Indian students welcome scholarships

New Zealand Excellence Award recipients and University of Otago students (from left) Prabhat...
New Zealand Excellence Award recipients and University of Otago students (from left) Prabhat Maruvada, Badsha Chandra, Riju Sinha and Gururaj Sundaram, all of India, on campus yesterday. PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSON
Indian "scarfies'' living in Dunedin have been given scholarships to "strengthen ties'' between two countries.

University of Otago students Badsha Chandra, Prabhat Maruvada, Riju Sinha and Gururaj Sundaram were given scholarships in the New Zealand Excellence Awards.

The men were among the 31 university students from India to receive the award this year.

To be eligible a student must be pursuing undergraduate or postgraduate study in New Zealand in the fields of business, design or programmes related to science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Each recipient was given $5000 towards their first-year tuition fee.

The awards were established by New Zealand's universities and Education New Zealand last year, to increase the number of Indian students studying in New Zealand.

ENZ chief executive Grant McPherson said the two-way trade between India and New Zealand was worth about $2.5billion.

``These top young scholars will further strengthen ties between our two countries.''

More than 28,000 Indian students came to New Zealand to study last year, making India the second-largest source of international students.

Mr Sundaram (31), of Thane, said he was enjoying studying a master of business administration degree in the ``scarfie town''.

Mr Chandra (36), of Bangalore, who is completing a master of business data science degree, said he received his award in person at the annual India New Zealand Business Council Summit in Auckland on Friday.

``It was awesome.''

Mr Sinha (31), of Ranchi, said the scholarship would help him complete his postgraduate diploma in business administration degree at the ``world-class university''.

Mr Maruvada (22), of Hyderabad, said he was studying a master of science degree.

``It's an excellent faculty - they are very supportive.''

He was enjoying being part of the ``diverse cultures'' living in Dunedin.

``I've learnt many things - it's really good to be here.'

Applications for the scholarships next year open on September 1.

shawn.mcavinue@odt.co.nz

 

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