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IT Employer Launches Scholarships For Maori
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
Environmental Defence Society
EDS speaks for the environment. It has influence.
Since 1971, EDS has been driving environmental protection in Aotearoa New Zealand
through law and policy change. That's why it's one of this country's most influential non-
profit organisations when it comes to achieving better environmental outcomes.
EDS has expertise in key disciplines including law, planning, landscape and science. It
operates as a policy think-tank, a litigation advocate, and a collaborator – bringing together
the private and public sectors for constructive engagement.
EDS runs conferences and seminars on topical issues, including an annual Environmental
Summit and the Climate Change and Business Conference.
EDS is a registered charity and donations to it are tax-deductible.
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