The NZUK Link Foundation, in collaboration with the UK Friends of the University of Auckland, is proud to announce the 2024 recipients of the Bruce McLaren Automotive Award—Alex McGivern and Isaac Morris.
These exceptional University of Auckland engineering students will soon embark on a life-changing six-week internship from mid-December at McLaren's global headquarters in Woking, UK: Alex at McLaren Automotive and Isaac at McLaren Racing.
This award, named in honour of New Zealand motorsport legend Bruce McLaren, reflects his pioneering spirit and dedication to innovation. Co-funded by the NZUK Link Foundation and UK Friends of the University of Auckland, these scholarships aim to support aspiring engineers in realising their dreams of excelling in high-performance automotive and motorsport engineering.
Both scholars expressed deep gratitude for this prestigious opportunity:
Alex shared:"Receiving this award is a dream come true. It’s an amazing step toward achieving my goal of working in high-performance automotive engineering. I’m committed to honouring Bruce McLaren’s legacy and making the most of this opportunity."
Isaac wrote:"For most young Kiwis, this is the opportunity of a lifetime. I hope to gain knowledge and experience that I could not acquire elsewhere, and I will always strive to honour the generosity of the donors who made this possible."
These internships not only symbolise the enduring bond between New Zealand and the UK but also exemplify the impact of fostering global talent. Both Alex and Isaac will gain invaluable exposure to cutting-edge engineering practices, mentorship from leading professionals and importantly the chance to work at McLaren, arguably the world's most iconic and innovative automotive and motor racing, design, development and manufacturing brand.
The NZUK Link Foundation is committed to creating further opportunities that inspire the next generation of innovators, particularly in the critical field of STEM.
We extend our most grateful thanks to all of the donors and sponsors of the Bruce McLaren Automotive Award who make this dream a reality.
Stay tuned for updates as Alex and Isaac begin their journey with McLaren Automotive and McLaren Racing in a couple of weeks time and continue to push the boundaries of engineering excellence.