Colin Aikman Award

Study area(s): Law
Scholarship level: Doctoral; Master’s Research; Master's by coursework; Honours; All postgraduate; Returning students; First year students; School leaver
Closing date(s): 31 October
Tenure: One year
Award for: International; Domestic
Number offered: One
Value: Up to $5,000

History and purpose

The Award has been established in Colin Aikman's memory to provide opportunities for students in the areas of constitutional law, human rights, international law or other legal issues affecting the South Pacific. The Award was launched in November 2005 to coincide with the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the United Nations. The Law Faculty generously provided a contribution of $10,000 to establish the fund.

Dr Colin Aikman was Professor of Jurisprudence and Constitutional Law at Victoria University of Wellington from 1955 to 1968, and Dean of the Law Faculty for seven years. He then became the foundation Vice Chancellor at the University of the South Pacific in Fiji for six years. As a constitutional lawyer and legal advisor to the Department of External Affairs, he was involved in the conferences leading to the establishment of the United Nations in 1945 and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. He was also involved in drafting the constitutions of the Cook Islands and Samoa in the 1960s.

Who is eligible?

  • Applicants must be intending to study Law full time at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.

Selection criteria

  • Applicants should be intending to study law at Undergraduate, Masters or PhD Degree level at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, with a focus on constitutional law, human rights, international law or other legal issues affecting the South Pacific.
  • The Award will be made based on academic merit in accordance with the level of study of the applicant.

Application process

A completed online application must be submitted by 4.30 pm on the closing date. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. Any required supporting documentation (including references) must also be received by 4.30 pm on the closing date in order for the application to be considered.

Applications will normally open one month prior to the closing date. If no application link is provided below, check back again closer to the closing date. Contact us if you have any queries.

Scholarship specific documentation

  • A brief (one page) outline of their research topic or intended course of study.

    Selection process

    The Selection Panel will consist of a nominee of the Dean of Law School and other appropriate staff of the School of Law

    The Victoria University of Wellington Foundation will expect recipients to write a letter of thanks to the donor on receipt of the award and an end of year progress report.

    Additional information

    Previous recipients of this scholarship are eligible to re-apply the following year and be considered for this scholarship again. More than one award may be made per year. The award will not be made in any year where there are no suitable applicants.

    Regulations and conditions

    1. A completed online application must be submitted by 4.30 pm on the closing date. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. Any required supporting documentation (including references) must also be received by 4:30pm on the closing date in order for the application to be considered.
    2. All offers of the Scholarship will be conditional upon the recipient being fully enrolled in a full-year programme (full-time will be at the level of points considered by Studylink as full-time) within the stipulated criteria and tenure of the scholarship. No payment of the Scholarship will be made until this condition is met.
    3. The Scholarship cannot be deferred to a later year.
    4. The Scholarship may be held in conjunction with other awards.
    5. Should the recipient withdraw from Victoria University of Wellington during the tenure of this scholarship or fail to achieve a satisfactory progress, partial repayment of the Scholarship will normally be expected. Recipients must advise the Scholarships Office if they intend to withdraw.
    6. Recipients are expected to act as Ambassadors for Victoria University of Wellington and participate in appropriate events or marketing if requested.
    7. At the discretion of the Deciding Authority, the application of the terms and conditions of the Scholarship may be modified in special circumstances or to avoid hardship to any candidate for the Scholarship.

    Contact

    Scholarships Office
    scholarships-office@vuw.ac.nz
    Phone 0800 04 04 04