Deaf Studies Award

History and purpose

This scholarship was established through a gift from Sir Roy McKenzie to mark the introduction of the Certificate in Deaf Studies: Teaching NZSL at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington in 1997.

The purpose of the scholarship is to support fluent users of New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) to gain a qualification in teaching NZSL.

Who is eligible?

Applicants must be:

• enrolled or intending to enrol in the Certificate of Deaf Studies at Victoria University of Wellington in the year following application
• a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident

Selection criteria

Selection is based on the applicant’s potential to succeed in the programme, their commitment to working in NZSL teaching or Deaf community development, and, where relevant, their level of financial need.

Application process

Please contact Rachel McKee (rachel.mckee@vuw.ac.nz) for an application form.

Scholarship specific documentation

• A personal statement outlining information relevant to the applicant's suitability for the scholarship

Selection process

Recipients will be selected by a committee comprising the Programme Director of NZSL (or nominee) and, where appropriate, other staff from Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.

Additional information

Recipients must write a letter of thanks to the donor upon acceptance of this scholarship.

At the end of each year in which the award is held, recipients must submit a brief report outlining their academic progress (including course grades), along with a statement of their future plans (e.g. returning for the second year of the programme or, if the Certificate has been completed, their intended employment plans).

Conditions

1. A completed online application must be submitted by 4.30 pm on the closing date. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. Any required supporting documentation (including references) must also be received by 4.30 pm on the closing date in order for the application to be considered.
2. All offers of the Scholarship will be conditional upon the recipient being fully enrolled in a full-year programme (full time will be at the level of points considered by Studylink as full time) within the stipulated criteria and tenure of the scholarship. No payment of the Scholarship will be made until this condition is met.
3. The Scholarship cannot be deferred to a later year.
4. The Scholarship may be held in conjunction with other awards.
5. Should the recipient withdraw from Victoria University of Wellington during the tenure of this scholarship or fail to achieve satisfactory progress, partial repayment of the Scholarship will normally be expected. Recipients must advise the Scholarships Office if they intend to withdraw.
6. Recipients are expected to act as Ambassadors for Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington and participate in appropriate events or marketing if requested.
7. At the discretion of the Deciding Authority, the application of the terms and conditions of the Scholarship may be modified in special circumstances or to avoid hardship to any candidate for the Scholarship.

Contact

Scholarships Office
scholarships-office@vuw.ac.nz
Phone 0800 04 04 04