Our stories
Scholarship fund helps AUT better support deaf students
Pia Jane, recipient of the 2019 Sir Roy McKenzie AUT Deaf ScholarshipFor non-native English speakers, tertiary level study can bring its fair share of challenges – but Kiwi-Filipino student Pia Jane has had to overcome more obstacles than most. Not only is English her second language, but Pia is Deaf,...
Great graduate thankful for scholarship
Eilish Out-O'Reilly was the first in her family to achieve a university education, graduating with a Bachelor of Design in 2018. It is common for recipients of scholarships to say that as well as the material difference made by the financial assistance of their grant, knowing there are people out...
Successful expat Kiwis become enthusiastic philanthropists
World-class New Zealander and film making icon Taika Waititi addresses attendees at the New York benefit dinner co-hosted by AUT and Kea that raised funds for the 2018 Internz International Scholarship Programme. Bachelor of Business alumnus Johansen Miller is on the fast track to career success - out of university...
Paying it forward: Kiwi philanthropists fund international business scholarships
A trip to America to learn about the laundry trade taught Neal Plowman a lot about business. A third-generation member of the family’s laundry and towel supply company, he returned to New Zealand bursting with ideas, transforming the business and later selling it for a large sum to an American...
Scholarship eases the grind
When it comes to making an award winning short film, Jesse Ung says the most crucial ingredient is time. And thanks to a generous scholarship from the Keir Trust, the AUT graduate (2018) had more of that than many during his Bachelor of Communication Studies. While several of his classmates...
Investing in the next generation of cyber security talent
Cyber security is a rapidly growing industry and a burgeoning partnership between AUT’s Department of Information Technology & Software Engineering and leading cyber security solutions distributor Chillisoft is helping to ensure New Zealand develops the talent pool it needs to protect against cybercrime. For four years, Chillisoft has partnered with...
Business scholarship builds future leaders
It’s ten years since Professor Des Graydon - one of AUT’s greatest leaders – passed away, but his legacy still shines brightly. A scholarship fund established in his name is helping ensure the next generation of leaders have the support they need to develop their full potential. Each year the...
Bequest furthers understanding of social challenge
A unique research project currently underway at AUT is shedding light on the impact of loneliness among people battling ongoing ill-health. The study, which is being conducted among the 18 – 65 age group, has been made possible thanks to a generous bequest from the late Jeanette Crossley, a highly...
Staff donate for gender diverse community
With their unique first-hand perspective on the impact our University can make to society, our staff are often seen going above and beyond their everyday roles – some even showing their commitment to our mission by donating to a cause they believe in. An annual highlight for Women on Campus...
Annie’s lifeline for AUT students
A new scholarship has been set up for AUT students by Miss World New Zealand 2017, Annie Evans, to provide support for those who are both struggling with mental health issues and experiencing financial hardship. The Skills to Thrive Scholarship has been established thanks to the efforts of Annie and...
A life well lived paves way to encourage Pasifika women in communication
Geraldine Lopdell’s family was looking for a fitting way to celebrate a ‘life well lived’ when they decided to set up one of AUT’s newest awards. During life, Geraldine had been an excellent teacher and artist, a supportive and generous friend and a captivating storyteller with an adventurous spirit. Her...
Donor and former student credits life of opportunities to quality education
Val Petrie, an 87-year-old alumna of AUT's early predecessor, Seddon Memorial Technical College, donates regularly to one of the funds managed by the AUT Foundation. She visited AUT to meet a recipient of the scholarship she donates to, and explained a little more about her life and why she continues...
50 Woolf Fisher First-in-Family AUT Scholars pave way for change
Fifty young people have become the first in their families to embark on a university education with support from the Woolf Fisher First-in-Family AUT Scholarships. Thirteen scholars received the award in 2018, the fourth year since this scholarship was introduced at AUT with the goal of breaking down barriers to...
Japanese tea time delivers much more than just tea
A generous donation from the Nissan Foundation is bringing big benefits to Japanese language enthusiasts from AUT and beyond. AUT’s Japanese friendship and culture club Ocha no Jikan (Japanese Tea Time), is a weekly meet-up group that builds cultural understanding, language and leadership skills, not to mention a healthy dose...
Empowering underprivileged girls – and inspiring the world
Some people are born to do great things. AUT nursing student Alannah Wesche is one of them. The dynamic 20 year old not only juggles her nursing studies with a part-time job looking after a young woman with Downs Syndrome, she’s also the driving force behind GEE Nepal, a New...
A cookbook that will change lives
A group of volunteers from AUT worked together to create a mouthwatering approach to supporting young people from refugee backgrounds to study at AUT. ‘Tastes of Home’ – a cookbook featuring family recipes and stories of AUT staff and students from migrant and refugee backgrounds – is available for $60...
Scholarships kick-start careers on a global stage
Thanks to generous benefactors, AUT students can apply for once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to put their skills to work in an international market straight after they graduate – with required flights, visas and health and travel insurance costs covered by AUT talenthub scholarships. In 2018, 28 new graduates jetted off to North...
Quiet generosity behind language revitalisation
The late Professor John Moorfield’s impact on te reo Māori is hard to quantify. It can be found in a range of print and ditigal resources chartering the future of the spoken language. The digital language revitalisation application Kupu, created out of a partnership between Spark, Google and AUT’s Te...
Foodie Godmother waves magic wand for AUT students
The AUTSA food pantry, named the Foodie Godmother, is where students can come and access household items and food whenever they need a helping hand. Foodie Godmother came about after the former president of the Student Representative Council, Urshula Ansell, saw a high demand for campus kai. Every week, food...
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Manaakitanga: Reports to Donors
Our reports include financial highlights and stories about some of AUT’s generosity-enabled initiatives.