25 years later, as UNSW now marks 75 years as a leading educational institution, the late Dr Burgess continues to have an impact on future leaders
Back in 1999, as part of UNSW’s 50th anniversary celebrations, legendary businessman Dr Ian Burgess, AO, was awarded an honorary doctorate by his alma mater with the citation noting that he was “universally respected for his intelligence, forthright opinions and strong leadership.”
25 years later, as UNSW now marks 75 years as a leading educational institution, the late Dr Burgess continues to have an impact on future leaders by way of a generous gift to the University that helps rural students in the Faculty of Engineering and Faculty of Science.
The establishment in 2014 of the Ian and Barbara Burgess Memorial Scholarship program, in partnership with his beloved wife, came through a $6m Gift in Will that was the largest ever received by the University at that time.
The program is designed to encourage, and support disadvantaged rural students from regional or remote areas, which was a cause close to the heart of Dr Burgess himself.
As a country boy, he had spent most of his school years as a boarder at The King’s School in Sydney before undertaking a degree in Industrial Chemistry at what was then called the New South Wales University of Technology – soon to officially become UNSW.
During this time he was strongly supported by Barbara, who went on to be a high-achiever herself in roles that included teacher, town planner, social worker and social administrator.
Janet Twigden, the niece of Ian and Barbara, recalls that Dr Burgess had a strongly held belief that, given access to education and professional opportunities, students like him who came from rural areas could make significant contributions to culture and science, in Australia and abroad.
And the scholarship program was an important and generous way to ‘give back’ to UNSW, who he credited with setting him on a course for success.
Dr Burgess was also keen to drive investment in the fields of engineering and science which he believed would be fundamental to Australia’s future prosperity.
“Being able to give students those opportunities, in combination with his solid belief that science and engineering were the way forward for the country – those ideas resonated very strongly with Ian,” says Janet.
She continues to be delighted and excited hearing about each new student that is awarded a place in the program.
“Updates on student progress always moves me,” she says.
“Every year, there's a family standing around a kitchen table, and a young person who opens a letter and says, ‘Wow, I’ve won a scholarship!’
“These young people will never really know Uncle Ian and Auntie Barbara, but in a way, you know, they continue to be providers for these students, their families and the nation.
“Uncle Ian and Auntie Barbara aren’t able to reap the joy of this themselves, which is touchingly sad in a way, and it makes me a bit teary. But the truth is they’re using the rewards of their lifetimes in the service of others, to grow a better world.”
As Australia’s best engineering faculty turns 75, there are just as many reasons why we’ve earned that title. Discover new stories weekly, celebrating the successes that have enabled progress for all.
