News Archive

A year after the launch of the University's ambitious New Century Campaign, an extraordinary $215 million has been raised - or more than 50 per cent of the $400 million target.

Every day, people are stepping up to be part of something bigger than themselves and, already, lives have been impacted in meaningful ways. UWA's vision for innovative global leadership in a knowledge-driven world is being realised.

Scholarships

Through scholarships, over $35 million has now been raised in support of students and emerging young leaders are reaching their potential in greater numbers than ever before.

Because of UWA friends and alumni, a transformative educational experience is increasingly made available to young people who have the ability, but not necessarily the means, to benefit from it. Scholarships open doors that might otherwise be closed by financial circumstances, physical ability or geographic location. Indeed, 97 per cent of students who undertake the University's Fairway program will be offered a place at a Western Australian university.

Rising research stars

Already the UWA community has contributed almost $20 million for our rising research stars.

One such donor, Mrs Ana Africh, believes in the power of education to change lives. Ana contributes to a number of scholarships for UWA students.

As a child in Eastern Europe during World War II, Ana's educational opportunities were sparse. Now, UWA students are the beneficiaries of her struggle and her commitment to giving young people opportunities she never had.

One of Ana's passions is medical research and she supports it through postgraduate scholarships named in her honour, along with a fund dedicated to support stem cell research.

The impact of Ana's generosity can already be seen in research breakthroughs. The work of Ana Africh scholarship recipient, Calyn Moulton, aims to reduce the side effects of treatment on prostate cancer patients. His research will soon be used clinically, making a real difference in the lives of millions of people around the world who are battling the disease.

Forrest Research Foundation

The announcement of an unprecedented $65 million gift from Andrew and Nicola Forrest set the stage for the launch of UWA's $400 million New Century Campaign.

A year on, the Forrest Research Foundation is established and Forrest scholars from across the globe will soon be pursuing big dreams and ideas in Western Australia.

The Foundation has a pivotal role to play in establishing UWA as a world-class centre for research and new knowledge. It will fund scholarships and postdoctoral fellowships across all five Western Australian universities, in perpetuity, building innovative capacity across our State.

The Forrests' donation will also fund Forrest Hall at UWA, a creative living space for rising research stars, rivalling the best residential colleges in the world.

Alumni engagement

Our alumni are changemakers. They are business leaders, community trailblazers, former prime ministers and Nobel Laureates. They are lifelong UWA stakeholders and advocates and their contribution to the New Century Campaign is vital.

Since October 2013, UWA has been connecting like never before with alumni across Australia and the globe. Graduates in New York, Singapore, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, London, Cape Town and Mumbai have shared in discussions about UWA's vision for the future and our place in the world.

We've asked graduates about their experiences, before and after graduation. We've asked about their own hopes and ambitions for the future. UWA has reached out to alumni and they have enthusiastically reached back, connecting with their University and with each other, providing invaluable insights and driving an international network.

Today, we are closer than ever to ensuring that UWA plays a meaningful role in the life of every UWA graduate and in the world in which they live.

To find out more about alumni networks near you, contact Ms Jenn Parsons, Alumni Relations Manager, on [email protected] or  +61 8 6488 3511

Academic leadership and excellence

More than $55 million has been raised to support academic leadership and excellence. The creation of the Wesfarmers Chair in Australian History, based in the Faculty of Arts, is just one example. How appropriate for two proud Australian institutions to join forces in support of our heritage and our country.

Wesfarmers' Chair, Professor Jane Lydon, is increasing understanding of Australian society past and present. At her inaugural oration on 30 October, audience members were transported in time as Professor Lydon delved into the changing nature of photography for Indigenous Australians and the role it plays in connecting them to their rich cultural legacy and the land.

This award-winning author and historian is making the world take notice of Western Australia by shedding light on the exchange between Indigenous people and settlers, and the ways in which that exchange continues to shape Australian society today.

The Australian Aboriginal Cultures Museum

The momentum to create a place where we honour, learn from and share our nation's extraordinary cultural heritage has never been greater, as those attending UWA's Senate Community Dinner in August can attest.

Alumnus and 2014 Senior Australian of the Year, Dr Fred Chaney ao, expressed his hope for the future of Aboriginal Australia at the dinner, based on the many positive changes he has witnessed and been part of since he first became involved in Indigenous rights as a UWA student over 50 years ago.

UWA aims to celebrate the living culture of the Aboriginal people of this country through the creation of the Australian Aboriginal Cultures Museum. The commitment to Indigenous heritage is vital to cultural understanding in Australia and beyond.

The Museum will house the internationally acclaimed Centre for Rock Art Research and Management, where leading researchers are set to record and interpret the stories, history, relationships to land, social boundaries and belief systems depicted in ancient rock art.

Through the Museum, people around the world will come to better appreciate the country we live in, its original inhabitants and our ancient soils. But above all, the Museum must be relevant to our State's Aboriginal communities.
To this end, in the new year UWA will embark on the second phase of an extensive community consultation led by Noongar statesman, Dr Richard Walley AM.