2degrees announces Maori scholarship winners
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Scholarship part of larger programme aimed at increasing the participation of Maori students in the telco industry
By Sim Ahmed | Auckland | Friday, 22 June, 2012 | 13 Comments
Winners of the inaugural 2degrees Hei Rere Mai scholarship programme have been announced.
The scholarship was launched last year by 2degrees Mobile and key stakeholder the Hautaki Trust (the commercial arm of the Maori Spectrum Charitable Trust).
The recipients of this year’s scholarships are Grace Ngapo, David Pene, L’Rey Renata, Jamie Pye, Leon Hayward, Xien Rare-Lee, Julius Bennett and Frederick Blucher. Each recipient will receive between $500 and $5000 towards the cost of studying ICT courses at the University of Auckland. In addition they are elligible for an internship at 2degrees, starting off in the customer services department with the opportunity to move onto more business and IT focused roles.
2degrees CEO Eric Hertz says the telco industry needs talented young Maori workers in order to feed its growth.
Daphne Luke, chair of Maori Spectrum, says Maori have had few real opportunities in the telecommunications industry.
“Hei Rere Mai is all about showing Maori what’s possible and how a career in telecommunications can lead to a diverse and rewarding career,” says Luke.
The scholarship is part of a larger programme aimed at increasing the participation of Maori students in the telco industry. Recipients will join the Accelerating Aotearoa Talent Programme, visiting Auckland schools to share their experiences in the industry.
Comments
Owners
If you owned shares in a company, wouldnt you use the proceeds to make scholarships available to YOUR kids/family too? Especially if many of them were not in any sort of privileged position otherwise?
I'm guessing you would, but you possibly wouldnt advertise it to the public.
Posted by James at 6:49:11 on June 29, 2012
I'm guessing you would, but you possibly wouldnt advertise it to the public.
Posted by James at 6:49:11 on June 29, 2012
Sub-editor needs to use the spell checker
Is elligible[sic] a word that I am unfamiliar with? I think not.
Posted by Anonymous at 7:52:23 on June 26, 2012
Posted by Anonymous at 7:52:23 on June 26, 2012
2Degrees
2D needs the 700 Mhz or access to cheap or free spectrum and their vehicle is the Maori waka.
This is one way how a business can twist the reality in order to take advantage.
Posted by Anonymous at 23:51:31 on June 25, 2012
This is one way how a business can twist the reality in order to take advantage.
Posted by Anonymous at 23:51:31 on June 25, 2012
Racist
Always good to see whenever Computerworld uses the word "Maori" the racists crawl out of the woodwork...
Posted by Harry at 12:11:43 on June 25, 2012
Posted by Harry at 12:11:43 on June 25, 2012
Racist
Yeah the main reason for that is usually its some sort of racist treatment taking place - typically the giving of an award where the basis for the winner is race, which is by definition racist. Justifying it by saying they need to be caught up doesn't change that fact. Fact is there are plenty of Polynesians and all sorts of races out there could also do with this help and also, why no job for them - the only reason, they are not Maori. Thats sad.
Posted by Anonymous at 22:41:11 on June 25, 2012
Posted by Anonymous at 22:41:11 on June 25, 2012
Racist
Absolutely right Harry. There is nothing racist about this.
The fact of the matter is not all NZ'ers are on an equal footing or have the same opportunities regardless of what people think. Maori are not lazy or dumb but like other indigenous cultures have been marginalised by their govt so they appear at the bottom of a number of social indicators.
What this move does is try to rectify that imbalance by giving these kids a leg up to participate in an industry where they are not well represented.
Good on 2 Degrees and the Hautaki Trust.
Posted by henareho at 14:05:10 on June 25, 2012
The fact of the matter is not all NZ'ers are on an equal footing or have the same opportunities regardless of what people think. Maori are not lazy or dumb but like other indigenous cultures have been marginalised by their govt so they appear at the bottom of a number of social indicators.
What this move does is try to rectify that imbalance by giving these kids a leg up to participate in an industry where they are not well represented.
Good on 2 Degrees and the Hautaki Trust.
Posted by henareho at 14:05:10 on June 25, 2012
Racist
I think Harry was meaning the comments below...
Posted by Anonymous at 15:02:31 on June 25, 2012
Posted by Anonymous at 15:02:31 on June 25, 2012
Sorry, can't help...
...but it must be awfully demeaning to Maori to be told that the only way they can win internships is if all other races are excluded.
Posted by Anonymous at 11:51:38 on June 25, 2012
Posted by Anonymous at 11:51:38 on June 25, 2012
Sorry, can't help...
Totally agree. An internship in customer service in a call center does not strike me as something that is particularly difficult to achieve on your own merits, but in this case they are saying Maori students actually need help to get there. Interesting message being sent.
Posted by Anonymous at 22:44:00 on June 25, 2012
Posted by Anonymous at 22:44:00 on June 25, 2012
Sorry, can't help...
You obviously have a job! Try being one of 70 applicants for a call centre job, or one of 200 for a job at a lunch bar. What decade are you living in?
Posted by Anonymous at 13:16:44 on June 26, 2012
Posted by Anonymous at 13:16:44 on June 26, 2012
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