Fund Details
Ada Wells Memorial Prize
Award Amount
$1,000

Brief Description:

This prize is open to students and recent graduates of Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury for an essay on a subject involving an exposition of some passage chosen from literature having reference to social ideals.

Value/Benefits: Financial assistance at a value of $1,000

Level of Study: Students and recent graduates of the University. 

Closing Date: 11:59 pm (NZT) 30 September (Applications open approximately 8 weeks before this date.)

Tenure: Not applicable

Number Available Annually: One 

Applicable Enrolment During Tenure: Applicants must:
a. be students of the University; or
b. have graduated from the University in the 36 months prior to the closing date for applications for the current round.

Essay Topic for 2024 Round: 

The ability to see ourselves in the lives of others is arguably what defines the value of film to society. Debate this proposition in relation to two feature films*. The films you choose to discuss may be popular contemporary films, such as Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer or Greta Gerwig's Barbie, European films such as François Truffaut's 400 Blows or Agnès Varda's Cléo from 5 to 7, anime classics such as Hayao Miyazaki's Spirited Away, or New Zealand films such as Waru directed by eight Māori women or Taika Waititi’s Boy. You may have your own favorite films that speak to the topic, and we welcome your original ideas!

*the writer can choose to debate either for or against this proposition using 2 films as examples that support their chosen stance; or the writer may argue both sides of the proposition and use one film as an example that supports the proposition and the other that rejects the proposition.
 
(Referencing is expected where appropriate and the length must not exceed 3,000 words.)

Citizenship/Residency Requirements: Not applicable 

For more information, please click on the award name above. To read the regulations, click here.


Application Information:

Applicants must submit an essay on a topic that is advertised here each year. The topic of the essay is set by the selection committee, and it involves the exposition of some passage chosen from literature having reference to social ideals. Essays must be no more than 3,000 words in length.


Additional Information:

The children of Ada Wells (Mrs W R Carey, Mrs Christabel Twyneham, Miss G A C Wells, and Mr J S Wells) established the prize in 1933 from a donation to Canterbury College in memory of their mother. Mrs Wells, née Ada Pike (1863–1933), was a student of Canterbury College in the 1880s. She is best remembered for her contributions to the women’s suffrage campaign in the 1880s and ‘90s, and for becoming in 1917 the first woman elected to the Christchurch City Council. A biography of Mrs Wells can be found in the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography.

Contact Information:

For questions about this application, please contact Scholarships Office at scholarships@canterbury.ac.nz

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          Award Type
          • Prize
            Application Closing Month
            • September
              Begin Accepting Applications Date:
              5 Aug 2024
              Deadline Date (NZT Time Zone):
              30 Sep 2024 11:59 PM