Two new scholarships have been funded by a North Otago businessman and his wife in the name of a former pupil of Waitaki Boys' High School.
Rodney Jones and Sajini Jesudason, of Windsor, have provided the scholarship funding to Victoria University to promote a greater understanding of China.
It is in the name of the late James Bertram, a pupil, prefect and captain of the First XV at Waitaki Boys' High School.
Mr Bertram died in 1993.
Mr Jones said two scholarships were being provided for five years at up to $50,000 each a year. He launched the scholarships at Victoria University on Monday.
Mr Bertram studied as a Rhodes Scholar before visiting China and becoming fascinated with the country.
Mr Bertram was later Professor of English at Victoria University.
Mr Jones, an investment banker who was a partner with the Soros Fund in Asia before returning to New Zealand and founding Dunedin-based Wigram Capital Advisors, said the scholarships would encourage young New Zealanders to engage with China.
Students will study at Victoria for a year, then have six months language tuition in Beijing before embarking on a year's study at Peking University, graduating with a double Masters in International Relations and Public Policy from Victoria and Peking Universities.
