Massey Student Recipient Of Post-Grad Scholarship

News Release 19 May 2008

Massey Student Recipient Of Prestigious Post-Graduate Scholarship

Massey University postgraduate student Kirsty Hammond is a joint winner of a Pukehou Pouto Scholarship for 2008; it has been announced by the New Zealand Vice-Chancellors’ Committee (NZVCC).

The Pukehou Pouto Scholarship was established from a bequest from the estate of Edith Fraser and is managed on behalf of the estate by Public Trust. The scholarship is worth $10,000 a year; however, due to the high quality of applications received, a one off decision was made to award two scholarships in 2008. The other winner is Paul Mudge from Waikato University.

Studying for her PhD at Palmerston North’s Massey University, Kirsty’s thesis investigates the influence of changes in the chemical composition of fresh forage-based diets on methane production in ruminant animals. Once she has completed her PhD, Kirsty plans to gain overseas experience in the agricultural/animal production science and research sector, before returning to New Zealand as an animal research scientist. Kirsty is passionate about the New Zealand agricultural industry and plans to base herself in New Zealand in the long term.

Originally from Whakatane, where she attended Whakatane High School, Kirsty completed her BSc, majoring in animal science and physiology, and graduated with First Class Honours last year.

Edith Fraser, who died in 1980, specified that the Pukehou Poutu Scholarship be used to fund studies in agricultural or silvicultural sciences. Awarded annually, the scholarship is available for postgraduate students at any New Zealand university.

The Pukehou Pouto Scholarship is one of over 40 scholarships awarded each year by the NZVCC. These include graduate awards such as the Claude McCarthy Fellowship, Commonwealth Scholarships, the New Zealand Law Foundation Ethel Benjamin Prize, William Georgetti Scholarship and the Woolf Fisher Scholarships. Undergraduate awards managed by NZVCC include the Douglas Myers Scholarship, Girdlers’ Scholarship and the Kitchener Memorial Scholarship.

The Pukehou Pouto Scholarship is one of over 400 charitable trusts (including a number of scholarships) managed by Public Trust. These trusts and scholarship include interests as diverse as science, medicine, disability and agriculture. Collectively, the trusts provide the means for many people to live better lives, enhance their skills or enjoy better community facilities.

“The NZVCC and Public Trust are delighted that the Pukehou Pouto Scholarship has been awarded to such an outstanding student. The calibre of this year’s applicants was of an exceptionally high standard. We wish Kirsty all the best for her ongoing studies and look forward to following her progress throughout the year, and in her chosen profession down the line,” said Kiri Manuera, Scholarships Manager for NZVCC.

Applications for next year’s Pukehou Pouto Scholarship should be made by 1 October 2008. Application details can be found on www.nzvcc.ac.nz

ENDS

© Scoop Media