Dr Neville Bain (66), who was born and educated in Dunedin but who has lived in the United Kingdom for many years, has donated $100,000, the university council was told last week.
The donation would be invested in the university's foundation trust and the interest used to fund an annual travelling scholarship of about $5000 for Master of Business Administration students, School of Business head of corporate services Claire Ramsay said on Tuesday.
Dr Bain completed degrees in commerce, economics and accountancy at Otago part-time while working for the Inland Revenue Department in Dunedin.
He went on to hold senior management positions with Cadbury Schweppes, the international textile company Coats Viyella and the British Post Office.
He is the chairman of the UK Institute of Directors.
