Ruth and Roger Hopkins PhD Scholarship in Accounting and Financial Governance
History and purpose
This scholarship was established through the Victoria University of Wellington Foundation in 2024 from a generous bequest by Mrs Ruth Hopkins and Emeritus Professor Roger Hopkins. They chose to leave their bequest to benefit PhD students who are researching in the areas of Accounting and Financial Governance, in the School of Accounting and Commercial Law at Victoria University of Wellington.
Roger, who led the way in establishing accounting as a professional career in New Zealand, chose academia so that he could use his passion to inspire others. He graduated as New Zealand’s first PhD in Accountancy. As a young man, he was inspired by Richard Mattessich, a professor in accounting at the University of British Colombia. Richard became a mentor for Roger throughout his career. Motivated by this experience, Roger and Ruth sought to create more opportunities with their gift.
Who is eligible?
- Applicants must be enrolled or intending to enrol full time in a PhD in the School of Accounting and Commercial Law.
- Both domestic and international students are eligible to apply.
- Students who have already received the scholarship, are eligible to reapply.
Selection criteria
- Selection will be made primarily on academic merit.
Application process
Applicants must meet the entry requirements for Doctoral study at Victoria University of Wellington. Please refer to Wellington Faculty of Graduate Research.
New Doctoral applicants should complete the Doctoral Admission and Scholarship online application and clearly indicate they wish to apply for the Ruth and Roger Hopkins PhD Scholarship in Accounting and Financial Governance.
Applicants may be requested to supply evidence of financial hardship if applicable, and any other documentation they wish to be considered by the committee, such as personal statements or character references, to assist their application.
Selection process
Selection will be made by the Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington Research Scholarships Committee, in consultation with relevant academics from the School of Accounting and Commercial Law (if required).
Additional information
- The scholarship will be paid directly to the student as monthly instalments over the tenure of the scholarship.
- At the committee’s discretion, the scholarship can be awarded in full to one successful applicant or split equally to two successful applicants annually.
- A thank you letter must be written to the Foundation within one month of receiving the scholarship, to be forwarded to family of Ruth and Roger Hopkins.
- A Progress Report must be submitted at the end of the year outlining the recipient’s progress, to be forwarded to family of Ruth and Roger Hopkins.
Conditions
- 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.
- 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.
- The Scholarship cannot be deferred to a later year.
- The Scholarship may be held in conjunction with other awards.
- 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.
- Recipients are expected to act as Ambassadors for Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington and participate in appropriate events or marketing if requested.
- 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.