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Oil tycoon's £75m gift for Oxford University school

BBC Published Jun 17, 2010 Reviewed Jul 3, 2026 ✓ Reviewed by citations.press editors
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Leonard Blavatnik is donating £75 million to fund a new School of Government at Oxford University.
75000000 GBP · donation
Leonard Blavatnik, Russian-born businessman
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Oxford University is 900 years old.
900 years · university history
, university
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The new School of Government at Oxford University is expected to cost £100 million.
100000000 GBP · School of Government
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The donation may rise to £100 million.
at least 100000000 GBP · donation
, university administrators
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The new school is expected to create more than 40 academic posts.
more than 40 · academic posts
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University administrators hope the new school will open in 2012.
2012 · school opening
, University administrators
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A Russian-born businessman is to help fund a new £100m School of Government at Oxford University.

Leonard Blavatnik, 53, whose fortune is estimated at £3bn, is giving the project £75m.

It is hoped more than 40 academic posts and a new building will be created on the university's new Radcliffe Observatory Quarter.

"This is a visionary act of philanthropy," said vice-chancellor Prof Andrew Hamilton.

He added: "It is a major vote of confidence in Oxford with the potential to transform how we and the rest of the world approach government and public policy issues."

The university describes Mr Blavatnik's donation, which may rise to £100m, as "one of the most generous" gifts in their 900-year history.

Mr Blavatnik is founder of Access Industries and made his money in oil and other industries. He is now based in the United States.

University administrators hope the new school will open in 2012, and offer a one-year Master's degree.

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