Scholarships help ambitious students make a difference

Chris (left) and Saahil (right) are both Kelly Scholarship recipients

Clear career goals and a commitment to community work have seen two University of Auckland Business School undergraduate students scoop valuable Kelly Scholarships, aimed at helping students who demonstrate high academic and leadership promise.

Saahil Juvale, currently enrolled in a conjoint bachelor of commerce and bachelor of science and Chris Familton, who has recently completed his third year of a conjoint bachelor of arts and bachelor of commerce, won two of the nine scholarships available in 2004.

Worth a total of $2 million, the scholarships will be awarded annually for the next 15-20 years and are designed to support undergraduate and graduate students to study at the Business School.

For Saahil, business was always a clear study option.

"I have always been fascinated by business and the prospect of trading shares on the stock market, helping businesses realise their full potential, designing processes to improve efficiency and creating information systems that make full use of the latest technologies.

"My study at The University of Auckland Business School have provided me with a huge range of opportunities and given me the skills I need to get out into the business world and start experiencing what it is all about."

Saahil says he has always been taught to care for others within the community and help those less fortunate.

"Humanitarian efforts offer help to people in need as well as create pride within oneself. I want to provide encouragement and support to others wherever I can to help them achieve their goals."

The scholarship committee was similarly impressed by Chris' commitment to creating positive outcomes for others.

He coaches tennis and, for the past two years, has been involved with the MATES (Mentoring and Tutoring Education Scheme) programme, a project run jointly by The University of Auckland and The Pacific Foundation. University students mentor Year 12 to Year 13 secondary school students to raise achievement and foster their aspirations to tertiary study.

Chris says the programme is all about providing motivation, guidance and support to students who are selected by the schools for their potential. "It is definitely something I could have benefited from when I was at high school."

A severe bout of glandular fever kept Chris away from school for half of his final year.

"Fortunately I was still able to enroll at The University of Auckland and I haven't looked back. 

With the Business School and Paul Kelly Scholarships, both students are well on their way to achieving their ambitions.

For more information on study at The University of Auckland Business School visit www.business.auckland.ac.nz