Congratulations to Our Latest Theta Te Ao Māori Scholarship Recipient!

This scholarship supports undergraduate students of Māori descent studying Technology or Computer Science. We’re proud to invest $5,000 a year in Jess’ academic journey as she pursues a Bachelor of Science at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington, majoring in Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science with a specialisation in Cybersecurity.

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Meet Jess:

What sparked your interest in IT?

Growing up, I was always surrounded by technology. My Dad works in IT and would constantly remind me that "tech is the future". Even in primary school, one of my report cards said, "showing skill and proficiency in IT, she is happy to share her knowledge with others".

Why did you choose Theta?

Theta's values really resonated with me, as they believe IT is not just about machines, but the people behind them. I also admire how they uplift Māori in tech, creating space for us to lead and shape the future of the industry.

Do you have iwi affiliations you’d like to share?

Ko Ngāti Kahungunu ki Te Wairoa rāua ko Tūhoe ngā iwi.

What’s a fun fact about you?

If you've seen my screen time, just know it's all part of studying technology. Okay, maybe it's mostly TikTok... but that's still research, right? If you ever need to ace the pop culture section of a pub quiz, you know who to call.

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As part of our scholarship, Jess will also join our Te Ao Māori group, helping us with activities and events throughout the year. Join us in celebrating Jess’ achievement and the journey ahead!