University lecturers are asked to 'give up their daily cup of coffee' and have $1000 deducted from their pay cheque and given to students University of Canberra vice-chancellor, Deep Saini, asked staff to donate $1000 He said if lecturers give up coffee, they could donate $20 a week to students Professor Saini uploaded the audio message on the university's websiteBy Mary Mrad For Daily Mail Australia Published: 12:25 BST, 3 May 2019 | Updated: 12:27 BST, 3 May 2019 Viewcomments University lecturers have been asked to donate up to $1000 each year from their salaries to support students. University of Canberra (UC) vice-chancellor Deep Saini uploaded an audio message asking staff to 'give up their daily cup of coffee' and instead donate $20 a week. Professor Saini said the donation from 1000 staff members would raise $1.04million each year and create 208 scholarships. University of Canberra (UC) vice-chancellor, Deep Saini (pictured), uploaded the audio message asking staff to 'give up their daily cup of coffee' 'Let's say a cup of coffee costs us $4 each and we decide that we're going to give one cup of coffee per day to support our students,' he said in a public audio message uploaded to the university's website. 'What happens if we give $20 a week to support our students… imagine the impact of that.' Professor Saini referred to fundraising efforts made by several universities including the Australian National University, the University of Sydney and the University of Melbourne which raised $1billion in donations. 'Imagine the moral strength that would give us all to go out and ask the community for support,' Professor Saini said. Professor Saini said a $20 weekly donation from 1000 staff members would raise $1,040,000 each year and would create 208 scholarships for students (file image) 'We would be a university that is seen by a community to be walking the walk and not just simply talking the talk.' He said the money would support the UC Foundation Endowment which provides income for student scholarships and research. The university told ABC News the appeal is voluntary and benefits disadvantaged students. 'The funds raised through this appeal can either go to the UC Foundation Scholarships to support Indigenous, refugees, rural, regional students and students with a disability, or the UC Textbook fund,' acting vice-chancellor Leigh Sullivan said. He said the money would support the UC Foundation Endowment which provides income for student scholarships and research (file image) Read more: Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility