Bangladeshi-Australian billionaire tech mogul funds ‘Khuda Scholars’ at University of Sydney

One of Australia’s newest tech billionaires is funnelling $100 million into the University of Sydney to put his name on a scholarship program bigger than any previous philanthropic gift.

Robin Khuda, AirTrunk Founder and CEO. Britta Campion / The Australian

One of Australia’s newest tech billionaires is funnelling $100 million into the University of Sydney in what is believed to be the largest single donation to a NSW university, with its Vice-Chancellor describing the gift as “absolutely vital”.

Robin Khuda, founder and CEO of data centre empire AirTrunk, has donated $100 million to the university to launch a 20-year science and engineering pathway program, targeting young women, in his name.

Over the life of the three-stage “full pipeline” program more than 300 young women will become ‘Khuda Scholars’ in the university’s science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) courses, starting in 2027, with the goal of reaching 40,000 high school students for tutoring and mentorship in total.

Khuda Scholars who graduate the ‘Khuda Academy’ in Years 11 and 12 will get a stipend to cover living expenses, plus $25,000 to spend on accommodation owned by the university.

Vice-Chancellor Mark Scott said Mr Khuda’s donation is a “remarkably generous gift” tuned into the “future needs” of Sydney and the nation, and comes at a time when philanthropy is “absolutely vital” to any kind of activity beyond the day-to-day running of a university.

AirTrunk Founder and CEO Robin Khuda is one of Australia’s newest billionaires. Picture: Britta Campion / The Australian

“The funding that we get for domestic students barely covers the cost of their teaching and learning,” he said.

“If you are looking to do expansive research, or outreach … you need to find partners who will help you be able to do that.”

Professor Mark Scott AO, Vice-Chancellor & President at the University of Sydney. Picture: NewsWire / Max Mason-Hubers

The multi-year program funded through the Khuda Family Foundation addresses a problem that has played on the Vice-Chancellor’s mind since his previous job as Secretary of the NSW Department of Education.

“We know we need a highly skilled and capable STEM workforce, people who are confident to engage with … the technological challenges of the future, but too early in their schooling too many students are deciding STEM is not for them,” Professor Scott said.

“Participation rates of girls in STEM subjects for the HSC and then going through to university are much lower than they should be, and that’s an enormous wasted potential for our community.”

Mr Khuda, a Bangladeshi-Australian entrepreneur, became a billionaire last year and now has an estimated net worth of $1.03bn after selling AirTrunk to US investment giant Blackstone in September for $24 billion.

Robin Khuda, AirTrunk Founder and CEO, photographed at their headquarters in Sydney in September 2024 after the company was acquired for $24bn by Blackstone. Picture: Britta Campion / The Australian

His charitable trust, the Khuda Family Foundation, was established in 2020 with a $1 million donation, according to documents lodged with the Australian Charities and Not-For-Profits Commission, and has made cash donations of up to $50,000 to White Ribbon Australia, Black Dog Institute and Lifeline Australia while reporting revenue from investments of between $78,000 and $110,000 each year.

When approached about the origins of the $100 million gift, the non-profit noted foundations can receive additional capital injections from donors with the ACNC reports reflective only of revenue to the end of the 2024 financial year.

Robin Khuda, with undergraduate University of Sydney STEM students, L to R, Anandikaa Ramesh, Loretta Payne and Samantha Jap. Picture: Supplied

Mr Khuda declined to be interviewed by The Daily Telegraph but in a written statement said he was motivated to increase opportunities for women in STEM after finding it challenging to hire females into senior roles in his business, and is hopeful this program will become a “game-changing template” for others to follow.

“The recent acquisition of AirTrunk is the outcome of many years of hard work and dedication – now I want to give back and make a long term positive societal impact because of my belief in the importance of diversity in STEM,” he said.

“The women who graduate from this program will have attended one of the best universities in the world, ready to make a game-changing impact on our future.”