November 26, 2015
Massey PhDs overcome challenges
Degrees being awarded to 48 Maori by Massey University today are seen as a triumph for the resilience and determination of the students and their whanau.
The caps include 11 PhDs, the largest group of Maori doctoral candidates graduated by Massey at any one time, with the students having shown their research mettle across a wire range of disciplines and subjects.
The director of the university’s academy for Maori research and scholarship, Huia Jahnke, says in the main Maori are older than other students.
She says they’ve had to fight Government policies aimed at a quick transition from school to tertiary study and getting people through and qualified as quickly as possible.
"When you’re an older student there are other things, there are family, health all of those things. A lot of these people have got young families. Not a lot are single people. You can't do this kind of work without the support of families because it can be quite a lonely experience. We are really really proud of all our students and this year with our 11 Phd's it's a magnificent outcome, Professor Jahnke says.
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