University of Leicester goes stateside to launch global philanthropic campaign as part of UK Government-backed mission

The University of Leicester has launched its ambitious global philanthropy campaign in the USA as part of a UK Government-backed stateside investment mission.

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Nishan Canagarajah, led a senior Leicester delegation on a trip to the USA to launch the University’s 2121: Founders of the Future campaign stateside and strengthen its global partnerships.

The event, which was held in New York on Monday 13 April, was the University’s first-ever overseas philanthropic campaign launch. The 2121 campaign aims to raise £100m to support the University’s world-leading research, education and impact in its second century.

The launch formed part of a national UK government-backed inward investment mission that had the support of the Chancellor Rachel Reeves, the Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, and Mayor of the North East, Kim McGuinness.

The mission saw the University delegation engage with key government figures, philanthropists, investors, and US industry leaders to drive forward the University’s philanthropic campaign and support efforts to enhance inward investment opportunities.

A flagship event saw the University renew its longstanding partnership with the Smithsonian Institution which supports them to pioneer digital transformations and research collaborations in the institution and across the cultural sector.

Alongside the partnership with the Smithsonian Institution, the delegation built upon existing academic and research connections with Harvard and MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) and paved the way to becoming an academic partner of the UN in a visit to its New York headquarters.

The mission saw Sir Nishan join the Chancellor Rachel Reeves and British Ambassador to the USA Sir Christian Turner for an engagement with industry leaders to discuss investment opportunities, which was hosted at the British Embassy in Washington DC. Sir Nishan was also a key speaker, alongside the regional mayors, at a roundtable event at the Embassy to discuss the UK’s Industrial Strategy.

Sir Nishan said: “The University of Leicester has an outstanding reputation in the USA for our world-leading partnerships in health, space and heritage and culture.

“Whether that be our collaborations on space missions with NASA, our relationships with major life sciences companies, or our long-standing partnership with the Smithsonian Institution – which we were delighted to extend during this visit – we are leading the way in supporting the UK’s engagements with the USA.

“That is why it is fitting that we launched our first-ever global philanthropic campaign, 2121 Founders of the Future, in New York, with the support of the American Friends of the University.

“I was also delighted to launch this major campaign as part of a wider UK government campaign in partnership with the Chancellor, British Ambassador and Regional Mayors, who are vital in advocating for the strength of our universities.”

The delegation visited New York, Boston, where they were hosted by the British Consul General to New England David Clay MBE, and Washington DC.

Throughout the visit they held receptions and meetings with alumni, with the support of the American Friends of the University of Leicester and partnered with the Invest in UK University R&D – Midlands Campaign.