First NZ Computer Clubhouse Scholarships

Wiki Ripia and Ngawai Manuel, both from Otara in South Auckland, have been awarded the first local scholarships from Intel and the Computer Clubhouse.

The scholarships were awarded in the same week as the grand opening of the Clubhouse, which is part of an international network of 100 facilities where people up to the age of 18 use technology with the help of mentors.

Ngawai says the award will help towards a Bachelor of Business this year. "My family would have struggled to help me, so the scholarship means as much to them as it does to me."

The pair's scholarships recognised their commitment to the Clubhouse, community involvement, academic achievement and future goals, the local organisers of the Clubhouse say. Ngawai also attended the Computer Clubhouse Network's biannual Teen Summit in Boston.

The Clubhouse has been in New Zealand since 2005 and had its grand opening in February in Otara.

Clubhouse projects include digital artwork, producing music CDs, writing, filming and editing short movies, and design-engineering projects.

The building was opened by Mayor of Manukau City, Len Brown, with Gail Breslow, the Global Director of the Intel Computer Clubhouse Network and Stephen Tindall. The Tindall Foundation was a contributor to the project.