University of Zurich honored for funding

This year, the UZH can accept the award from the German Association of University Professors and Lecturers (DHV) for successful fundraising at universities. “The professional fundraising of the UZH Foundation sets standards,” the jury writes in their justification, going on to say that this clearly shows the variety of opportunities for developing private sources of financing by foundations for universities. 

The UZH Foundation has been receiving donations for the University of Zurich since 2012. According to a press release, this broadens the possibilities of engaging in excellent research and teaching. Contributions of around 230 million Swiss francs have been raised since then. In 2018, the foundation gained an experienced fundraiser in Martin Gubser as its CEO.

Michael Schaepman, Vice President Research at the UZH und Vice President of the Board of the UZH Foundation, states: “Martin Gubser is a stroke of luck for the UZH; he has developed completely new strategic possibilities for fundraising at our university within a short period of time.”

Gubser sees this award as an encouragement to continue what has been started: “The more complex globalized society is and the greater the environmental, medical, and scientific challenges, the more important the contributions of science to shaping our future.” He goes on to say that the award is a motivation for the entire team to continue to find new ways to show the societal value of science and to enthuse donors for research projects.”