(Picture caption: Apply now on the MPP website for a Toloa Secondary School or Tertiary Scholarship.)
Pursuing STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths) opens a world of possibilities for young Pacific people.
Landing careers in these areas are the way forward in a world driven by technology and innovation.
The Ministry for Pacific Peoples’ Toloa initiative was set up eight years ago to raise awareness and provide workforce development opportunities in STEAM areas, and the Toloa Scholarships have proved a hugely successful component of the programme.
Targeting Pacific tertiary and secondary school students, Toloa Scholarships aim to inspire and support Pacific students in their engagement with STEAM.
Applications for the 2024 Toloa Tertiary and Secondary Scholarships have recently opened, and the Toloa manager Sio Kihe La’a Talakai-Alatini is urging budding STEAM enthusiasts to grasp hold of this amazing opportunity.
“Toloa’s vision is to make a transformational impact in the communities we live in,” Sio Kihe La’a says.
“The initiative supports Pacific peoples in STEAM pathways over a whole of life approach from ECE, primary, intermediate, secondary, tertiary through to the workforce.
“Our scholarships support Pacific tertiary students in STEAM to cover one year of tuition fees and compulsory course related fees, up to $10,000.
“Secondary scholarships were established two years ago, and these have proved beneficial for our younger students, who are excited about STEAM.
“The scholarships provide $1,000 towards school and/or provider fees, a digital device and wraparound support.”
Since it was established in 2015, Toloa has supported 642 Pacific students pursue their dreams in STEAM areas, and go onto become engineers, designers, veterinarians, architects, biologists and more.
“Pacific people have been underrepresented in the STEAM fields for a long time and we are working hard to change this scenario,” Sio Kihe La’a says.
“Our goal is to shift Pacific peoples into STEAM employment from 2.8 percent to eight percent by 2028.
“This is what Toloa is all about - about giving our young people the skills they need to succeed in a fast-changing world, and ensuring they have the opportunities and are not swept aside by the tide of technological change engulfing the world.
“It is about ensuring they have the skills and confidence to meet the challenge of the new and reap the benefits of a brilliant future.”
Toloa Scholarship applications are open until October 30.
Visit the MPP website for more information and to apply.