Fulbright NZ launches alumni campaign to raise funds for new award

Fulbright New Zealand has launched a campaign to establish an additional award - the Fulbright Alumni Award.

Prime Minister Helen Clark and Harriet Fulbright

The award will recognise the top New Zealand graduate student each year and will enable the recipient to study towards a master's degree or doctorate in the United States. Fulbright New Zealand currently supports approximately 25 New Zealanders each year to carry out study and research in the US.

The fund-raising campaign was launched at an alumni event at Old Government House in Auckland by Harriet Fulbright, widow of the founder of the Fulbright Programme, Senator J William Fulbright. The event was also attended by US Ambassador Charles Swindells, Tertiary Education Minister, Hon Steve Maharey, and over 70 alumni and and friends.

Fulbright New Zealand's Executive Director, Jennifer Gill says the goal is to increase the capital base of the Fulbright New Zealand Trust from $400,000 to $1 million over the next five years. The interest will enable the establishment of the new award.

L to R: Tony Andrews of MFAT, Fulbright New Zealand's Executive Director Jennifer Gill, Harriet Fulbright and Roy Fergusion of MFAT (also Fulbright Alumnus and Board Member) at a powhiri held for Mrs Fulbright at MFAT Marae

"The new Alumni Award will offer the opportunity for even more young New Zealanders to develop their talents at the beginning of their careers and take part in this life changing experience.

"It will also ensure that New Zealand keeps pace with developments in fields as diverse as the natural and physical sciences, the arts, multimedia communications, engineering and business."

This was Mrs Fulbright's third trip to New Zealand. In addition to launching the Fulbright New Zealand Alumni Campaign, she attended a powhiri at the new marae in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, had an informal meeting with the Prime Minister, raise funds for new award attended a dance performance by Senior Scholar Andrea Olsen and her students at Pataka Arts Museum in Porirua and visited the Community Arts Programme at Auckland West Prison.

Fulbright New Zealand will be holding alumni events this year throughout New Zealand.

Harriet Fulbright's speech

Harriet Fulbright's speech is available as a PDF:

Harriet Fulbright's speech:

hfulbright-speech-2003.pdf (96k)

Photos

View the Fulbright NZ Alumni Campaign launch photos.

Fulbright NZ Alumni Campaign

Find out how you can make a contribution to the Fulbright NZ Alumni Campaign.