The New Zealand ASEAN Scholar awards empower individuals with the knowledge, skills and qualifications to contribute to economic, social and political development within the ASEAN region. Under the scheme of the New Zealand Government, 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, master’s degrees and doctorates) 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 2013.

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

Applicants will be selected on merit, including the development benefits of their proposed course of study. Not all the above themes can be addressed each year, but each year and over time attempts will be made to select candidates across a range of these themes.

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 35 years at the scholarship 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 Australian 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 degree programme and not be seeking support for one already begun;
• apply for a higher-level qualification than previously achieved;
• have worked for at least two years work experience relative to their chosen career;
• 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.

In addition, applicants must:

• 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.

Application process

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 in a 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 tertiary institution in New Zealand, directly to the New Zealand Embassy in Manila. PhD students must also include evidence of correspondence with a potential supervisor. Applicants can download a New Zealand ASEAN Scholars awards application form at the New Zealand Embassy website.

Applications should be addressed and sent to:

Manager-New Zealand Aid Programme
New Zealand ASEAN Scholars awards
PO Box 3228 MCPO
Makati City 1272
Philippines

Selection process

Applications are assessed and a short list is drawn up for consideration by a selection committee in Manila. Candidates will be contacted for an interview. The list of recommended candidates is submitted to a regional moderation committee for review and approval.

Indicative timetable

August Deadline for applications (The Embassy will not accept late and incomplete applications.)
August September Formal screening, short listing and selection by the selection committee
September The list of recommended candidates is submitted to the regional moderation committee
October Final results and letters of offer sent to successful applicants
October December Pre-departure arrangements (visa application including undergoing required medical tests)
Jan-Feb Pre-departure briefing and departure for New Zealand.