The Confucius Institute in Auckland in cooperation with China's Ministry of Education, offers up to 10 scholarships for advanced Chinese language study in China each year. Previously managed by Asia:NZ and administered in New Zealand by AUT University (AUT), the scholarships will be awarded for the eighth time in August 2007 (for study beginning in February or March 2008, depending on the academic calendar of the university to be attended) and annually thereafter.

Eligibility

• Applicants must have completed, within the past five years, or be in the final year of, a BA (or higher) in Chinese at a New Zealand tertiary institution
• Applicants must be eligible to hold a New Zealand passport
• Shortlisted applicants will be required to provide evidence that they have no medical problems which could impact on their year of study in China
• Final placement in a Chinese university will be the prerogative of the China Scholarship Council
• Current and past China Scholarship holders are eligible to re-apply

Selection

The Confucius Institute will convene a panel of tertiary experts in Chinese to award scholarships. Selection criteria include:

• Academic excellence in Chinese and other subjects
• Strength of references
• Evidence of applicant's commitment to achieving a high level of proficiency in Chinese
• The degree to which Chinese language skills are part of applicant's future work or study plans
• Evidence of applicant's ability to adapt to living and studying in another culture
• Involvement in community and extracurricular activities

The panel reserves the right to make reasonable enquiries in relation to information contained in the scholarship applications. There will be no interviews and the selection panel's decision will be final. If, in the opinion of the selection panel, no applicant of sufficient merit has applied in any year, the scholarship will not be offered in that year. Successful applicants will be asked to state their preferred university placements from a list of approximately 71 Chinese universities. Final placements will be made by the China Scholarship Council and may not be challenged.

Value and Tenure of Award

The scholarships cover the students tuition fees, shared accommodation and medical care during the agreed period of study. A stipend of approximately 1,100 RMB/month contributes to meals and study materials. Students will be responsible for their own airfares to and from China, insurance, required pre-departure medical examination, visa fees, and for any other expenses not explicitly covered by the scholarship.

The stipend will be paid monthly by China's Ministry of Education. Current and past scholarship holders are eligible to re-apply for the scholarship in subsequent years.

Conditions of Tenure

The successful applicants will be required to:

• Sign a contract regarding the scholarship's terms and conditions
• Comply with the rules and regulations of the China Scholarship Council
• Attend an award function, if requested, and cooperate with any promotional publicity related to the scholarship
• Provide AUT with interim and final reports on their scholarship (guidelines will be provided)

Read reports from previous China Scholarship recipients here. 

Applications

For further information, please contact:

Nora Yao
Confucius Institute in Auckland
The University of Auckland
Private Bag 92019
Auckland
Telephone: + 64 9 373 7599 ext 87532
Fax: + 64 9 373 7411
Email: n.yao@auckland.ac.nz