Bridging the gap with rural New Zealand
OPINION: One thing I keep hearing from rural New Zealanders is the importance of relationships. Strong relationships don’t just happen - they take trust, consistency, and time.
The scholarships were awarded to Lincoln, Massey and Waikato university students as part of a wider drive to attract more motivated young talent into the dairy industry.
DairyNZ has awarded the annual scholarships to successful students in degree courses in agriculture or related fields, with a particular interest in the dairy industry.
DairyNZ industry education facilitator Susan Stokes says the quality of applications this year was high and bodes well for talent coming into the industry.
"This support for outstanding young scholars is part of the industry's drive to encourage talented, motivated people as future research scientists, farm advisors, farm managers, farm owners and rural professionals," says Stokes.
Thirty-one students at Lincoln University, 22 at Massey University and two at the University of Waikato will receive a DairyNZ scholarship, fundedby the levy DairyNZ collects from dairy farmers.
"We received applications from 168 students from 135 schools and the high standard made our selection process challenging – a good problem to have."
The scholarship helps pay for university study (up to $6325 per year) and continues until course completion, as long as grades are acceptable. Students are mentored and supported through their university years, often continuing into employment onfarm or in a role supporting the dairy industry.
In the last three years, 80 scholarship recipients have graduated from the scheme. Twenty four percent of these graduates are employed on farm, 40% are employed as rural professionals and 13% work in science.
The closing date for 2017 scholarship applications is December 7, 2016. Information on DairyNZ scholarships, the application process and criteria to qualify can be found at www.dairynz.co.nz/scholarships
