Murdoch University’s Institute for Immunology and Infectious Diseases has received a record personal donation; a $1.3 million gift from Fortescue Metals group chairman Andrew Forrest and his wife Nicola, on the same day Mr Forrest's company announced its second dividend payout.
Mr and Mrs Forrest made the donation in the form of a package of Fortescue shares worth just over $1.3 million.
Murdoch vice chancellor Richard Higgott said the donation recognised the work of Professor Simon Mallal and his specialist team at the institute.
“Murdoch University is indeed fortunate to have world-class research taking place on campus, but such research is increasingly dependent on philanthropic work for its success,” Dr Higgott said.
“The Forrest’s donation is an excellent example of this partnership between research and philanthropy, and it will help facilitate a greater inmplentation of the facilities at IIID to benefit the Western Australian community and beyond.”
The donation would not be expected to make much of an impact on the Forrest family finances, with Mr Forrest to receive an estimated $67.48 million from Fortescue’s dividend payments.
Fortescue today announced a final dividend of 4 cents per share, on top of its 3 cents per share interim dividend.
Mr Forrest owns 964.8 million shares in Fortescue.
The $35 million institute was established to conduct research into communicable diseases like HIV AIDS and hepatitis C.
