Thursday, 6 December 2007

Business education and research has been boosted with the announcement of an A$5 million partnership between BHP Billiton and The University of Western Australia Business School.

Announcing the partnership today, President BHP Billiton Stainless Steel Materials Mr Jimmy Wilson said the company would provide $5 million to support the establishment of a new Professorial Chair - known as the BHP Billiton Chair in the Business of Resources - new research initiatives, new scholarships as well as targeted training and education.

BHP Billiton’s graduate employment initiatives, professional development training requirements, and executive programs will also be supported by the partnership.

UWA Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alan Robson, welcomed the partnership congratulating BHP Billiton on its commitment to education and leadership.

“This partnership reflects the University’s aspiration of achieving international excellence for the benefit of the wider community. It is a very exciting time for the University and our Business School as we work with partners in the business community to develop a world-class centre of excellence in business education and research for industry, government and the public,” Professor Robson said.

Mr Wilson, who is also a member of the UWA Business School Board, said the partnership reflected BHP Billiton’s commitment to investing in the educational and business future of the Western Australian economy.

“This program will support research, education, and employment opportunities for Western Australian students, particularly those students in the regional areas in which we operate,” Mr Wilson said.

Chair of the Business School Board, Mr Mark Barnaba, said the investment by BHP Billiton represented a commitment to the development of leaders and graduates with the skills and talent to ensure continued economic growth at State and national levels.

“BHP Billiton is to be commended for its commitment to education generally and business education in particular. Achieving at international standards of excellence is an expensive and competitive enterprise. The support of major corporate leaders will help ensure Western Australia is at the centre of such activity,” Mr Barnaba said.

The Dean of the UWA Business School, Tracey Horton, said the School’s fundraising campaign launched just 12 months ago had received immense support from the business community as well as individuals and was close to achieving a target of $25 million.

“This campaign was launched to provide funds for the School’s Futures Fund, supporting new initiatives such as Professorial Chairs, scholarships, research, student experience, and our new building which is taking shape at the southern end of the UWA campus and which will be open for business late in 2008,” Ms Horton said.

“Partnerships with global corporations such as BHP Billiton support our objective to take business education at UWA to a new level and to ensure Western Australia is recognized as an international hub for the development of business and leadership skills,” she said.

Media references

Professor Alan Robson (UWA) 61 8 6488 2809

Brian Watt (Manager External Affairs, BHP Billiton) 61 8 6224 4653
0419 175 248

Doug Durack (UWA Public Affairs) 61 8 6488 2806
0419 946 294

Heather Merritt (Marketing Manager, UWA Business School) 61 8 6488 8171

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