Curtin University is partnering with valued alumni from the University’s predecessor institution, the Western Australian Institute of Technology (WAIT), to raise funds to help students achieve their academic aspirations.
The University through the WAIT Alumni Scholarships Campaign, is aiming to raise $2 million towards establishing an endowment scholarships fund for current students.
The campaign is running throughout 2017, which also marks the University’s ‘50 Years of Innovation’ celebrations – recognising the combined history of WAIT which opened its doors to students in 1967 and evolved into Curtin University in 1987.
WAIT Campaign Ambassadors include Neil Warburton (Non-Executive Director, Independence Group, Executive Director, White River Exploration Pty Ltd), Lloyd Smith (CEO, Gerard Daniels), Barry Upton (MD, RUC Cementation), Tom Silvan (CEO (WA) CHS – Linton Street Pty Ltd; MD, SWAPS), Greg Howlett (Director, Cox Architecture), Roger Kwok (MD, Arcadia Group) and WAIT Campaign Chairman Peter Bradford (CEO, Independence Group NL).
Curtin University Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Terry said the ambassadors had generously offered their time, and financial assistance to this special initiative.
“Our WAIT Campaign Ambassadors have been working with staff on this special campaign to ensure we empower the students of today to become the leaders of tomorrow,” Professor Terry said.
“Curtin’s student population represents a diversity of backgrounds and demographics, and currently, over 13 per cent of our students come from low socio-economic backgrounds. We believe that access to a university degree should be based on merit, aspiration and the pursuit of greater knowledge. It should not be impacted by financial hardship or constraint.
“Campaigns to increase the number of scholarships we are able to offer are crucial, which is why our WAIT Alumni Scholarships Campaign is such an important focus this year.”
In 2016, Curtin committed over $5.2 million towards scholarships to support current students, despite this contribution only 38 per cent of students who applied for a scholarship were successful in receiving one.
The Campaign Ambassadors have been championing the need to establish a sustainable source of funding that will provide critical funds to students who need it most, and also to recognise those who are achieving academic excellence.
Supporters of the campaign are also able to direct their funds towards an endowed scholarships fund to support WA School of Mines, Curtin University students.
For further information on the WAIT Alumni Scholarships Campaign, and to contribute to the campaign visit https://give.curtin.edu.au/fundraising-projects/wait-alumni-scholarships-campaign
