Memorial bursary helps student build property career

Tuesday 5 March 2019
The 2019 Marcus Kitt Memorial Bursary was awarded to property student Daniel Sloper at a special presentation at Massey's Auckland campus yesterday.
Memorial bursary helps student build property career - image1

The 2019 Marcus Kitt Memorial Bursary was awarded to property student Daniel Sloper at a special presentation at Massey’s Auckland campus yesterday.

The former Whangarei Boys High and Hamilton Boy’s High student, who is studying for a Bachelor of Business with a major in property, was chosen to receive the $5000 bursary established by global real estate services company Colliers International.

The firm partnered with the Massey Business School to create the bursary in memory of long-serving staff member and Massey alumnus Marcus Kitt, who died in 2015 after developing a brain tumour. The father of two children had worked for Colliers for eight years in Auckland, London and Jakarta.

The criteria for the bursary included strong academic achievement, good communication and interpersonal skills and the potential to succeed in a real estate career, all characteristics exemplified by Marcus Kitt.

Bursary reduces financial stress

Massey property lecturer Alan Pope said Mr Sloper is a worthy recipient of the annual prize.

“Daniel is a hardworking student who has achieved well in class,” he said. “What particularly impressed the judges was his commitment to seeking out work experience at his own initiative while completing his studies.”

Mr Sloper said he felt overwhelmed and “extremely proud that my hard work has been recognised”.

“This will reduce the financial stress of being a full-time student significantly,” he said. “I will be able to reduce my hours at my current job in order to focus more time on university-related work, which will hopefully be reflected in positive grades!

“It also fills me with confidence to know that current property professionals have identified that I have the potential to succeed in the industry. This has motivated me to continue to progress and learn as much as I can while I am at university.”  

Mr Sloper said his longer-term plan is to become a registered property valuer, as it is the subject he has enjoyed the most while studying for his degree. 

Colliers’ chief operating officer in New Zealand, Bruce Gallie, was on hand to present Mr Sloper with his award.

“The bursary is designed to encourage excellence in real estate studies and is an ideal memorial to Marcus,” Mr Gallie said. “We hope it encourages students to consider a commercial property career, assisting them at a financial level to do so.”