- $100 million gift to the University of Sydney aims to increase female STEM participation.
- – Multi-tier programme to support students from school through university and into careers.
What happened: AirTrunk founder pledges $100M for women in STEM
Robin Khuda, founder of data centre giant AirTrunk, has pledged $100 million to the University of Sydney in a landmark effort to increase female participation in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). The initiative, revealed on Wednesday, is the largest philanthropic donation for STEM diversity in New South Wales and aims to create a sustained pipeline of female talent over the next two decades.
The programme, developed in collaboration with the university, includes three tiers: outreach activities for students in Years 7–10, academic scholarships and mentoring for Year 11–12 students, and university scholarships with financial aid for housing. The initiative is expected to engage 40,000 students at the foundational level and produce over 300 graduates through its full pipeline.
Khuda, who moved to Australia from Bangladesh and founded AirTrunk in 2015 before selling it to Blackstone for $24 billion, highlighted the underrepresentation of women in STEM fields. With only 15% of STEM professionals in Australia being women, the programme aims to address both early education and career entry barriers.
University of Sydney Vice-Chancellor Professor Mark Scott hailed the donation as a transformative opportunity for women in Western Sydney, a region that has historically lacked substantial STEM education support.
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Why it’s important
The initiative comes in response to persistent gender gaps in Australia’s STEM fields. While girls represent 47% of Year 12 STEM enrolments, their participation drops significantly in fields like engineering (24%) and technology (26%). Women make up less than 21% of university graduates in these areas and hold only 15% of STEM jobs.
Government-led diversity programmes have struggled to produce significant improvements, highlighting the need for targeted private sector interventions like Khuda’s initiative. The AirTrunk-backed programme offers structured academic and financial support, providing a model for long-term STEM diversity investment.
Western Sydney, home to a diverse and growing population, has lacked equivalent STEM education opportunities compared to other Sydney regions. This programme is expected to provide much-needed resources and create a long-term talent pipeline for the Australian tech industry.
Industry experts suggest that similar initiatives could be replicated nationwide to improve gender representation across STEM professions. As Australia continues to invest in digital infrastructure and high-tech industries, closing the gender gap remains crucial for innovation and economic growth.
