In a move that could inspire community responsibility among corporate entities, a growing hotel establishment has launched a Scholarship scheme for promoting the interests of young Maori.
Sudima Lake Rotorua Hotel has launched the Programme in conjunction with the Ngati Whakaue Education Endowment Trust Board.
The Scholarships are open to descendants of an original Owner in the Pukeroa Oruawhata Block; or to descendants of one or more of the six Koromatua of Ngati Whakaue. Preference may be given to residents of the Rotorua/Maketu District who have attended at least four academic years of study in a specified secondary school in the area.
Promoting proficiency
The Scholarships aim to encourage and enable descendants to be successful employers, employees, trainers and leaders.
The Board and Sudima may award up to two Scholarships each year, with their individual term restricted to six years, subject to performance and annual review.
Launching the Scholarships at his Hotel in Rotorua on September 13, Sudima Hotels Group Chief Executive Sudesh Jhunjhnuwala described the Programme as ‘one-of-a-kind,’ to help recipients obtain qualifications in the hospitality industry, including diploma in Hotel Management, Hospitality Management and a graduate diploma in Hotel Management.
“We are keen to assist people who have initiative, leadership qualities, attitude and motivation required to succeed in the hospitality Industry and their desired course of study. We are proud to offer this Programme for the young people of the Rotorua/ Maketu Districts. Suitability and selection of the tertiary component will depend on performance of the candidates as Management Trainees,” he said.
Hospitality prospects
According to Mr Jhunjhnuwala, the criteria will allow Ngati Whakaue students keen to be employed in the hotel or hospitality Industry to undertake an approved Programme of study in the chosen vocation, following an initial employment period of one year with Sudima Hotels.
“Tertiary training will be with an accredited Industry Training Organisation or an Accredited Education Provider, where training and assessment are provided for a National (or Local) Certificate, Diploma or Degree in terms of an agreement between the candidate, the Ngati Whakaue Education Endowment Trust Board and Sudima Hotels,” he said.
A miracle
Board Chairman Malcolm Short said the Scholarship Programme will be a ‘miracle.’
“It would accord opportunities to young Maori to work and train in their hometown in a vocation that can see them travel and work all over the world is nothing short of a miracle. We are delighted that the Sudima Hotel Group has worked with us to provide such a Programme,” he said.
Noble moves
Established as a statutory charity body in 1890, the Ngati Whakaue Education Endowment Trust Board promotes secondary education in Rotorua. In October 1995, the Reserves and other Lands and Disposal Act 1995 vested all assets of the former Rotorua High Schools Board in the Endowment Board. Relevant laws, rules and regulations were later amended to enable Ngati Whakaue to pursue ‘the general purpose of education.’
Sudima Lake Rotorua belongs to the Sudima Group Hotels (which owns Sudima Christchurch Airport Hotel, Sudima Auckland Airport Hotel, Sudima Hamilton and Sudima Suites Brisbane Hotel.
Eligible candidates interested in the Scholarship Scheme may collect an application pack from Nati Whakaue Education Endowment Trust, reception desk at Pukeroa Oruawhata House or from the Human Resources Department of Sudima Lake Rotorua Hotel.
The photograph appearing here shows Sudima Hotels Operations Director, Chief Executive Sudesh Jhunjhnuwala and Ngati Whakaue Education Endowment Trust Board Chairman Malcolm Short with two prospective Maori students
