A new long-term partnership will empower more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to complete STEM study and build related career paths.
UNSW Sydney and award-winning First Nations technology company, Baidam , will create enduring pathways into science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and future careers in technology for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
The partnership was announced at UNSW’s Nura Gili Centre on National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day on 4 August. Matching contributions from Baidam and UNSW will build funds to provide two scholarships each year in perpetuity. This will create a legacy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students pursuing STEM studies.
Baidam is an Indigenous technology and cybersecurity company and operates Australia’s first Indigenous-owned Security Operations Centre (SOC). The company has built a strong reputation for creating trajectories into the technology sector while supporting Indigenous participation and leadership.
The partnership reflects the shared dedication of both organisations to reducing barriers to education, increasing Indigenous representation in STEM disciplines and supporting long-term success through education, industry engagement and community partnership.
Building a lasting legacy
The initial philanthropic investment from Baidam, matched by UNSW, will generate funds that will provide ongoing support for students.
UNSW Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Indigenous, Professor Leanne Holt said the scholarships would help create lasting opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students pursuing careers connected to STEM and technology.
“We are proud to partner with Baidam on this enduring commitment to First Nations students. Together, we’re creating clear ways into industries where Indigenous voices, knowledge and leadership are needed now more than ever.”
The partnership builds on UNSW’s strong foundation of support for First Nations student success. In 2026, UNSW offered 28 scholarships for Indigenous students through 21 scholarship programs, including several supporting STEM studies. The Baidam partnership strengthens this growing ecosystem of support and contributes to a long-term vision of Indigenous participation and leadership in the technology sector.
We are proud to partner with Baidam on this enduring commitment to First Nations students. Together, we’re creating pathways into industries where Indigenous voices, knowledge and leadership are needed now more than ever.
Bridging an education gap
The UNSW partnership is the latest in a series of STEM scholarships Baidam has funded in full or in part across Australia .
“Our goal is to help bridge the disparity gap between non-Indigenous and First Nations Peoples by allowing for more Indigenous involvement in the national technology community,” said Beau Hodge, CEO of Baidam. “It’s a win not only for Indigenous students trying to establish a meaningful, well-paid career, but for an industry that’s desperately short of trained resources.
“UNSW has been incredibly engaged with and supportive of our First Nations scholarship initiative,” said Hodge. “To the extent that they’ve effectively doubled the impact by adding a second scholarship. These perpetual scholarships create a real pathway for First Nations students who want a career in the technology sector through UNSW. We’ve been incredibly impressed with how UNSW actively supports opportunities for Indigenous students to study and has generated awareness and engagement with local schools, communities and businesses.”
The partnership aims to spark further investment from the technology sector in Indigenous education and capability development, creating stronger trajectories from education into meaningful careers.
Learn more about UNSW and Baidam scholarships that support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
