Nine young New Zealanders have been selected for the Meat Industry Association scholarship programme for 2024.
Three post-graduate and six undergraduate students from Christchurch, Gore, Lumsden, Waikawa (Southland) Timaru, Ngāruawāhia, Dargaville and Feilding, have joined the programme, alongside nine returning scholars.
Every year, the Meat Industry Association (MIA) provides scholarships of $5000 per annum for undergraduates and $10,000 a year for post-graduate students.
All are tertiary students, studying a subject relevant to the red meat processing industry and planning a career in the sector beyond the farm gate.
This year’s new scholars are pursuing subjects including mechanical engineering, environmental management, commerce, global management and marketing and agribusiness and food marketing.
Returning scholars include undergraduates, and post-graduates undertaking Master’s and PhD research in areas including food-borne pathogens and prevention of injuries in the sector.
MIA chief executive Sirma Karapeeva said that the industry needs to continue to recruit ambitious and highly skilled people to grow.
“This scholarship programme provides an important pathway for school leavers, undergraduate and graduate students into the New Zealand meat processing industry. Every MIA scholar has the potential to become future leaders in the sector.”
As well as financial support, MIA scholars benefit from the organisation’s mentoring programme and participation in a range of industry events and networking opportunities. Assistance may also be provided to help them to secure vacation or part-time work in the meat processing industry.
The new MIA scholars for 2024 are:
Post-graduate
Sophie Ridd, from Feilding, Master’s in Global Management and Marketing, Lincoln University
Kelly-Anne Bentley, from Ashburton, Master’s degree working on identifying biomarkers in lamb meat, Lincoln University
Kelsi Hayes, from Waikawa, Southland, Master’s in Environmental Management, Massey University.
Undergraduate
Oliver Stark, from Gore, Mechanical Engineering, University of Canterbury
Fynn Mitchell, from Lumsden, Commerce majoring in operations and supply chain management, Lincoln University
Emily Irwin, from Gore, Agribusiness and Food Marketing, Lincoln University
Wiseson Kuang, from Timaru, Commerce majoring in international business, minor finance, University of Canterbury
Thomas Hayward, from Te Ākau, Waikato, Law and Commerce majoring in operations and supply chain management, Lincoln University
Angus Bradley, from Dargaville, Commerce majoring in finance and accounting, specialising in agriculture, Lincoln University
