Robin Khuda's $100 million donation launched a STEM pathway program for Western Sydney schoolgirls one year ago. The AirTrunk founder returned this week to Prairiewood High School to see it in action.
Khuda, founder of the Khuda Family Foundation, joined Sydney University vice-chancellor Mark Scott at the school for a hands-on mathematics workshop. The visit forms part of a two-tier program that Sydney University manages on the foundation's behalf.
Women account for 37% of university STEM enrolments in Australia and just 15% of the STEM workforce, according to the NSW Department of Education. The figures underscore the scale of the gap the program is designed to close.
Separately, the university says research shows 75% of the fastest-growing occupations require science, technology, engineering or mathematics skills, underlining the workforce stakes for schools.
Outreach reaches thousands in first year
Sydney University educators and student mentors delivered 157 outreach sessions across six Western Sydney schools in the program's first 12 months. That activity generated more than 8,000 individual student interactions among Years 7 to 10.
Prairiewood principal Christine Roberts said being chosen for the program was "really special" for the school. "A school wouldn't be what it is without working towards the future generation," she said. She credited careers adviser Penny Evans with first identifying the opportunity.
The Khuda Women in STEM Academy, the program's second tier, launched in November for students in Years 11 and 12. It offers mentoring, on-campus experience and financial support, and Prairiewood has 24 students enrolled.
Sydney University's own account of the visit says the program's third and final stage will admit its first Khuda Women in STEM Scholars next year. That stage guarantees scholarships for Academy graduates who win a university place.
Donor draws on his own migration story
Khuda lived in Western Sydney after arriving in Australia from Bangladesh. He said the visit ranked among the highlights of his career.
"I've done a lot of things in my life; many successful things but this is really up there with everything," he said. He told students education has been the foundation of his own success and urged them to "do something bigger and better."
Scott called the program "an extraordinary gift" and "a nation-building exercise," describing it as a long-term pipeline investment rather than a one-off donation.
Prairiewood is one of six partner schools delivering the program. The others are Bossley Park High School, Catherine McAuley Westmead, Girraween High School, Our Lady of Mercy College Parramatta and Penrith Selective High School.