9 July 2014 NZ Aid students recognised in special ceremony

Lincoln University's NZ Aid Programme students were treated to a very special ceremony on Monday to honour their academic achievements.

The University's Postgraduate and International Scholarships Administrator, Sue Bowie, arranged the inaugural event for those NZ Aid Programme students who are soon to complete their studies. Very few of these students ever get the opportunity to attend the University's official graduation ceremony on account of a requirement to leave New Zealand within 14 days of completion.

The ceremony also aimed to give special recognition to the extra challenges these students must overcome to succeed academically. Many of them spend up to three years away from their family and support networks, there are language barriers to overcome, and, at times, a significant culture shock.

In all, six students were honoured today. They were:

• Maria-Jose Iturbide Flores (Guatemala), completing a PhD in Environmental Management
• Doreen Tunama (Papua New Guinea), completing a Master of Commerce and Management
• My Minh Chau Tran (Vietnam), completing a Master of Commerce (Agriculture)
• Issac Taraken (Papua New Guinea), completing a Master of Agricultural Science, specialising in Soil Science
• Mannesh Irofimae (Solomon Islands), completing a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Water Science and Technology
• Elisa Ruiz Ramos (Peru), who is completing a Master of Science, specialising in Ecology, was absent from the ceremony.

The ceremony opened with Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Academic Programmes and Student Experience) Sheelagh Matear congratulating the students and expressing her confidence that the three causes that guide Lincoln University's academic endeavours - feed the world, protect the future, live well - will resonate with the national objectives of their respective home countries.

As well as a Certificate of Completion, each of the students received a pounamu toki from Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Communities), Hirini Matunga. The gift recognises that the students will be forever connected to Lincoln University and the Te Waihora campus.

The NZ Aid Programme initiative is managed through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and designed to encourage sustainable development in developing countries, with the ultimate goal being to help reduce poverty and contribute to greater security, equity and prosperity.

Part of the programme entails providing tertiary level scholarships for students from developing countries to take up study in New Zealand. In so doing, it is hoped they will be empowered with the knowledge, skills and qualifications to contribute meaningfully to economic, social and political development in their home country.

Lincoln University punches well above its weight with regard to the number of NZ Aid students on its student role compared to other universities. Currently, approximately 1.4% of Lincoln students are on the NZ Aid programme, whereas other larger universities might have less than 0.5%.

"Part of the reason for this is down to Lincoln's land-based specialisation," says Sue Bowie. "Many of our academic programmes are well-aligned to the objectives of the NZ Aid programme. It's expected that this figure will increase further, with the programme's priority subject areas falling well within Lincoln's scope."