Increased Funding For Tertiary Students

A major science-based company has increased its spending on tertiary scholarships, citing rising education costs and the need for greater numbers of trained scientists to help create a "Knowledge Economy".

Bayer New Zealand is to provide six new Science Scholarships next year instead of its normal five and will be raising the monetary value of each scholarship from $2,200 to $2,500 per annum. These increases will take the combined total of Bayer funding for secondary and tertiary education in New Zealand to more than $90,000 per annum.

The Auckland-based company has also announced the names of its six latest Science Scholarship winners, all of whom plan to commence tertiary studies next year.

The six are: Alana McDougall from Taipa Area School, Ben Yi from Glenfield College, Kerriden Lloyd from Mount Maunganui College, Kimberley Shaw from Rangiora High School, Oliver Mueller-Gajar from Darfield High School and Hwee Sin Chong from Otago Girls' High School.

"There's no doubt that scientific education is expensive. But it's a cost that must be met if New Zealand is to create the Knowledge Economy of which we hear so much. It's hard to envisage a future for our economy or our country if we don't start producing many more scientists and technologists as well as increased numbers of scientifically-literate managers and business people," says Bayer's Managing Director, David Hope-Cross.

"As part of a world-wide group of science-based companies, we at Bayer are acutely aware of the vital role played by science and technology in creating prosperous economies and healthy environments. This makes us particularly pleased to be able to help some of New Zealand's most promising students towards their goals," he adds.

This is the seventh year running in which Bayer has made tertiary scholarships available to students from schools in which the company sponsors science education.

Ten sponsored schools are chosen annually. Along with the right to apply for one of the Science Scholarships, each school receives $2,500 worth of scientific resources, a DNA Helix model, $200 worth of Agfa photographic equipment and a complete set of the much sought-after SATIS Resource Books.

The six new scholarship recipients were selected by Gillian Ward, Head of Centre for Science Education at Auckland College of Education. She describes the six as a highly impressive group of students with superlative academic abilities, clear goals and an obvious love of science.

"I actually felt quite humble reading these applications. With students of this calibre going through our schools and onto our universities, we have cause for confidence in the future of science in New Zealand.

"In just about every case, I was struck by the breadth of their interests. They're not just high achievers but they are also highly competent and enthusiastic participants in a range of cultural, sporting or other activities. It's quite staggering to think just how much they are packing into their lives," she says.

"Bayer is performing a tremendous service in ensuring that these highly motivated young people are able to afford tertiary education. Their scholarships should alleviate much of the stress caused by the mounting cost of university study and make it easier for them to devote time and energy to their degree courses," Gillian Ward adds.

Bayer New Zealand is a subsidiary of Bayer AG, the German multinational chemical and pharmaceutical company. The New Zealand company's approach to funding science education is now recommended practice for Bayer subsidiaries around the world.

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