We were excited to have the chance to meet the inaugural recipient of our new Infratec Scholarship for Māori, Pasifika and Women in Renewable Energy Systems Engineering, Tītoki Salabuli Jones.

Tītoki started his first year of study in Te Herenga Waka / Victoria University of Wellington in February, and is planning to specialise in Renewable Energy Systems in his third year.

Tītoki’s main interest is in developing renewable energy systems that will create better outcomes for indigenous communities, “My goal as someone who is both Māori and Pasifika, is to represent and progress in the field of renewable energy, especially for our indigenous groups where there is the greatest inequity. My aspiration is to work in local primarily schools with large numbers of Māori and Pasifika students, where I can make a positive impact on their lives.”

Tītoki firmly believes immediate change is required to support renewable energy programmes to ensure we are prioritising those who are our future. The Infratec Scholarship provides an exciting and meaningful pathway to help him realise his goal.

Tītoki visited Infratec’s offices in Wellington along with Professor Alan Brent, Head of the Renewable Energy Systems Programme, and met with GM for Business Development, Nick Bibby and Programme Advisor, Kitty Garden.

Applications for next year’s scholarship are open until September 15th 2022 – see https://bit.ly/Infratec-Scholarship for more information.

This scholarship is for Māori, Pasifika or women students majoring in Electrical and Electronic Engineering in the Bachelor of Engineering with Honours programme with an intention to choose a specialisation in Renewable Energy Systems Engineering in their third year. It offers a stipend of $6,000 per year for the first three years of study, and a paid internship with Infratec at the end of the second year of study.