RMIT counts its blessings

RMIT Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Margaret Gardner AO, addresses University supporters.

Ms Pauline Barrow, of the Australian Institute of Conveyancers, chats with fellow guests.

Members of the RMIT FSAE racing team were on hand to explain how crucial sponsors have been to the success of the little red racing car.

RMIT University has recognised the role that philanthropy played in its founding and the benefits that diverse forms of giving continue to bring.

The Vice-Chancellor and President of RMIT, Professor Margaret Gardner AO, last week hosted a function at Storey Hall to acknowledge the University's supporters in this, its 120th year.

She spoke of how students benefit from the generosity of others expressed through scholarships and bursaries, through individuals - especially alumni - giving their time as mentors and through the University's many industry partners who provide work placements and sponsor research.

Professor Gardner said the university was built on philanthropy, with the ?5000 pledged in 1882 by the wealthy grazier Frances Ormond matched by countless small donations by working men and women.

It was public spiritedness and the belief in the value of education that led to the founding of the Working Men's College in 1887.

Such large-scale support continued in the many millions of dollars provided by The Atlantic Philanthropies to fund the campuses of RMIT International University Vietnam.

“With this support RMIT is able to make a vital contribution to education in Vietnam, directly through our campuses in Ho Chi Minh City and South Saigon and also in managing projects with Vietnamese universities funded by Atlantic Philanthropies,” Professor Gardner said.

A booklet celebrating the spirit of giving at RMIT was launched at the function.

Its case studies showed the many ways in which individuals, foundations and companies provided real and in-kind support for the University.

“Every one of the gifts we receive and pass on to students has the power to change lives,” Professor Gardner said.

She thanked the trustees of the RMIT Foundation for their dedication in managing philanthropic contributions and ensuring the intentions of donors were carried out.

The Foundation, founded in 1994, acts as the custodian and good steward of the funds which are donated, endowed or bequested to the University.

Four long-serving trustees - Dame Grace Cuming, Mr Ed Woods, Dr Philip Law and Dr John Connell - were particularly recognised for their contribution.

RMIT Chancellor, Professor Dennis Gibson AO, told the audience that Australians were generous givers but education received a relatively small share of philanthropic donation.

Australian universities had to become more active in promoting the value of their work, he said.

Find out more about Supporting RMIT.