Di-Data creates the Steve Ross Scholarship

Steve was widely respected in the IT industry as one of the best and most innovative leaders for IT education and training in Australia.

The Steve Ross Scholarship will provide $15,000 annually, with half allocated each year to support an applicant undertaking study at The Salvation Army’s Booth College, and the other $7,500 to support education for deserving applicants from amongst Dimension Data’s Australian staff.

One of the Scholarship’s purposes is to support Dimension Data’s employees who want to focus on their studies or research to advance their career in the Dimension Data group.

As part of the Scholarship, employees will choose an area or topic(s) relating, where possible, to their role or field of expertise at Dimension Data.

“Chipper was a fantastic role model in Dimension Data, and a great believer in the power of personal enthusiasm and positive energy,” said Steve Nola, Australian CEO, Dimension Data.

“He was a larger than life figure and will not be forgotten by anyone who worked with him.

“From a Dimension Data perspective, we want to ensure that Steve’s name, his character and the values he stood for are not lost to our organisation with his passing. His legacy in our organisation and in the field of IT education will not be forgotten, thanks to his Scholarship,”

The other half of the Scholarship funds will provide support to one student for the duration of his or her studies in the two-year residential officer training course at Booth College, The Salvation Army's education and training body in the Australia Eastern Territory.

“During his life, Chipper was a passionate advocate and supporter of The Salvation Army and Chipper’s family believed that it was most appropriate for his Scholarship to also support educational endeavours within this organisation,” said Nola.

“We’re proud to support an organisation such as The Salvation Army, which has done an incredible job for many years in our community.”

The Scholarship is being launched on December 27, 2008 to commemorate the first anniversary of Steve’s death.