1 00:00:00,160 --> 00:00:03,400 Speaker 1: Now, in a first for the higher education sector in Australia, 2 00:00:03,800 --> 00:00:06,680 Speaker 1: Charles Darwin University is supporting the people of Ukraine by 3 00:00:06,720 --> 00:00:11,480 Speaker 1: announcing a new scholarship fund. The Charles Darwin University Ukrainian 4 00:00:11,480 --> 00:00:17,360 Speaker 1: Assistant Scholarship will support Ukrainian humanitarian entrance to Australia, offering 5 00:00:17,520 --> 00:00:21,160 Speaker 1: education scholarships to support their tuition fees as well as 6 00:00:21,200 --> 00:00:25,800 Speaker 1: books and living expenses. Charles Darwin University's Vice Chancellor, Scott 7 00:00:25,840 --> 00:00:28,280 Speaker 1: Bowman joins me on the line right now. Good morning 8 00:00:28,320 --> 00:00:29,320 Speaker 1: to you, Scott. 9 00:00:29,920 --> 00:00:31,600 Speaker 2: Hi, kdi Scott. 10 00:00:31,640 --> 00:00:35,320 Speaker 1: It is being estimated that hundreds of thousands of families 11 00:00:35,320 --> 00:00:39,600 Speaker 1: have been displaced by the Russian conflict in Ukraine. We 12 00:00:39,680 --> 00:00:42,440 Speaker 1: know that life and education is going to be devastated 13 00:00:42,479 --> 00:00:46,360 Speaker 1: for so many people. What exactly is it that CDU 14 00:00:46,520 --> 00:00:49,880 Speaker 1: is offering here to the people of Ukraine. 15 00:00:50,520 --> 00:00:54,120 Speaker 2: Well, look it's were you just so frustrated? I wrote 16 00:00:54,120 --> 00:00:56,640 Speaker 2: about this on Friday to all the staff and then 17 00:00:56,640 --> 00:01:02,600 Speaker 2: out of forum this week. Everyone is just absolutely devastated 18 00:01:02,640 --> 00:01:05,840 Speaker 2: by what's happening in the Ukraine and wants to do 19 00:01:05,920 --> 00:01:08,560 Speaker 2: something about that. There was an outpouring what can we 20 00:01:08,640 --> 00:01:12,559 Speaker 2: do at the university and probably in the first instant, 21 00:01:12,600 --> 00:01:14,840 Speaker 2: the best thing we thought we could do is we 22 00:01:14,880 --> 00:01:16,920 Speaker 2: are going to have a lot of people turning up 23 00:01:16,959 --> 00:01:23,399 Speaker 2: in Australia with nothing and be looking for education opportunities. 24 00:01:23,720 --> 00:01:27,319 Speaker 2: So this is a chance if they come to the 25 00:01:27,440 --> 00:01:31,480 Speaker 2: university to study a trade so hopefully one day they 26 00:01:31,480 --> 00:01:34,240 Speaker 2: can go back and rebuild their country or stay in 27 00:01:34,280 --> 00:01:39,520 Speaker 2: Australia or to do a degree. It's just how little 28 00:01:39,680 --> 00:01:41,920 Speaker 2: tiny effort to try and do something. 29 00:01:43,319 --> 00:01:46,479 Speaker 1: So who will the scholarship be open to and are 30 00:01:46,520 --> 00:01:49,520 Speaker 1: they going to be eligibility requirements? How's it going to work? 31 00:01:50,720 --> 00:01:54,280 Speaker 2: Yeah, So what we're saying now it's basically refugees that 32 00:01:54,360 --> 00:02:00,320 Speaker 2: will be coming from the Ukraine. We've said for those 33 00:02:00,400 --> 00:02:05,200 Speaker 2: on a humanitarian visa, but there might be others that qualify. 