Talented Kiwis to study with world’s best

MEDIA RELEASE

Tuesday, 20 March 2007

Talented Kiwis to study with world’s best

Two extraordinary New Zealanders will receive the rare privilege to study at the National University of Singapore (NUS) which is ranked in the top 20 in the world.

Alexandra Toumar and Karen Jackson will both receive Asia:NZ Singapore Scholarships to complete an undergraduate degree (up to four years study) at NUS.

Both were dux of their respective schools and feature in the top two percent of New Zealand students.

Alexandra, from Westlake Girls’ High School in Auckland, was born in Belarus and came to New Zealand with her family nearly ten years ago. She learned English as a second language and also speaks Russian and German.

She intends to study engineering at NUS with the aim of working in the field of robotics and artificial intelligence.

Karen, from Christchurch Girls’ High School, intends to enrol in a Bachelor of Science majoring in life sciences and eventually complete a Masters or PhD in immunology.

She gained her school’s full Academic Colours for her results in NCEA level 1 and 2 with top subject prizes in French, mathematics, music and English.

The Singapore Scholarships were set up in 1998 to strengthen New Zealand's relations with Asia, especially Singapore. Students enrol in business administration, science, computing or engineering faculties.

The students chosen have strong academic records and the potential to be leaders in their chosen fields. Successful applicants will receive free tuition, accommodation, living expenses and one return airfare between New Zealand and Singapore each year.

Last year, NUS was ranked amongst the world's top 20 and Asia’s top three universities by the Times Higher Education Supplement.

In this annual ranking, NUS shared second place in Asia and 19th spot overall with University of Tokyo. Harvard University topped the poll with Auckland University, New Zealand’s highest entrant, coming in at 46.

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