A message from Sir Richard Sykes (Rector 2001-08)
2007 was a momentous year for Imperial College. The celebration of our Centenary year provided everyone associated with the College with the opportunity to honour our heritage and pay tribute to our 100 years of living science.
With our Centenary year now behind us, we move into our second century with a sense of optimism. The College remains committed to educating individuals who, in turn, go on to contribute new ideas and discoveries to the world. To do this we must continue to attract the most gifted and talented students from every corner of the globe, and ensure that we provide a learning environment fit for future innovators.
Thanks to the generosity of our alumni, staff and friends throughout our Centenary year, our Centenary Campaign total currently stands at over £140 million, heralding a brighter future for all future students of the College. We still have a long way to go however. The campaign runs until 2010 and the support of our alumni, staff and friends is vital if we are to achieve our £207 million target.
Philanthropists of the early twentieth century, such the Sir Alfred and Sir Otto Beit and Sir Julius Wernher, have played a vital role in helping us to get to where we are today, as well as subsequent generations of alumni and supporters. We have invested their gifts wisely and the returns our contributions have made to healthcare, industry and society around the world are there for everyone to see.
The pace of our effort to contribute new ideas, discoveries and innovations must not slow. There is much our scientists and engineers don't understand about the world and there are urgent problems to be solved by them. There are many millions of people who could live healthier lives through the advances of our medical researchers and clinicians.
We're not daunted by these challenges. We see exciting horizons ahead and we want you to explore them with us.
With the support of our associates and friends, Imperial people will continue to work on some of the most important problems the world faces. With your support we can give our faculty and students the academic environment to match their talent. With your support we can inspire the next generation of great minds.
One hundred years ago our founders made a leap of faith in setting up a technical and scientific college in South Kensington. Today we are recognised as one of the top ten universities in the world.
Within our Centenary website, please take a look at just a few examples of what generations of staff and students have since achieved to realise the ambition of those founding visionaries and what we hope to have achieved by 2010. I hope you will join us on the next stage of our journey.
Sir Richard B. Sykes
Rector 2001-08, Imperial College London
© 2007 Imperial College London
Through the first decade of the twenty-first century the campaign seeks to philanthropically raise £207 million from Imperial’s alumni, staff and friends, and donations from charitable foundations and industry.
Where help is neededWays of giving
Imperial’s Centenary Year provides an opportunity to recognise and celebrate members of the Imperial community.
View profilesShare your stories