MONDAY, 28 JANUARY, 2008
NZ’S Largest IT Employer Launches Scholarships For Maori
WELLINGTON, New Zealand – EDS NZ today announced its latest move to address declining Maori graduate numbers and a tight
labour market with the launch of five IT scholarships for the Maori community.
“We are taking the lead to encourage more young Maori to enter the knowledge economy. As the country’s largest IT
employer we are mindful that Maori are under represented right across this sector, and that needs to change,” says EDS
NZ Managing Director, Steve Murray.
In addition to increasing the presence of Maori in the IT workforce, the scholarship will allow EDS to tap in to a new
resource pool in the face of a tight labour market.
“This is more than corporate responsibility, it’s about bringing more kiwis in to the knowledge sector to combat skill
shortages, and giving talented people a real opportunity,” Mr Murray says.
The five Maori students who receive an EDS Scholarship will be offered financial assistance for study fees, mentoring
and paid work placement during the holidays. They could then progress on to the highly successful EDS Graduate
Programme.
“We took a holistic view of the education environment and wanted to go a step further than just providing financial
assistance. Work experience and mentoring can be 10 times more valuable when you are looking to recruit talented
people,” Mr Murray says.
“Our competitive edge comes from a rich, diverse and productive workforce. Initiatives like this can only enhance that –
it’s a win win situation.”
EDS has partnered with the Maori Education Trust to administer the scholarship programme, which was launched today at
Parliament.
“This represents a significant move into the corporate world for us and opens doors with other national and global
companies to provide opportunities for Maori,” says Doug Hauraki, CEO of the Maori Education Trust.
“We are confident that this initiative will assist talented Maori students to achieve their potential through tertiary
education and prepare them to positively influence and benefit their communities.”
The EDS Maori IT Scholarship
- Five scholarships will be offered in the 2008 academic year for students studying at an NZQA tertiary institution in
an IT or business related field.
- One postgraduate and four undergraduate scholarships are available with the option for EDS to renew them annually.
- Each of the four undergraduate scholarships includes a $5000 study grant, EDS mentoring and EDS paid work placement
during the holidays.
- The one postgraduate scholarship includes a $10,000 study grant, EDS mentoring and EDS paid work placement during the
holidays.
- Students can apply for the scholarship through the Maori Education Trust at http://scholarships.maorieducation.org.nz/
ENDS
2. Steve Murray Biography
About EDS
EDS (NYSE: EDS) is a leading global technology services company delivering business solutions to its clients. EDS
founded the information technology outsourcing industry 45 years ago. Today, EDS delivers a broad portfolio of
information technology and business process outsourcing services to clients in the manufacturing, financial services,
healthcare, communications, energy, transportation, and consumer and retail industries and to governments around the
world. Learn more at eds.com.
ENDS