34 00:02:05,280 --> 00:02:07,720 Speaker 2: When you know, we're not going to be you know, 35 00:02:08,520 --> 00:02:12,440 Speaker 2: exclude anyone who is in need in this terrible situation. 36 00:02:12,880 --> 00:02:15,960 Speaker 2: I mean, just imagine if we were invaded in Darwin 37 00:02:16,040 --> 00:02:18,160 Speaker 2: and we all had to run to New Zealand and 38 00:02:18,200 --> 00:02:21,680 Speaker 2: we all end up in New Zealand with absolutely nothing. 39 00:02:23,320 --> 00:02:26,359 Speaker 2: You know, if anything that all of us can do 40 00:02:26,400 --> 00:02:29,840 Speaker 2: I think will help. So yep, So at the moment 41 00:02:29,880 --> 00:02:31,680 Speaker 2: we're saying, you know, people that are coming in as 42 00:02:31,760 --> 00:02:34,840 Speaker 2: refugees that are coming out of the Ukraine. 43 00:02:34,880 --> 00:02:37,640 Speaker 1: Now it's for them, and so how's it going to 44 00:02:37,639 --> 00:02:39,480 Speaker 1: be funded? Talk us through how this is. 45 00:02:39,440 --> 00:02:43,600 Speaker 2: Going to work. Well, our staff really want to get involved, 46 00:02:43,639 --> 00:02:48,120 Speaker 2: and literally it opened up yesterday and I tried to 47 00:02:48,200 --> 00:02:50,359 Speaker 2: get in first. I wanted to be the first one 48 00:02:50,400 --> 00:02:55,920 Speaker 2: to donate, but I failed miserably. People are our staff 49 00:02:55,919 --> 00:03:00,120 Speaker 2: are putting funds in and you know, they're put in 50 00:03:00,200 --> 00:03:04,760 Speaker 2: substantial amounts, one hundred, two hundred and fifty five hundred dollars. 51 00:03:05,040 --> 00:03:07,960 Speaker 2: And what we've said is that the university will match 52 00:03:08,000 --> 00:03:11,320 Speaker 2: it dollar for dollar. So anything our staff put in, 53 00:03:12,639 --> 00:03:16,280 Speaker 2: we will match it. We've also said, this community wants 54 00:03:16,320 --> 00:03:21,280 Speaker 2: to put money in there, we can take this for 55 00:03:21,360 --> 00:03:23,800 Speaker 2: these scholarships. We're not going to match that. So I 56 00:03:23,840 --> 00:03:26,239 Speaker 2: suddenly had this cost Well, what if we have someone 57 00:03:26,240 --> 00:03:30,639 Speaker 2: that really wants to put in two million dollars to help? 58 00:03:31,320 --> 00:03:32,919 Speaker 2: Where am I going to find that money? 59 00:03:32,960 --> 00:03:33,480 Speaker 1: Exactly? 60 00:03:34,680 --> 00:03:38,000 Speaker 2: But very interestingly, Kadin, I just had an email from 61 00:03:38,040 --> 00:03:40,800 Speaker 2: our student Bobs said, hey, look, you've put this up 62 00:03:40,840 --> 00:03:44,280 Speaker 2: for staff, what about us? So you know, we go 63 00:03:44,360 --> 00:03:48,000 Speaker 2: out and get our students involved in this as well. 64 00:03:48,040 --> 00:03:50,200 Speaker 1: I think it's a fantastic thing to do, such a 65 00:03:50,240 --> 00:03:54,040 Speaker 1: tremendous thing to do to support people who are going 66 00:03:54,080 --> 00:03:58,280 Speaker 1: through such an incredibly difficult time. Scott, do you have 67 00:03:58,440 --> 00:04:01,120 Speaker 1: many Ukrainian students at CDU. 68 00:04:02,520 --> 00:04:04,760 Speaker 2: Now, we had a look at this. We've got somewhere 69 00:04:04,800 --> 00:04:11,440 Speaker 2: between fifteen and twenty Ukrainian students, but they're not international students. 