AUT engineering graduate and current business student Monique Cooper is the first AUT graduate and one of just three
young New Zealanders awarded the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship for 2022 to undertake postgraduate study at the
University of Oxford.
Monique, who works as a product development engineer at Fisher and Paykel Healthcare, graduated with a Bachelor of
Engineering with Honours in Mechatronics from AUT in 2020 and is also pursuing a second degree, a Bachelor of Business
in Management and Finance at AUT.
From a young age, Monique has always had a passion for community service and social justice. At the age of 16 she
volunteered as a firefighter and served for five years, and it was here that she developed an interest in hi-tech
equipment and a curiosity for the way things worked.
Monique is passionate about bringing together her love for the community and technology to make a difference and has
actively worked towards this. In her current role at Fisher and Paykel Healthcare, she works on life-saving hospital
equipment including breathing circuits that go between ventilators, humidifiers and patients, contributing to the fight
against the COVID-19 pandemic.
At the University of Oxford, Monique plans to study a Master of Science in Social Data Science and a Master of Business
Administration. She hopes on her return, to use her new skills to help address some of New Zealand’s pressing issues
with innovative technology.
“At Oxford, I intend on weaving my technology skills into my humanities passion. While I am open to what the future
holds and how this experience will shape me, I do envisage helping to develop Aotearoa into being an innovative nation
tackling pressing issues. I believe this opportunity will take me a step closer to contributing to an equitable,
sustainable and high-tech future for us all. To have others willing to invest in this vision is incredible,” says
Monique.
Professor Kath McPherson, AUT’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor - Research, says this is a first for the University. “We’d like
to offer a huge congratulations to Monique, this is a truly remarkable achievement. As AUT’s first Rhodes Scholar, we
are extremely proud to have been part of her journey so far. We look forward to seeing her go on to create even more
impact during her time at Oxford and beyond.”
Monique features as one of four graduates in AUT’s latest brand campaign, Find Your Greatness, where she shares how her time at AUT helped her uncover what inspired her to turn her passion into something rewarding
and meaningful.