(Picture caption: Applications for the 2023 Toloa Tertiary and Secondary School Scholarships are now open. Visit the MPP website for more information.)
The 2023 Toloa Fund will allow more Pacific people to put their hand up and be noticed in the world of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and maths).
For the past seven years, the Toloa programme has provided funding opportunities for young Pacific people to thrive in STEAM, and it has evolved into one of the Ministry for Pacific Peoples’ (MPP) most diverse and inclusive initiatives.
In July 2021, Minister for Pacific Peoples Hon Aupito William Sio says he was presented with a roadmap, highlighting the key gaps to grow Pacific peoples into STEAM employment from 2.8 percent to eight percent by 2028.
“Toloa’s vision is for Pacific people to be engaged and excelling in STEAM education,” Minister Sio adds.
“I want them participating in and leading STEAM activities, I want to see our Pasifika young people employed in the STEAM sector; and working at the forefront of STEAM innovation.
“The Toloa Fund is helping us to achieve these goals.”
Last year, 50 tertiary students received scholarships up to $10,000 to cover study costs for their STEAM-related courses, and an additional 238 secondary school students received $2,000 to cover school costs in the inaugural year of the Toloa Secondary School Scholarship Fund.
The Toloa Fund has grown from strength to strength in recent years and Minister Sio says past scholars are now Pacific veterinarians, engineers, aerospace scientists and biologists, making their presence felt in the workforce.
“We are looking to continue this momentum into next year, offering similar numbers of scholarships – a golden opportunity for Pacific Aotearoa,” he says.
Applications for the 2023 Toloa Tertiary and Secondary Scholarship Funds opened on July 8 and will remain open until August 5.
Visit the MPP website for more information about the Toloa Fund.