Growth in philanthropy at RMIT
RMIT University has received more than $2.2 million in donations in two months thanks to a number of major gifts, including the donation of an historic house.
The University is experiencing continued growth in philanthropic donations, including three major gifts in May and June supporting RMIT's unique strengths as a global university of technology and design.
The gifts - from the George Alexander Foundation, VicHealth and the donation of the historic McCraith House - come as RMIT launches its annual Scholarships Appeal for disadvantaged students.
The George Alexander Foundation, which has supported RMIT since 2002, has donated a significant gift to support scholarships for disadvantaged students.
George Alexander, an alumnus and former staff member of RMIT, created his foundation to assist students with leadership potential with their education costs.
The scholarships provide $7,500 per year for two years and training in an accredited leadership program.
VicHealth has donated $750,000 to fund an Associate Professor of Medical Physics at RMIT, to help address the chronic shortage of medical physicists in Australia.
Medical physicists help to effectively treat cancer by ensuring hospital equipment is working correctly.
Designed by an architecture alumnus of RMIT, the historic McCraith House (also known as "the butterfly house") has recently been donated to the University.
The house, located in Dromana, will provide space for RMIT's Writers in Residence, academic research, and practical learning opportunities for design students.
The major gifts coincide with the Scholarships Appeal, which invites staff, alumni, donors and other stakeholders to support scholarships for disadvantaged students at RMIT.
RMIT's Access and Equity Scholarships support students from underprivileged backgrounds, such as those who have experienced difficult financial circumstances, from refugee families, or from rural areas.
Many of these scholarships are only available thanks to donations.