The first of 10 University of Otago students who will receive scholarships to study Theravada Buddhism have been named.
Michael Dent received $2500 at a function this week and Lauren McEwan-Nugent $1500. They were the first and second-placed students in their introductory Buddhist studies paper last year and are now second-year students in the theology and religious studies department.
The Sydney-based 60th Dhammachai Education Foundation of Australia and New Zealand signed a memorandum of understanding with the university last year, senior lecturer of Asian religions Dr Will Sweetman said.
It had promised $20,000 in scholarships over five years to encourage New Zealanders to study Theravada Buddhism, the form of Buddhism practised in Thailand, as well as sponsoring the studies of 15 postgraduate students from Thailand at Otago between 2008 and 2012.
Isala Treesahakiat, the first of those students, had already arrived and planned to study in Dunedin for three years, Dr Sweetman said. Another student was scheduled to arrive in time for the second semester.