Woolf Fisher decade of impact at AUT
Woolf Fisher decade ofimpact at AUT
A scholarship recipient
A decade of Woolf Fisher support has enabled 116 first in family students to access higher education at AUT and uplift their whānau and communities.
Ten years on from the Woolf Fisher Trust’s generous commitment to AUT, its support continues to uplift students, families and communities across Aotearoa. The partnership began in 2014, when Sir Noel Robinson shared the Trust’s goal of helping break cycles that make university study feel out of reach for many families.
The Woolf Fisher First in Family AUT Scholarships were established to support students whose families have no history of degree level study and who may face financial, cultural or social barriers as they begin their academic journey.
Over the past decade, the Woolf Fisher Trust has donated $2.3 million, enabling 116 students to access a university education at AUT. These scholarships have opened doors for learners across one of the most diverse student bodies in Aotearoa, where more than half identify as first in family. Many experience parity gaps before they even start tertiary study, gaps that widened further during the pandemic.
The scholarships have helped bridge these challenges, reducing financial pressures, building confidence and supporting social mobility. Sixty-one scholars have completed their bachelor’s degrees and another 31 are currently studying, demonstrating both academic success and the wider generational impact of education.
As one scholar, Fatu Ki Moana Mahe (2018), shared: “When I received the scholarship, the first thing that came to my mind was that there is someone out there that believes in someone as little as me.”
The Trust’s support has contributed to a more inclusive higher education system, strengthened communities and enabled more learners to pursue skills that will benefit Aotearoa’s workforce. For many students, balancing study with family and cultural responsibilities remains challenging, particularly in today’s financial environment, making this support even more significant.
On behalf of AUT and the 116 scholars whose lives have been uplifted through this generosity, we thank the Woolf Fisher Trust for its belief in our students.
“Together we can change the world, one student, one act of research or knowledge, one whānau at a time.” Professor Damon Salesa, AUT Vice Chancellor.
