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Fostering connections in our Discovery Scholarship community - Annual Report 2023
12 April, 2024
As we watch our Discovery Scholars grow and flourish, we are grateful for our co-sponsors' support with the Discovery Scholarship programme, for Māori and Pacific Island students in science. This is an extension of our long running DiscoveryCamp programme, that supports students studying in the fields of physical sciences, chemical and process engineering, chemical and materials engineering, Māori sciences and sciences related to sustainable innovation.
In the dynamic landscape of academia, the essence of growth and collaboration lies in the strength of connections. Within our Discovery Scholarship programme, we not only empower our Scholars financially but also cultivate a community where whanaungatanga (connections) and manaakitanga (support) can grow and flourish.
Our engagement strategy with our Discovery Scholars encompasses diverse channels to ensure meaningful engagement. Facebook serves as a vibrant platform for group discussions, updates, and shared achievements. Group online hui (meetings) provide a virtual space for scholars to come together, exchange insights, and collectively navigate the academic landscape while one-to-one conversations foster individual connections that extend beyond the academic realm.
It was nice to do a tour of GNS Science and learn about career pathways in science. Now I realise that the only crazy scientists are the ones who gave up on their dreams and didn’t follow their passion. GNS Science was full of sane scientists following their heart.
Jesse Wood Discovery Scholarship alumnus
This year we have been able to bring our recipients together to share kai and kōrero across Aotearoa: in Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin and Wellington. We feel so privileged to be catching up and seeing how our Scholars are doing.
The Discovery Scholarship programme is more than financial support; it's about creating a network that supports them and helps propel them forward. These gatherings are comfortable, informal and welcoming; they are opportunities to nurture a sense of belonging, collaboration and shared achievement. As we celebrate the successes of our Scholars, we also celebrate the robust connections that make these successes possible. Looking ahead, more catch-ups are in the pipeline, ensuring that we continue to grow our community.
A huge acknowledgement and thanks to our co-sponsors, the GNS Science Aotearoa: Green Hydrogen Platform and Bioprotection Aotearoa.
2023 scholarships
In 2023 we offered 18 scholarships across the following categories:
- Te Huarahi Ki Mua Award for previous Discovery Scholarship recipients
- Te Mātauranga Pūtaiao Award (Māori Science Award)
- Te Taumata Award (High Achiever Award)
- Piki Ake Award (Step It Up Award)
- Te Kainga Rua Award (Second Chance Learner Award)
Thank you again for the amazing scholarship opportunities I have been able to receive! It has helped so much!
Discovery Scholarship alumnus
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