A new University of Canterbury scholarship will honour a well-known civil engineer, while supporting postgraduate students following in his footsteps.

In memory of her father’s dedication to civil engineering, Tracey Limond has established the Wal McQuarrie Memorial Scholarship at Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC). 

 A graduate of UC’s Civil Engineering programme, Wallace “Wal” McQuarrie dedicated over five decades to his profession at Watercare in Auckland, where his work included significant contributions to dam safety legislation and projects like Auckland’s Cosseys Dam upgrade.

 “I couldn’t think of a better way to immortalise Dad’s legacy,” Limond says. “He was so generous, humble, and kind, and he would be so chuffed to know about this scholarship that will help propel civil engineering forward. To know that his legacy will continue in such a way brings me great peace.”

 With a $200,000 gift, the Wal McQuarrie Memorial Scholarship will fund postgraduate research in civil engineering, providing annual support to Master of Civil Engineering (MCivilEng) and PhD students.

 Reflecting on McQuarrie’s impact on the profession, Professor Rajesh Dhakal, Head of Civil and Natural Resources Engineering, says, “Through the Wal McQuarrie Memorial Scholarship, we honour a remarkable engineer whose passion and commitment will continue to inspire and support the next generation of civil engineers in their pursuit of excellence.”

 Professor Saurabh Sinha, Amo Matua Pūhanga | Executive Dean of Engineering at UC, adds, “This scholarship is a testament to McQuarrie’s dedication to advancing engineering.”

 The scholarship will open for applications in 2025.