Picture / Unitec Applications are open for the two trans scholarships Unitec announced during Auckland Pride. The Auckland tertiary provider says the scholarships for Semester 2 this year are “to help develop more inclusive learning environments for gender diverse students”. They came as a direct result of a challenge by Unitec lecturer Herewini Easton at the Auckland Pride dawn ceremony in February. He highlighted the difficulties faced by trans students, describing for instance, the reluctance of many to apply for scholarships which currently are designated for male and for female students. "They don't always feel comfortable applying within those definitions," he said. "They often feel embarrassed or shy." His employer quickly fronted with an announcement two scholarships would be made available in July. The scholarships are for either $2,000 toward course costs for full time study, or $1,000 for part time. Scholarship recipients will be hosted by the Ally Network, a group of staff and students who work to build an inclusive environment for diverse sexualities and genders at Unitec. “The Network will be a welcoming group responsible for linking recipients up with services and people who will support success at Unitec. The Network is interested in what helps support success for scholarship recipients so they can further develop inclusive learning environments,” Unitec says. Applications need to be studying in a programme at least a year long either full-time or part-time at Unitec, be a domestic student and identify as trans, a definition which includes all gender-diverse people. Applications close 1 August – find out more here
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Thursday, 17th July 2014 - 9:55am