Māori Scholarships for telecommunications careers

Māori Scholarships for telecommunications careers – apply now

Māori students interested in telecommunications careers now have some additional support in the form of scholarships from 2degrees and Te Huarahi Tika Trust.

Hei Rere Mai, a programme launched last November by the Te Huarahi Tika Trust and 2degrees, is offering scholarships to Māori students studying towards ICT qualifications at the University of Auckland. Applications for the scholarships close March 31.

Hei Rere Mai aims to increase Māori participation in the telecommunications industry. In addition to the scholarships, the company and Trust are supporting career advice for Māori high school students and 2degrees is providing employment opportunities, starting in Customer Care.

Daphne Luke, Chair of Te Huarahi Tika Trust, says telecommunications is an exciting industry, but one few Māori have had a real opportunity to take part in.

“Hei Rere Mai is all about showing Māori what’s possible and how a career in telecommunications can lead to a diverse and rewarding career,” says Mrs Luke.

“With an annual commitment of $50,000 and up to $10,000 per scholarship, we’re hoping to attract students from across the country, recognising that some people will need assistance in relocating to Auckland to study,” says Mrs Luke.

2degrees Head of Talent Helen Roach says the programme will help 2degrees nurture and create talent at a time when skilled ICT workers are hard to find

“2degrees was built on the hard work of Māori and the 40 different nationalities employed in the company today,” says Ms Roach “By providing young Māori with opportunities to learn more about our industry – either on the job or at university – we’re helping to create tomorrow’s telecommunications workers.”

Those who win scholarships could also be offered internships at 2degrees – opportunities to gain practical work experience while studying.

Scholarship winners will assist the work of Accelerating Aotearoa’s Talent – spending time in schools as role models for younger Māori considering a future in the telecommunications industry. For more information about Accelerating Aotearoa, go to: http://www.acceleratingaotearoaco.nz/

Applications for the scholarships close on 31 March.

For more information, go to http://www.auckland.ac.nz/uoa/cs-new-scholarships

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About the 2degrees company:

Launched in August 2009, 2degrees Mobile has significantly lowered the cost of making mobile phone calls and texts for Kiwis. The company has committed over $350 million to building New Zealand’s third mobile phone network. Company shareholders include US-based mobile communications specialists, Trilogy International Partners, as well as Hautaki Trust and Communication Venture Partners. The combined shareholders bring a wealth of international experience and knowledge which is of huge benefit to New Zealand mobile users. More information at: www.2degreesmobile.co.nz

About Te Huarahi Tika Trust:

Its vision is:
• To develop capacity within Māori to successfully participate in the knowledge economy and, in particular, in the information and telecommunications technology sectors.
• For Māori to have access to and the skills to use modern communications platforms, global information systems and telecommunication sector investment opportunities, no matter where they choose to live and work in New Zealand.
• To provide an investment stake for Māori in the telecommunications sector.

The Māori Spectrum Charitable Trust, known as Te Huarahi Tika Trust, was incorporated as a charitable trust in 2000 to enable Māori a right of purchase over the third generation spectrum (3G) radio frequency being auctioned by the Crown that year. The terms of the purchase were negotiated between the Crown and the trust. The beneficiaries of THTT are all Māori.
Through its subsidiary, Hautaki Trust, THTT invested in establishing a mobile company and attracted investment that eventually led to the launch of 2degrees Mobile.