September 15, 2026
$30 million UOW Futures Fund to create opportunity for generations
$20 million from UOW Global Enterprises dividend seeds endowment for students, research and the region
The University of Wollongong (UOW) has launched the UOW Futures Fund, a university endowment that will provide a permanent source of support for students, research, innovation and community impact. The fund currently stands at $26 million, and when combined with existing and new endowed gifts is expected to exceed $30 million by the end of 2026.
Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Max Lu AO announced the fund today (Monday 14 September) at a luncheon attended by alumni, donors, partners, community and business leaders, and members of the University community.
"UOW was founded on the belief that education transforms lives, strengthens communities and opens doors for future generations. The UOW Futures Fund turns that belief into a permanent commitment.
"Because the capital is invested rather than spent, every dollar contributed today keeps working, supporting our students, researchers and region year after year."
- Professor Max Lu
Global success, local opportunity
The fund's foundation investment includes $20 million from UOW Global Enterprises' (UOWGE) $30 million dividend for 2026. UOWGE operates UOW College Australia and UOW campuses in Dubai, Malaysia, Hong Kong and India, and has returned almost $200 million in dividends to UOW over the past decade.
UOWGE Chair John M. Green said the fund would make the contribution of UOW's global operations more visible at home.
"UOW Global Enterprises has contributed significantly to the University for many years. The Futures Fund turns part of that success into lasting opportunity for UOW, its students and the region.
"It draws a clear line between what UOW achieves globally and what that makes possible here, in education, student opportunity, research and partnerships."
- Mr John M. Green
What the fund will support
Combined with existing and future endowed philanthropic gifts, the endowment fund will provide long-term funding for scholarships, including for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and students from underrepresented backgrounds; research excellence and collaboration; academic chairs, professorships and fellowships; student exchange, internships and global mobility; and innovation, entrepreneurship and research translation.
The fund will preserve its capital, with a portion of investment returns distributed each year to support students, research, innovation and community impact, with the remainder reinvested to grow the fund.
It will operate under a dedicated governance framework. An Advisory Board of internal and external members will advise on investment strategy, alignment with UOW's priorities and the use of funds in accordance with donor intentions.
Generations of opportunity
Distinguished guest Dr Youngsuk "YS" Chi, Chair of Elsevier, Director of Corporate Affairs at RELX and former Chairman of the Association of American Publishers, told donors that gifts to the fund would deliver ongoing benefits to individuals and to society.
“Your gift will not be measured in dollar amount, it won’t even be measured in the number of students who receive it. Your gift is measured in what those students go on to do for others, and what those people do for others after them, and so on until one act of belief becomes generations of opportunity."
- Dr Youngsuk Chi
UOW invites alumni, individuals, families, businesses and community partners to contribute to the UOW Futures Fund. Find out more about the UOW Futures Fund here: uow.info/futures-fund
