Forbes has highlighted Australian tech entrepreneur Robin Khuda for his landmark philanthropic contribution of A$100 million to the University of Sydney, a gift aimed at creating a 20-year pathway for girls from Western Sydney into STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education and careers.
The donation is the largest single philanthropic gift in New South Wales and one of the biggest global investments in women in STEM.
The program, backed by the Khuda Family Foundation, will begin in Year 7 and provide students with tutoring, mentoring and university scholarships, guiding them from school through to tertiary STEM studies and careers.
Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sydney, Prof. Mark Scott, said the initiative “will create life-changing opportunities for girls and women from Western Sydney and lead to a generational change in diversity, skills and participation in STEM.”
Khuda, founder and CEO of AirTrunk, the Asia-Pacific’s leading hyperscale data centre provider, established the Khuda Family Foundation in 2020 to increase STEM skills and the representation of women in technology.
Originally from Bangladesh, he moved to Western Sydney at the age of 18, pursuing education and opportunity. He launched AirTrunk in 2017 and quickly grew it into a global leader in hyperscale data centres.
The donation was also recognised at the 2025 Sydney Awards, where Khuda was named Sydneysider of the Year. Eamon Waterford, CEO of the Committee for Sydney, said:
“Robin’s journey from a determined migrant seeking education to a visionary entrepreneur shows how ambition and community spirit can transform lives. His generosity will inspire the next generation of women in STEM.”
In 2024, Khuda made headlines for giving $22 million in bonuses to more than 300 employees after AirTrunk’s $24 billion acquisition by US private equity firm Blackstone. Now, he says he wants to leverage his success to make a long-term societal impact:
“I want to give back and create opportunities for girls in STEM. Education is the most powerful investment in a person’s future.”
Khuda chose the University of Sydney over other local institutions because of its outstanding research, academic reputation and teaching quality. The STEM program will directly address the underrepresentation of women in traditionally male-dominated fields, ensuring students from Western Sydney have the support needed to excel in STEM subjects at school and beyond.
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