Give for Science

Kickoff fundraising campaign

The University of Groningen has a large ambition: to obtain a solid position among the world’s finest institutions in higher education. For this, we need the aid of our alumni.

 

The University of Groningen has recently undertaken a series of activities in order to raise funds for special research and education projects. These activities are part of a larger campaign, which will last several years till 2014, the year the University celebrates its’ 400^th birthday.   

 

Why fundraising?

For nearly four centuries, our university has exemplified high-quality education and research. Thanks to regular government financing, the university will be able to obtain this level for the next few years. In the long run, however, government financing will not be enough: it is already under pressure, and it does not provide the university with the financial scope it needs to propel the further development of distinctive, excellent research. “If Groningen University wants to matter still, fifty years from now, investments from an other source are necessary,” says newly appointed university president Sibrand Poppema, “In my vision of the future, Groningen belongs to the top 50 of universities in the world in 2014, the year it celebrates its’ 400th birthday. Alumni are able to help with this. They invest not only in the future of the university, but in research that aims to resolve great social dilemmas we face in issues such as energy, healthy ageing, tolerance.”  

High social return on investment

The campaign goal is to provide the university with an additional financial scope by the year 2014. An essential part of the campaign is the forming of a ‘piggy bank’, retaining foundational capital. Only the interest of this piggy bank will be used, the capital itself must continue to grow in the course of the years through donations of alumni, the business community and institutions. Next to this, funds will be raised on behalf of specific projects. In both cases, the revenue is completely and explicitly spent on scientific research and education. This makes your donation, in economic terms, an investment in science with a high social return. Anyone can be a shareholder: you too! For this reason, the university will make appeals to you more often in the coming years.

Examples of special projects:

 

  Dead Sea Scrolls   The Ubbo Emmius Foundation team is currently seeking funds for the further development of the Qumran Institute. This high-quality research institute is affiliated with the Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies of the University of Groningen and is aimed at research on the Dead Sea Scrolls. More information .

 

 

  Willem Barentsz Polar Institute  Knowing what happens on the poles is vital to The Netherlands. The exact consequences of climate change are still not clear, but if the polar caps continue to melt, our country will almost definitely have to deal with severe consequences. More information. 

 

 

Beatrix Children's Hospital. The Ubbo Emmius Foundation is currently involved in fundraising for the Beatrix Children's Hospital of the University Medical Centre Groningen . The department of Paediatrics conducts research into the entire field of internal medicine for children, including several types of cancer. The project the Ubbo Emmius Foundation is currently raising funds for, is focused on how to improve quality of life after cancer. More information.

 

Ethics in the business community. Discussions on ethics in the business community have started all over the world in recent months. The University of Groningen believes that, as an independent research institution, it should take part in these discussions. For this reason the Ubbo Emmius Foundation organized a summit meeting last February, on the theme of 'Leadership in Business and Financial Ethics'. In order to better prepare future economists and managers for moral questions regarding leadership, the University of Groningen wants to anchor the subject of ethics in its Economy and Business curriculum. The appointment of a Professor in this particular field will contribute to further professionalization of the subject. For information on supporting this project, please contact Ms. Tienke Koning (0031-(0)50-363 7595 or j.j.koning@rug.nl).

 

 

Will you support the University of Groningen? Click here, or pay your donation into account number 10.32.55.400 in the name of Ubbo Emmius Foundation, PO Box 72, 9700 AB Groningen, The Netherlands, stating ‘campaign’.