Unitec scholars prepare for four-week study programme in Mexico
Six of our domestic students have been awarded the Prime Minister’s Scholarship for Latin America (PMSLA).
They are: Georgia Nicole Alofa (Bachelor of Social Practice), Ritisha Pratap (Bachelor of Construction), Sahaam Al-Muhaisen (Bachelor of Social Practice), Trae McGregor (Bachelor of Computing Systems), Ian Ratusau (Bachelor of Architectural Studies), and Mikah BatachEl (Bachelor of Performing and Screen Arts).
Our ākonga will travel to Mexico in January where they will undertake a four-week study programme focused on the local culture at one of our longstanding partner institutions, Tec de Monterrey.
The scholarship is funded by Education New Zealand (ENZ) and supports educational and cultural exchange between New Zealand and Latin America.
A whakawhanaungatanga gathering was held in the presence of family members and kaimahi at Te Noho Kotahitanga Marae on Tuesday to acknowledge the students and present them with special pounamu.
“This is the first opportunity of its kind for our students to visit South America and a prestigious milestone for them as they continue to build their academic and professional careers,” says International Mobility and Relationship Manager, Sharon Roopa.
“We wanted to celebrate our students selected and acknowledge the mahi that has supported this programme. This was their chance to meet key staff, build relationships, and come together before they depart for their study programme in Mexico.”
According to Ms Roopa, our International Marketing team received thirty applications from students across Unitec. From there, the team ran a two-stage selection process involving an online application and face-to-face panel interviews.
“The students selected demonstrated not only strong academic capability, but also the maturity, cultural awareness, and personal qualities needed to represent Unitec, ENZ, and New Zealand with pride,” Ms Roopa explains.
“You are the lucky, chosen few. Please know and remember that’s an incredible privilege and you go with our support and you represent an amazing programme of opportunity to study abroad. We hope your experiences are phenomenal,” says Director Student Success, Annette Pitovao.
Our students were each given the opportunity to share what the scholarship means for them and how they planned to use it in Mexico.
“As a Social Practice student, I would like to see how my practice intercepts with indigenous practice over there looking at their relational systems and how it can merge with my own knowledge from Rarotonga and Samoa,” says Georgia Nicole Alofa.
Computing student, Trae McGregor is looking forward to sharing his Māori culture in Mexico.
“I’m proud of who I am and I love sharing it with others and that is what I plan to do with this opportunity when I am in Mexico to learn from them and share my culture,” says Trae.
First year Architectural Studies student Ian Ratusau is grateful for the opportunity to experience another country.
“Getting this scholarship means a lot to me and blessed for the opportunity. It shows what’s possible. I am Fijian-Rotuman, and I just want to share the love that I’ve received since moving to New Zealand with those I meet in Mexico,” he says.
“I’m a final year Building Construction student and I feel privileged for this opportunity where I will go there and observe their building and sustainability practices,” says Ritisha Pratap, who is proud of her Indo-Fijian heritage.
Contemporary Dance student, Mikah BatachEl says receiving the scholarship is life changing for her.
“I’ve always wanted to travel and see the world but due to financial barriers I couldn’t. I’m looking forward to learning more about their dance culture and maybe teaching them some of the dance we learn here in Aotearoa,” she explains.
Social Practice ākonga, Sahaam Al-Muhaisen adds: “The main reason why I wanted to go was to learn another culture by immersing myself in their country and bring back to New Zealand what it means to be a good social practitioner who is culturally competent.”
Our students will be departing on 3 January and returning on 2 February 2026.
Our ākonga will travel to Mexico in January where they will undertake a four-week study programme focused on the local culture at one of our longstanding partner institutions, Tec de Monterrey.
The scholarship is funded by Education New Zealand (ENZ) and supports educational and cultural exchange between New Zealand and Latin America.
A whakawhanaungatanga gathering was held in the presence of family members and kaimahi at Te Noho Kotahitanga Marae on Tuesday to acknowledge the students and present them with special pounamu.
Architecture student Ian Ratusau receives a hongi greeting from Kaihautu, Hohepa Renata.
“This is the first opportunity of its kind for our students to visit South America and a prestigious milestone for them as they continue to build their academic and professional careers,” says International Mobility and Relationship Manager, Sharon Roopa.
“We wanted to celebrate our students selected and acknowledge the mahi that has supported this programme. This was their chance to meet key staff, build relationships, and come together before they depart for their study programme in Mexico.”
According to Ms Roopa, our International Marketing team received thirty applications from students across Unitec. From there, the team ran a two-stage selection process involving an online application and face-to-face panel interviews.
“The students selected demonstrated not only strong academic capability, but also the maturity, cultural awareness, and personal qualities needed to represent Unitec, ENZ, and New Zealand with pride,” Ms Roopa explains.
“You are the lucky, chosen few. Please know and remember that’s an incredible privilege and you go with our support and you represent an amazing programme of opportunity to study abroad. We hope your experiences are phenomenal,” says Director Student Success, Annette Pitovao.
Our students were each given the opportunity to share what the scholarship means for them and how they planned to use it in Mexico.
International Mobility and Relationship Manager, Sharom Roopa, addresses the students.
“As a Social Practice student, I would like to see how my practice intercepts with indigenous practice over there looking at their relational systems and how it can merge with my own knowledge from Rarotonga and Samoa,” says Georgia Nicole Alofa.
Computing student, Trae McGregor is looking forward to sharing his Māori culture in Mexico.
“I’m proud of who I am and I love sharing it with others and that is what I plan to do with this opportunity when I am in Mexico to learn from them and share my culture,” says Trae.
First year Architectural Studies student Ian Ratusau is grateful for the opportunity to experience another country.
“Getting this scholarship means a lot to me and blessed for the opportunity. It shows what’s possible. I am Fijian-Rotuman, and I just want to share the love that I’ve received since moving to New Zealand with those I meet in Mexico,” he says.
“I’m a final year Building Construction student and I feel privileged for this opportunity where I will go there and observe their building and sustainability practices,” says Ritisha Pratap, who is proud of her Indo-Fijian heritage.
Contemporary Dance student, Mikah BatachEl says receiving the scholarship is life changing for her.
“I’ve always wanted to travel and see the world but due to financial barriers I couldn’t. I’m looking forward to learning more about their dance culture and maybe teaching them some of the dance we learn here in Aotearoa,” she explains.
Social Practice ākonga, Sahaam Al-Muhaisen adds: “The main reason why I wanted to go was to learn another culture by immersing myself in their country and bring back to New Zealand what it means to be a good social practitioner who is culturally competent.”
Our students will be departing on 3 January and returning on 2 February 2026.
