Charles Sturt University Foundation A case for philanthropic support
Yindyamarra Winhanganha The wisdom of respectfully knowing how to live well in a world worth living in.
The Wiradjuri phrase yindyamarra winhanganha means the wisdom of respectfully knowing how to live well in a world worth living in. This phrase represents who we are at Charles Sturt University – our ethos. It comes from traditional Indigenous Australian knowledge, but it also speaks to the mission of a university – to develop and spread wisdom to make the world a better place.
Our university narrative expands on this by confirming “we are a university of the land and people of our regions, and we aim to develop holistic, far-sighted people who help their communities grow and flourish”.
Looking to the future Charles Sturt University is a dynamic and progressive multi-campus university with a large geographical footprint and 40,000 students studying with us worldwide. Built on a foundation of excellence in teaching and research spanning more than 100 years, and staying true to our founding motto, “for the public good”, Charles Sturt University has grown and matured into an international university with a clear and important purpose, critical to the success of regional Australia. With your help, we are seeking to ensure we remain successful and relevant for many years to come. We know education creates opportunity, expands horizons and enriches lives, but we believe it should be accessible to everyone, regardless of background or personal circumstances. We believe every student should have the opportunity to reach their full potential and go on to lead personal, professional and civic lives that help their own communities grow and flourish. We also believe that regional Australia is vital to the nation’s economy and are committed to ensuring its growth, success and sustainability. This is only possible if regional Australians have the same access to education, healthcare and other services as everyone else, and we recognise we have an important role to play in this.
We pursue our beliefs by focusing our expertise to help create flourishing communities, resilient people and sustainable environments. We understand that each is connected to the other, and that the contributions of an individual can create positive change for the many. We are genuinely proud of what we do and what we believe. We are inclusive, not exclusive – we are about results. And our results speak for themselves: we have Australia’s highest graduate employment rate and our graduates also have one of the highest starting salaries in Australia.* We have passionately and successfully driven access to education and made a significant contribution to the economic, cultural and social fabric of our communities and to Australia. Through our Charles Sturt University Foundation, we help thousands of students realise their true potential each year. Thanks to the generosity, work and investment of many before us, we are now poised to take the next step: to invest in new projects, new research, new facilities and new collaborations. To enable us to further our reach and extend our promise of opportunity, we need your support. With your support we can build a better world through education outcomes now and for generations to come. You will be helping to change lives. To find out more about giving to Charles Sturt University please contact us today.
*Good Universities Guide 2020/21
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Why support us? At Charles Sturt University we pride ourselves on providing opportunity Like our namesake, the celebrated Australian explorer Charles Napier Sturt, Charles Sturt University seeks to explore new and innovative ways of creating opportunity, responding to student needs and contributing to the economic, cultural and social wellbeing of our communities and Australia. Well known for our innovative approach to learning, Australia’s highest graduate employment rate* and our world-class, evidence-based research, we continue to extend our reach, serve the broader professional needs of our national economy and contribute new knowledge and solutions on a global scale. While every aspect of our work at Charles Sturt University is important, the following areas hold a special place in our hearts.
A commitment to regional Australia
Designing education for a changing world
We understand the importance of regional Australia to the nation’s economy and are committed to ensuring its growth, success and sustainability.
Barriers to education can be varied: financial circumstances, geographic isolation, work and family commitments, or simply fear of the unknown.
Through agricultural sustainability, professional education and services, research and economic impact, Charles Sturt University and its predecessor institutions have successfully contributed to the health, wealth and prosperity of regional Australia for more than 120 years, across three centuries. But there is so much more to do.
Charles Sturt University is working to break down these barriers by making education accessible through flexible delivery and by offering a range of admission pathways, scholarships and support services. Our broad course profile and commitment to work-integrated learning ensures we deliver degrees relevant to society’s needs.
With your help we can continue to seek new ways to invest in the future of regional Australia.
*Good Universities Guide 2020/21
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With your help we can ensure education remains relevant, meaningful and accessible in a changing world.
Ways to help Charles Sturt University makes a considerable contribution to society through education, research and a commitment to our communities. We would welcome your support in any form but options to consider are: •
scholarships for study and practical placements
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academic fellowships and cadetships
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research and innovation
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infrastructure and technology
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special initiatives and projects
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services and clinics in our communities
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artistic and cultural endeavours.
We look forward to working with you to create a positive impact in these vital areas.
