Australian National University (ANU) is the beneficiary of the most generous philanthropic gift in history after Graham Tuckwell gave the uni $50 million towards a scholarship program.
Founder and chairman of the ETF Securities group of companies, Graham Tuckwell, an alumnus of the university, has given ANU a $50 million donation to fund the new Tuckwell Scholarship program.
Beginning in 2014, the scholarships will be awarded to students with an ATAR of 95 or above who also display ‘a rounded set of attributes.’
“The Tuckwell Scholarship program is aimed at providing scholars with a collegial and well-rounded campus experience,” Tuckwell said.
“Both my wife and I benefited enormously from our formal education. Our university experience was life-transforming. We would like to give that opportunity to other young Australians.
“The gift was given with the intention of enabling highly talented and motivated students to fulfil their potential and reinvest their knowledge, skills and experience in ways that positively benefit others.
“While at university, clearly there’s a certain amount of high-quality academic work that’s got to be done, but equally you’ve got to enjoy yourself and develop as a citizen. That’s what we would like to see these Tuckwell Scholars do.”
Tuckwell’s wealth lies in his Britain-based company which issues exchange-traded products. His personal wealth was listed as $775 million in the BRW Rich List last year.
ANU Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Young said that the scholarship would not only attract more of the ‘best and brightest’ students from around the country, but it could also encourage more wealthy Australians to engage in philanthropic behaviour.
“One of the important results of the Tuckwell donation will be to set an example of what people who have succeeded in business or other activities can do. I’m very hopeful that this will act as a catalyst for other philanthropists to make similar donations to Australian universities.
“It will begin a conversation about the magnitude of these types of contributions and the transformative nature they can have not only on universities but society more broadly.”
