School students born in New Zealand and educated in Tauranga can now apply for a 2024 tertiary scholarship from the Otumoetai Lions Taiwan Education Trust.

The trust – formed by Taiwanese settler Yuh Ming Wu and sisters Sing Yuh Liao and Pih Chu Shih in 1997 – has offered scholarships to local students annually for 25 years.

“Yuh Ming Wu was president of our Otumoetai Lions Club at the time. That’s the connection,” says Otumoetai Lion and trust secretary Robert Miller.

“He created the trust, with the Lions being administrators. So far the trust has granted $76,000 to 82 scholarship applicants.”

Robert says the trust is now calling Tauranga youth to apply for the 2024 round of scholarships.

The main criteria is applicants are born in New Zealand and educated in Tauranga.

“The scholarship is on offer to those going to tertiary education – preferably undertaking a medical degree. However, there is scope to grant a scholarship to those undertaking other degrees, depending on who applies.”

Applications close Monday, December 4, and interviews will be held in early-January. From here the trust decides much funds to give away for 2024, and how many applicants are successful – usually two or three.

Application forms are at local colleges and high schools, or those interested can email Robert for an application form at: syderstone@xtra.co.nz