YOUR IMPACT

MESSAGE FROM THE VICE-CHANCELLOR AND PRESIDENT

On behalf of The University of Queensland (UQ), I would like to offer my sincere thanks for your support in 2022.

As we reflect on last year, there are countless achievements to be proud of, from helping to forge better futures for students experiencing hardship, to realising world-leading research advances in dementia, endometriosis, and more.

These successes are a reflection of the collective effort from across the UQ community and have often been made possible thanks to the generosity of donors, such as yourself.

Last year, we celebrated the launch of The Queensland Commitment – an initiative that’s aimed at addressing educational inequality in the state. Together, we want to ensure that by 2032, every Queensland student accepted into UQ has the support they need to overcome any personal, financial, or geographical challenges they face in studying at university.

I’m also delighted to report that last November we announced human trials for a re-engineered molecular clamp vaccine, which builds on the tireless work of our UQ research team during the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 2,500 donors came together to support this research in 2020, so it’s wonderful to see the team is now taking the next promising step towards a solution that would enable rapid vaccine development in response to future disease outbreaks.

As always, it is a privilege to reflect on what we have achieved, together, through giving.

Thank you for partnering with UQ to create change.

Professor Deborah Terry AO
Vice-Chancellor and President

MESSAGE FROM THE PRO-VICE-CHANCELLOR (ADVANCEMENT AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT)

Each year it is a privilege to reflect on the incredible things made possible through giving – from empowering students, enhancing teaching and learning initiatives, to advancing research tackling the world’s most significant and complex challenges.

This was especially apparent in 2022 when 4,294 donors came together to raise $56.3 million for causes across the University, some of which are detailed in the stories to follow.

One particular highlight was witnessing the UQ community rally behind The Queensland Commitment – an initiative that will support students to come to UQ, no matter their background, financial capacity or circumstances, for generations to come.

It is so wonderful to see the impact of philanthropy at UQ across our campuses each and every day. Of course, so much of the work that we do, and our achievements, are thanks to your generosity.

Thank you. Together we can create change.

Jennifer Karlson
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Advancement and Community Engagement)

UQ Vice-Chancellor and President, Deborah Terry, standing in front of sandstone columns and smiling
Pro-Vice-Chancellor Jennifer Karlson standing with her arms crossed and smiling.

An image of the main entry of The University of Queensland St Lucia campus - a sandstone building with flags raised above it against a clear blue sky.
2022: The figures
4,294 DONORS
INCLUDING 1,623 NEW DONORS
AND 589 UQ STAFF DONORS
8,200 GIFTS
FROM 28 COUNTRIES
$56.3M RAISED FOR TEACHING, LEARNING AND RESEARCH AT UQ
1,060 STUDENTS SUPPORTED WITH PHILANTHROPIC SCHOLARSHIPS

Creating pathways and access to education for all Queenslanders

In August 2022, the University launched The Queensland Commitment – enshrining our founding commitment to Queensland at the core of who we are and all that we do.

Our goal is to work with the community, partners and donors to break down all personal, financial and geographical barriers facing Queensland students aspiring to study at UQ by 2032.

Last year, 424 donors generously stepped forward to raise over $129,000 for The Queensland Commitment, with most of this support received on UQ Giving Day in October.

These donations have been distributed to various areas of need at the University, supporting:

  • the Young Achievers Scholarship;
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Scholarships; and
  • the establishment of the Joan Cribb OAM Scholarship.

Sisters Lara and Grace Miller have been supported by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Scholarship scheme. With donor support, they were empowered to move from Cairns to Brisbane to pursue their education at UQ.

Lara, who is studying a Bachelor of Music (Honours) / Bachelor of Science, said the support means safety, security and education – allowing her the best chance of succeeding at university.

“I was fortunate to live at a UQ college for 3 years, but 2022 marked my very first year of being out in the city. I found my first rental, which is close to university, and I have loved cooking for myself and being independent,” Lara said.

