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Pro-invest Group and the Auckland University of Technology Foundation have announced the Pro-invest Group RISE Hospitality and Tourism Scholarship, a new partnership designed to remove barriers and create pathways for young New Zealanders pursuing careers in hospitality and tourism at AUT.
The RISE (Reaching for Inclusion through Scholarships and Experiences) annual scholarship provides $5000 to students aged 18–20 who have a genuine passion for hospitality but face financial barriers to accessing AUT’s programmes.
“As part of our ESG strategy, we are committed to investing in the next generation of hospitality talent by helping to address the critical workforce development that our hotel and tourism sectors need to thrive,” says Dr Sabine Schaffer, co-founder and managing partner of Pro-invest Group.
“The RISE scholarship not only provides financial support but creates real career pathways for students who might otherwise face barriers to pursuing a career in one of the most rewarding and dynamic industries in the world.
“With travel demand continuing to grow, the need for skilled, passionate professionals has never been greater and we are proud to invest in the future of hospitality leadership through this programme.”
RISE is part of Pro-invest Group’s One Earth, Countless Experiences ethos, which includes programmes to foster inclusion, diversity, and equality within hospitality and beyond. The partnership with AUT Foundation marks the next chapter for RISE, which has already made an impact in Australia since launching with Southern Cross University in 2024.
The Group also leads CARE (Creating Accessible Roles and Experiences) — a partnership with MAX Employment to provide career opportunities for people of all abilities; RADIATE with Pride, which focuses on safe and inclusive workplaces; and the Pro-Women Leadership Alliance, which aims to increase the number of women in leadership roles.
Through the RISE programme’s launch in New Zealand, recipients will gain access to mentorship with Pro-invest Group executives, along with opportunities for work experience, internships, and part-time roles. On graduation, AUT students may be considered for full-time positions within Pro-invest Group’s New Zealand hotels, including voco Auckland City Centre, Holiday Inn Express Auckland City Centre, and Holiday Inn Express & Suites Queenstown, or potentially roles in the Group’s hotels overseas.
AUT Foundation chair and AUT chancellor Rob Campbell says the partnership reflects a shared commitment to expanding student opportunity and delivering global impact for industry and communities.
“We’re proud to partner with Pro-invest Group to bring their successful RISE scholarship to AUT and Aotearoa New Zealand. This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to creating real opportunities for the next generation of hospitality and tourism leaders, and to supporting students who will shape the future workforce and strengthen the industries they serve.”
The RISE scholarship is available to New Zealand citizens and permanent residents enrolled full-time in AUT’s hospitality and tourism programmes, including Bachelor of International Hospitality Management, Bachelor of Arts in Global Tourism, Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts, Bachelor of International Hospitality Management and Bachelor of Business Conjoint Programmes, Graduate Certificate in International Hospitality Management, and Graduate Diploma in International Hospitality Management.
Applications open Sunday, September 1, and close Thursday, October 10, through the AUT Scholarships Database. The scholarship supports 12 months of full-time study beginning in Semester One the following year.
For more information and to apply, visit the AUT Scholarships Database at: aut.communityforce.com
