Cook Islands Department Of National Human Resources Development

Cook Islands Government Scholarships to NZ and Overseas Student Assistance Fund

Expressions of interest for Cook Islands Government Scholarships (CIGS) & Overseas Private Student Assistance Fund (SAF) are now being sought from suitably qualified Cook Island men and women for study at an approved NZ tertiary institution.

1. 2011/2012 Cook Islands Government Scholarship Awards

The purpose of this scholarship is to provide you with education and training so that you can assist in the social and economic development of the Cook Islands on your return home at the completion of your studies.

Applicant will have currently have completed a minimum equivalent of one full academic year at a tertiary institute with a B grade average);

This scholarship has tenure of 2 years of which your qualification is to be completed within that time to be eligible for the award. Awards will be considered for Undergraduate and Postgraduate studies.

2. 2011/2012 OVERSEAS PRIVATE STUDENT ASSISTANCE FUND (SAF)

Cook Islanders who are privately pursuing tertiary studies overseas may now apply for assistance for tuition fees on a reimbursement basis.

General Eligibility criteria:

• Must be a Cook Islander who was (or is) residing permanently in the Cook Islands, prior to undertaking studies at an approved NZ tertiary institute

• The (proposed) course of study meets the following Government HRD priorities for 2011/2012: agriculture, trade areas, culture & creative industries, waste management, renewable energy and finance, although other areas can be considered.

Application forms and further information are available for download using the link below or from the Department of National HRD in Arorangi ph: 21467.

Application Form_2011_2012 CIGS & OSAF (572.76 kB)

Application Forms must be received no later than 12pm Thursday, 1 Dec 2011.

Careers Expo 2011

21 July 2011: The Careers Expo 2011 held on July 21^st, at the Telecom Sports Arena, offered a fiesta of career options set up under one roof with a smorgasbord of supportive industry people waiting to serve it up! The theme for our booth this year was two-fold: KNOCK AND THE DOOR WILL OPEN & SWIM OUTSIDE THE BOX. Some students took bite sizes, some feasted, while others wanted to be spoon-fed. High five to those students who boldly threw away the fork and knife and grabbed the opportunity with both hands!

We wanted students to know that DNHRD is one of those doors which can open up a world of study options as a starting point or for continual study. Secondly, we wanted to encourage students to swim outside the box. Taking the first dive is usually the most difficult in any search through unchartered waters. The box is referred to as your ‘comfort zone’. Don’t be afraid to ask. The answers are all there you just have to make it happen and have the courage to ask!

DNHRD combined forces with HTTC, CITTC and CISA, our three major training providers to provide a welcoming colourful double booth decorated with informative posters and slideshows. Our eye-catching banners offset by beautiful palms provided an attractive backdrop to our well presented staff members dressed in island style uniform, who were on-hand to assist with enquiries. We fielded approx 30-40 queries throughout the day from students who were interested in further study options or who had family members on overseas scholarships and wanted to know more information.

Overall the Careers Expo was a well organised enjoyable event. We hope the students got as much satisfaction out of it as we did. Kia Manuia.

Women in Science and Technology Workshop

31 July 2011: The team at Tertiary Awards Programme (TAP) was invited to attend this year’s Women in Science and Technology (WISAT) workshop 19 July 2011, Rarotonga.  Human Resource Development & Information Officer, Ms Michelle Aisake represented the TAP as one of the facilitators at this meeting. The meeting was targeted at young women within the Southern Group Islands and Rarotonga currently in Year 10 (Form 4) to Level 3 (Form 7) classes.  At this workshop the students had 10-minutes group discussions with each of the Cook Islands women facilitators already working in the areas of science and technology.  Pioneer facilitators at this event included former Cook Islands scholarships students Ms Jeanne Matenga, from the Pitt Media Group,  Jacqui Evans from the World  Wildlife Fund and Karen Tairea from Public Health, Ministry of Health.

Ms Aisake met with over 40 young women at this meeting and reiterated opening remarks made by Ministry of Education representative, Ms Ina Herrmann to seriously think about careers paths now. About 30% of the students that Ms Aisake spoke with indicated their interest in science and technology careers with 7 students interested in health science professions.  Although most of students indicated their interest in careers outside the field of science and technology, with at least 27% interested in careers in law and order including border management.  This was not an issue as pointed out by Ms Jeanne Matenga, while speaking on behalf of the pioneer facilitators, as we are all dealing with science and technology aspects in our daily lives and in any job.

With this feedback, the students were encouraged take secondary school subjects aligned to their chosen careers.  They were also made aware of opportunities for scholarships and student assistance funds towards tertiary level qualifications overseas and in country.  Opportunities for further education through the Hospitality Tourism Training Centre, Trades Training Centre and the University of the Pacific Cook Islands were also brought to the attention of these students.

Thank you to WISAT coordinator Ms Jane Taurarii and the team at the Ministry of Education for coordinating this 10^th annual event with major event sponsor, the National Council of Women (NCW).

Regional Developmental Scholarships Workshop in Fiji

27 June 2011: Tertiary Awards Programme (TAP) Manager, Ms Ngarangi Tangaroa-Teio attended a Regional Developmental Scholarships (RDS) workshop in Suva Fiji which ran from 23 – 27 June 2011.  This workshop was also attended by Ms Gloria Rarere, Development Programme Administrator from the New Zealand High Commission in Rarotonga. There were nine participants from around the Pacific region that attended with the meeting facilitated by New Zealand Scholarships personnel based in Fiji namely Ms Emma Dunlop, Ms Vamarasi Mausio & Ms Arati Sudhakar.  The purpose of the meeting was to look at ways to strengthen NZRDS delivery by looking at streamlining services with the view to getting the best out of our scholarship students.   In the past, monitoring trips had been made by regional scholarship officers at different times throughout the year. This is where the idea of a combined monitoring visit/workshop came in.

Read more: Regional Developmental Scholarships Workshop in Fiji