“The scholarship programme recognises and celebrates the hard work and commitment of our students during the academic year, and the announcement of the recipients this year was particularly meaningful.

“These students demonstrated true resilience to academically excel during a time of global challenge and uncertainty, while also being away from their home countries, families and friends. We couldn’t be prouder of them and all our students who recently graduated,” says Marnie Watson.

Wellington University Vice-Chancellor Professor Grant Guilford also congratulated the students on their scholarship success.

“International students are highly valued members of our community, bringing a wealth of different experiences and perspectives to enrich our community and our learning and teaching.

“We look forward to welcoming these scholarship recipients, connecting them to our excellent education and providing them with the opportunity to create a brighter future for themselves and the world.”

Partnering with Wellington University for the past three years, UP Education supports international students to successfully transition into higher education at the University.

The scholarships range from $3,000 – $5,000 and support the tuition fees of students in the first year of an undergraduate degree at Wellington University.

Watch the scholarship awards here. 

2020 UP Education and Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University Wellington Scholarship Winners

Scholarship Student Country Undergraduate Degree
Top Academic Achievers Reem Al Suhaibani Saudi Arabia Commerce
Ganesh Kambli India Law
Strong Academic Achievers Fugo Takefusa Japan Psychology
Chanura Dissanayake Sri Lanka Science
Study Award Ekaterina Kovtun Russia Psychology
Pimpisa Petchsud Thailand Psychology

 

More news

Former New Zealand athletes get behind South Auckland schools

Several former All Blacks, World and Olympic Champions donated their time and inspiring words to a series of NZMA-sponsored dinners aimed at raising much-needed funds for schools in South Auckland. UP Education provider, NZMA, collaborated closely with non-profit organisation, Waddell, to orchestrate the fundraising dinners, with former New Zealand athletes and local heroes stepping up…

Read more >

NZMA women in trades on TV 1 News

Women working in the construction industry are calling for others to get on the tools – saying numbers in the industry are still alarmingly low. Figures show women make up just 15% of the trades and construction industry, with only 4% actually on the tools. NZMA is trying to change those figures, working to remove…

Read more >

Breaking the mould of the beauty industry

Gee Pikinga is proudly takataapui (non-binary), with a clipped beard and beautifully applied makeup as a way to express this. “I grew up in a time when people were very closed-minded. When I would wear makeup as a teenager, it wasn’t accepted by some,” says Gee. Dedicated to breaking the mould of conventional beauty standards,…

Read more >