The New Zealand Aid Programme provides scholarships for eligible postgraduate students from the Philippines to undertake development-related studies at a tertiary institution in New Zealand.
The awards are for full-time postgraduate study (i.e. postgraduate diplomas, masters degrees and doctorates) undertaken in New Zealand. An indicative allocation of 18 scholarships is made available for Filipinos who wish to obtain a postgraduate degree in New Zealand commencing in 2014.
Selection criteria
The New Zealand-ASEAN Scholars awards are open to eligible candidates from the public, private and civil society sectors. This acknowledges the significant contribution of the private and civil society sectors to the country’s social and economic development, but also recognises the New Zealand Aid Programme’s objective of supporting the Philippine government to strengthen public service capacity.
Themes
The core focus of the New Zealand Aid Programme is sustainable economic development. The New Zealand ASEAN Scholars awards aim to contribute to the achievement of Philippine human resource development objectives, particularly in areas where New Zealand has recognised expertise. The fields of study under the programme must relate to the following themes:
- Agriculture - agriculture, fisheries, dairy development, rural development, bio-security (protection of animal and plant health), food science
- Tourism - sustainable tourism, ecotourism, tourism management
- Governance - law, justice, legal and judicial reform, human rights/gender, social work
- Public sector - public administration, public policy, public sector management
- Trade and development - trade facilitation, market chain development, international trade, economics, improving the business-enabling environment, small and medium enterprise development
- Disaster risk management and climate change adaptation
- Renewable energy
Leadership and academic excellence
Applicants who can demonstrate leadership qualities and potential for future leadership will be given preference. Priority will also be given to applicants who have demonstrated high academic standards, especially in their undergraduate degree.
Eligibility criteria
Applicants must meet the following criteria before their applications are considered against the selection criteria, including any criteria specific to the Philippines. At the minimum, to be eligible under the programme, applicants from the Philippines must:
- be a Filipino citizen residing in the Philippines;
- not be more than 40 years old at the scholarship start date;
- not have citizenship or permanent residence status of New Zealand or Australia, or be married or engaged to be married to a person who holds, or who is eligible to hold, New Zealand or Australia citizenship or permanent residence status;
- not hold, nor have held in the preceding 24 months at the time of application, a New Zealand Government or Australian Government scholarship;
- be applying to commence a new programme of study and not be seeking support for one already begun;
- be applying for a higher-level qualification than previously achieved;
- have at least two years work experience relative to their chosen career (holding permanent status appointment);
- be able to demonstrate a strong commitment to the Philippine public, private or civil society sector (as relevant) and to the development of the Philippines in general;
- have an unconditional offer for a postgraduate course at a participating New Zealand tertiary institution; and
- be available to take up the scholarship in the calendar year for which the scholarship is offered.
- be able to satisfy New Zealand Government requirements for international student entry to New Zealand (such as medical and character checks);
- not hold any other scholarship during the period of the New Zealand-funded scholarship;
- agree in writing that they will return to the Philippines for a minimum period of two years following completion of their scholarship in order to contribute to their country’s social or economic development.
Anyone applying for a New Zealand ASEAN Scholars award must identify their desired course of study and provide evidence of an unconditional offer of a place at a participating tertiary institution in New Zealand.
Applicants should submit an original and a copy of the application form completed in English, with a copy of the letter of offer from a participating tertiary institution in New Zealand, to the ARMM NZ Scholarship Selection Committee for proper endorsement to the NZ Embassy. PhD students must also include evidence of correspondence with a potential supervisor.
ARMM applications should be addressed and sent to:
ARMM NZ Scholarship Selection Committee
C/o Asec Noor Saada
DepEd-ARMM Regional Office
ORG Complex
Cotabato City
NOTE: The endorsement of the ARMM NZ Scholarship Selection Committee will be published online through the ARMM and DepEd-ARMM website.
DEADLINE: Deadline for submission of application to the ARMM NZ Scholarship Selection Committee is May 28, 2013.