On Thursday, Unitec hosted visiting delegation from the Samoa Public Service Commission (PSC) and Education New Zealand (ENZ).
The purpose of the visit was to discuss ways to support graduates of the Manaaki Scholarship programme transition into the workforce when they return home to their Pacific Islands upon completing their studies.
(Above): Education NZ and Samoa PSC officials meet with Unitec kaimahi and Manaaki Scholar in the Pacific Centre (L-R): Annette Pitovao (Unitec), Sophie Aleke Fa’avae (Unitec), Nancy Linton (Education NZ), Robert Magele (Manaaki Scholar), Tauiliili Sarona Esera-Filipo (PSC), Byron Iosia (Unitec), Faanimonimo Matau (PSC)
The visit is part of a wider tour of Tertiary Education Institutions (TEI) across Aotearoa, who currently have scholarship student studying with them.
The Manaaki Scholarship programme offers full support for undergraduate and postgraduate academic study in New Zealand and is available to eligible international students from ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and Pacific regions.
The PSC specifically wanted to meet with Unitec’s Manaaki scholars to advise them of the graduate programmes and opportunities available back in Samoa. The visit was also about strengthening relationships with the TEIs and exploring what short-term programmes they were offering, with a particular interest in technical skills.
One of these Manaaki Scholars is Bachelor of Engineering Technology (Civil) ākonga, Robert Magele, who is in the second year of undergraduate studies.
Magele met with Principal Scholarships officer, Faanimonimo Matau and Assistant Secretary, Tauiliili Sarona Esera-Filipo from the PSC, and Education NZ – Manaaki Scholarships Manager, Nancy Linton at the Pacific Centre to discuss his progress.
Also present to meet with the visiting delegation were Unitec kaimahi, Byron Iosia, Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships and Youth Guarantee Team Lead, Manager of Student Support and Scholarships, Sophie Aleke Fa’avae, Director of Student Success, Annette Pitovao, and Manager, Pacific Success, Daisy Bentley-Gray.
“Our visitors were given a campus tour and they were amazed at the facilities and support services available to students at Unitec,” says Iosia.
The Manaaki Scholarship programme is funded by the New Zealand Government and managed by Education New Zealand.
According to Iosia, the range of scholarships offered is determined by the needs of the countries including the skills and technical expertise in demand.
“Unitec has a total of six Manaaki Scholarship students enrolled this year from Samoa, Kiribati, Solomon Islands, and Papua New Guinea,” he adds.
(Above) Powhiri welcome on to Te Noho Kotahitanga Marae (L-R): Education NZ’s Nancy Linton, and Tauiliili Sarona Esera-Filipo and Faanimonimo Matau from the Samoa Public Service Commission.