Highlights: $100 million to support women in STEM programs in Australia
- The University of Sydney received a donation of $100 million.
- The donation was made by tech founder, Robin Khuda.
- It would address the under-representation of women in STEM programs.
- It aims to attract women students in high school for STEM courses and encourage them to pursue a career in this sector.
- Women hold 15 percent of STEM jobs in Australia.
*Want to apply for Australia student visa? Y-Axis is here to guide you with the process.
$100 million support for women in Australian STEM programs
The University of Sydney received AUD 100 million in donations. The funds would address the underrepresentation of women in STEM study programs in Australia. The program aims to encourage women to join STEM (science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) study programs in high school, and retain and encourage women to pursue careers in STEM.
Khuda Family Foundation led the philanthropic act. The tech founder, Robin Khuda, supports the program and is known for positively impacting society. In 2024, Robin Khuda’s company sold his company AirTrunk, a data center specialist, to global asset manager Blackstone for $24 billion. This fund was used for donations to make a positive impact in western Sydney. It is the largest data center deal in the world and the largest transaction in Australia in 2024.
*Looking for guidance with Australia immigration? Sign up with Y-Axis for comprehensive guidance with the process.
Women in STEM sectors of Australia
According to reports by STEM Equity Monitor 2024, women represent 15 percent of the people working in STEM jobs in Australia. However, women and other people in Australia are underrepresented in engineering and computing.
The STEM program aims to attract women to relevant STEM courses in high school and support them in higher studies so that they can pursue careers in STEM. The first scholars are expected to enroll at the university by 2027.
*Want to assistance to apply for Australia work visa? Y-Axis is here to offer comprehensive support.
Progress for Australian STEM sector
Diversity and inclusion would benefit the STEM sector of Australia. Diverse groups create better results and a higher success rate for companies and governmental agencies. From July this year, the STEM programs at the University of Sydney will start outreach programs in public and private high schools in West Sydney. The program aims to reach 40,000 high school students in Western Sydney.
Over a decade, the University of Sydney received funds from 64,000 donors on seven continents. In 2019, it reached its goal of receiving $1 billion in donations.
*Are you looking for step-by-step with Australia Immigration? Contact Y-Axis, the world’s No. 1 overseas immigration consultancy, for end-to-end support!
For more updates on Australia, check out Y-Axis Australia Immigration Updates!
