University of CanterburyFoundation FundDear Alumni <strong>and</strong> FriendsWe are delighted to announce that the University of Canterburyis establishing the University of Canterbury Foundation Fund tohelp support the educational programmes of the University.Like other universities in New Zeal<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> beyond, we areincreasingly relying on the generosity of alumni <strong>and</strong> friends tohelp improve our facilities <strong>and</strong> enhance the educational offeringof this great institution.The University of Canterbury Foundation is committed tostrengthening <strong>and</strong> exp<strong>and</strong>ing philanthropic support for theUniversity <strong>and</strong> to encouraging the involvement of alumni in thisvital work. It is proud of its past record in this regard <strong>and</strong> is nowextending its outreach to all alumni who wish to “give a littleback” to their Alma Mater, thereby maintaining the world-classeducation offered at the University.We strongly encourage you to consider the options in theenclosed brochure <strong>and</strong> to direct your donation accordingly.We have both contributed personally to this Fund <strong>and</strong> we inviteyou to join us.Best wishesColin AverillChairmanUniversity of CanterburyFoundationProfessor Roy SharpVice-ChancellorUniversity of CanterburyA tradition of excellence24 Canterbury Magazine
The gift that goes on givingBy Chanel HughesSir Angus Tait is a firm believer in research <strong>and</strong> development.What Sir Angus Tait has learnt from morethan 30 years at the forefront of theradio communications industry is thatinvestment in education is a pragmaticbusiness decision.For the University of Canterbury, a longtermassociation with the chairman ofmultinational radio communicationscompany Tait Electronics Ltd has meantan invaluable source of support, bothfinancially <strong>and</strong> in the immeasurablebenefits of industry knowledge, advocacy<strong>and</strong> collaboration.The 20-year connection has borne richrewards, with Tait Electronics <strong>and</strong> theUniversity of Canterbury now forming thehub of the region’s electronics industry, asignificant high-tech cluster contributingmore than $500 million to New Zeal<strong>and</strong>’sexport sales annually.Sir Angus’ first significant support ofthe University began with the 1992/1993Scholarship Endowment Campaign. Henot only chaired the fund but contributedthe largest gift of $1 million over 10years to establish the Tait Chair in radiocommunications in the then School ofEngineering.A firm believer in investment in research<strong>and</strong> development, Sir Angus’ generouscontribution was recognition of theEngineering School’s part in his firm’ssuccess.“The reality is that we are a technologybasedcompany <strong>and</strong> our technology baseis the product of engineering designactivity,” Sir Angus says.“To build up the business, we needed theassistance of the University, their goodwill,<strong>and</strong> their product, so it seemed sensible tous to close the loop <strong>and</strong> provide supportrather than just st<strong>and</strong> back <strong>and</strong> wait forwhatever came out.”Of the 750 staff at Tait’s Christchurchheadquarters, 200 are professionalengineers, the majority of themCanterbury graduates, with between five<strong>and</strong> ten new Canterbury recruits joiningeach year.Since the Endowment Campaign SirAngus has provided significant support innumerous ways, lending his exceptionalexperience <strong>and</strong> industry knowledge tothe University’s cause. In 1999, when theUniversity’s commercial arm Canterprisebecame a st<strong>and</strong>alone non-profit company,Sir Angus was one of four board membersappointed, holding the position untilearlier this year. He served two terms onthe University Council as a ministerialappointment <strong>and</strong> has been a member ofthe University of Canterbury Foundation’sPatrons’ Group since its inception.Most beneficial has been the closecollaboration between Tait Electronics<strong>and</strong> the College of Engineering, which hasincluded joint research projects, holidaywork experience for current students,lecture time from Tait’s senior designengineers <strong>and</strong> employment for Universitystaff on sabbatical.Most recently, Tait Electronics has madeyet another significant donation for thelaunch of the University’s ICT InnovationInstitute (UCi3), a national institute inthe Government’s Centres of Excellenceprogramme, which will house multidisciplinaryICT-based research partnershipsbetween the University <strong>and</strong> industry. Taithas pledged $1 million for the establishmentof a Wireless Research Centre (WRC) underthe UCi3 umbrella, with the intentionof attracting the cream of internationalexpertise in this area.“We believe this will be a very soundproposal for all parties involved,” Sir Angussays, “<strong>and</strong> a powerful force in ensuring thefuture of the ICT industry <strong>and</strong> indeed itssurvival in the years ahead.”Funding for the WRC comes from the TaitFoundation, the charitable trust that nowowns 80 per cent of Tait Electronics, afterSir Angus gifted his majority shareholding.Now 87, Sir Angus says money in his ownback pocket has never been his primeobjective but rather the establishment ofan enduring technology-based companycreating career opportunities <strong>and</strong> exportearnings for New Zeal<strong>and</strong>. To that endhe set up the Tait Foundation, based onthe model of the trust that runs Germanelectronics company Bosch, with educationas the prime beneficiary.“My decision was that since the basicobjective was the continuation of TaitElectronics <strong>and</strong> its success as a technologybasedcompany, its net survival was goingto be dependent upon the quality <strong>and</strong> theavailability of technologically-competentpeople. That would come out of theeducation system.“It will be beyond my time <strong>and</strong> otherpeople will make the decisions, but it willbe written into the ‘instruction manual’,shall we say, <strong>and</strong> the University will, Ihave no doubt, be a major beneficiary ofthis process.”Vice-Chancellor Professor Roy Sharp saysthe University has “benefited tremendouslyfrom Sir Angus’ wisdom <strong>and</strong> knowledge”.“Tait’s latest support of the ICT InnovationInstitute <strong>and</strong> Wireless Research Centreis another example of his ongoingcommitment to the excellent graduates<strong>and</strong> innovative research we produce atthe University.”Summer 2006 25
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