UNESCO Science Scholarship Winners Announced

8 July, 2004

UNESCO Science Scholarship Winners Announced

Two University of Auckland students have won Undergraduate Science Scholarships awarded by the New Zealand National Commission for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO NZ) to recognise top secondary school science students and to help them in their first year of university study. This year’s recipients are Cherrie Kong, the 2003 Dux of Palmerston North Girls High, and Josephine McVitty, who was Dux at Wellington Grils College last year. They each receive a scholarship of $1500.

UNESCO Assistant Director-General Walter Erdelen, who is visiting New Zealand from UNESCO headquarters in Paris, presented the scholarships to the students at Parliament Buildings in Wellington last night.

Mr Erdelen says, “Fostering the young generation is at the heart of tackling science issues like sustainable development. Through initiatives such as these scholarships, UNESCO seeks to foster young people’s interest and involvement in scientific research and understanding.”

The two young women were chosen for their outstanding academic records, demonstrated interest and ability in science, and leadership potential. This year Cherie is studying Biomedical Science and Josephine has embarked on engineering studies.

The UNESCO NZ Undergraduate Science Scholarships are awarded annually, in association with the Secondary Principals Association of New Zealand, to first year university students with citizenship or permanent resident status, who are enrolled in either applied science or engineering at a New Zealand university.

The scholarships were presented at a Royal Society of New Zealand function featuring an address by Robert Lord Winston. Lord Winston, well known for hosting several BBC science television series including “the Human Body” and “The Human Mind”, has been touring New Zealand as the 2004 Royal Society Distinguished Speaker.

ENDS

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