Three billions in four years. This is what the University hopes to receive in donations in connection with the new donation campaign. “We want to create and develop a culture of giving,“ says Ulrika Nilsson, chairperson of the University Donation Group.
Foto: Carl-Johan Kullving/Xche Balam
In connection with the up-coming 350-year anniversary of the University a campaign with the aim to collect three billion Swedish kroner until 2018 is launched. As long as the University has existed, donations and fundraising have been part of the agenda.
“When I was Vice-Chancellor we hired a fund raiser who created a good activity and good unit for donations. We were then among the first in Sweden. We were not the very first ones, but we started early. Today this is a campaign that everyone has,” says Göran Bexell, former Vice-Chancellor at the University. The University will follow two tracks. The first is to continue to build on the existing relations and expand the University’s Alumni Network and private contacts. The next step is to welcome both small and big gifts. Through a web campaign it is possible to do crowd funding. This also gives students an opportunity to donate money or organize their own fund raisings.
Foto: Carl-Johan Kullving/Xche Balam
Discussions among the faculties
To decide where the money will be used, discussions have been carried out among the faculties to reveal the University’s different needs.
“We have to show awareness and get the tools to divide the resources among different faculties and, for example, attract resources to subjects that are considered a bit unsexy. It is one part of the Board’s challenge to keep the University together,” says Margot Wallström, chairperson of the University Board.
Money to international scholarships
Except creating a better world through curing endemic diseases and do research on how to solve the climate threat, an issue prioritized by the donation group, the money can also be used in other ways. One way is through the international scholarships.
“We believe in the global classroom. But the donations could be used to add to the student resources through, for instance, the credit Union, a unit that exists for students to avoid SMS-loans, and for resources to improve the study environment,” says Vice-Chancellor Per Eriksson.
Donates 1000 bucks
The Vice-Chancellor has promised to donate one thousand kroner every month for three years and he knows were his money is going to be used. But how the rest of the donations should be used is very much a decision to be made by the donors.
“It depends on what the donors say. The more open they are, the better for us. My money will go to international scholarships,” says Vice-Chancellor Per Eriksson.
READ MORE: Amounts of billions on unclear terms
Text: Lisa Blidnert
Translation: Lars Jansson
