+64 4 472 2065
Fulbright New Zealand recently formalised a partnership with the New York-based American New Zealand Association (ANZA) to implement additional awards for US graduate students. The charitable not-for-profit organisation’s mission is “to assist the growth of interchange between New Zealand and the United States through support of educational and research opportunities between the two countries”. This provides a natural fit with the Fulbright programme’s provision of educational exchange awards between the two countries.
Fulbright New Zealand Executive Director Mele Wendt and ANZA Chairman Ian Phillips sign a memorandum of understanding, with ANZA Board Members (left-right) Graeme Lindsay, Nancy Gallagher, Joan Snyder, Geoff Andrews, Brendon O'Sullivan and (seated) Bettye Martin Musham
Following the devastating Canterbury earthquakes of September 2010 and February 2011, ANZA established a fund to assist in relief and rebuilding efforts in Christchurch. Through significant fundraising efforts in the US, ANZA has thus raised almost NZ$1 million for earthquake relief, applied primarily towards education-focussed projects.
On signing the Memorandum of Understanding with Fulbright New Zealand, Ian Phillips Chairman of ANZA said, “We see the partnership as a very positive move as ANZA further develops its programs of education and research grants. The ongoing nature of the agreement means we will look forward to providing opportunities for a growing number of students to participate in both the academic and broader cultural benefits long associated with Fulbright awards.”
Fulbright New Zealand Executive Director Mele Wendt is delighted with the partnership, especially as it helps to partly redress the current imbalance between the number of New Zealand and American graduate awards.
The new Fulbright-ANZA Graduate Award has the same requirements and entitlements as core Fulbright US Graduate Awards. The first recipient, Matt Hanson from Sandy, Utah, will arrive with nine other American Fulbright graduate students in January 2013. He will complete a Master of Science degree in geology at the University of Canterbury. A second recipient will be selected in the next application round of Fulbright US Graduate Awards, which closes on 17 October. Interested American students should see http://us.fulbrightonline.org for further details.