Community Engagement
Significant and unacceptable health inequities exist in NZ, across a range of areas. Māori and Pacific people are also under-represented in the science, medical and health workforce. Vision Research Foundation is committed to reducing these inequities through our scholarships and mentorship.
Vision Research Foundation works in schools, universities and has set up scholarships and fellowships to empower underserved communities and maximise their potential in the vision research field. Vision Research Foundation will work with key Māori stakeholders to conduct research in underserved communities to provide evidence for community, health, and policy interventions to address health inequities.
New summer studentship supports wāhine
Makayla Kahi (Ngāti Kauwhata), is the winner of the inaugural Vision Research Foundation Summer Studentship, mentored by Professor Helen Danesh-Meyer.
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Empowering wāhine Māori surgeons: Tania Te Whenua
Vision Research Foundation has received philanthropic funding to explore ways to enhance support for wāhine Māori to enter surgical careers. VRF will partner with Tania Te Whenua to support wāhine Māori medical students.
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Glaucoma Eyedrops - are preservatives toxic?
Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, affecting more than 70 million people. The most well-recognised risk factor for glaucoma is elevated eye pressure or intraocular pressure (IOP).
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Wāhine Māori in surgery
Enabling wāhine Māori into medical careers will have positive long-term intergenerational effects on whānau and entire communities.
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Renata Watene Scholarship: Advancing indigenous healthcare worldwide
Renata Watene’s exceptional dedication to Māori Eye Health and Healthcare Governance has earned her esteemed recognition in her field.
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VRF empowers future leaders in partnership with Rotary
The Rotary RYLA program has a proven track record of instilling leadership skills, self-confidence, and community engagement in young minds. Both Vision Research Foundation and Rotary RYLA are united in our dedication to fostering the next generation of leaders who will drive positive change in their communities and beyond.
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