University of Qld to raise $250m for First Nations, disadvantaged access

Queensland’s biggest university has pledged to raise hundreds of millions in donations for students from Indigenous and disadvantaged backgrounds.

University of Queensland vice-chancellor Professor Deborah Terry

Queensland’s biggest university has made an ambitious pledge to raise hundreds of millions in philanthropic donations for Indigenous students and those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

It comes after the landmark Universities Accord Report, based on a year-long review of the tertiary education sector, found Queensland has the lowest higher education attainment rate in the country, with just 37 per cent of 25-34 year olds having completed further study.

The University of Queensland will commit to raising $250m by 2032.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Terry AC said the pledge was part of UQ’s Queensland Commitment Roadmap, which includes growing scholarship and pathway programs.

“Since launching the commitment, more than 1600 donors have stepped forward … raising a combined $22 million to create 65 new perpetual scholarships in less than a year,” she said.

“The amount each student receives can vary significantly, but in financial terms on average it’s about $5,000 per scholarship which might encompass accommodation and study support.

“Support has exceeded expectations since launch … many of our alumni want to ensure that others have the same opportunity they received.”

Professor Terry said the university aims to raise the funds through philanthropy, alumni donations, and community partnerships.

“Philanthropy will be an enabler for some of the measures contained in the road map, but it is only one component,” she said.

“We are trying to achieve to remove barriers to studying at university in our state.

“As an example, this might look like agreements for accredited accommodation providers to prioritise under-represented student groups.”

Last year, 21 per cent of UQ’s domestic undergraduate students came from a regional, remote, or low socio-economic background. By 2032, UQ aims to boost this to 30 per cent.

The university also aims to bolster the number of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students – it is currently 1.5 per cent of the cohort, with the aim being 4.4 per cent.

UQ aims to double the annual intake for the likes of its Young Achievers Program and InspireU, which support students from under-represented and Indigenous backgrounds.