Scholarships mark golden jubilee

The executive hall of Parliament in Wellington was the venue for a special and unique function, at which Speaker Dr Lockwood Smith, Vice-Chancellors of New Zealand Universities, diplomats and several past and present scholarship receivers were present to commemorate a landmark.

They marked the Golden Jubilee of the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP) – 50 years of scholars from and to New Zealand, pursuing studies in science, arts, politics and more.

Former Otago Vice-Chancellor Dr Graeme Fogelberg, University of Canterbury School of Political Science Senior Fellow Dr Therese Arseneau (both CSFP alumni), British High Commissioner George Ferguson and government officials were among the guests present at the event.

Lincoln University Vice-Chancellor and New Zealand Vice-Chancellors Committee Chair Professor Roger Field said there were few international scholarship schemes that surpassed 50 years of operation.

“We are in good company with Rhodes, Fulbright and Frank Knox. The CSFP is distinctive in that talented students are not just sent in one direction. Commonwealth scholars traverse the globe, making connections and sharing their culture with others,” he said.

Dr Smith, a Commonwealth Scholar who studied in Australia in 1973, said he was proud to be associated with the celebrations.

“Such scholarships enhance international cooperation, promote student exchange and create goodwill and understanding globally,” he said.

Commonwealth Scholar from Vanuatu, Andrina Thomas said that while her country achieved independence in 1980, participation of women in economic activities has been limited. “My research is to identify whether Ni-Vanuatu women aspire to decision-making roles and provide a framework to the patriarchy concerning the rampant discrimination and the subjugation of our women,” she said.

Ms Thomas is a social enterprise PhD student at the University of Waikato and the first Vanuatu woman to pursue research.

Her thesis is on ‘Good Governance and Equal Participation of Ni-Vanuatu Women in Constitutional and Corporate Governance in Vanuatu.”

She launched a publication commemorating the 50th anniversary of CFSP in New Zealand.

Source: New Zealand Vice Chancellors’ Committee Newsletter