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Charles Sturt University Foundation The Charles Sturt University Foundation was established as a non-profit company in 1982. Since its inception, the foundation has awarded more than 4880 scholarships to Charles Sturt University students totalling over $18 million. In 2019 alone the foundation awarded more than $1.5 million in scholarships and prizes – funds that help make a very real difference in the lives of our students. The Charles Sturt University Foundation Trust is a non-profit entity endorsed as an Income Tax Exempt Charity, so carries Deductible Gift Recipient status. All donations above $2.00 to the trust are tax deductible.
Over 5000 scholarships to Charles Sturt students
$19 million awarded to date
$1.5 million awarded in scholarships and prizes in 2020
31% of scholarships awarded to students from low socioeconomic status backgrounds in 2020
13% of scholarships awarded to Indigenous students in 2020
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We’re committed to regional Australia The sunburnt country, the sweeping plains. Regional Australia captures the essence of our country for many. But beyond beauty and poetry, the success of regional areas is essential to Australia’s future wellbeing. Be it agriculture, exports or education, our national economy depends on a prosperous regional Australia.
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Through our practical agricultural and environmental courses, we play a vital role in reducing the risks of natural resource degradation and supporting a sustainable economic future for agriculture on regional, national and international levels.
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Our research generates insights to address regional issues such as the health of complex water systems or the impact of bushfires.
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Charles Sturt University is recognised for our internationally competitive research strengths in areas of regional relevance: agricultural science, horticultural production, food and wine sciences, crop and pasture production, veterinary science, animal production, education, curriculum and pedagogy, environmental science and nursing.
The following are just some examples of how Charles Sturt University’s contributions help grow and sustain industry, local businesses and our communities. •
We provide significant economic benefits to our communities, annually contributing more than $490 million in income and $800 million in gross regional product.‡
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We are a major employer in the regions we inhabit, providing more than 5000 full-time jobs across the country.‡
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Our operations bring qualified professionals and services to our regions, providing businesses with staff, expanding cultural activity and enriching the overall social fabric through diversity and multiculturalism.
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Our courses are providing the professional workforce required to meet regional Australia’s needs.
Through your help with scholarships, research, environmental stewardship or the provision of professionals and services to the regions, we can ensure regional Australia remains the prosperous and thriving heart of the nation.
- Charles Sturt University is the largest provider of teaching graduates in New South Wales. - We introduced courses such as pharmacy, dentistry and veterinary science to meet regional skills shortages.
“Charles Sturt University will play a major role in our Mid North coast community as its campus grows – and we want to be part of that. We are particularly keen to provide support through scholarships as we see these students as the future of our community. If we can assist just one person to fulfil their ambitions so that they can contribute to our community, we think that is pretty special.” Allan Gordon, CEO, Hastings Co-op
‡Charles Sturt University Economic Impact Report 2015
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Designing education for a changing world As the world changes, so do the needs of society. As Australia’s most experienced provider of online education and a regionally based university, we understand, better than most, the barriers students face and that we must adapt to meet student needs. Everyone should be able to access an education, regardless of personal circumstances. The educational level of parents and family should not be an indicator of a person’s ability or likely success. People also need the flexibility to study at different times and in different ways. Charles Sturt University is leading educational practices to cater for an increasingly diverse range of student needs, in a world constantly adapting to political, social and economic forces. Here are some of the ways we are making education accessible. •
We have awarded more than $18 million in scholarships since 1982.
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We currently award more than $1.5 million in scholarships each year through our foundation, but demand still outweighs supply.
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Nearly 70 per cent of Charles Sturt University’s domestic undergraduate students are the first in their family to attend university.
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Our teaching expertise, combined with high levels of practical experience, means we have Australia’s highest graduate employment rate.*
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We are Australia’s most experienced provider of online education and harness technology to break down educational barriers.
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We were the first university to offer professional courses such as clinical psychology and exercise science online.
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Our innovative curriculum design combined with the latest technology has resulted in world-leading degrees such as our engineering program, which breaks the mould in terms of its non-traditional delivery.§
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We provide the confidence and support required to return to study and offer an inclusive and welcoming environment.
We understand our students and their different needs, but we need your support to ensure we can offer the opportunity they deserve. Your support through investment in scholarships, work placements or cutting-edge technology, will ensure we remain at the forefront of education delivery in Australia and that every Australian, regardless of circumstances, has access to a university education.
“To say this grant will help is such an understatement, I feel so overwhelmed with the generosity that is being afforded to us. This will allow us to feel more in control and the financial stress that comes with being a single parent will be abated and allow more focus on my daughter and studies.” Tracey Padwick, Student
*Good Universities Guide 2020/21 §Charles Sturt University is among a small group of universities recognised as a world leader in engineering education.” Ian A Waitz, Dean of Engineering, Massachusetts, Institute of Technology (MIT)
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Building healthy, safe and vibrant communities Inequities in the provision of health services across Australia; unpredictable socioeconomic and ecological circumstances; declining public infrastructure; the migration of young people to the cities… There are many reasons why we harness our expertise to ensure our communities are safe, healthy, vibrant places. But it is our ethos, yindyamarra winhanganha, that is at the heart of what we do. Our communities matter to us and we are committed to improving lives and helping create a better world for those around us. •
We are a major provider of healthcare professionals in rural and regional Australia.
