News Archive

Who is responsible for education?  Traditionally, Australian culture would indicate that it's not our personal duty to address the sustainability and delivery of education.  However, times have changed and to remain internationally competitive, Australian universities are turning to their alumni, students, and friends to assist with a growing financial need.

George Wilkinson of UWA's Office of Development understands the Business School's needs.  He managed a team of 45 Business School students who contacted more than 3,000 alumni as part of the Business School's telephone fundraising campaign.

"The big picture of this project is it is about community engagement and development.  The University is a crucial resource for society and who better to take advantage of what's on offer than our alumni," George said.

"The campaign is about creating a lifelong relationship with the University which has been a welcomed invitation for most of the alumni we've talked to."

The telephone campaign raised over $300,000, although this isn't what George focused on; rather. it was more about the practical business experience students received as part of this campaign.

The Business School Campaign is raising funds for the new Business School Building (on the south end of campus) and the Business School Futures Fund for scholarships, professorial chair positions, visiting national and international lecturers and other people resources that are imperative to tertiary education.

Both funds combined will assist the Business School to bring it closer to its international aspirations.  "The University as a whole is striving to become one of the top 50 universities in the world in the next 50 years."