The University of Sydney acknowledges the passing of one of our most transformational partners, who, alongside his beloved wife Susan, has left an immeasurable legacy on the educational, medical and cultural landscape of Australia.
Born in Baghdad in 1922, Isaac Wakil AO moved to Australia with his family in 1949, where he later met ‘his pillar and his icon’ Susan Reznik – marrying in 1953 and together building a powerful partnership.
Isaac and Susan’s philanthropy was driven by a desire to give back to their adoptive home of Australia, after fleeing persecution in Europe during the Second World War.
Their deep admiration for nurses led to their first gift to the University, which established 12 nursing scholarships in perpetuity – scholarships which have supported dozens of students to date.
"Isaac held a deep belief in the people at the heart of healthcare," reflected Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Mark Scott AO.
"His commitment to medicine, health and – so importantly – nursing, has shaped a profession that is fundamental to every patient and family’s experience at such a vulnerable time in their lives.
"Thousands of our health students have already benefitted from his generosity, and his legacy lives on in each scholarship recipient, as they graduate and go on to care for others with skill and compassion."
Chancellor David Thodey with Isaac Wakil and David Khedoori of the Susan and Isaac Wakil Foundation in 2025. Image: Stefanie Zingsheim, University of Sydney
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LinkContributions to campus and community
Furthering their commitment to healthcare, Isaac and Susan made a transformational $35 million gift to establish the Susan Wakil Health Building (SWHB) – at the time, the largest donation in the University’s history.
The SWHB, which brought together nursing, medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and allied health disciplines, was later joined by the Isaac Wakil Biomedical Building – part of the Sydney Biomedical Accelerator – thanks to a further investment of $20 million.
Isaac and Susan had a profound optimism about what education, research and healthcare can achieve for future generations – an optimism which transformed not only the physical landscape of the University, but its capacity for collaboration, innovation and discovery.
Isaac's commitment to medicine, health and – so importantly – nursing, has shaped a profession that is fundamental to every patient and family’s experience at such a vulnerable time in their lives.
- Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Mark Scott
"Isaac’s passing is an enormous loss to both the University and to Australia, and one that is deeply felt," said Chancellor David Thodey AO FTSE FAICD.
"Susan and Isaac understood the powerful vision of medical research that connects patients and physicians with academics and industry.
"The interconnected Susan Wakil Health Building and Isaac Wakil Biomedical Building, funded by their generosity, represent their powerful partnership in life, and their belief in that vision."
The success Isaac and Susan achieved in the clothing industry and through property investment enabled them to build an extraordinary philanthropic legacy, supporting the causes closest to their hearts.
Their $24 million gift to the Art Gallery of NSW's Sydney Modern Project kick-started the building of Naala Badu, a significant addition to Sydney's cultural landscape. Their generosity also extended to St Vincent's Hospital, the Sydney Jewish Museum, the Emanuel and Sephardi Synagogues, and Opera Australia, where their support expanded access to affordable tickets for first-time opera-goers.
Their impact was formally recognised in 2017 when they were each appointed Officers of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to the community.
"Isaac and Susan’s life partnership was inspiring. Coming to Australia as refugees, they built a highly successful life in their adopted home. They epitomised what it means to be true philanthropists, by giving back to their community to build a better future,” Former Chancellor, Belinda Hutchinson AC, remarked. “During my tenure, I came to know Isaac as not only a treasured supporter of the University, but as a dear friend.”
Susan and Isaac have left an extraordinary legacy on our community. The University of Sydney offers its sincere condolences to Isaac’s family, friends, and the many who have been touched by his generosity.
Vale Isaac (1922-2026).
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