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For more inspiring stories, download the 2021 edition in full and discover how philanthropy supports successful learning, rewarding experiences and engaging and inclusive communities.
Welcome from our Vice-Chancellor
Deakin University was born of a powerful and clear idea: ‘to provide tertiary education at university level to all qualified persons whether within or outside Victoria by means of distance education programs’.
Ever since, people and ideas have continued to shape our University and made a positive difference to our students, our graduates, our staff and the many communities – both local and global – that we serve today.
And it is perhaps today, as the world twists and turns in ways that are changing us profoundly, that the role of universities – as beacons of new discovery and innovation, as fearless critic and conscience, and as drivers of engaged debate – has never been more important to help us collectively understand and realise our best future.
At Deakin, we acted swiftly in response to the pandemic, successfully transitioning to remote learning and services to maintain our teaching and research activities, while striving to keep our community safe and well. This transition was not without challenges, especially for our students, many of whom faced an urgent need for support. It was humbling to see how our community mobilised in response.
We are proud that throughout the past year – indeed, across the decades that our University has grown to become one of Australia’s pre-eminent higher education institutions – the heart of what makes Deakin remain strong. This is excellence in both education and research, leadership in digital capability and distance education, a commitment to Indigenous Knowledges and equity, and the desire to ensure that our impact makes a real difference.
These are qualities that will serve us well over the next decade, as we fulfil our aim to be Australia’s most progressive and responsive university.
Deakin 2030: Ideas to Impact – sets out our new ten-year strategic plan, which we hope you will be interested to read.
Philanthropy is also a very important part of our history, our present and will be an essential element to helping us realise our future plans. We see how philanthropic support is woven into our fabric, playing a critical role in driving new opportunity, innovation and excellence across education and research at this University, and having a real impact across the many communities we serve.
Whether it’s creating solutions through breakthrough research, supporting the future ambitions of a student on scholarship, or helping to bring Indigenous Knowledge into the mainstream, we recognise and are exceptionally grateful for the impact that philanthropy continues to have.
We hope you enjoy reading The dKin Difference. We’ve certainly enjoyed putting this together – a first for us. It captures just a few of the many, many ways in which our donor community is making a difference at, with and through Deakin.
From myself, the Deakin executive, and the wider University – thank you.
Professor Iain Martin Vice-Chancellor
$3,071,492 new philanthropic funds given in 2020
768 gifts from 605 donors
to support the creation of successful learning, rewarding experiences and engaging and inclusive communities.
$385,000
The largest gift given to endow the Anthea Jane Wilson Scholarship in Emergency Care Nursing
$108,688
given by 178 Deakin staff through workplace giving
The dKin Difference
Welcome to our inaugural donor impact publication. Be immersed in stories of a community bonded by a shared belief in the life-changing power of accessible education, industry partnerships and research innovation. A community that values fairness and equal access to opportunities, resilience in the face of adversity, and innovative thinking in the pursuit of an extraordinary future.
Alone we may struggle, together we can dream
Alone we may struggle, together we can dream
Chris Renwick is a mentor at Deakin's Centre for Refugee Employment, Advocacy, Training and Education (CREATE) Careers Clinic. On Christmas eve 2020, he received a call from his mentee, Eva Madana, with some news.
Great leaders save lives
Great leaders save lives
With the severity and frequency of humanitarian emergencies increasing across the world, governments and humanitarian agencies are facing significant challenges in responding to the needs of those affected.
Moving Indigenous Knowledges into the mainstream
Moving Indigenous Knowledges into the mainstream
What if traditional Indigenous models of mapping the potential spread of fires and gossip were applied to emergency responses and the communication of political issues?
So many truths lie in the ocean
So many truths lie in the ocean
Deakin’s Blue Carbon Lab is at the forefront of the fight against climate change, discovering how coastal ecosystems can be protected and harnessed to reverse or even diminish its damaging effects.
The gift of education
The gift of education
The Deakin University Art Collection is a unique and precious collection of contemporary Australian artworks that represent the talents of our leading artists, Deakin students and alumni.
A legacy of love
A legacy of love
In 2006, Cody Holloway was finding her path in life and planning to attend university when tragically her life was cut short. To honour Cody’s dream, her father and stepmother made a bequest in their Will to set up a Deakin scholarship in her name.