The University of Sydney is donating more than $50,000 worth of executive education to seven charities, giving their staff access to training that usually costs businesses up to $1,395 a place.

Wayside Chapel, SecondBite, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Bandu, SmackTalk, R U OK? and Foodbank will receive places in courses delivered by Sydney Executive Plus, an initiative of the University of Sydney Business School.

The package was announced as part of the University’s sponsorship of The Daily Telegraph’s Future Sydney: Bradfield Oration.  The event honours University of Sydney graduate John Bradfield, who completed a Bachelor of Engineering in 1889 and later oversaw the planning, design and construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

The donation is part of the University’s leadership for good approach, supporting charity staff to develop skills they can use in their day-to-day work.

“The chance to build practical skills in AI, innovation and managing projects shouldn’t depend on the size of your organisation’s budget,” said Dr Sandra Peter, Director of Sydney Executive Plus.

“A city is shaped by how we look after one another, and these charities do that work every day - helping their people keep learning is a practical way for us to play our part.

“Every hour matters when you’re running a charity, if using AI well helps you get through a report faster or write a clearer grant application, that’s time you can put back into the work you care about.

“This is an investment in Sydney’s future, helping ensure the people our communities count on have the skills and confidence to meet the challenges ahead.” 

Vice Chancellor and President, Professor Mark Scott said, "We have a responsibility to use education to improve lives and strengthen the communities we serve. These charities do vital work, and sharing our expertise is one way we can support the people who make that work possible."

Training that applies to charity work

The donated places cover four Sydney Executive Plus short courses, known as sprints.

AI Fluency examines what AI can and cannot do, and what organisations need to use it effectively. Its hands-on companion, AI Dexterity, teaches participants to prompt and customise generative AI tools for tasks such as grant applications, reports and donor updates, and to guide their teams in using them responsibly.

Leading Complex Projects covers managing project complexity and working with stakeholders on initiatives involving multiple partners. Innovation Strategy helps participants test ideas, assess which to pursue and apply those methods to challenges within their organisations.

All four courses are fully online, combining short, self-paced modules with live sessions led by University experts and industry partners. Participants complete a final project applied to their own organisation and finish with a University of Sydney digital microcredential.