Welcome message

The generosity of our visionary donor community has enabled meaningful collaboration between our staff, students and researchers, allowing them to capitalise on their potential and empower progress in the world around them. Through your support, we make transformational impacts on peoples’ lives a reality.

In the latest edition of the donor publication, you will find a collection of their stories in your hands. These stories will take you on a journey across our campuses – and beyond – to witness what has been made possible through philanthropy – from designing the cities of the future to seeking out and supporting students with significant potential; from bolstering nutrition in native foods to reimagining sustainable farming practice. We are encouraging social justice in the legal system and energising the next generation of creative thinkers.

We are a university dedicated to nurturing tomorrow’s leaders and shaping the future. This vision has been clear since our inception and, more than 170 years later, we continue to respond to the most pressing challenges of our time – including climate change, increasing geopolitical tension and the impact of new technologies on how we work and live. 

Since the launch of our Sydney in 2032 strategy last year, we have made steady progress on implementing the actions and plans that will enable us to achieve our overarching aim of transforming lives in the communities we serve, through world-class education and research. In 2023, when we rose 22 places in the QS World University Rankings to be 19th in the world, we made a large step forward in pursuit of our ultimate goal of becoming a great global university.

This stellar result was driven by our work in sustainability, graduate employability, and international research partnerships – critical areas for the University if we are to continue to successfully tackle key global issues. Being ranked in the world’s top 20 universities is a testament to the extraordinary achievements of our staff, students, and alumni, and their collective contribution to the public good.

What gives us great satisfaction is seeing how many researchers have accelerated their work through philanthropy. Several of the projects featured in this publication have been building momentum for years, developing from proof of concept through to seed funding. With the belief and support of donors like you, our academics can take their research from translational to commercial, expanding both the scope and the tangible impact of their work.

Thanks to your dedication to our mission, the University is capable of generating a real and positive impact locally, nationally and globally. We look forward to advancing the work mapped out in our visionary strategy, with a continued commitment to innovation and excellence in research and teaching.

We remain, as ever, very grateful for the exceptional collective power of our community. Thank you again for your wonderful support.

Mark Scott AO
Vice-Chancellor and President
(BA ’84, DipEd ’84, MA ’93, HonDLitt ’15)

Belinda Hutchinson AC
Chancellor
(BEc ’76)