Pakistani PhD scholars Nasir Rasheed, Amna Farrukh and Israr Wahid.
Under an agreement established in 2005 with the Higher Education Commission (HEC) in Pakistan, Massey University has now welcomed over 100 Pakistani PhD candidates to study at its three campuses.
While the students pay full fees for their doctoral programmes, each receives a $9000 research grant from the HEC. Last month, Massey welcomed Amna Farrukh, the 100th Pakistani PhD candidate to arrive under the scheme. She was joined at the Auckland campus by Nasir Rasheed and Israr Wahid, the 99th and 101st HEC scholars.
“To be the 100th Pakistani to receive an HEC research grant is an honour and I feel overwhelmed,” Ms Amna says. “This really shows that Massey provides a conducive environment for higher education and scientific research.”
Ms Amna, whose thesis is focused on lean manufacturing and quality management, will be based at the School of Engineering. She says she is looking forward to being part of a multidisciplinary research environment.
“To work in the industrial sector in my area of study, and to learn from the experiences of the people already working in this sector is very exciting,” she says. “And as a female, I appreciate that I can enjoy a balanced work lifestyle here with my family.”
Ms Amna says she is also looking forward to learning more about New Zealand culture and seeing the country.
“The people of New Zealand are welcoming and helpful so I am sure it will be one of the best times of my life. The beauty, nature and the landscapes of New Zealand are astonishing and I am looking forward to enjoying this phase of my life.”
Ms Amna, Mr Rasheed and Mr Wahid are the first Pakistani scholars of a group of 10 to 12 accepted into the programme this year. Sixty-six PhD candidates have already completed their theses, and many have already returned to Pakistan to contribute to the tertiary education sector and government research organisations there.