“Without your support, my year couldn't have happened the way it did.”

Grace, who is studying a Bachelor of Music (Honours) / Bachelor of Secondary Education said with this support she had the opportunity to spend her first 2 years in Brisbane at The Women’s College – making lifelong memories and friends.

“It supported my transition from Cairns to Brisbane, which was quite daunting because I wasn't used to city life,” Grace said.

“My older sister had been awarded this same scholarship and I hoped I would be able to have those same opportunities. Therefore, I’m extremely grateful to be awarded this.

“Without it, my transition and life at university wouldn’t have been the same!”

Together with our community, we can provide scholarships to Queensland students who earn their place at UQ but may not be able to afford to leave home, pay relocation, tuition or living costs.

A young adult wearing a white t-shirt standing in front of a green and yellow tractor.
A woman bending over to examine a rock pool at a beach
Three young adults in a rainforest setting, bend down to inspecting plant matter on the rainforest floor.

Supporting young scholars at UQ

The University’s Greatest Need Fund creates lasting impact where it’s needed most. In 2022, $75,000 was allocated to support Young Achievers Scholarships. Since 2009, the Young Achievers Program (YAP) has been supporting talented Queensland students from disadvantaged backgrounds to pursue tertiary education. Through the program, over 1,440 Queensland state high school students have benefited from mentoring from current UQ students, on campus experiences and personalised study and career planning assistance.

One of these students was Justin M’mangwa (Bachelor of Journalism ‘19) – who was the first in his family to graduate university.

Justin is one of 263 YAP students to graduate from UQ thanks to support of generous donors.

1,441 PARTICIPANTS SINCE 2009. 263 UQ GRADUATES SINCE 2009. 626 DONORS IN 2022.

“I grew up in a family with little money. No one in my family had ever had the chance to attend university prior. We all viewed university as a way to better my life,” Justin said.

Now Justin is employed by Safe Places for Children and living in Brisbane.

“As a Case Manager at Safe Places for Children, I am working closely with young people from different backgrounds with unique stories and enjoy mentoring them to become independent in the world,” he said.

“The study I did at university helped me in this role to learn how to listen without judgment and empathise with different people from all walks of life.”

In the future, Justin hopes to travel the world, meeting people from all over and hearing their stories – helping wherever possible.

“Being in the program opened my mind and showed me that there is a big world out there with a lot of possibilities,” he said.

“Don’t be afraid to be open-minded and willing to educate yourself to grow.”

Image: Justin M'mangwa (Bachelor of Journalism '19)

YAP donors give talented students the opportunity to pursue their chosen career and make a positive difference in society.

Justin M'mangwa, a young black man, looks at the camera while standing in a tree-lined walkway

Improving our understanding of endometriosis

Endometriosis – a chronic, complex and often debilitating disease – is experienced by approximately 1 million Australians and responsible for more than 40% of referrals to IVF clinics.

Thanks to the support of donors, and the dedication of UQ researchers, we are working to deliver better outcomes for those suffering with endometriosis. Professor Grant Montgomery and Dr Sally Mortlock lead a specialist endometriosis project team in the Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB) that aims to:

  • improve the lives of those affected;
  • reduce diagnosis time; and
  • develop personalised management plans.
Defining risk factors will open the door to faster diagnosis and improve treatment management and quality of life.

In 2022, over 160 donors supported IMB’s Endometriosis Research Fund, raising $38,366. This support will fund vital endometriosis research including patient data collection, recruitment for medical studies, analysis for patient clinical and genetic data and risk factors. Funds will also be directed to a new 3-year UQ research project in partnership with health professionals, focusing on improved endometriosis diagnosis and treatment.

The average Australian waits 7-10 years for an endometriosis diagnosis, in part because there is no precise, standardised method for diagnosis. Professor Montgomery, Dr Mortlock and their team at IMB believe that, with the support of our donor community, they can find and connect more of the pieces of this complex medical puzzle.