70 00:04:11,480 --> 00:04:15,760 Speaker 2: They're domestic students, but their country of birth or country 71 00:04:15,800 --> 00:04:20,400 Speaker 2: of origin is the Ukraine. They identify themselves as such. 72 00:04:21,160 --> 00:04:26,480 Speaker 2: And interestingly, we have probably thirty to forty Russian students 73 00:04:26,600 --> 00:04:29,880 Speaker 2: in the same boat. And you know, we're doing everythinking 74 00:04:29,960 --> 00:04:33,520 Speaker 2: we can in the university. We don't want any negativity 75 00:04:33,640 --> 00:04:38,760 Speaker 2: towards Russian people. You know, Russian people are being killed 76 00:04:38,800 --> 00:04:43,160 Speaker 2: in this. We've got an absolute madman who is sending 77 00:04:43,200 --> 00:04:46,000 Speaker 2: his own people to their death in the Ukraine and 78 00:04:46,080 --> 00:04:51,680 Speaker 2: killing the Ukrainians. So this isn't against Russia, and it's 79 00:04:51,680 --> 00:04:54,880 Speaker 2: definitely not against the Russian people, but it is against 80 00:04:54,920 --> 00:04:58,560 Speaker 2: this absolute I'm trying really difficult not to swear on 81 00:04:58,640 --> 00:05:01,440 Speaker 2: your show. This man. 82 00:05:02,000 --> 00:05:04,839 Speaker 1: Yeah, it's really it's so heartbreaking to see, you know, 83 00:05:04,880 --> 00:05:09,040 Speaker 1: it's it's utterly devastating when you see that vision flow 84 00:05:09,120 --> 00:05:11,760 Speaker 1: through on the news and on social media, and you 85 00:05:11,880 --> 00:05:13,640 Speaker 1: hit the nail on the head there. You know, you've 86 00:05:13,640 --> 00:05:16,600 Speaker 1: got Russian people who are on the streets protesting against 87 00:05:16,640 --> 00:05:19,000 Speaker 1: this as well. And I think we all understand what 88 00:05:19,040 --> 00:05:21,680 Speaker 1: it can be like going against your government in a 89 00:05:21,720 --> 00:05:25,680 Speaker 1: country like Russia, but there are people taking to the 90 00:05:25,720 --> 00:05:27,359 Speaker 1: streets saying this is not okay. 91 00:05:28,760 --> 00:05:32,960 Speaker 2: Yeah, just well, the bravery we're seeing everywhere, the bravery 92 00:05:33,040 --> 00:05:36,800 Speaker 2: we're seeing in Russia to stand up to the dictator, 93 00:05:37,120 --> 00:05:41,040 Speaker 2: the you know, absolutely mind blowing what we're seeing in 94 00:05:41,240 --> 00:05:47,800 Speaker 2: Ukraine itself. You know, men women just you know, defending 95 00:05:48,080 --> 00:05:52,400 Speaker 2: their country. You know, the president, you know what a 96 00:05:53,040 --> 00:05:57,760 Speaker 2: what a symbol of leadership. You know, an ordinary guy 97 00:05:57,360 --> 00:06:01,120 Speaker 2: a few years ago was a comedian on TV. Yeah, 98 00:06:01,160 --> 00:06:03,440 Speaker 2: but come and see how it comes the person. And 99 00:06:03,480 --> 00:06:04,680 Speaker 2: look what this guy is doing. 