District 9620 Helps Launch Inaugural
ROTARY SOUTH PACIFIC WASH SCHOLARSHIP
to support a
Master in Integrated Water Management
at Griffith University’s International Water Centre
Patrick Pagkale, from the Island of Fiji, has been selected as the inaugural Rotary South Pacific WASH Scholarship recipient and will begin his studies at Griffith University’s International Water Centre in July, 2026.
When asked where he saw himself after completing his studies, Patrick first thanked Rotary for the opportunity, then added, “Upon completion of my Master of Integrated Water Management (MIWM), I see my role as strengthening the resilience and leadership of WASH in Pacific Communities so they can shape and secure their own safe water future. My main focus will be building local skills and confidence—supporting water operators, village committees, and community leaders with knowledge and tools to manage and maintain their WASH systems independently.”
Rotary South Pacific WASH Scholarship
The Rotary South Pacific WASH Scholarship is designed to increase professional WASH capacity in the South Pacific by annually funding one or more Rotary scholars at Griffith University’s award-winning International Water Centre (IWC) in Brisbane, QLD, Australia. Rotary WASH scholars will spend two trimesters in residence at IWC and a complete a third trimester back home in the islands leading a WASH project or program.
Application Process – Timeline
April to May 2026 - Prospective scholars should connect with a local Rotary Club for sponsorship. They should also review the applications and gather materials to apply to Griffith University Graduate school. Ask questions.
June 2026 - Submit applications to Griffith U.
July 2026 - Complete Rotary scholarship application
1 August 2026 – Last day to submit Rotary application with GU acceptance letter. Incomplete or late applications will not be accepted.
15 August 2026 – Selection committee selects top candidate/s (Note: we are hoping to select two scholars, but that will depend on fundraising).
20 August 2026 – Selected scholars notified.
August – September 2026 – Global Grants are written by scholarship Rotarians
30 September 2026 – Global Grant/s submitted to The Rotary Foundation (TRF).
December 2026 – TRF notifies Rotarians whether Global Gant/s awarded.
February 2027 – Funded scholars begin studies at Griffith University’s IWC
It is a three-step process and so takes some time. First, scholars must be accepted into Griffith’s Graduate School. Once accepted, applicants can submit the Rotary scholarship application to the committee, attaching the Griffith acceptance letter. The selection committee will then review the applications and rank the scholarship applicants. Depending on funding, a scholarship will be offered to one or more scholars. Once the offer has been accepted, Rotarians write the Global Grant and submit it to TRF, no later than, 30 September. It can take up to three months for The Rotary Foundation to review the scholarship grant application.
Awarded scholar/s begin their studies in February 2027.
“I’m just proud that my District 9620 stepped up and provided the necessary funding for this inaugural scholarship,” said Robin Archer.
Recruitment for scholars and funding for the 2nd Annual Rotary South Pacific WASH Scholarship/s is underway.
More information and the Griffith University and Rotary application are available at: https://watercentre.org/education/rotary-pacific-scholarship/
If your Rotary Club or District have questions, would like a presentation or to help fund this important initiative, contact:
Chuck Fisher, eClub of WASH, (D9999) carlosrfisher@gmail.com
Chris Bloore, eClub of WASH, (D9999) chris@drchris.co.nz
Robin Archer, D9620 Scholarship Chair ra@bowtie.net.au