“We thank those who have supported our endometriosis research. Your support allows us to generate vital preliminary data, develop and evaluate new approaches and find better ways to translate our results.”
Professor Grant Montgomery

With donors like you, our researchers can improve our understanding of complex diseases like endometriosis.

You can support UQ’s Endometriosis Research project here.

Nine women standing in a line, looking at the camera. Many of them have their arms crossed with serious facial expressions and body language. The image is in black and white.
Meab Mdimi, a middle-aged black woman, holding a purple-iced cupcake with rainbow decorations.

PhD candidate Meab Mdimi

PhD candidate Meab Mdimi

Empowering the UQ LGBTQIA+ community

Meab Mdimi is a PhD candidate in the School of Public Health from the United Republic of Tanzania, currently studying at UQ on a Scholarship from the Graduate School. In 2022, she received the LGBTQIA+ Bursary, providing much needed financial support and a new sense of community and belonging.

In her native country, homosexuality is not only socially taboo it can also lead to imprisonment. Meab said receiving this bursary and moving to Australia, where she can live and express her identity as a lesbian woman without fear, was a huge step forward in her life.

“When I came to Australia in 2022, I had just lost my mom, I had to resign from my job to come and study here and I had no savings as I had not worked enough since finishing my master’s due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This bursary really helped me to settle in Australia and continue with my studies with less worries. To be accepted as a person who is capable of doing amazing things and feel part of the community is a great achievement for me.”

For Meab, one of the key highlights of 2022 was an invitation to speak at a UQ event for Wear it Purple Day, a national event aimed at raising awareness and support for LGBTQIA+ young people.

“Being able to speak at this was a very big moment in my life,” Meab said.

“I had never spoken openly in public as a gay woman before and as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, coming to Australia – where I felt welcomed and could live openly without fear of persecution or being stigmatised (like in my country) – was a key moment in my life and I’m thankful for that.”

With support from donors like you, UQ students like Meab can feel supported and accepted as they complete their studies. 

To support the LGBTQIA+ Bursary or for more information, please click here.

Empowering the UQ LGBTQIA+ community

Meab Mdimi is a PhD candidate in the School of Public Health from the United Republic of Tanzania, currently studying at UQ on a Scholarship from the Graduate School. In 2022, she received the LGBTQIA+ Bursary, providing much needed financial support and a new sense of community and belonging.

Meab Mdimi, a middle-aged black woman, holding a purple-iced cupcake with rainbow decorations.

PhD candidate Meab Mdimi

PhD candidate Meab Mdimi

In her native country, homosexuality is not only socially taboo it can also lead to imprisonment. Meab said receiving this bursary and moving to Australia, where she can live and express her identity as a lesbian woman without fear, was a huge step forward in her life.

“When I came to Australia in 2022, I had just lost my mom, I had to resign from my job to come and study here and I had no savings as I had not worked enough since finishing my master’s due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This bursary really helped me to settle in Australia and continue with my studies with less worries. To be accepted as a person who is capable of doing amazing things and feel part of the community is a great achievement for me.”

For Meab, one of the key highlights of 2022 was an invitation to speak at a UQ event for Wear it Purple Day, a national event aimed at raising awareness and support for LGBTQIA+ young people.

“Being able to speak at this was a very big moment in my life,” Meab said.

“I had never spoken openly in public as a gay woman before and as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, coming to Australia – where I felt welcomed and could live openly without fear of persecution or being stigmatised (like in my country) – was a key moment in my life and I’m thankful for that.”

With support from donors like you, UQ students like Meab can feel supported and accepted as they complete their studies. 

To support the LGBTQIA+ Bursary or for more information, please click here.

Community champions: Trekking for a cause and celebrating a milestone at Queensland Brain Institute

In 2022, researchers working to unlock the mysteries of the brain at the Queensland Brain Institute (QBI) benefitted from the extraordinary support of some caring and committed community partners.

