Teresia’s scholarship fund close to target
“Being a Pacific Islander to me means having this incredible heritage…the Pacific Ocean…our ancestors found it, settled it…it’s a gift that we have a responsibility to look after with our minds, our hearts, our spirits.” (Associate Professor Teresia Teaiwa)
In the year since the passing of our friend and colleague Associate Professor Teresia Teaiwa, the Teresia Teaiwa Memorial Scholarship Fund, established to offer two scholarships in Pacific Studies each year, has grown steadily.
Reflecting Teresia’s commitment to supporting Pasifika students, the scholarships will provide targeted financial support and honour her work as a pioneer in this field through enabling students to study as a member of the Va'aomanū Pasifika community. Teresia developed the world's first undergraduate degree in Pacific Studies at Victoria and was a widely celebrated scholar, colleague and friend.
To ensure two scholarships (one undergraduate and one postgraduate) can be offered per year, the Fund aims to raise $280,000. Thanks to the generosity of Teresia’s family and friends, more than $140,000 has already been raised and the University has now matched the family’s contribution of $100,000, taking the total raised to over $240,000. We are very close to meeting the overall goal and need your support to ensure Teresia’s wish can be realised well into the future.
Professor Jennifer Windsor, Pro Vice-Chancellor of the Faculties of Humanities and Social Sciences, and Education, says she is proud that the University has decided to match the funds donated by Teresia’s family. “Teresia was a remarkable academic and an inspirational teacher—she was committed to making a difference to the next generation of Pacific leaders. These scholarships will allow her legacy to live on and I’m delighted that we are now so close to the target.”
Help us honour Teresia’s legacy by making a gift online or contacting Development Manager Corinne Barnard (corinne.barnard@vuw.ac.nz; 04-463-6479) for more information.