Mighty River Power and the Lake Taupo Promotional Association, host of the annual Lake Taupo International Trout Fishing Competition sponsored by the company, are offering the only environmental scholarships available exclusively to postgraduate students undertaking research in the Taupo region.
The scholarships are part of a $10,000 fund, which Mighty River Power and the Association have set aside to foster environmental research and education in the region.
The greater part of the fund will be given as a scholarship to one or two postgraduate students, while the balance will be used to fund course development in Taupo colleges at year 13 level.
The postgraduate scholarships will be available to students at any tertiary institution in New Zealand, providing their research is related to the natural and physical resources within the Lake Taupo catchment area.
As well as scientific and ecological areas of study, research could also cover the effect of people and their activities on the natural resources and environment.
Mike Kedian, General Manager Generation Resources, says the scholarships are a great way to reaffirm the company's commitment to environmental sustainability.
"The Taupo catchment area is hugely important to Mighty River Power and we are delighted to be able to support environmental research and education in the region in this way.
"By funding both postgraduate research and development of resources at a secondary school level, a range of Taupo people will benefit from sharing our knowledge.
"Setting aside part of this fund for course development at Year 13 level will enable young people of the Taupo area to use investigations that Mighty River Power has already undertaken to further utilise the resources in their backyards," said Mike.
The scholarship will be available for the 2003 academic year.