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Pacific students benefit from Edna Money Scholarships

27 February 2015

Edna Money Future PacificLeaders Scholarship recipients

Inaugural recipients: Lepeka Kavenga, left, Vijay Gounder and Kristyn Numa are the first three recipients of the Edna Money Future Pacific Leaders' Scholarship.

The inaugural three recipients of the Edna Money Future Pacific Leaders Scholarship were welcomed to the University of Waikato in late February.

Scholarship recipients

Vijay Gounder (Fijian/Indian), Lepeka Kavenga (Pakeha/Tongan) and Kristyn Numa (Pakeha/Cook Island Māori) were presented their scholarships by Pro Vice-Chancellor (Education) Professor Robyn Longhurst and Senior Policy Advisor – Pacific Elena Fa'amoe-Timoteo.

They were the first students to benefit from the $1 million bequest by the late Morrinsville farmer and accountant Edna Money, who died in 2013, aged 94.

The Edna Money Future Pacific Leaders' Scholarship was launched in 2014 and provides support for Pacific students to achieve academically and develop leadership skills through a tailored leadership and personal development programme.

Three scholarships offered each year

Three scholarships will be offered each year for students undertaking fulltime study. The scholarships are worth $6000 per year for up to three years.

Vijay, from Pakuranga College, is studying a Bachelor of Management Studies and says he only applied because his careers adviser at school pushed him into it.

"I didn't think I'd get it," he says.

"It means a lot to me. I was a Pacific leader at school and want to motivate other students."

Kristyn, from Sacred Heart Girls' College in Hamilton, says her family had always encouraged her to succeed.

"This has helped me recognise my true passion, which is science," she says.

Kristyn is beginning a BSc (Tech) while Lepeka, from Tauranga Girls' College, is studying a BCMS.

She is looking forward to her studies getting underway.

"I'm very fortunate to be here," she says.


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