The New Zealand Embassy in Vietnam recently announced 30 New Zealand-ASEAN scholarships for full-time postgraduate-level study available for Vietnamese students.

The scholarships will cover all expenses for studying in New Zealand, including flight tickets, tuition fees and living expenses.

The academic award responds to Vietnam’s priority needs in agricultural development, renewable energy, disaster risk management, public sector management, private sector development and education.

Ambassador Haike Manning said his country has welcomed a number of Vietnamese students over the last 50 years, gradually becoming a popular academic destination for the Southeast Asian nation.

The scholarships are part of New Zealand’s efforts to facilitate the Vietnamese Government to enhance domestic human resources, he added.

The New Zealand-ASEAN Scholar Programme has offered up to 180 scholarships to ten ASEAN member states each year in a bid to empower individuals with knowledge, skills and qualifications to contribute to the socio-economic and political development across the region.

Vietnam and New Zealand established bilateral diplomatic relations in June 1975 and will celebrate the 40 th anniversary of their ties this year.-VNA