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R AND I WÄHANGA
EDS SCHOLARSHIPS
UNLOCKING MÄORI POTENTIAL IN THE IT INDUSTRY
Te Puni Kökiri and global IT services company EDS New Zealand are
encouraging more Mäori to succeed in business and IT-related fields.
EDS and Te Puni Kökiri are providing scholarships to support
recipients studying IT-related subjects. Both organisations are
contributing dollar for dollar to double the number of scholarships
available, to increase the number of Mäori in IT or related
sectors. They are also providing hands-on industry experience
through paid work placements and internships.
“The partnership between a government department and a
corporate organisation is a new and exciting arrangement.
Both organisations have come together with a shared
vision of increasing the presence of Mäori in the IT
workforce,” says Te Puni Kökiri Chief Executive
Leith Comer.
This year 10 recipients of the scholarships were
chosen from across the country. “The recipients
were selected based on academic achievement,
exceptional leadership qualities, and their
connections with their iwi, hapü and
community,” he says.
As part of the scholarship, the recipients
receive a grant of $5,000, an individually
tailored mentoring programme based
on the recipients’ areas of expertise,
and paid work placement within EDS,
Te Puni Kökiri and the Ministry of
Economic Development.
“The scholarship programme is a
fantastic opportunity and has made
me open my eyes to a world of
possibilities that I thought I could
never attain,” says scholarship
recipient Denny Hona. “I hope to
use the experience and momentum
gained throughout my internship and
mentoring to further my career into
an IT field,” she says.
For more information or to apply for the EDS Mäori Scholarship
Programme visit the Maori Education Trust at
www.maorieducation.org.nz
Scholarship recipients Luke Claasen, Denny Hona, Rawiri Tinirau, Quinton Hiini and Dion Te Momo
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TE PUNI KÖKIRI | KÖKIRI | HAKIHEA – KOHITÄTEA 2008