THANK YOU VERY MUCH to the alumni, faculty, and students who attended the Manaaki New Zealand Postgraduate Scholarship Forum on December 2, 2025, at the College Library of the Rizal Memorial Colleges, Davao City.
For those who missed the event, another session will be offered online (via Zoom) in January or February 2026—a great opportunity to catch up and learn more. (The announcement will be posted on this page, and those who had registered will be emailed by Mr. Amado S. Ancla, RMC’s Director of the Office of Alumni Relations and Scholarship.)
Prof. Antonio A. Solomon, Jr., RMC’s Focal Person for Internalization, welcomed the guests and participants on behalf of the RMC Administration.
We were honored by the presence of New Zealand Deputy Ambassador Stacey Kwant, who shared many wonderful insights about New Zealand and its warm, welcoming people. One of the most striking things she mentioned was that all universities in New Zealand belong to the Top 2% globally. This means Filipino scholars studying there are assured of a world-class postgraduate education.
Also present was NZ IDC Manager Dyan Mabunga, a delightful, Davao-born, Bisaya-speaking officer of the New Zealand Embassy. She offered valuable tips on how to excel in the scholarship application and selection process. What resonated most was her emphasis on AUTHENTICITY in answering essay questions. They look for brilliance, yes—but reviewers and interviewers can recognize genuine, sincere applicants. She also highlighted that the scholarship is fully funded—you pay nothing—and even costs such as IELTS and visa application fees are reimbursed.
We also heard from Rey Romano Solis, a Food Technologist from the Davao Region and a current Manaaki scholar. He shared his joys and struggles during the application journey, the privileges of being a scholar, and the enriching experience of learning the culture of New Zealand’s Kiwi community. He even mentioned that in the area where he studies, there are days when free groceries are distributed—a delightful bonus for students abroad.
Honorary Consul for Mindanao, Vic Lao, was likewise in attendance. Though he did not give a formal presentation, his passion for encouraging more applicants from Mindanao was evident in our private conversation.
We were reminded that the application process is highly competitive, with thousands of applicants nationwide vying for only 44 available slots.
You are strongly encouraged to make time for this Zoom meeting because scholarship applications will open on 1 March 2026 and will close on 31 March 2026 (NZT). (A new technology system—Anamata—is currently being developed to support the application process.)
The good news is that you can already begin exploring potential programs. Below are several websites you may visit, especially if you want to review options available for applicants from the Philippines. Be sure to check the sections specific to the Philippines.
https://www.studywithnewzealand.govt.nz/en
