Donation aids new Sydney Uni precinct
'We hope that our initial support encourages further investment in the Sydney Biomedical Accelerator'
ANOTHER generous multimillion dollar donation to the University of Sydney by The Susan and Isaac Wakil Foundation (SIWF) will help build a nation-leading biomedical precinct by 2026, that will house 1200 researchers, adjacent to the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (RPAH).
The university announced on August 29 that the $478 million precinct – called the Sydney Biomedical Accelerator – is being partly funded by a $143 million commitment by the NSW government, and $73 million through donations by philanthropic organisations and individuals, including a $20 million contribution by SIWF.
The university’s chancellor Belinda Hutchinson said it is “the latest in one of many transformative donations made by the SIWF to the University of Sydney”.
“These extraordinary philanthropists have now gifted more than $66 million – the largest named donation to a single institution in NSW history – to the university, to enhance the future of healthcare and teaching in Australia.
“We are forever thankful for their vision.”
Susan Wakil passed away four years ago, and the university’s Susan Wakil Health Building was named in her honour.
When completed, scientists in the 36,000 square-metre precinct’s three new buildings will conduct cutting edge research into regenerative medicine and medical device development, harnessing the latest in gene and stem cell therapies, and nanotechnology.
One of the them will be named the Isaac Wakil Biomedical Building.
University of Sydney vice-chancellor Mark Scott said, “This is a historic investment for any university,” adding the physical sharing and linkage of facilities between the university and the RPAH through this project, will accelerate “the pathway between findings made at a patient’s bedside to the research bench, and back again”.
Isaac Wakil said the SIWF “is very pleased to be able to help make this important project a reality”.
“We hope that our initial support encourages further investment in the Sydney Biomedical Accelerator.”
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