Media releases
Westpac Bicentennial Foundation celebrates first year
8 April 2015
To mark the first anniversary of Westpac Bicentennial Foundation, Chief Executive Officer Susan Bannigan today announced 22 young Australians had been awarded the inaugural Young Technologist and Asian Exchange scholarships.
Ms Bannigan said 14 young technologists from University of Technology Sydney, Queensland University of Technology, University of Wollongong and Edith Cowan University would receive $5000 a year for up to five years to help attract, develop and retain local technology talent.
In addition, eight students from the University of Sydney and University of Melbourne have been awarded Asian Exchange scholarships worth $10,000 to study and travel to countries including China and Singapore.
"Each and every one of these students is outstanding and has the potential to shape Australia's future," Ms Bannigan said.
"These students will become valued members of the Westpac Scholars Alumni program, which aims to connect an empowered network of people with the drive to unlock bold ideas to build a better future for all Australians. Through this program, scholars will gain access to lifelong networking, learning and development opportunities.
"In total this year Westpac Bicentennial Foundation will be awarding 69 scholarships totalling $4.45 million. The first 22 scholarships announced today are just the beginning. By 2017 we will have awarded 200 scholarships and every year after that we will award 100 scholarships across Australia."
The Westpac Bicentennial Foundation is the single largest privately funded education scholarship program in Australia's history with an exclusive focus on the education and advancement of Australians. A one-off contribution of $100 million by the Westpac Group will fund 100 scholarships and awards every year, forever.
The foundation was launched in April last year as a gift to future generations of Australians to commemorate Westpac's 200th anniversary in 2017. Scholars from across five scholarship categories will be people with ideas and passion, from all walks of life who have the drive to shape Australia's future.
To find out more visit www.westpac.com.au/200years