Woolf Fisher Scholars Announced

Woolf Fisher Scholars Announced

Three New Zealand university graduates have been awarded scholarships to study for doctorates at either Oxford or Cambridge University.

The recipients of the three prestigious 2005 Woolf Fisher Scholarships were notified of their success at the conclusion of their final interviews. The winners were; Heather Brown of The University of Auckland, Ranald Clouston of Victoria University of Wellington and Elizabeth Cottrell of the University of Otago.

The Woolf Fisher Trust is a New Zealand-based organisation established by Sir Woolf Fisher in 1960. It recognises and rewards excellence in education.

The selection process was particularly difficult this year due to the high calibre of the candidates, says Dr Nigel Evans, Secretary of the Woolf Fisher Trust.

“It was a privilege for our selection panel to interview the seven candidates short-listed for these Scholarships,” says Dr Evans. “We are delighted to be able to make it possible for three of these brilliant students to continue their studies at the highest level at either Cambridge or Oxford University.”

While the scholars have first-class academic records there is more to it than just good marks, says Dr Evans.

“Sir Woolf Fisher admired integrity, kindness, generosity, leadership and boldness of vision, along with exceptional zeal, keenness and capacity for work. Heather Brown, Ranald Clouston and Elizabeth Cottrell display many of these qualities and thoroughly deserve their scholarships,” he says.

Each scholarship is worth approximately $100,000 a year. Each student will receive a maintenance allowance of $26,900 a year, full payment of their university fees and an annual return airfare from London to New Zealand.

All three of the students will continue their doctoral studies in different disciplines and have expressed a strong desire to return to New Zealand.

They will be presented with their awards at a celebration dinner in Auckland on Thursday November 25.

© Scoop Media