After raising over $250,000 through their first hike on the Great Ocean Road in Victoria in 2019, the National Fire Industry Association (NFIA) Patron’s Walk for Charity strapped on their packs once more to take on the Bay of Fires and Freycinet National Park in 2022 in support of QBI’s critical research.

This unique community of donors has been spearheaded by Brian Davies, a successful businessman and immediate past-president and patron of the NFIA, and his wife, Liz.

A group of 12 people wearing purple 'UQ Giving Day' shirts standing on a boardwalk above the ocean

The walks have now raised over $765,000 for brain research and veteran support, and the trekkers have committed to a target of a further $250,000 through their next walk in 2024.

In 2022, the team at QBI also celebrated a special milestone: the 10th anniversary of the Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research (CJCADR). This unique centre, established thanks to the visionary support of the Clem Jones Foundation, is dedicated to driving treatments and interventions for dementia.

To mark the anniversary, goa, Queensland’s largest billboard and signage company, partnered with QBI to donate $250,000 worth of digital advertising as part of their Community Partnerships Program. This support saw some of QBI’s heroes of dementia research up in lights on goa’s digital billboards across South East Queensland to raise awareness about the need for urgent research into the disease, which impacts over 400,000 Australians.

“We are excited to show our support by highlighting the unique motivations of Professor Jürgen Götz and the research team working for QBI to develop these ground-breaking new treatments,” said goa CEO and Joint Managing Director, Chris Tyquin.

These are just two of the ways that the community is rallying behind QBI.

Thanks to the hard work and dedication of donors like you, the Institute continues to go from strength to strength.

A walking track through a green mountain range overlooking a bay

Giving Day 2022

Held for the fourth time in 2022, UQ Giving Day once again demonstrated the extraordinary generosity of UQ’s global community. In partnership with 1,381 donors from 20 countries, we raised $732,000 for more than 30 priority causes.

This included $142,720 for The Queensland Commitment Fund which aims to address educational disadvantage and remove barriers facing students aspiring to study at UQ.

UQ Giving Day 2022 welcomed over 500 new donors to our philanthropic community, connecting them to the UQ causes they are most passionate about.

For the first time in 2022, The University of Queensland Boat Club joined Giving Day to improve their connections with the community of past rowers and passionate supporters raising funds for their Growth and Development Fund.

A person rowing in a long, narrow boat along a river. Surrounding trees and buildings are reflected in the river.

“We saw a great opportunity to reacquaint ourselves with former members and alumni of the Boat Club and to work with a strong and functioning infrastructure within the University itself,” said Philip Bourguignon, Head Coach of the club.

With an ambition to achieve world best practice in time for the 2032 Games in Brisbane, the support of Giving Day donors has a major impact on the club’s operations.

“With a new pontoon ready for instalment and a new, up to date and world class Boatshed and facility in planning, the UQ Giving Day makes dreams a reality”, said Bourguignon.

UQ Giving Day has become an important annual celebration of the importance of paying it forward – and the transformative impact that even a small donation can have. In the words of a Giving Day donor, ‘a small contribution can make a big change’.

We look forward to connecting with our global donor community again for Giving Day 2023.

Giving Day 2022

Held for the fourth time in 2022, UQ Giving Day once again demonstrated the extraordinary generosity of UQ’s global community. In partnership with 1,381 donors from 20 countries, we raised $732,000 for more than 30 priority causes.

This included $142,720 for The Queensland Commitment Fund which aims to address educational disadvantage and remove barriers facing students aspiring to study at UQ.

UQ Giving Day 2022 welcomed over 500 new donors to our philanthropic community, connecting them to the UQ causes they are most passionate about.

For the first time in 2022, The University of Queensland Boat Club joined Giving Day to improve their connections with the community of past rowers and passionate supporters raising funds for their Growth and Development Fund.

