Khuda Family donates $100m to boost women in STEM

A donation of $100 million from the Khuda Family Foundation to the University of Sydney will fund a 20-year programme aimed at fostering pathways for girls from Western Sydney into STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education and careers.

The substantial philanthropic gift will support a programme structured across three stages: from Year 7 students receiving tutoring and mentoring to University scholarships, ultimately preparing them for STEM careers. The initiative is set to be one of the most significant global investments in women in STEM.

Robin Khuda, founder and Chief Executive Officer of AirTrunk, spearheaded the creation of this programme with a vision of increasing female participation in STEM, an area traditionally dominated by males. The programme will focus initially on schools in Western Sydney, aiming to systematically address the gender imbalance in STEM subjects and careers.

"Robin Khuda came to the University with a challenge he knew we cared deeply about - the lack of gender diversity in STEM and of opportunities and support for students to pursue their interest in STEM studies and careers. 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 Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Sydney, Professor Mark Scott.

The University conveys that the programme's impact will be profound, enhancing education and career prospects for generations to come and fostering diversity in STEM fields. It plans to include three specific stages to support students.

The Khuda Family Foundation Outreach Programme targets high school students from years 7 to 10, collaborating with schools to provide curriculum-aligned STEM activities and aiming to engage 40,000 students. The Khuda Academy will focus on years 11 and 12, providing academic support and bursaries to maintain interest in STEM subjects, with a goal to reach over 1,200 students.

After completing the Academy, students will be eligible for Khuda Scholars, which guarantees scholarship stipends and mentoring throughout their University education, supporting primarily women through their undergraduate STEM degrees.

Robin Khuda explained his motivation behind the initiative: "AirTrunk is playing an essential role in scaling the relentless growth of our region's digital future. 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. My vision, shared with the University of Sydney, is that this program that we've created will become a game-changing template that others can leverage and scale in the future."

Mr Khuda has a personal connection to the region, having lived in Western Sydney upon arriving from Bangladesh. He talked about the discrepancy in educational support in this area and his decision to partner with the University of Sydney, citing its strong reputation in STEM education.

The initiative builds on the University's historical engagement with Western Sydney, having invested over AUD $85 million into the region since 1978, and forms a part of its ongoing strategy to expand its educational offerings in the area.

"This donation aligns with the University of Sydney's 2032 Strategy of continuing to work with communities in Western Sydney by expanding our educational offering and impact. 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," Professor Mark Scott stated.

The University emphasises its longstanding commitment to making transformative education widely accessible, highlighting its partnership with the Khuda Family Foundation as a means of addressing gender perceptions in STEM and promoting equality.

Anandikaa Ramesh, a third-year Bachelor of Engineering and Commerce student from Western Sydney, commented on the donation's importance: "In my coding classes at University 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 - and encouragement from an early age."