Rua Bioscience is inspiring the next generation of East Coast scientists, researchers, communicators and entrepreneurs through its internship and scholarship programmes.
Chief executive Rob Mitchell says the company seeks out extraordinary people who embody their kaupapa and relish the idea of sharing their expertise.
Trust Tairāwhiti supported the Rua Bioscience Community Capability Development Programme with a funding commitment of $50,000 over
two years. This supported the scholarship programme He Ara Atawhai, a careers booklet and visual series highlighting careers pathways taken by
Rua Bioscience staff and the internship programme He Ara Ahumahi (An Industry Pathway).
Rob Mitchell says the scholarship programme allows Rua Bioscience to reward rangatahi who are committed to making transformational change in their communities while also encouraging them to seek higher education with an eye to careers in health sciences.
The first scholarships were awarded in 2020 to six outstanding Ngāti Porou rangatahi, and in 2021, with the support of Trust Tairāwhiti, numbers doubled and included kura in Tūranganui-ā-Kiwa.
The impacts of these programmes align with
He Rangitapu He Tohu Ora and deliver the Trust’s aspirations for rewarding career pathways for young people, as well as building diversity and resilience in our regional economy.