Well done Grant

Otago University announced:

The University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka has increased financial support for students in the coming year, with more scholarships and continued investment in relief funds.

The support provided in 2025 will include an investment of $45 million in scholarships, while close to $500,000 is committed to the Pūtea Tautoko financial aid fund and the Residential College Relief Fund.

More than 200 students have already been supported from these relief funds in 2024, with further student support being provided through OUSA’s hardship relief fund for immediate low-level assistance.

Vice-Chancellor Grant Robertson is also contributing a portion of his salary each year to seven new scholarships, worth a total of $49,000.

These scholarships, worth $7,000 each, will be provided annually from 2025 as a supplement to first year students who have already been awarded an Otago equity scholarship, and whose circumstances are such that they would particularly benefit from additional support.

That is impressive – donating almost $50,000 of your own salary to help students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Combining this with Otago’s superb free speech policy, and I have to say I am enjoying Grant as VC much more than as Minister of Finance!