Philanthropy and Higher Education

Thank you Selma Talha-Jebril and Mirka Martel for featuring my research on foundations in this brilliant report which explores philanthropy’s role in funding international scholarship and fellowship programs. Framed by Ford Foundation and Institute of International Education, this research paper addresses a gap in the literature on foundations which fund international scholarship and fellowship programs around the world, particularly those whose focus is on social justice, equity and access.

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Philanthropy and development: stocktake and partnership strategy

Honored to see my book on American Foundations and African Universities so prominently featured in France’s new strategy on the role of philanthropy in financing global development. Philanthropic practices for development are growing in number across the globe, mainly in Africa and especially in the health sector. In Europe, philanthropic actors are becoming more structured. In France, foundations are increasingly interested in international development, as can be seen in their mobilization in response to the COVID-19 crisis. Through their structural and operational specificity, linked to their flexibility of action and innovation, foundations have a full role to play in international development, alongside public actors. Strengthening synergies of action and partnerships between the French government and foundations, with a view to contributing to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

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中国:一个新兴慈善大国的崛起

作者: Charles Sellen ( 美国印第安纳大学礼来家族慈善学院全球慈善研究员 ) ; Fabrice Jaumont (人文科学基金会教育科学基金会- FMSH)

2020年一月十九日,美国东部时间二十一点零一分

2015年马云在世界经济论坛的一场会议上讲话. Jolanda Flubacher/World Economic Forum, CC BY

为应对当前的冠状病毒疫情,中国亿万富翁马云于1月31日承诺,将向武汉和湖北捐赠相当于1.44亿美元的医疗物资,并提供1400万美元帮助研发疫苗。就在几个月前,这位前教师离开了这家拥有逾10万名员工, 价值4500亿美元的公司,并宣布,他今后将投身于教育慈善领域。冠状病毒威胁的出现表明他也致力于支持公共卫生领域。

在中国,公众人物长期以来一直默默践行慈善,称为“公益志愿行动”。但考虑到马云财富的规模(全球第21位,约430亿美元),他的高调支持慈善表明中国的慈善事业正处于一个历史性的转折点。

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Interwiew in University World News

Pandemic exposes need for new university funding strategy. My interview with Wagdy Sawahel for University World News Africa Edition touched on philanthropy and higher education in Africa and the potential of university foundations. As governments around the world redirect capital spending towards mitigating the socio-economic impact of the pandemic and health sector requirements, universities are bracing themselves against the financial impacts on their own operations.

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China’s big donors are pitching in to deal with the new coronavirus – and not just in their own country

Alibaba founder Jack Ma, left, is funding African entrepreneurs through his foundation.
VCG/VCG via Getty Images

by Charles Sellen, Indiana University and Fabrice Jaumont, Fondation Maison des Sciences de l’Homme (FMSH) – USPC for The Conversation US

Less than a month after China confirmed the emergence of what soon became the new coronavirus pandemic, the Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba pledged US$144 million in medical supplies for Hubei province and its capital city Wuhan.

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China: Rise of a New Philanthropic Power

Jack Ma speaks at a meeting of the World Economic Forum Foundation in 2015. Jolanda Flubacher/World Economic Forum, CC BY

In response to the ongoing coronavirus emergency, on January 31, Chinese billionaire Jack Ma pledged the equivalent of US$144 million for medical supplies for Wuhan and Hubei as well as $14 million to help develop a vaccine. Just a few months ago, the former teacher had left the reins of a company of more than 100,000 employees, valued $450 billion, stating that he wanted to devote himself to philanthropy in the field of education. The emergence of the coronavirus threat showed his commitment to supporting public-health efforts as well.

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Chine : l’ascension d’une nouvelle grande puissance philanthropique

Jack Ma, l’ex-PDG d’Alibaba lors d’un concert pour marquer le 20e anniversaire du groupe à Hangzhou. L’entrepreneur charismatique se dédie désormais pleinement à des activités philanthropiques. STR / AFP

Fabrice Jaumont, Fondation Maison des Sciences de l’Homme (FMSH) – USPC et Charles Sellen, Indiana University pour The Conversation France

Le milliardaire Jack Ma, fondateur du site d’e-commerce Alibaba, a pris sa retraite des affaires. Cet ancien professeur laisse les rênes d’un groupe de 100 000 employés, valorisé plus de 450 milliards de dollars, et déclare vouloir se consacrer à la philanthropie dans le domaine de l’éducation où sa fondation innove.

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Philanthropy and Higher Education in Dakar

I was in Dakar for Thanksgiving and presented my books, Unequal Partners and Partenaires inégaux at the West African Research Center (WARC). I was equally pleased to visit Université Cheick Anta Diop and exchange with the administrators of Fondation UCAD as well as meet with several professors and students.

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