Forestry scholarships grow diversity
Being awarded a scholarship to study forestry at the University of Canterbury (UC) has brought more than financial benefits for first year student Anna Manning.
This year’s scholarship winners are (L-R): Anna Manning – Engineering Intermediate, Jiselle Nolan – BForSc (Ngāi Tahu/Kāi Tahu; Ngaphui, Te Ātiawa), Emma Walters – BForSc, Heath Parkes – BForSc (Ngāi Tahu/Kāi Tahu), Jordan Wearing – BForSc, and Janelle Rice – BForSc. Pictured with Environment Minister Hon David Parker (centre) and Deputy Director-General Te Uru Rākau | Forestry Julie Collins (right).
“I would highly recommend anyone interested in forestry to apply. It’s such a great way to connect with people and learn from them, and it’s a fantastic degree because there are so many pathways it can take you on, either in New Zealand or overseas. I’m loving it so far.”
Applications are now open for next year’s Ngā Karahipi Uru Rākau – Forestry Scholarships, which encourage and support Māori and women to pursue careers in forestry science.
Anna, who is from Whakatane, has been paired with a UC student who received a scholarship last year as her mentor, and regularly meets with the five other scholars from this year. She says it’s great to have that support crew around her in a new city.
“Being able to talk to my mentor and ask her questions and get her advice has been amazing. And having familiar faces around uni who are doing a similar degree makes it seem a little less scary going into big lectures. It’s nice to see other women going into an industry that’s traditionally been male dominated. I think the scholarships definitely encourage women in the direction of forestry.”