At the heart of the foundation’s contributions to Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) is a commitment to nurturing the next generation of engineering talent and fostering diversity and innovation within the field, says Alan Bruce, Chair of the Tait Foundation.
Since 2008, the Tait Foundation has donated over $5 million to UC and this impact resonates deeply across a range of areas, from student scholarships to ground-breaking research initiatives.
“Our long-standing partnership with the University of Canterbury reflects our shared commitment to advancing education and research in engineering. Through our continuing collaboration, we aim to empower the next generation of innovators, equipping them with the resources and opportunities they need to make a lasting impact on the world,” says Bruce.
Scholarships funded by the generosity of the Tait Foundation are aimed at increasing women’s representation in the engineering industry, as well as empowering students to explore their entrepreneurial passions in STEM fields. Tait Foundation donations have funded numerous research projects, particularly in the fields of Mobile Information and Critical Communications Technology. Their continued support of the Wireless Research Centre underscores their commitment to driving technological innovation forward.
As part of the 12 Local Heroes Trail, a bust statue of the innovative founder, Sir Angus Tait, is currently sited on UC’s campus near the University building named in his honour. Sir Angus placed his Tait company shares in trust and following his death, Hazel Lady Tait also transferred her shares to the Tait Trusts. Many local organisations, including the University of Canterbury, have benefited from the generosity of the Tait Foundation ever since.
The ongoing support of donors enables us to continue providing life-changing opportunities for students, ensuring that they have the resources and support needed to achieve their academic and personal goals.
For more information about our scholarships, please visit Support our scholarships | University of Canterbury.
Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 - Quality education.
