Malcolm Jones (20) is in his third year of study for a Bachelor of Science majoring in mathematics.
On Tuesday he was among other students from around New Zealand who were at Parliament in Wellington to receive a Freemasons university scholarship.
‘‘I was very excited to get it,’’ Mr Jones said.
He applied for the scholarship in October last year. To gain it, he had to have academic merit and be committed to voluntary work in the community.
Along with keeping his grades up to scratch, Mr Jones is a member of the Otago University students ‘‘Are You Okay’’ team that hosts social events which support students’ wellbeing. He is also a house tutor at Carrington College.
He said he was grateful to the Freemasons Trust for the scholarship.
‘‘It will go straight back into helping pay for my student loan.
‘‘It’s great because it will help me with financial pressures.’’
Mr Jones will complete his degree this year and may do postgraduate study.
He was considering a career in computational neuroscience, in which mathematical tools and theories were used to investigate brain function.