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We are committed to giving patients in regional areas better health choices.
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We are working to shift Australian health-related practices and thinking from reactive to preventative.
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Our community dental and healthcare clinics provide access to high-quality services, while giving our students the opportunity to work with patients to build the skills they need for professional practice.
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Our exercise and sports science courses have the potential to help solve health care crises by actively reducing chronic conditions.
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Through our broad course portfolio, we are able to play a critical role in Inter-professional education within our regions.
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We are the largest provider of policing, border security, cyber security, information technology and information studies in Australia.
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We are responsible for educating all NSW Police officers, and our teaching and research is informing policy and practice to help build safer communities.
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Demonstrating our commitment to environmental sustainability, we are Australia’s first, and only, certified carbon neutral university| and have the country’s largest ever solar panel installation on a single site.
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Our strength in theology and courses in Islamic studies put us at the forefront of interfaith dialogue and religious and societal tolerance.
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Our expertise in the arts and creative industries ensures our regional centres have a wealth of visual and performing arts professionals, and are home to lively artistic communities.
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As a thriving international business our staff and students contribute to a richly diverse, multicultural society.
Your passion could help us improve health outcomes through projects such as telecare centres, youth-at-risk clinics and other much-needed services in our communities; harness research to drive policy and practice around cyber security; or pursue artistic and cultural endeavours to add to the vibrancy of our campuses and our regions. Donating to Charles Sturt University will help us continue to ensure our communities remain safe, healthy and educated.
“A couple of years ago my daughter received a scholarship. She was very grateful for the support. Lara graduated with honours. In addition, her supervisor arranged for her to present her thesis on workplace bullying at an international conference.” Gloria Enfield, Mother
Certification achieved under the Australian Government’s Carbon Neutral Program
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Valuing Australia’s Indigenous peoples, knowledges and cultures Charles Sturt University is committed to valuing Indigenous knowledges and facilitating equity and social justice for Indigenous Australians. At Charles Sturt University we value the wisdom and culture of Australia’s Indigenous heritage and acknowledge the traditional owners of the lands on which our campuses are located. •
We have the highest Indigenous student enrolment and course completion rates of any Australian university.†
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We have an Indigenous Education Strategy that commits the university to including Indigenous Australian content in all courses.
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We have a Charles Sturt University Research Narrative and Strategy that positions Indigenous knowledges, experience, and research as critical to contributing to creating sustainable environments, flourishing communities, and resilient people. We have, under the leadership of Dr Uncle Stan Grant Snr, developed a Graduate Certificate in Wiradjuri Language, Culture and Heritage to revitalise Wiradjuri language for Wiradjuri communities and also for the region.
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We are working with Reconciliation Australia on the development and delivery of our Reconciliation Action Plan.
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We have Indigenous Student Centres across our campuses to provide support with application, funding, accommodation, study skills and other services.
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Our School of Indigenous Australian Studies is leading curriculum renewal in Indigenous Australian studies across the university.
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We have partnered with the NSW Government to introduce the Walan Mayinygu Indigenous Entrepreneurship Pop-Up Hub Program to inspire the entrepreneurial spirit of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities across regional NSW.
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We have had an Indigenous Employment Strategy in place since 2005, with a view to employ Indigenous Australian staff at various levels in academic and professional roles.
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Professor Juanita Sherwood is our Pro Vice-Chancellor Indigenous Education and Foundation Chair of Indigenous Studies.
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Professor Stan Grant Jnr is our Vice-Chancellor’s Chair of Australian-Indigenous Belonging.
We encourage you to work with us to deliver projects, positons and scholarships that will contribute to achieving reconciliation; support the work of Aboriginal nations in revitalising and preserving Indigenous heritage, philosophy, language and culture; critically address educational disadvantage; and provide important pathways for the future wellbeing of Indigenous Australian communities.
“I feel honoured to be the first Indigenous graduate from this course and I hope my story can act as a motivation for others within the Indigenous community to believe in themselves and to chase their dreams. If I can do it, they can too.” Sophie L’Estrange, Bachelor of Oral Health (Therapy and Hygiene) graduate
†The National Centre for Student Equity in Higher Education, Higher Education Participation and Partnerships Program: Seven Years On
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