WiseTech Global’s Richard White to revolutionise STEM education in Australian schools

Self-made billionaire Richard White — who used to repair AC/DC’s guitars — has unveiled an ambitious plan to revolutionise how students learn about science, tech, engineering and maths.

EXCLUSIVE

Sydney-based tech billionaire Richard White is pledging at least $50 million from his personal fortune to transform STEM learning in Australian schools.

The money will underwrite a new interactive digital curriculum for science, technology, engineering and maths – developed in partnership with education authorities.

The platform will also provide teachers with training in tech-related subjects and feature automated marking, freeing up time for mentoring strugglers and encouraging those sprinting ahead.

Trials are expected to begin later this year, firstly in NSW. When the platform becomes widely available it will be free for schools.

Aussie billionaire Richard White plans to transform tech education in Australia. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Years seven to 10 will be the initial target, then upper primary and eventually universities.

Mr White — founder and chief of logistics software firm WiseTech Global — told The Daily Telegraph his initial commitment would be $50m and that he was in it for the long-haul.

“I am prepared to go strong on this for ten years,” he said. “I need to give something back to society.”

Mr White said education departments across Australia would be “partners” in the platform’s development.

“They have to be for this to work,” he said. “We are insourcing our innovative ideas and giving them to the public sector.”

Mr White and NSW education minister Sarah Mitchell met last week to discuss the plan.

Ms Mitchell told The Telegraph that “Richard’s focus aligns with my own, ensuring our students understand technology and have quality access to it for educational purposes.

Richard White with Year 9 Auburn Girls High pupils, Wendy Huang, Dorothy Zhang, Jahnavi Gadale, Selina Lin, Htoi Tsawm Ra Maran, at Auburn Girls High School. Picture: Justin Lloyd

“As a mum from regional NSW I know this hasn’t always been the case.

“With Richard’s help we will support more students, particularly girls and students from remote areas, to realise opportunities available to them through technology both for their education and careers,” Ms Mitchell said.

There will also be extra focus on western Sydney.

Auburn Girls High principal Anna Tsoutsa said her school was “very keen” to use the new platform.

“The skills gained in communication, collaboration and meaningfully engaging with information are integral to their future success in many fields,” Ms Tsoutsa said.

Auburn Girls High principal Anna Tsoutsa, Wendy Huang, Jahnavi Gadale, Dorothy Zhang, Grok Academy CEO James Curran, Richard White, Selina Lin, teacher Jacqueline Samuel and Htoi Tsawm Ra Maran. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

The new platform will draw on the work of the WiseTech training academy and Grok Learning, which Mr White has supported.

Grok CEO James Curran, who used to develop Australia’s digital technologies curriculum, said the new project wasn’t about training every child to be a software engineer, but to create a deeper understanding of big concepts such as data analysis and automation.

Mr Curran said it was a “complete fallacy” that young people understand technology simply because they are “digital natives”.

Mr White revealed his education plans during interviews for his profile in The Telegraph’s Power 100 list, which will be published as a 52-page magazine and special digital interactive this Friday.

Also appearing in the rankings for the first time is billionaire entrepreneur and medical doctor Sam Prince, who is using his wealth to tackle disease and hunger.

Originally published as WiseTech Global’s Richard White to revolutionise STEM education in Australian schools