The benefactor of a Women in STEM initiative has taken the opportunity to observe the program in action at Prairiewood High School one year on from his generous $100 million donation that made the program possible.
The CEO of AirTrunk and founder of the Khuda Family Foundation, Robin Khuda, joined Sydney University Vice-Chancelor and former NSW Department of Education Secretary, Mark Scott, to witness the energy and enthusiasm of Prairiewood students participating in a hands-on mathematics-focused outreach workshop.
Prairiewood High School principal, Christine Roberts said it was “really special” for the school to have been chosen for the program and be honoured with a visit from Robin Khuda.
“A school wouldn’t be what it is without working towards the future generation,” Ms Roberts said.
“Penny Evans is our careers adviser, and she really was the one who came to me in the beginning and said, ‘let’s have a look at this program; it sounds amazing’ and it has been amazing.”
Mr Khuda was clearly impressed with what he saw.
“It’s remarkable,” he said.
“Just coming here to see it in action, it’s the biggest thrill. I’ve done a lot of things in my life; many successful things but this is really up there with everything. There’s something beautiful about this program. it’s going to open up so many doors.
“I came from Bangladesh. I lived in Western Sydney. The best thing that happened to me is my parents gave me an education. You’re getting a STEM education; it’s going to open up so many opportunities. Just make sure you take up this opportunity and do something bigger and better.”
The Khuda Foundation program aims to help address the gender imbalance in university STEM enrolments and, consequently, the STEM workforce. Although the situation is improving, women account for 37% of Australian university STEM enrolments and only 15% of the STEM workforce.
The program works with students from Year 7 through to graduation at Sydney University in a staged approach. It supports their participation at key moments in their STEM journey through their education.
Sydney University manages the two-tiered program and over the past year, the ‘outreach’ component has seen Sydney University educators and student mentors engage students in Years 7 to 10 from six Western Sydney high schools (four public and two Catholic) in practical workshops aligned with the school curriculum. In the first year, they have completed 157 sessions for thousands of students with more than 8,000 individual student interactions taking place
Last November, the second tier of the program saw the establishment of the Khuda Women in STEM Academy, which supports students in Years 11 and 12 through mentoring, on-campus experiences and academic and financial support. Prairiewood High School has 24 students in the Academy.
Mark Scott said the program was “an extraordinary gift by Robin and his family foundation”.
“It’s so exciting to see vibrant, engaged students, excited to be learning about STEM and that’s what it’s all about,” he said.
“It’s about a pipeline … students like these students today being excited and finding out that STEM is really interesting and great fun and going on to study STEM and have great careers.
“I see it as a nation building exercise. So, it’s wonderful to come to Prairiewood today to meet you and the team and to look at it all rolling out. It’s a great down payment on the future. None of it would be possible without the generosity of Robin and the team.”
Participating schools
- Prairiewood High School
- Bossley Park High School
- Catherine McAuley Westmead
- Girraween High School
- Our Lady of Mercy College (OLMC) Parramatta
- Penrith Selective High School
