ENZ welcomes restart of PM's Scholarships for Asia and Latin America

Education Minister Chris Hipkins today announced that Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) is restarting the Prime Minister's Scholarships for Asia and Latin America, initially for group programmes only.

The Prime Minister's Scholarships for Asia and Latin America support New Zealanders to undertake life-changing international learning experiences through study, language and internship opportunities. 

Since 2013, the programme has supported more than 2,400 New Zealanders to broaden their horizons and gain experience in Asia or Latin America. 

The upcoming round will be open for group applications from 21 March – 2 May 2022. New Zealand universities, wānanga, institutes of technology and polytechnics, private training establishments, iwi and other educational organisations are invited to apply on behalf of a group of students. 

“After two years of disruption due to COVID-19, we are thrilled to now be in a position to open a group scholarship round", says ENZ's Global Citizens Manager Carla Rey Vasquez. 

“For Prime Minister's Scholars, the experience is truly transformational. Recipients develop their global citizenship through growing cultural understanding, developing language skills, learning about culture, business and trade practices in Asia and Latin America, and building lifelong friendships and networks.  

“This benefits all New Zealanders, as upon their return the scholars are tasked with building on those reciprocal relationships, sharing the learning, and taking action to strengthen and foster the growth of local and global communities. 

“Our scholars come from a wide range of backgrounds and all walks of life, and we see countless examples of alumni who have used their Prime Minister's Scholarship experience to make a positive impact through their careers and communities.” 

One of those alumni is Denym Bird, whose Prime Minister's Scholarship for Asia took him in 2014 to study at Hong Kong's prestigious City University. At age 29, Denym is now living in Amsterdam and running his own business. Denym credits his scholarship experience with helping him cultivate international relationships and understand how the world works outside of New Zealand.

Image: Denym Bird, a Prime Minister's Scholarship for Asia recipient, in Hong Kong

“Developing an understanding of other cultures has been super valuable as I’ve developed my career and my business. And travelling at a relatively young age with the scholarship gave me a tremendous amount of confidence. All of this has contributed to me being able to set up business on my own.” 

ENZ has chosen to initially open the scholarships to group applications only with the health and safety of participants in mind. Group programmes involve a higher level of oversight and will allow both education providers and government agencies to offer on-the-ground support to participants while on programme in Asia or Latin America. 

Group programmes also allow individual participants to be recruited by education providers closer to the time of travel, when there is likely to be greater clarity on travel restrictions and safety. Flexibility will be built into this round, and travel will only take place once it is safe to do so. ENZ anticipates most groups will embark on their programmes in 2023. 

"Safety of our participants continues to be our top priority throughout all stages of the scholarship programme", says Carla. “We have robust risk management systems and emergency procedures in place, the ability to monitor the changing global conditions as well as resources and tools to support recipients on programme. We will be working with other government agencies, as well as our own staff located in Asia and Latin America, to ensure that our Prime Minister's Scholars are well looked after throughout their scholarship experience.” 

Currently enrolled students who are interested in taking part in a group programme should enquire with their education provider's international office to check if there are opportunities available.

For more information about the group scholarship round, including how to apply, click here.

 

Education providers can also learn more by registering for the following webinars:

Asia Market update

Date: Thursday 24^th of March 2:30pm- 4pm NZT

Description: Join us for an update about what is happening across Asia and the opportunities for outbound mobility. We will cover tips, key considerations and strategies for establishing partnerships offshore that increase the impact of your outbound scholarship programmes. The meeting will include a half hour country specific session.

Link:  https://enz.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUvf-CppzItGNx86LKroP8qKSsu3LYtB7jy

Latin America Market update

Date: Friday 25^th of March, 9am- 10:30am NZT

Description: Join us for an update about what is happening across Latin America and the opportunities for outbound mobility. We will cover tips, key considerations and strategies for establishing partnerships offshore that increase the impact of your outbound scholarship programmes.

Link:  https://enz.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0kf-uvrTkjHNV95MeQWbE3TwaoemcH4nHp

Scholarship 101:

Date: Friday 25^th of March 12- 1pm NZT

Description: New to the Prime Minister's Scholarship to Asia and Latin America? Come and find out what the programme is all about and how your organization can make the most of the opportunities available.

Link:    https://enz.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEqf-mhqz0tEtLYMvgPEOqb0AN6QcY1NK-D