UNSW and Baidam partner for indigenous STEM scholarships

Australian First Nations ICT provider Baidam has teamed up with the University of New South Wales (UNSW) to provide endowed scholarships at UNSW for First Nations students.

Through matching contributions from both organisations, the partnership will fund two scholarships each year in perpetuity.

The new scholarship will support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students undertaking STEM degrees at UNSW by helping reduce financial barriers to study and create pathways into Australia’s growing technology sector. 

The scholarship will last the duration of the student’s chosen technology course, enabling the recipient to study without distraction.

The UNSW scholarship is the latest in a series of STEM scholarships across Australia funded in full or part by Indigenous-owned Baidam, a profit-with-purpose cybersecurity business.Previous scholarships include Edith Cowan University (WA), Australian National University (ACT) and University of Queensland (QLD).

“Our goal is to help bridge the disparity gap between non-Indigenous and First Nations Peoples by allowing for more Indigenous involvement in the national technology community,” says Beau Hodge, CEO of Baidam.

“It’s a win not only for Indigenous students trying to establish a meaningful, well-paid career, but for an industry that’s desperately short of trained resources.”

Hodge said that UNSW has been "incredibly engaged with and supportive" of the company's First Nations scholarship initiative, with the perpetual scholarships creating a "real pathway" for First Nations students who want a career in the technology sector through UNSW.

"We’ve been incredibly impressed with how UNSW actively supports opportunities for Indigenous students to study and has generated awareness and engagement with local schools, communities, and businesses," he said.

UNSW Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Indigenous, Professor Leanne Holt said the scholarships would help create lasting opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students pursuing careers in STEM.

“We are proud to partner with Baidam on this enduring commitment to First Nations students. Together, we're creating pathways into industries where Indigenous voices, knowledge and leadership are needed now more than ever," she said.