UWA receives another boost with $17m from BHP

The University of Western Australia will receive a $17 million donation from BHP Billiton for its New Century Campaign, with the engineering faculty and busines school to be the main beneficiaries.

UWA’s faculty of engineering, computing and mathematics will receive $12 million over 10 years to go toward the creation of a world-class engineering zone, a BHP Billiton fellow in engineering for remote operations, and BHP Billiton scholarships.

The zone will provide physical, technological and resource infrastructure for real-world solutions for the mining industry.

“I am immensely pleased that BHP Billiton will continue its long and successful partnership with the University of Western Australia with this new $17 million investment,” BHP president, iron ore Jimmy Wilson said.

“Our investment in the university and higher education in WA builds on the $55 million we have donated to a range of primary, secondary and tertiary education, vocational training and employment programs in this state over the past five years.”

Dean of the engineering, computing and mathematics faculty, John Dell, believes BHP’s support will help UWA revolutionise resource-related research, teaching and learning.

“This investment in our knowledge economy will help UWA maintain its place at the top of the engineering echelon,” Professor Dell said.

“UWA and BHP Billiton’s collective focus on engineering for remote operations will provide creative solutions to complex problems and support Australia’s ongoing economic success.”

The remaining $5 million will be spent on supporting the UWA Business School, dedicating funds to increasing the number of high-achieving female engineers with a research fellowship, scholarships, engagement opportunities and a high-profile visiting professors program.

Around $1 million in funding will go to candidates to undertake masters of business administration degrees.

“As one of the business school’s original supporters, BHP Billiton’s additional investment progresses our work towards the shared goal of developing leaders with the skills and talent to ensure continued growth at the state and national levels,” business school dean, Phillip Dolan, said.

BHP’s donation was made as part of its community development program, which has invested more than $200 million in the past five years to health, education and indigenous development and community infrastructure initiatives in WA.

BHP’s contribution to UWA follows Fortescue Metals Group chairman Andrew Forrest’s $65 million donation to the university in October.