In May 2018 the Hansen Little Foundation announced a unique philanthropic partnership with the University of Melbourne via a $30 million gift, the largest in the University’s history for the benefit of students.
Hundreds of talented Australian students will now have the opportunity to realise their full potential through the Foundation’s gift which will allow for the construction of Little Hall, a landmark student residence on Swanston Street, Carlton and the establishment of the University’s flagship Hansen Scholarship Program.
The annual program, which will run for an initial 40 years, will commence in 2020 with an inaugural intake of 20 students, who will be known as Hansen Scholars. These scholars will receive free accommodation at Little Hall, assistance with general living expenses for the duration of their bachelor’s degree and development and career support throughout their time at university.
Jane Hansen, the founding patron of the Scholarship Program, said it will provide unparalleled opportunities and support for outstanding students whose personal circumstances may otherwise deny them the chance to study at the University of Melbourne.
“I firmly believe that an individual’s life trajectory should be guided by their determination to achieve their ambitions,” Ms Hansen said.
“The Hansen Scholarship Program will significantly expand the horizons of its recipients – enabling and emboldening them to reframe their dreams and reimagine their futures.”
Little Hall will be an exciting addition to Melbourne: a unique and outstanding architectural statement that establishes a new benchmark for student living in a distinctive academic and intellectually rich setting. Its design reflects Jane and Paul’s desire to create an attractive, welcoming environment with a high level of pastoral care for over 600 students who will call Little Hall home during their three years of undergraduate study.
The building will contain generous-sized bedrooms, each with its own ensuite, plus large amounts of communal space and dedicated recreational facilities including a cinema, gymnasium, and café. Beyond the living environments are multi-purpose study rooms and a dedicated learning hub, with high-tech communications throughout.