The biggest ever donation to Sydney uni is $100m for women in STEM

The largest single philanthropic gift ever given to a NSW university – and the biggest ever donation to the University of Sydney (USYD) – will go to girls from Western Sydney who dream of becoming scientists or mathematicians. The $100m gift was announced just in time for the United Nation's Day of Women and Girls in Science on February 11. The Khuda Family Foundation STEM Program will follow students for 20 years, and is designed to empower girls from Western Sydney to pursue education and careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The funds will offer STEM programs to both boys and girls in partner schools, through years 7 to 10, in the hopes it will spark an interest in STEM as a career option. This part of the funding is expected to reach 40,000 students. Then, for girls in years 11 and 12, the funding offers academic support and an annual bursary to encourage the students to retain their STEM subjects, which includes group tutoring, mentoring by USYD students and access to on-campus STEM activities. And finally, about 300 women who were involved in the program through high school will have access to a scholarship stipend, funds for university-owned accommodation, and specialised mentoring throughout their STEM undergraduate degree. Girls who qualify during the HSC final exams will be guaranteed an undergraduate place and scholarship at USYD, making the program one of a kind. The program will commence with six schools, and the first scholars are expected to enrol at the university in 2027. The donation comes from billionaire tech-founder Robin Khuda, who said he wants to give back to the industry where he made his fortune. Robin Khuda with undergraduate STEM students, (left to right) Loretta Payne, Anandikaa Ramesh and Samantha Jap. Picture: Michael Almendolia He founded Australian datacentre AirTrunk in 2015 which was then acquired by US private equity firm Blackstone for $24bn in 2024. He established his Khuda Family Foundation in 2020 with a mission to bridge the gender gap in technology. The tech founder moved to Western Sydney from Bangladesh when he was 18-years-old. He chose to donate to USYD, instead of Western Sydney University or his alma mater the University of Technology Sydney, because of its "outstanding academic, research and teaching reputation," he said. "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," Mr Khuda continued. "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." He said when he opened his first datacentre in 2017, he found it challenging to find women for technical and senior management roles, prompting his investment in female involvement in STEM. Related stories: “We absolutely need you”: Biologist to girls interested in STEM | ‘Fix the system, not the girls’: Australia’s women in STEM problem | An ‘uphill battle’ for women in STEM USYD vice-chancellor Mark Scott said the donation aligns with the university's strategy to work with communities in Western Sydney. "The region is a hub of economic and educational opportunity that can drive the nation forward, and this partnership ensures our ability to grow our contribution there while guaranteeing a greater diversity of students can succeed at the University,” he said. Third-year USYD Bachelor of Engineering honours student from Western Sydney Anandikaa Ramesh said encouragement of girls in STEM is necessary to build the female tech workforce. "In my coding classes, women are still definitely in the minority. I want to be an advocate for more women to pursue STEM and I think a huge part of women feeling excited and confident about studying STEM subjects and pursuing careers in STEM is the visibility of more women in STEM," she said. "It’s about young girls who want to participate in STEM having their opinions and perspectives welcomed and respected. I’m from Western Sydney and I know there is a definite need for this." Australia's eight biggest universities – known as the Group of Eight – received 75 per cent, or $360m, of all donations to Australia's 39 universities. USYD achieved its goal of more than $1bn invested in donations in a decade in 2019. It was also the only NSW university to report a surplus last year.