MIT scholarship programme teaches the value of service

MIT scholarship programme teaches recipients the value of service

Manukau Institute of Technology’s (MIT) Emerging Leaders Scholarship will continue providing a wrap around programme this year following the successful pilot in 2013.

The scholarship consists of a $4000 fee credit and incorporates a leadership programme with an element of mentoring and a minimum 10 hours of service.

MIT presented the scholarship to 33 local schools and will have 84 students participating in the programme this year.

The programme aims to build on MIT’s collaboration with schools and is designed to equip students with the skills and attributes employers look for in prospective employees.

Successful recipients are asked to attend a two day workshop involving team building exercises, challenges and service to This year students were required to clean up the rubbish surrounding the Ōtara Creek Reserve, near MIT’s South Campus as part of their service hours to the community.

MIT’s Schools and Youth Liaison Moana Leilua says, “The Community Development Facilitators Nimi Bedi and Antoine Xulue from Auckland Council connected MIT with the Parks & Reserves Department because they are always in need of volunteers to do work during the summer.”

“Ōtara Creek Reserve was chosen by the Auckland Council due to its location near MIT and because rubbish accumulates quickly in this area.”

“The wrap around approach to the scholarship programme covers students holistically while they continue to receive academic guidance through being a student at MIT,” she says.

“The mentoring and service elements not only add more depth to the scholarship programme but also add substance to the students and show them what they can do for their communities.”

Otahuhu College students Heemali Chand and Arishna Chand will be studying MIT’s Bachelor of Nursing this year and were among the successful applicants for the Emerging Leaders Scholarship.

Heemali says, “We found out about the scholarship through our teachers who encouraged us to apply because we were already in a position of leadership as school prefects.”

“The team building exercises have really helped me to build more confidence and get involved in activities I wouldn’t Arishna says, “Being a part of this programme will be a good opportunity to help make our community better and to help the people around us.”

Edgewater College students Rebecca Knowles and Aimee-Lee Tonga have found the service component of the scholarship Rebecca says, “It’s been really interesting doing the clean up around the creek because it’s not just like picking up the odd piece of rubbish, you have to use your rugby skills and go diving right to the bottom of the banks to get everything.”

Aimee-Lee says, “I applied for the scholarship because I love to help people and I want others to be able to look up to me as Following their study at MIT, Rebecca wants to become a police officer and Aimee-Lee wants to be a personal trainer.

ENDS

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