13 February 2024 at 10:30 am
New Zealand Schools Scholarships 2024 launches in Viet Nam
The 2024 round of New Zealand Schools Scholarships – launched in January – will see 18 scholarships to 18 secondary schools offered exclusively to secondary school students from Viet Nam. Secondary schools from across the motu (country) are taking part in this long-standing international education initiative in Viet Nam.
This scholarship, launched by Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) and New Zealand schools, provides a 50% subsidy towards selected Vietnamese middle and high school students currently in grades 8 – 10 in Viet Nam. Applications opened on 22nd January 2024 and close at 11:59pm Indochina Time on 17th March 2024.
Interest in studying with New Zealand remains high amongst students and parents in Viet Nam, with recent fairs held in both Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi receiving between 400-500 attendees respectively.
Viet Nam continues to be a priority market for New Zealand schools. Pre-COVID, the sector saw 80 percent growth in students from Viet Nam between 2017 and 2019. Currently, Vietnamese high school students account for 15% of the entire Vietnamese student base here in New Zealand.
This initiative aims to simultaneously increase interest and enrolments from high quality Vietnamese students into New Zealand schools, whilst also providing support to the students and families themselves by reducing the financial barrier to study overseas.
ENZ’s Business Development Manager Mary Camp said the New Zealand School Scholarships initiative has attracted quality students with high grade point average and good English language ability to study in New Zealand.
“We are impressed with the calibre of students we have welcomed through this programme. Many of them have had academic success and gone on to study at high-quality universities in NZ.”
“Schools are excited to welcome students from Viet Nam and eager for them to experience our quality education in a safe and nurturing environment.
Mary added that the support of the Schools in International Education Business Association (SIEBA) has been valuable.
“SIEBA supports this programme by undertaking reference checks of interested education agents, thus reducing the burden on schools and helping them connect with new agents. Activating new agents in Viet Nam helps the entire sector”.
ENZ’s Regional Director – Asia, Ben Burrowes said he was pleased to see the New Zealand Schools Scholarships initiative continue in 2024.
“ENZ is absolutely committed to its education relationship with Viet Nam and we’re excited to welcome more scholarship winners this year, enriching our schools, classrooms and communities here in New Zealand.
"As the scholarship continues to run each year, it allows new scholarship winners to meet previous scholarship winners and form a community of their own,” said Ben.
"Since its initial launch in 2018, the New Zealand School Scholarships initiative in Viet Nam has grown to become a prestigious, top of mind scholarship for local students," he added.
The New Zealand School Scholarship initiative is just one of the initiatives that Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao delivers as part of its investments into the Vietnamese – New Zealand relationship. Other initiatives include student fairs, co-funding agent events and engagements, media and PR initiatives as well as supporting institutional partnerships.
Celebrating past recipients of the New Zealand School Scholarship
Dinh Minh Thao
2023 New Zealand School Scholarship recipient
With a strong desire to venture beyond her comfort zone, Dinh Minh Thao courageously applied for and successfully attained the NZSS 2023, starting her educational journey at Newlands College (Wellington, New Zealand) in July 2023.
In just six months, she immersed herself in studies, actively participated in various extracurricular activities, and experienced numerous "first in life" experiences including contributing to cultural events and participating in the festival of the Indian community. Notably, she challenged herself by becoming the class representative for the "Year 10 Speech Competition," typically reserved for upper grades, winning the coveted "Public Speaking" trophy.
Expressing her gratitude, Minh Thao stated, "Thanks to the NZSS, I have set foot in New Zealand, embarking on a journey towards independence and confidence, thus evolving into a new version of myself. I am eagerly anticipating the exploration of new opportunities that Kiwiland will unfold in 2024."
- Dinh
Xuan Khang
2019 New Zealand School Scholarship recipient
Xuan Khang came to Pakuranga College in July 2019 and graduated at the end of 2022. He remained in New Zealand throughout the pandemic, and achieved an outstanding academic record. He passed NCEA Levels 1 to 3 endorsed with Merit or Excellence, gaining Excellence in both Level 3 Calculus and Chemistry. He was involved in the Academic Council, Environmental Council, the Service Council, the Cultural Council and Peer Support. Xuan Khang won Top Academic International Student at senior prize-giving in 2022 and is studying Engineering at the University of Auckland in 2023.
"I came to New Zealand to broaden my horizons and become more independent. I have really enjoyed the practical aspects of working in labs and putting theory into practice. By using English daily, I feel my English has improved to a high standard. I have enjoyed being able to discuss my work with my teachers, who have been friendly and helpful. I feel I have really benefitted from the opportunities provided by living in New Zealand and studying at Pakuranga College."
- Xuan
