Students from across UCOL have been recognised for effort, perseverance and achievement, in the Semester One UCOL Scholarships and Awards Ceremony today.
Held on the Palmerston North campus, the Ceremony saw eight students from the faculties of Trades and Technology, Health and Science, and Humanities and Business presented with scholarships and awards.
The awards were sponsored by donors including the Graduate Women Manawatu Charitable Trust, Palmerston North Jaycee Trust, and Fletcher Challenge Trust. A scholarship established in memory of former Manawatu Polytechnic staff member Andrew Cliff was also presented, as well as the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand Top Financial Accounting Student award.
At the event UCOL Executive Director Jerry Shearman commended UCOL staff for assessing scholarship applications, and thanked scholarship/award donors for their support. "Once again we had a large number of applicants of a very high standard. We truly appreciate the continued support these organisations give to our students and we would like to say thank you for their generosity, as it is through organisations such as those mentioned, our stakeholders and families that we are able to offer scholarships to our students.
"A scholarship can make a significant difference in a students' life, easing a little of the financial burden and acknowledging the challenges they face and their commitment to achieving."
The Andrew Cliff Award, established in memory of Manawatu Polytechnic staff member and supporter of peer mentoring Andrew Cliff, went to Certificate in Fitting Welding and Machining student Travis Etheridge. Travis aims to combine his existing aviation skills with engineering skills to work in the Aerospace industry, and is an ambassador for his class and supports his fellow students.
Two Bachelor of Applied Science (Medical Imaging Technology) students, Shreya Gupta and Ashleigh Thompson, were presented with Graduate Women UCOL Awards for excelling in effort and achievement. Shreya moved to New Zealand from India in 2010 and has supported herself through study by working part-time while also maintaining a study-work-sport balance. Ashleigh is a class representative and Student Ambassador, and a Youth Leader in her home community of Lower Hutt. The third Graduate Women UCOL Award recipient, Coral Trower went to Bachelor of Nursing Wairarapa UCOL student, a high achiever heavily involved in her community.
The Fletcher Challenge Trust Award for achievement and effort went to Bachelor of Applied Science (Medical Imaging Technology) student Wilma Fernandes. Wilma already holds a Bachelor of Biological Science, has been a peer counsellor, peer sexuality support person, volunteered for her church and helped her fellow students.
The Palmerston North City Council Jaycee Trust Scholarships went to Bachelor of Applied Visual Imaging student Sophie Douglas and Bachelor of Applied Science (Medical Imaging Technology) student Yvanah Ria, both of whom are heavily involved in community affairs.
The Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand Top Financial Accounting Student went to Kristina Kulvis of the Bachelor of Applied Management.