$100m fund for scholarships
The University has joined forces with the Westpac Bicentennial Foundation to establish the largest private education scholarship program in Australian history.
The $100 million fund, launched in April, will provide about 100 scholarships every year in perpetuity, starting in 2015. The University will offer three of the five types of scholarship instigated by Westpac. Programs are expected to be fully operational by 2017.
Deputy Provost Professor Susan Elliott says the University welcomes the addition of the program to the Australian scholarship scene. “The University is thrilled to announce its founding partnership with Westpac Bicentennial Foundation and looks forward to working closely with Westpac to strengthen our existing programs on offer.”
The foundation was launched by Westpac Chief Executive Gail Kelly and Westpac Chairman Lindsay Maxsted to mark the bank’s approaching 200th anniversary in 2017. The University of Sydney is also a founding partner.
Scholarship programs include:
- Future Leaders scholarships will be awarded to recent graduates for postgraduate study at a global institution. Recipients will come from various disciplines, with preference given to Australia’s relationship with Asia, and technology and innovation.
- A Best and Brightest program will provide awards to post-doctoral researchers. Recipients will be selected on their research, which will focus on enhancing Australia’s competitive position in technology and innovation, or strengthening ties with Asian economies.
- Asian Exchange scholarships will allow undergraduate students to spend a semester at a leading Asian university, with a focus on increasing the number of Asia-literate graduates in Australia.