A person rowing in a long, narrow boat along a river. Surrounding trees and buildings are reflected in the river.

“We saw a great opportunity to reacquaint ourselves with former members and alumni of the Boat Club and to work with a strong and functioning infrastructure within the University itself,” said Philip Bourguignon, Head Coach of the club.

With an ambition to achieve world best practice in time for the 2032 Games in Brisbane, the support of Giving Day donors has a major impact on the club’s operations.

“With a new pontoon ready for instalment and a new, up to date and world class Boatshed and facility in planning, the UQ Giving Day makes dreams a reality”, said Bourguignon.

UQ Giving Day has become an important annual celebration of the importance of paying it forward – and the transformative impact that even a small donation can have. In the words of a Giving Day donor, ‘a small contribution can make a big change’.

We look forward to connecting with our global donor community again for Giving Day 2023.

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Sandstone columns surrounding a busy covered walkway. The columns are wrapped in purple signage.
A young woman wearing a purple 'UQ Giving Day' shirt jumping in front of a purple background with large wings on it. The way she is jumping makes it look like the wings are attached to her.
Four people wearing purple 'UQ Giving Day' shirts jumping on an inflatable obstacle course
A group of people at an event in a white marquee
Three hands holding small cupcakes with purple icing and edible decorations that read 'UQ Giving Day'.
A white marquee under a tree in front of a sandstone building, which is lit up with purple lights
A man wearing a purple UQ Giving Day shirt smiling while giving a 'thumbs up' with both hands
Two people holding a large cheque in front of a purple floral background

Leaving a lasting legacy at UQ

Gifts in Wills have a profound impact on students and researchers across the University. This generosity accounted for one-fifth of the total funds received in 2022.

When the late Elizabeth Roberts passed away, she bequeathed $1.5 million to The University of Queensland to fulfil a pledge made by her grandfather more than a century earlier.

This gift to the Christison Family Endowment Fund supports the Master of Public Health Program in areas of Indigenous Health, Health Promotion and Disease Prevention and/or Nutrition, as well as research in Tropical Medicine localised to Australia.

This donation is the final chapter in an extraordinary story and connection between Queensland pioneer Robert Christison and UQ dating back to 1909.

Endowment Fund Performance

The University maintains a long-term investment portfolio known as the UQ Investment Fund. Endowments are invested in the Fund and the earnings distributed to causes as specified by you, our donors. In 2022, the portion of the UQ Investment Fund related to endowments totalled $342.7 million.

$342.7M ENDOWMENT FUND VALUE. (19.14%) RETURN. 8.03% SEVEN YEAR AVERAGE RETURN.

Endowed funds are designed to create long-term impact through annual investment returns, dependent on both the performance of specific investments and general market trends. While UQ has rigorous risk mitigation strategies in place to help achieve steady returns, like many organisations, we were not immune to the market fluctuations experienced globally in 2022.

At UQ we are well-placed to weather these fluctuations, with a 110-year history of successful endowment management, investments made across a diversified portfolio managed by external specialist fund managers and oversight by UQ’s Senate and Finance Committee.

It is important to acknowledge that 2022 was a difficult year. But despite these challenges, your generosity has had a direct and meaningful impact in the lives of our students and researchers – and will continue to do so in perpetuity. That is the value of endowed gifts: an impact that lasts for generations.

*Year ending 31/12/2022

WATCH OUR ENDOWMENT EXPLAINER

Engaging with regional communities

Over 56% of our 325,000 global alumni community live right here in Queensland – the home of The University of Queensland – and they are enriching communities right across our great state.

Our Regional Roadshows are a celebration of UQ’s expansive network of students, staff, alumni, partners and community working throughout Queensland.

In 2022, our Regional Roadshows travelled to 13 locations from Gold Coast to Townsville – with many stops in between – to discover how UQ can help foster growth, health and prosperity for our fellow Queenslanders.

We met with many extraordinary community members working across health, education, government, business and other sectors.

