Fulbright New Zealand recognises new grantees and launches Alumni Association

Fulbright New Zealand recognised its 70 award recipients for 2009 last night, at a Parliamentary awards ceremony hosted by senior government minister Hon Gerry Brownlee. Fulbright awards are for New Zealanders and Americans to study, research, teach and present their work in each other’s countries.

This year’s grantees include 22 recipients of Fulbright New Zealand Graduate Awards, who will study or research at an American university of their choice in the next academic year.

There are 15 Fulbright US Graduate Students based at New Zealand universities this year – the largest cohort in the Fulbright programme’s 60 year history. Included in their number is the first American student to visit New Zealand on the recently-established Fulbright-mtvU Fellowships programme, which is a joint initiative between the Fulbright exchange programme and American music television network MTV’s multimedia network for college students.

The Fellowships allow American graduate students to conduct research abroad on an aspect of international musical culture, and to share their experiences through mtvU’s network using video reports, blogs and podcasts. Ainsley Breault from Colorado Springs is based at AUT University in Auckland, where she is producing two videos documenting Mäori music events and exploring the role of music in perpetuating Mäori culture.

Last night’s ceremony also recognised 33 more advanced academics, artists and professionals who have participated in the Fulbright Scholar Programme, with awards ranging from short term travel grants to full year lectureships.

In addition, the event was used to launch the first official Fulbright New Zealand Alumni Association, which aims to engage alumni in networking opportunities and events in the spirit of the Fulbright programme. Fulbright teacher exchange alumnus Graham Cochrane, who has led a steering group to establish the association, explained that “Fulbright New Zealand has done a wonderful job of keeping in contact with and bringing alumni together over the years. However, the time has come for us as alumni to take over the responsibility for fostering the relationships and networks among us. This has been a movement by alumni for alumni and has considerable support from Fulbright New Zealand and the US Embassy.” The association will be actively recruiting members from Fulbright New Zealand’s 2,500-strong alumni community over coming months.

Applications for next year’s Fulbright New Zealand Graduate Awards close on 1 August 2009, and the various awards in the Fulbright Scholar Programme close at different dates throughout the year.

ENDS