The inaugural recipient of the University of Otago | Dunedin City Council Entrance Scholarship is already on a strong path to pursuing his passion of network engineering and turning it into a career.
Alexander Lea is a first year Bachelor of Science (Computer Science) student at the University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka.
The former Otago Boys High School student was awarded the newly created scholarship, in keeping with late former Mayor of Dunedin, Jules Radich’s desire for it to go to someone studying in the information technology field.
Alexander says he’s grateful and feels very privileged to have been chosen as the inaugural recipient.
“The scholarship has been a huge help financially and has made the transition into university life much easier,” he says.
“I have really been enjoying my time at Otago so far and it has been a great chance to dive deeper into what I’m most interested in.
“The scholarship has also opened up opportunities for me to get involved in projects and volunteering which I might not have had the time or resources to pursue otherwise.”
Alexander regularly volunteers for Rotary, helping with everything from book sales and charity fundraising to rally race security.
He also frequently contributes to iFixit, an online repair forum for smartphones and laptops and recently started volunteering at Com2Tech – a Dunedin-based not-for-profit focused on reducing digital inequity through sustainable recycling, technology re-use and education.
On top of that, he has built and hosts his own computer game servers – a personal challenge that drew on advanced networking concepts and skills.
In the longer term, Alexander says he plans to turn his passion into a career.
“After completing my studies at Otago, I plan on pursuing a career in network engineering as it’s an area which I’ve been passionate about for a long time and I’m excited to keep building towards it,” he says.
Mayor of Dunedin, Sophie Barker says the scholarship will help build on the town-gown relationship between the DCC and University of Otago.
“These relationships are vital to the ongoing success of Ōtepoti Dunedin. We all want our city to continue to thrive, and investing in our relationship with students and the university will help build a better future for us all.
“The scholarship is also a legacy of the late former Mayor Jules Radich, who was a key advocate for its establishment and would have been pleased to see it go to someone studying in the information technology field.”
Vice-Chancellor Grant Roberston said the DCC scholarship is a very welcome addition to the suite of undergraduate entrance scholarships offered by the University.
“We’re most grateful to the DCC for their foresight and generosity in establishing this scholarship.”
“It is wonderful to see the inaugural recipient, Alexander, already contributing back to the Ōtepoti community in various ways outside of his studies. That is precisely the ‘town and gown’ spirit in which the scholarship was established, and we look forward to building on that generosity of spirit in the years ahead,” Mr Robertson says.
Established in 2025 with funds from the Dunedin City Council – Kaunihera a-rohe Ōtepoti, the scholarship is valued at $15,000 and will be awarded once every three years to a student undertaking undergraduate degree study at the University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka.
More information is available online at: The University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka Dunedin City Council | kaunihera a-rohe o Ōtepoti Entrance Scholarship.
