New Victoria University ASEAN scholarships

Victoria University is partnering with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade to extend New Zealand’s scholarship scheme for the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) to Singapore and Brunei.

From this year Victoria will offer four full PhD scholarships annually to suitably qualified candidates – two for Bruneians and two for Singaporeans.

“Victoria is committed to building enduring partnerships in education in Asia and these scholarships affirm that position,” say Pro Vice-Chancellor (International) Professor Rob Rabel.

The scholarships will be linked with the NZ/ASEAN Scholars programme run by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and will help to extend the programme’s educational opportunities to all ASEAN nations.  Professor Rabel says the scholarships will be targeted at younger researchers who can use their skills to contribute to both their home countries and other ASEAN nations.

“Priority will be given to topics that relate to regional integration and sustainable development, and the quality of applicants will be the paramount factor when determining recipients.

Students will be expected to have demonstrated a record of top academic performance in their undergraduate education and maintain these high standards in New Zealand.”

Victoria University has a long record of training officials and diplomats in Asia, and remains the only New Zealand university with an offshore campus located in Vietnam.

Professor Rob Rabel says Victoria’s strong international relationships offer students and staff opportunities to research and learn alongside people of different nationalities, with different cultural practices and with unique world views.

“We view these scholarships as an integral part of the University’s wider engagement with our neighbours in the ASEAN region. These countries will be critical for New Zealand’s future – not only in economic terms but educationally, culturally and politically.”

Vice Chancellor Professor Pat Walsh launched the scholarships at an event at Victoria this morning attended by Brunei’s Second Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Singaporean High Commissioner to New Zealand, Ambassadors from other ASEAN member nations and the New Zealand Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade.