28 May 08

Professor Richard Dawkins, current student Omotola Akerele, and former student Michael Palin get behind the campaign

Donations totalling £575 million today launched the Campaign for the University of Oxford, the most important campaign ever organised by the University, which aims to raise a minimum of £1.25 billion.

The sum includes the new gift of £25 million pledged to the development of the New Bodleian Library by the Garfield Weston Foundation, the largest gift ever made by the Foundation.

Mr Wafic Rida Saïd is creating a Strategic Development Fund for the Saïd Business School with a capital value of £25m. The Fund will support initiatives and opportunities at the School which are of strategic value in its development.

There have been more than 20,000 donors (individuals, foundations and other organisations) to the University during the pre-launch phase of the Campaign from 1 August 2004 to 31 March 2008.

The vast majority of gifts have been £25,000 and below, underlying the importance of a broad base of giving.

The Campaign for the University of Oxford aims to sustain and enhance Oxford's international reputation and provide security in a world of uncertain state funding and growing global competition.

It will ensure Oxford can attract the most gifted students from around the world, irrespective of their financial situation. It will allow Oxford to compete for the best scholars, tutors and researchers internationally and provide the infrastructure and facilities needed to support world-class students and academics and cutting-edge research programmes.

A key element of the Campaign is to preserve and develop Oxford's unique tutorial system, which is at the heart of the University’s educational experience.

The Campaign is launched today by the Chancellor of the University of Oxford, the Rt Hon Lord Patten of Barnes, CH, The Vice-Chancellor, Dr John Hood, and the Chairman of the Campaign for The University of Oxford, Dame Vivien Duffield, with leading Oxonians including Michael Palin, Richard Dawkins and Sir Roger Bannister.

Lord Patten said: ‘Through centuries, Oxford’s great minds have changed and bettered the world by their discoveries, their innovations and their insights. Our new Campaign will advance the University’s historical strengths and draw upon its enormous potential for the future. It is a bold endeavour, requiring courage and commitment, but the rewards will be great. I urge all of those who care about the University of Oxford and its work to join with us.’

Dr John Hood, Vice-Chancellor, said: ‘We have launched the Campaign for the University of Oxford: the most sustained, co-ordinated fundraising effort ever undertaken by a European university. It is a Campaign driven by the University and by its Colleges. It must significantly increase the University’s endowment if it is to establish a strong philanthropic foundation for the future.’

Dame Vivien Duffield, Chairman of the Campaign, said: ‘We are the custodians of the spirit, and the intellectual brilliance, of the University of Oxford. I passionately believe that the task before us is to guarantee Oxford’s future pre-eminence in a world now changing so fast that we must lead or fall behind. For learning and progress in the world, and Britain’s place in it, there can be no greater investment than in the University of Oxford.’