100 00:06:05,320 --> 00:06:08,520 Speaker 1: It's yeah, it is unbelievable to see the way that 101 00:06:08,560 --> 00:06:12,600 Speaker 1: he is. He's you know, when the Americans said, look, 102 00:06:12,640 --> 00:06:14,840 Speaker 1: we can provide you that support and get you out 103 00:06:14,839 --> 00:06:16,719 Speaker 1: of the country, and he's like, no way, I'm staying 104 00:06:16,720 --> 00:06:19,480 Speaker 1: here with my people. It was It's quite amazing to 105 00:06:19,520 --> 00:06:21,120 Speaker 1: watch a. 106 00:06:21,279 --> 00:06:24,240 Speaker 2: Look that that just puts them into history forever. You know, 107 00:06:24,520 --> 00:06:26,520 Speaker 2: you know, with the great and history, but just that 108 00:06:26,640 --> 00:06:29,400 Speaker 2: one statement and then you know, to be out on 109 00:06:29,440 --> 00:06:33,679 Speaker 2: the streets saying look I'm here. Yeah, just mind blowing. 110 00:06:33,720 --> 00:06:36,880 Speaker 2: I think we can all be inspired by him and 111 00:06:37,120 --> 00:06:41,760 Speaker 2: inspired by the hurricane Ukrainian people. But what this madman 112 00:06:42,000 --> 00:06:43,640 Speaker 2: is going to do? Goodness know? 113 00:06:44,760 --> 00:06:50,000 Speaker 1: So Scott obviously you know you mentioned that that Territorians 114 00:06:50,000 --> 00:06:52,240 Speaker 1: can get involved and make a donation as well if 115 00:06:52,240 --> 00:06:55,520 Speaker 1: they want to when it comes to these these scholarships 116 00:06:55,600 --> 00:06:58,880 Speaker 1: or to support tuition fees as well as books and 117 00:06:58,920 --> 00:07:01,400 Speaker 1: living expenses. If people do want to find out a 118 00:07:01,400 --> 00:07:04,599 Speaker 1: bit more information, where can they head to look? 119 00:07:04,760 --> 00:07:10,240 Speaker 2: Just come to our website, Google CDU or Charles Darwin University. 120 00:07:10,320 --> 00:07:13,480 Speaker 2: You'll find a very very quickly you can find where 121 00:07:13,840 --> 00:07:17,680 Speaker 2: this appeal is. I mean it's a big weekless. We've 122 00:07:17,680 --> 00:07:22,120 Speaker 2: also got another appeal running for points and a new 123 00:07:22,680 --> 00:07:26,480 Speaker 2: new South Wales. Our staff are really being jenerous, but 124 00:07:26,560 --> 00:07:28,720 Speaker 2: yeah you can. You can find it there. And I 125 00:07:28,760 --> 00:07:31,800 Speaker 2: should say that if if there is any money in 126 00:07:31,840 --> 00:07:35,600 Speaker 2: there left when we have gone through all of this, 127 00:07:36,240 --> 00:07:40,560 Speaker 2: it will all go towards humanitarian efforts in Ukraine. Nothing 128 00:07:40,600 --> 00:07:42,280 Speaker 2: will come to the university. 129 00:07:42,040 --> 00:07:45,400 Speaker 1: No good, Stuffy. Any idea how much you raised so far? 130 00:07:46,720 --> 00:07:49,880 Speaker 2: Look, I haven't, but I literally tried to get on 131 00:07:50,400 --> 00:07:53,160 Speaker 2: you know, within half an hour, and within half an 132 00:07:53,200 --> 00:07:56,160 Speaker 2: hour it was about thousand dollars. But I can get 133 00:07:56,200 --> 00:07:59,040 Speaker 2: back to you on that more today. 134 00:07:59,200 --> 00:08:01,680 Speaker 1: Yeah. Will starts out, well, I really appreciate your time 135 00:08:01,720 --> 00:08:03,560 Speaker 1: this morning. Well done to the UNI on this. I 136 00:08:03,600 --> 00:08:05,000 Speaker 1: think it's a really great initiative. 137 00:08:06,320 --> 00:08:08,760 Speaker 2: Thanks very much, Katie, and always good to talk to you. 138 00:08:08,880 --> 00:08:09,440 Speaker 1: Thank you.