March 25, 2013
Science interns inspirational
Otago University hopes three students who took part in the first Te Hikohiko Te Uira Maori enterprise internship will inspire others to pursue careers in science.
Lisa Pohatu, Malea Zygadlo, and Marama Kainamu Wheeler spent their summer working within the New Zealand science system and meeting business, political and iwi leaders.
Richard Blaikie, the university’s deputy vice-chancellor research and enterprise, says it was a life changing experience, with two of the young women indicating it had changed their career trajectory.
He says while community-based wananga programmes are increasing the number of young Maori school pupils taking options that can lead them to study science at university, some other inspiration is often needed.
"We only took three students through this, but the idea is those three students will feed in to the next generation of students when they come back to varsity and create a 'snowball' effect – they're three outstanding leaders," says Professor Richard Blaikie.
The Te Hikohiko Te Uira Maori Enterprise Internship Programme was a collaborative venture between Otago University and crown entity Callaghan Innovation, as well as the Federation of Maori Authorities.
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