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Mutual relationship boosts scholarships, engagement and research

Raising awareness of the continued importance of business ethics responsibility, Australian Catholic University (ACU) and Teachers Mutual Bank Limited are joining forces in an ethics and value-driven partnership that will deliver student scholarships, new engagement models and research opportunities.

The partnership involves a three-year collaboration program around scholarships, promotion of diversity and inclusion, guest lectures in areas such as cybersecurity, ethical banking or budgeting, opportunities for student internships and work placement, innovation, and translational research projects towards ethical and positive societal impact.

Among the first initiatives of the alliance between the two is the establishment by Teachers Mutual Bank Limited of three scholarships for health, education, and executive MBA undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Teachers Mutual Bank Limited believes in using banking as a force for good. The mutual bank has been cited as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for eight consecutive years and in 2021 was one of only five banks named internationally. Teachers Mutual Bank Limited is also a leader in fossil fuel free banking and has been net zero for direct greenhouse emissions since 2012.

“As a bank where social responsibility drives everything we do, Teachers Mutual Bank Limited has a deep value alignment with the Australian Catholic University and we are looking forward to what we can achieve together”, says Steve James, CEO of Teachers Mutual Bank Limited.

ACU boasts a diverse and innovative research profile with a focus on solving real world issues and delivering economic growth and social benefits for the communities it serves. The university is ranked in the top 50 universities in the world for education, nursing and sport science and is a leading research institution in areas aligned with ACU’s mission.

“ACU’s strategic vision of hope, faith and reason through opportunity, innovation and ethics, aligns with Teachers Mutual Bank Limited’s focus on social responsibility, when looking after the banking needs of essential workers, many of whom have trained at ACU,” said Professor Zlatko Skrbis, ACU Vice-Chancellor and President.

Teachers Mutual Bank Limited and ACU ratified their agreement by signing a Memorandum of Understanding at ACU’s North Sydney Campus on Wednesday 9 March.