New Zealand-ASEAN Scholars Awards: Indonesia

Open to eligible candidates from the public, private and civil society sectors. The New Zealand-ASEAN Scholars Awards seek to empower individuals with the knowledge, skills and qualifications to contribute to sustainable economic, social and political development within ASEAN nations.

Background

The New Zealand-ASEAN Scholars Awards seek to make a substantial contribution to the ASEAN region’s development by providing opportunities for postgraduate study (i.e. Postgraduate Diploma, Master’s degree and doctorate/PhD) in New Zealand. The New Zealand-ASEAN Scholars Awards (NZ-AS) are part of the New Zealand’s official development assistance to the ASEAN region. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), through the New Zealand Aid Programme, delivers this scholarships scheme. Under the NZ-AS scheme, up to 170 scholarships are available to candidates from ASEAN countries. From the total of 170, up to 50 scholarships per annum are available for Indonesian applicants.

Themes

The NZ-AS offers fields of study in support of sustainable economic development, especially on agriculture, renewable energy (geothermal) and disaster risk management. Competitive candidates should be able to demonstrate how their proposed course of study will contribute to Indonesia’s development strategies and needs.

Targeted Candidates

The New Zealand Aid Programme welcomes applicants from Indonesia who demonstrate leadership and academic excellence from the public and private sectors including, civil society, university lecturers, development-focused organisations and charitable foundations. Additional priority will be given to applicants with the following backgrounds:

1. Geographic area: Individuals from eastern Indonesia (West Nusa Tenggara, East Nusa Tenggara, Maluku, North Maluku, Papua and West Papua). Eastern Indonesia is a geographic area of focus in New Zealand’s bilateral development programme in recognition of many development challenges faced within these sub-regions compared to most other parts of the archipelago. The New Zealand Aid Programme has had a longstanding association in eastern Indonesia and we believe it is important to continue that commitment through developing human capital needs so the sub-region can progress and make the most of the opportunities that exist in these provinces for development.
2. Government departments: Individuals from the Ministries of Agriculture, Forestry, Mineral Resources and Energy, and Marine Resources and Fisheries (including relevant research institutions under those Ministries); Environment; Tourism; Education; Foreign Affairs; National Police; National Agency for Planning and Development; and Ministry of Defence (civilian officials).

Scholarships Benefits

Return air travel, full tuition fees, an establishment allowance upon arrival in New Zealand, and a living allowance to cover day to day costs, medical and travel insurance.

Where you can study

Auckland University of Technology (AUT); Lincoln University; Massey University; Unitec; University of Auckland; University of Canterbury; University of Otago; Victoria University of Wellington and University of Waikato.

General Eligibility Criteria

• be a citizen of Indonesia and have resided in Indonesia for at least two years at the time of application;
• not have citizenship/permanent residence status for New Zealand, Australia or another developed country, and not be married or engaged to be married to a person who holds citizenship or permanent residence status of New Zealand, Australian or another developed country;
• not hold or have held a New Zealand Government or Australian Government scholarship in the preceding 24 months at the time of application;
• preferably be under 40 years of age at the time of application for Masters, and under 45 years of age for PhD level;
• not be seeking support for a degree programme already commenced;
• not hold a qualification at a similar level or in a similar field of study at similar level (note: this means holders of bachelor’s degrees should apply for Masters or PhD, and Masters graduates should apply for PhD study);
• English Language requirements: have a minimum IELTS (academic) results of 5.5 overall, with no band less than 5.0 or a TOEFL score of more than 513 (result to be no older than 24 months at time of application and international test result preferred);
• be available to take up the scholarships in the calendar year for which the scholarship is offered;
• hold a bachelor’s degree of strong academic merit that is relevant to the proposed post graduate qualification (note: the New Zealand Aid Programme gives preference to those candidates who hold a graduate degree from Indonesian institutions rather than from a developed country);
• a minimum of two years’ work experience;
• be able to demonstrate a strong commitment to Indonesia’s public sector and/or private sector and/or community sector (as relevant), and to the development of Indonesia in general;
• satisfy the admission requirements of the New Zealand institution in which the degree programme is to be undertaken (including English language criteria);
• satisfy New Zealand Government immigration requirements for international student entry to New Zealand (such as medical and character checks);
• Women candidates are encouraged to apply.

Selection Criteria

Strong academic merit; demonstrated professional and personal leadership attributes; demonstrated developmental benefits to Indonesia; consideration of the following: balance between public and private/civil society sectors, gender and geographical spread and fit with the objectives of the Indonesia-New Zealand bilateral development cooperation programme.

Application and Selection process

• Applicants must indentify their desired university and course, and should assess their likelihood of meeting the university’s entry requirements before submitting their scholarship application;
• Applicants are required to submit two applications completed in English (one original and one copy) to PT. Austraining Nusantara. PhD candidates must also include evidence of correspondence with a potential supervisor. If a letter of offer has been received from the university, this should also be submitted;
• Applications will be assessed and a shortlist will be drawn up for consideration by a selection committee in Indonesia. Candidates might be contacted for an interview;
• A final decision will be made regarding selection of candidates;
• Successful candidates will be informed of the outcome and a formal letter will be sent to those selected for an NZ-AS scholarship.

Timeframe

• 11 April 2012: closing date for applications to be submitted to PTAN
• August/September 2012: for short listed candidates, interview and IELTS test administered
• September 2012: final decision made on selection of candidates
• October/November 2012: successful candidates informed and letter of offer sent out
• January 2013: pre-departure briefing, English language training commences (for successful candidates who need to take ELT)
• February/June 2013: departure to New Zealand

Contact for further information

Managing Service Contractor for New Zealand ASEAN Scholar Awards in Indonesia:

PT. Austraining Nusantara (PTAN)

PO Box 1808
Jakarta Pusat 10018
Tel: 021 52920810
Fax: 021-5292 0818
Email: nzas.info@cbn.net.id

Embassy Website

New Zealand Aid Programme Website

Embassy Facebook

Attachment
Contact_details_NZ_institutions.DOC
ASEAN_scholars_awards_application_form.pdf