From the Vice-Chancellor 

I am delighted to introduce the 2021–2022 edition of The Effect of Giving, the University’s annual publication to acknowledge and celebrate the tremendous support from our alumni, donors and friends. 

Thank you to everyone who has so generously given their time and money this past year in support of the University. Your continued support is vital in helping us to achieve our mission, particularly as we address the global challenges of the future. 

Supporting our global community

The University of London is the UK’s leading provider of digital and blended distance education internationally, offering programmes to 45,000 students in 190 countries around the world. Although we are proudly rooted in London, our community and impact are global.

In these turbulent times, education and dialogue is more important than ever. I am proud of how we continue to support our students, especially those experiencing challenges such as conflict or natural disaster in places such as Ukraine, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. This year, we have seen increased cases of students requiring financial assistance due to  humanitarian crises caused by these situations. I want to thank all those who have given to our Student Support fund, which helps these students in need, allowing them to continue their studies in the midst of some incredibly difficult circumstances. 

Transforming lives through education 

As part of our commitment to widening access to education, we also continued to expand our scholarship programmes, to ensure that students around the world can benefit from a University of London education, regardless of their financial situation. You can hear from one recipient of the Váradi Scholarship about the impact this support has had on them. 

This year, we have also launched the University of London Scholars Programme – a three-year, £2million initiative which focuses on closing the attainment gap between students. These scholarships were funded in part by the University’s endowment as well as by philanthropic donations from alumni and friends, including those given through the Convocation Trust. The programme will support 30 students every year across our Member Institutions and is a real example of the collective power of the University of London federation.

I would like to thank all those who have donated to these important initiatives. Your support has a transformational impact on our students in the UK and around the world. 

Stimulating intellectual exchange 

The University of London is a national leader in the humanities. Through the School of Advanced Study and its institutes, we promote their value to society and the economy through knowledge creation and exchange. 

This year, we marked the start of the Warburg Renaissance building project – a £14.5million transformation of the Warburg Institute: one of world’s leading centres for studying the interaction of ideas, images and society. The redevelopment will enhance the Institute’s academic and public offerings, and create new facilities for its special collections and exhibitions. 

I would like to extend my thanks to the Hermann Reemtsma Stiftung, as well as the other trusts, foundations and individuals who supported the project. 

Thank you

I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved over the past year. Our global community is instrumental to the success of the University of London, and our mission to enable social good and transform lives through education. 

Thank you for your continued support, which means so much to us all. I hope you will choose to stay involved and support in whatever way you can.