Click photo to enlarge
Edwin Darlow.
Tertiary student leaders and the New Zealand
Vice-chancellors Committee are concerned about the recent axing
of three Government-funded tertiary student scholarships, in
order to "save" $98 million.
Committee officials stated recently that students had been
"denied study opportunities" and that scholarships had taken
a "massive hit" through the cutting of the Step Up, Bonded
Merit and Top Achiever doctoral schemes.
Existing scholarship holders are unaffected but future
scholarships are being phased out as a result of changes
announced in the Budget.
New Zealand Union of Students Associations co-president
Sophia Blair said the cuts would have negative effects on
tertiary students, and she was also concerned about the lack
of consultation with universities and student organisations
before cuts were made.
Otago University Students Association president Edwin Darlow
said it was "disappointing" to see any tertiary education
funding being reduced.
Students were already concerned about overall student debt
levels, at present exceeding $10 billion, and adding further
debt by reducing scholarship support was undesirable, he
said.
The cuts were a "disgusting" development, Otago Polytechnic
Students Association acting president Meegan Cloughley, said.
She knew several students who were either receiving support
from the Bonded Merit scholarship, or wished to apply for it.
She was concerned that the loss of scholarships would result
in some students from modest-income backgrounds being
discouraged from pursuing some courses or careers because of
the cost.
Dr Charles Tustin, director, graduate research services, at
the University of Otago said the loss of the scholarships was
"unfortunate", with the phasing out of the Top Achiever
scholarships having the greatest significance for Otago
University students.
Those scholarships provide an annual stipend of $25,000 a
year, and also fund tuition fees for PhD study undertaken
either in New Zealand or abroad.
The scholarships were particularly significant not only
because of the extent of financial support, but also because
of the strong record of success by Otago students in gaining
them, he said.
In one recent round last year, 10 of about 40 scholarships
allocated nationally had been received by Otago students.
A more positive feature of the Budget was the retaining of
domestic-level tuition fees for international students
wishing to undertake doctoral study at Otago University and
other New Zealand universities.
john.gibb@odt.co.nz
