Melissa Sets Sights on Mechanical Engineering

Melissa Sets Sights on Mechanical Engineering

Melissa Kupa has her sights set firmly on becoming a mechanical engineer, thanks to a Toloa scholarship from the Ministry for Pacific Peoples.

Melissa says she decided to study engineering because she wants to be involved in the design, manufacturing and maintenance of mechanical systems with her long term goal being to join the New Zealand Navy.

“To be able to work on boats and travel the world sounded challenging and exciting.”

Last year Melissa was a student at Sacred Heart College in Lower Hutt and was recognised for her leadership of Pasifika students. She achieved well academically gaining NCEA level 3 with merit endorsements in core engineering related subjects - calculus, sciences and maths.

With a Dad who is an electrician and wider family support for her decision to become an engineer, Melissa applied for a Toloa scholarship through the Ministry for Pacific Peoples last year. The Toloa scholarship aims to encourage young Pasifica people to pick up study in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths). Melissa, who is Tokelauan, was awarded the scholarship and will receive financial support throughout her degree studies at WelTec. “I want to be a role model for Pasifika girls and to let them and their families know that engineering is a great profession with lots of opportunities,” says Melissa.

Acting Chief Executive of the Ministry for Pacific Peoples Malo Ah-You says, “With the government’s new investment in STEM through the Toloa scholarships ($1.2M over four years) we see many more opportunities for our Pacific young people to participate in STEM subjects and have better choices for a better life.”

And there is no doubt Melissa will be a trail blazer. According to the Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand (IPENZ) women make up only 13% of engineers in New Zealand and 7% of Chartered Professional Engineers. This is despite first-rate job opportunities and earnings potential.

IPENZ Chief Executive Susan Freeman-Greene notes that engineering is an area of recognised skills shortage in New Zealand, “Growing our engineering capability is a key part of the government’s strategy to transform New Zealand into a high tech, innovation-led economy. We want to really encourage young people to study engineering as there are excellent opportunities in New Zealand and overseas.

Sunethra Pitawala, tutor of mechanical engineering at the Wellington Institute of Technology, herself an honours graduate in production engineering sees young women who study engineering doing particularly well in their careers. “Female engineers achieve to a very high standard with many going on to lead companies becoming directors and working at very high levels. If you are a creative thinker engineering could be an excellent career choice for you.”

Melissa is studying the Bachelor of Engineering Technology at the Wellington Institute of Technology (WelTec) – a three year degree recognised internationally by the Sydney Accord. The next intake for the degree is in mid-July.

ENDS

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