Emerging scientist scholarship ‘a fantastic opportunity’ for NMIT aquaculture student

The Emerging Scientist Scholarship, which was open to undergraduate students in New Zealand, comes with a $6000 stipend and a 10-week placement at the Cawthron Institute in Nelson over the summer.

During the placement, Effie will work with Cawthron scientists on a research project looking at the effects of exercise on juvenile chinook salmon performance.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to get further hands-on experience over a long time,” Effie says “I always enjoy any work within industry. Working with experienced scientists is great as you can ask lots of questions and learn specific procedures.”

The Cawthron Foundation summer scholarships were established to support the future of scientific discovery and provide experiences for New Zealand’s future innovators.

They are specifically designed to provide a balance of hands-on learning experiences and scientific excellence.

Effie is currently in her second year of the Bachelor of Aquaculture and Marine Conservation at NMIT.

The three-year degree programme prepares graduates for a wide range of roles in the aquaculture and marine conservation industry, including business management, research and development, local government, and policy advisory roles.

NMIT has close ties with the Cawthron Institute and Effie had the opportunity to do a two-week placement with them in her first year, so she’s familiar with the staff and work environment.

She says having industry experience with such a renowned institution is valuable for her CV and future career.

Effie intends to use the research project at the Cawthron Institute for her dissertation, which is a major component of the aquaculture degree.

She says she’s excited about the hands-on learning she’ll experience during the placement and the opportunity to follow a real-world research project from start to finish.

Aquaculture is the fastest-growing primary industry in the world, which makes it a great option for students who are interested in science, innovation, marine life, and sustainability.

Students can study the New Zealand Certificate in Sustainable Aquaculture (levels 3 and 4) at NMIT for free under the government’s Targeted Training Apprenticeship Fund.

These programmes cover the fundamentals of sustainable aquaculture systems, hatchery management, and fish farming and prepare graduates to undertake further study or work in the industry.

Effie says NMIT is a great place to study if you’re interested in a career in aquaculture.

“It’s really good, it’s really interactive. It sets you up so you have everything you need and you have the experience to actually get a job.”

The next intake for the Sustainable Aquaculture certificate programmes is February 22. To learn more, visit nmit.ac.nz/aquaculture(external link)