Ali’s Master’s thesis "The Gardens of Broken Shadows" aims to convey and preserve the history and identity of Palestine through architectural interventions. The scholarship from global technology company Trimble will contribute $7,000 towards Ali’s Master’s study.
“The Trimble team’s belief in me transformed my educational journey,” says Ali.
“It truly lifted the financial burden of my final year's fees, enabling me to rejoin my course in person and fully focus on my studies. I now tutor, participate in extracurricular activities, and access all the resources available on campus. Most importantly, I've had the chance to meet so many incredible people who have enriched my experience in ways I could never have imagined.”
Ali's story is one of overcoming hardship and a passion ignited by the possibilities of art. He says he is fuelled by a desire to contribute to rebuilding and developing infrastructure, with his goal being the restoration and improvement of living conditions for future generations.
“I am motivated by my identity as a third-generation Palestinian and Filipino refugee and the ongoing war in Gaza.”
Raised in Saudi Arabia, Ali was awakened to the possibilities of art when his family arrived in Rotorua in 2015.
"Saudi Arabia had been a world of numbers and equations, but in Rotorua, art surrounded me. Murals, carvings, and ta moko pulsed with life and colour. I felt compelled to explore, and a fantastic teacher became my guide. Art wasn't just a subject anymore; it was a whole new world waiting to be discovered."
This discovery inspired his journey to Te Kura Waihanga—School of Architecture. The path wasn't easy.
“My first year of Architecture was pretty rough as the course is competitive and I wasn’t yet eligible for all the student services due to issues with my documents."
This threatened to derail his dream, but Ali did not give up. "I am so thankful for all the help and support I got from my amazing friends and tutors," he says. Their encouragement, coupled with his own unwavering determination, propelled him forward.
More recently, Ali has channeled his response to the war in Palestine into a painting based on Picasso’s Guernica. “As an artist, as a human being, I feel compelled to lend my voice to our cause.”
The Trimble Karahipi Hangarau Scholarship
Scholarship funder Trimble uses cutting-edge technology to make the construction, geospatial, transportation and agricultural industries, among others, more efficient and sustainable.
Trimble established the scholarship to support and recognise students studying in areas of Architecture, Design Innovation and Computer Engineering, whose life journey may have been challenging and who have achieved outstanding academic excellence and endeavour.
When he met the team at Trimble’s Wellington office, Ali saw their innovative work in parametric and artificial intelligence, where designers input a set of parameters, or variables, that the algorithm then uses to generate a unique solution.
“These areas align with my passion for integrating advanced technology into design. The team's enthusiasm and expertise were evident, and their commitment to pushing the boundaries resonated with me. Meeting the people behind the work gave me valuable insights and reaffirmed my desire to explore these fields further.”
Trimble’s Talent Attraction Manager Kipling Brady says they hope to see scholarship recipients join Trimble as interns and graduates, both in their Wellington office, and in Christchurch at their large research and development base.
“We see an opportunity to help students gain work experience and help with the financial cost of higher education.”