Jeriel Sajan is the first EIT student to win the prestigious Graduate Women Manawatu EIT Award.

Trustee Anne Walker presented the award on behalf of the Graduate Women Manawatu Charitable Trust which runs the academic dress hire service in Palmerston North. The trust has been supporting female students for over 30 years. “We have awarded millions of dollars in scholarships to empower women through education in order to create a better life for them, their families and their communities.” Anne stressed Jeriel’s “stunning application” and that the scholarship is not only financial support, but also an endorsement and encouragement for other students.

In 2004 Jeriel migrated from India to New Zealand with her family. Jeriel is in her third year of a Bachelor of Business Studies (double Major) and plans to complete her degree by the end of this year. Although young, Jeriel has made her mark in Hawke’s Bay. She is a youth trustee for the Young Enterprise Trust and volunteers for the Hawke’s Bay Foundation. She is also an active church member as the creative, music and youth director.

When Jeriel found out about the $2,000 scholarship win she was over the moon. “When I received the acceptance letter I was honestly in shock. There are so many high calibre students at EIT so I felt blessed to have been selected.”

Jeriel will use the money not only to pay off her education but also in starting her side venture, a marketing business for non-profit organisations.