We held strategic discussions to better understand their needs, and to foster future partnership opportunities within regional communities.

We also visited Young Achievers Program partner schools to discuss how we can play a role in enabling pathways and support for students with tertiary education ambitions.

We were able to host many bespoke alumni and community events including UQ Gatton’s 125-year anniversary, a family day at the Moreton Bay Research Station, a turtle experience at Mon Repos Turtle Centre in Bundaberg, a behind-the-scenes exclusive panel discussion at the Cowboys Centre of Excellence in Townsville, a magical night enjoying ballet under the stars at the Home of the Arts on the Gold Coast and more.

We look forward to visiting and revisiting communities across the state in 2023. It’s part of our Queensland Commitment.

A band with three guitars, keyboard and drums playing on stage to a crowd.

Party with a purpose: Encouraging young alumni giving

After huge success in 2021, the UQ Young Alumni Advisory Board again hosted a university ball ‘with a twist’: Party with a Purpose (PWAP).

Aimed at developing a culture of giving among a younger demographic, the event encourages alumni to support to a worthy cause while enjoying a fun night with friends, giving true meaning to partying with a purpose.

In 2022, the UQ Pro-Bono Centre was chosen as the intended ‘purpose’ for PWAP. A portion of ticket sales and all raffle proceeds went to the Centre. The night was a great success, raising over $4,105 for the UQ Pro-Bono Centre – supporting it to expand its much-needed fee-free legal services to more regional, rural and remote communities.

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A group of young people wearing formal attire in the middle of a crowd taking a selfie in
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Three people dressed in formal attire and wearing eccentric accessories, including a feather boa, sunglasses and a fluffy pink cowboy hat, having their photo taken in a 360-degree photobooth
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Text reading 'Alumni Friends: Your UQ community'

A community with a shared passion

Since 1967, Alumni Friends, as Your UQ Community, has connected alumni and community members with UQ – celebrating and supporting UQ researchers, educators and students.

Two older women laughing while looking through an open book. The room they are in in stacked wall-to-wall with books.

Alumni Friends members and volunteers had a great 2022, with achievements including:

  • One of the biggest volunteer-run UQ Alumni Book Fairs® on record, with 4,500 people in attendance, raising $129,098 for The Alumni Friends Fund in support of UQ’s scholarships, teaching and learning.
  • Friends of Antiquity had a busy year of activities, including Ancient History Day, 8 Sunday Series events, a Literary Lunch, and a Christmas party.
  • The Alumni Friends-created alumni and community program of tea, talks and tours, which has now run for over 30 years, had another successful year with a number of fully-booked sessions.
  • Becoming the Giving Day gift-matching partner for The Queensland Commitment.
  • A generous donation of $100,000 to create two new matched scholarships, named to honour two long-serving volunteers: the Joan Cribb OAM Scholarship and John Martin OAM Residential Scholarship.
  • Endowed scholarships increased from 21 in 2021, to 23.

One of Alumni Friends’ newest scholarships recognises the service and support of the UQ Alumni Book Fair® volunteers and celebrates their presence on UQ’s campus (working for many decades at Cairngorm House, and now at Kurrajong, Long Pocket). In 2022, one of the inaugural Cairngorm-Kurrajong Scholarship recipients was Bachelor of Psychological Sciences (Honours) student Aiyahna Browning.

With the support of donors like you, Aiyahna began her university experience feeling optimistic and empowered – developing a deep connection and sense of belonging here at UQ.

“To attend university, I had to relocate from the small country town of Longreach, which is in the middle of central-west, outback Queensland, approximately 1,200kms from Brisbane,” Aiyahna said.

“Being recognised with this award allowed me a sense of belonging to UQ and encouraged me to engage in all aspects UQ has to offer.”

We look forward to connecting with our members and volunteers in 2023. New members are always welcome. For more information on joining this unique community, visit Alumni Friends.

Thank you.

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