VO: The Western Australian Institute of Technology played a pivotal role in shaping the University
that Curtin is today. WAIT helped to create a new future for thousands of students in
WA and beyond. And Curtin University is proud to continue this legacy.
VC: Tertiary education has the power to change lives. Better job prospects, better earning
capacity, better health and wellbeing. At the same time, it's estimated that one in
five domestic full time students in Australia goes without necessities because they simply
can’t afford them. As WAIT was in its day, Curtin is committed
to supporting students, but we need to do more.
VO: The WAIT Scholarships Fund is a new $2 million initiative that build upon Curtin’s
already strong commitment to ensure a university education is available to all who aspire
to it. And that our brightest minds are rewarded for their exceptional contributions in the
classroom, laboratory and the community. The WAIT Scholarships Fund allows WAIT alumni
to build their past achievements into the potential successes of the future.
Paul Heaney: I came back as a mature aged student, so I was working two part time jobs,
basically the equivalent of full time hour, plus studying full time. And I can understand
how kids can get really really put aside by that these days, and it’s a shame because
there are some brilliant people out there who we miss the opportunity of geting into the
workforce because simply they can’t afford university.
Taylor Clark: So growing up and going through high school, university wasn’t something
that was commonly spoke about. I had a single parent father who was in the military majority
of my life, and then just myself and my brother. And so money was definitely something that
we worried about, especially going through the end of year 12.
Paul Heaney: There was an advert on LinkedIn from Curtin Alumni and I saw that and then
I went through and looked at the scholarship and thought, ‘Hey that’s what I struggled
with, maybe I can help here’. So I made a donation to help out.
Sam McSweeney: Ok, so I'm studying astronomy and I'm in my honours year at the moment.
And actually before this year, I’ve been working part time to cover my fees. So this
year, I saw the Don Watts Scholarship, applied and I applied online and went through the process,
was interviewed, and won the Don Watts Scholarship. If I didn’t have the scholarship, my life
now would probably look like it did last year, and the year before, where I’m having to
do this juggling act and I think the quality of my grades and my work wouldn’t be as
high as it could.
Taylor Clark: I was lucky enough to receive the Create Your Future Scholarship, which
was a scholarship throughout my four year degree. Pretty much the idea behind it was
to give a scholarship to someone who showed potential of succeeding in higher education,
however may find difficulties in terms of financial hardship, and that definitely was the situation as well.
I feel that university was something that I didn't think I could do, and I just thought it
was out of reach. And I am the first person in my immediate family to, one finish high
school, to do the ATAR bound subjects. And to go to university.
Sam McSweeney: When you are going to be donating money to a cause, and that money falls into
the lap of someone who loves what they do, that is money well spent. You want to find
those people who are passionate about not just their studies, but they have a bigger vision
for what they want in the future, and that money will pay dividends later on.
VO: Universities such as Curtin give more than just lectures, tutorials, and degrees.
Curtin prides itself on giving people the power to shape their own lives in the way
they dream. It also gives them the power to help shape the lives of others.
Don Watts: I hope like me, you feel a sense of pride in being part of something that seeks
to improve the world around us.
VC: And I look forward to see how your enduring legacy helps Curtin make tomorrow better.
I invite you to support the WAIT Scholarships Fund.
Paul Heaney: You know, it doesn’t take much. If a lot of people only put a little bit in,
you end of with a lot to start with, that’s where I see it as being a really nice thing.
So more of you guys ought to have a look at it.