Introducing the Laura Fergusson Brain Injury Trust Mana Tangata Scholarship

Introducing the Laura Fergusson Brain Injury Trust Mana Tangata Scholarship
The Laura Fergusson Brain Injury Trust is committed to fostering the development of the Māori and Pacific workforce within allied health. As part of this commitment to equity, the Trust has established two scholarships for University of Otago physiotherapy students, known as the Laura Fergusson Brain Injury Trust Mana Tangata Scholarships.
We’d like to acknowledge team members Nicole Vercoe and Alison Klopper for leading the design and establishment of the scholarships.
“Mana Tangata” translates to “The Prestige of the People,” underscoring the immense value and potential of Māori and Pacific students. These scholarships are specifically designed for final-year (4th Year) Māori and Pacific Physiotherapy students who have a keen interest in neurorehabilitation.
A panel comprising the Dean of the School of Physiotherapy and senior leadership staff, including clinical leaders, will select the recipients for the two awards each year.
The University of Otago is honoured to hold and administer this generous gift, which aims to empower and uplift the next generation of allied health professionals. The University is keen to encourage eligible students to apply and embrace the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the field of physiotherapy.

Laura Fergusson Brain Injury Trust is an independent, charitable organisation that specialises in assessing, rehabilitating and supporting those impacted by brain and other injuries in the upper South Island region of New Zealand. Our purpose is to assist clients/kiritaki in maximising independence, inclusion and quality of life. By developing individualised or tailored strategies, we equip our clients/kiritaki to find new pathways through life. We provide a full continuum of integrated assessment, rehabilitation and support services for people with brain and other injuries and their families/whanau, carried out by our highly skilled interdisciplinary team when and where they are needed. The Trust is uniquely a New Zealand owned, non-profit entity operating in New Zealand delivering rehabilitation, assessment and support services.
Our core values at Laura Fergusson Brain Injury Trust are:
Our Values - Ā Mātou Uara
• Tiaki tatou; We care
• Ko tātou whakaute; We are respectful
• Ko tātou whakakotahi; We are inclusive
• Ia tātou ia rawe i te reira tika; We do it right
We are experts in the field of brain injury and disability rehabilitation and support – we are committed to ‘doing it right’ and providing evidence-based best practice.