In an effort to drive young women into studying STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), a billionaire has donated $100m to the University of Sydney.
The record donation is from tech founder Robin Khuda, who says he wants to make “positive societal impact” by increasing opportunities for women in the sector where he’s made his wealth.
The Khuda Family Foundation’s $100m will fund a two-decade program addressing the underrepresentation of women studying and working in STEM, with a particular focus on Western Sydney.
Beginning in Year 7, the program has three stages, including tutoring, mentoring and University scholarships. The outreach stage of the program will commence with six schools and the first pilot cohort scholars are expected to enrol at the University in 2027.
What makes the program unique to any other in Australia is that it guarantees girls who qualify at the HSC stage with an undergraduate place and scholarship.
It will be one of the largest investments in women in STEM globally, and it’s the largest single philanthropic gift in New South Wales.
The Vice-Vhancellor of the University of Sydney, Mark Scott, said he and Khuda had consulted for two years to develop the program.
“We’ve worked together in close collaboration to create this program and forge this partnership, which will create life-changing opportunities for girls and women from Western Sydney,” said Scott.
“Thanks to the exceptional generosity of the Khuda Family Foundation, the program’s impact on their education and professional futures will lead to a generational change in addressing diversity, skills and participation in STEM.”
Women make up just 37 per cent of enrolments in university STEM courses, and only 15 per cent of STEM-qualified jobs are held by women, according to the Australian government’s 2023 state of STEM gender equity report.
Founder of the data centre business AirTrunk, Khuda began his philanthropy foundation in 2020 with the aim of increasing the number of women in technology.
“The recent acquisition of AirTrunk is the outcome of many years of hard work and dedication- now I want to give back and make a long term positive societal impact because of my belief in the importance of diversity in STEM,” said Khuda, who lived in Western Sydney when he first moved to Australia from Bangladesh.
In 2017, Khuda opened his first data centre in Western Sydney, and said that in his experience growing AirTrunk, diversifying the pipeline of employees is crucial as he found it challenging to find women for technical and senior management roles.
“Western Sydney, compared to other areas of Sydney, hasn’t had the same level of educational support for students to pursue an early interest in science and technology, and converting their interest into a University degree with that focus,” said Khuda.
Sidestepping the University of Western Sydney, Khuda said he chose the University of Sydney due to its “outstanding academic, research and teaching reputation and the flexibility and agility to deliver and evolve this program”.
“The women who graduate from this program will have attended one of the best universities in the world, ready to make a game-changing impact on our future.”