Scholarship for aspiring leaders

The launch of a new postgraduate scholarship designed to nurture leadership skills was recently celebrated at the University of Auckland.

The prestigious Kupe Leadership Scholarship offers a unique opportunity for exceptional scholars to enrich a year of their postgraduate studies with a bespoke leadership programme and one-on-one mentoring.

The scholarship is provided by the New Zealand Leadership Institute and funded by Canadian donor John McCall MacBain, along with other generous donors. McCall MacBain’s $1 million gift was donated as part of the University of Auckland Campaign For All Our Futures.

The scholarship offers up to 20 inaugural scholars an exciting experience of personal growth and challenge, alongside their postgraduate courses at the University from 2019.

A highlight of the scholarship launch was McKinsey & Company’s Senior Partner and member of the University’s Campaign Board, Andrew Grant, who spoke about the value of the scholarship.

“I do think this is the start of something that will be pretty special, pretty unique, and that we will look back in years to come to say that we’ve grown some extraordinary young people.”

Grant studied civil engineering at the University of Auckland and then politics, philosophy and economics as a Rhodes Scholar at the University of Oxford. He said facilitating leadership growth in students was extremely important for future generations.

“I actually couldn’t think of a better construct than Kupe to help us nurture, grow and unleash some of the talent we are going to need to help steward and nuture our great little country in years to come.

“I think being able to equip young people early with those often simple but incredibly fundamental skills, and help them steward their leadership ambition and passions, I think that’s wonderful.”

The Kupe Leadership Programme draws on the legend of the great Pacific explorer, Kupe, who, together with his wife, Kuramārōtini, is credited with discovering and naming Aotearoa. Their sense of adventure and courage in exploring uncharted waters, drawing on their sailing skills and travelling by the stars, exemplifies the kind of spirit needed by leaders in today’s uncertain and fast-changing world.