The Audi Foundation to continue drive for regional education with Country Education Foundation of Australia (CEF)

Since 2017, the Audi Foundation has provided student scholarships and operational assistance, both vital to the ongoing success and growth of Country Education Foundation of Australia (CEF). The Audi Foundation will again partner with CEF in 2021 in a multi-faceted agreement that will provide significant support to the organisation and rural and regional youth.

The partnership this year will provide an incredible 14 x student scholarships across the CEF network to students undertaking Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM) related study. These scholarships ease the burden on rural and regional students, even more so with recent droughts, bushfires and the pandemic heavily affecting rural and regional areas. 2020 Audi Foundation – CEF scholar Cecily Ducksbury from Harden NSW says “Because of COVID-19 I was stood down from my part-time job, but because of CEF, and their generous donors at the Audi Foundation, I have been able to stay focused on my university thesis and placement because I know I am still financially secure.”

In addition, the partnership funding will support engagement with regional communities and Audi staff to increase the reach of CEF’s work into new geographic areas to grow the number of students supported annually, a high priority for CEF. “We are committed to growing our footprint, particularly into regional Victoria. Our partnership with Audi Foundation not only provides crucial direct support to students, it enables us to build on our network of local foundations and supporters by engaging Audi staff and their communities with our work. We are excited to have them on board again for 2021,” says CEF Chief Executive Officer, Juliet Petersen.

Finally, this year Audi Foundation will be the principal partner of the CEF Alumni Awards, launched in 2018 and growing in support and participation each year. The awards have become a highlight for CEF with involvement from all members of the network, recognising the wonderful achievements of CEF recipients, past and present. In 2021, the awards are scheduled to be held in November in Canberra.

Paul Sansom, Chairman of the Audi Foundation, said it was important to provide ongoing support for students in rural in regional communities, acknowledging the widespread impacts that the pandemic has brought with it.

“The Audi Foundation is committed to supporting organisations and charities that work to improve educational outcomes of students facing disadvantage and other barriers to learning.

“Our partnership with CEF will assist students with the opportunity to create brighter futures, nurturing future scholars in becoming scientists, teachers, engineers and artists to drive progress in Australia and around the world,” said Mr Sansom.

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