On July 3, Tsinghua University held the appointment ceremony for Professor Omar M. Yaghi, who joins the university as a full-time chaired professor. A recipient of the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry and one of the world's foremost materials chemists, Yaghi will further strengthen Tsinghua's research capabilities in chemistry and materials science. At the ceremony, Professor Yaghi reflected that his fascination with molecules began at the age of ten, and that a pure passion for science has inspired him to transcend geographical and cultural boundaries throughout his career in materials science. Today, his research focuses on global challenges including water security, carbon neutrality, and sustainable development, with the goal of addressing fundamental issues that affect humanity. Acknowledging that scientific research is rarely a smooth journey, he emphasized that science possesses a unique power to transform the unknown into discovery while cultivating curiosity, dedication, and courage in the face of challenges. By joining Tsinghua, he said, he hopes to embark on a new chapter in both research and education with renewed enthusiasm and greater ambition, working alongside colleagues to address the defining questions of our time, expand the frontiers of knowledge, and ensure that scientific innovation benefits the world. According to Tsinghua University, Professor Yaghi will lead the establishment of the University-level AI Materials Chemistry Research Center (AIMATRY). Building upon the Department of Chemistry and the Department of Chemical Engineering, the center will collaborate closely with the Institute for AI Industry Research, the Department of Computer Science and Technology, the School of Materials Science and Engineering, and other academic units. The center will develop forward-looking AI-enabled technologies for materials design and synthesis, with the goal of dramatically shortening the development cycle for new materials. By creating an intelligent, end-to-end research and development framework spanning theory, computation, R&D, and manufacturing, AIMATRY aims to overcome the efficiency limitations of traditional trial-and-error approaches and establish an independent technical standards system covering the entire lifecycle of intelligent materials. Professor Yaghi will also play a leading role in cultivating interdisciplinary talent at the intersection of artificial intelligence and materials science. Leveraging his international academic standing, he will work with leading scholars worldwide to build an integrated AI-plus-Chemistry education and research platform at Tsinghua. Through interdisciplinary curricula, small-class teaching, and hands-on research training, the platform will nurture a new generation of highly qualified researchers with expertise spanning AI, materials chemistry, and related interdisciplinary fields. Omar M. YaghiProfessor Omar M. Yaghi is the recipient of the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. He is also a foreign member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, a member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina. Born in Amman, Jordan, in 1965, Yaghi received his Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 1990 before undertaking postdoctoral research at Harvard University. He subsequently held faculty positions at several leading American universities and has served as the James and Neeltje Tretter Chair Professor of Chemistry at the University of California, Berkeley, since 2012, while also serving as a senior scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Throughout his career, he has received numerous prestigious international honors, including the Einstein World Award of Science, the Wolf Prize in Chemistry, and the Balzan Prize. Professor Yaghi's research encompasses the synthesis, structure, and properties of inorganic and organic compounds, as well as the design and construction of novel crystalline materials. He pioneered the building-block approach, which has enabled exponential growth in the discovery of new materials and generated unprecedented chemical diversity. He is the inventor of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), covalent organic frameworks (COFs), and molecular weaving, and was the first to define the field of reticular chemistry, establishing an entirely new paradigm for materials design. To date, Professor Yaghi has published more than 300 research papers, which have collectively received over 260,000 citations. He has authored more than 30 papers in the world's leading scientific journals, including Nature and Science.
Recently, a spokesperson for Johns Hopkins University confirmed that the university has laid off approximately 110 employees in response to cuts in federal research funding. The latest round of layoffs was described as a last resort and primarily affected administrative staff. In a statement, Johns Hopkins University said: "As our federal research portfolio shrinks, the infrastructure around it must change in parallel. Last year, we implemented significant cost-management initiatives including a hiring freeze, pausing annual increases for anyone making over $80,000, reducing discretionary spending, eliminating vacant positions, and reducing our five-year capital project spending by 20%." In March 2025, the university announced the layoff of 2,200 employees, most of whom were based overseas, in direct response to the administration's unilateral dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Further ReadingAccording to Johns Hopkins University, the institution has been the nation's leading recipient of federal research funding every year since 1979. In fiscal year 2024, every dollar invested in research by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) generated approximately $2.56 in economic activity. However, in a 2026 letter to the university community, JHU President Ron Daniels noted that: "The total outstanding value of our multiyear federal research portfolio had declined by more than $500 million in calendar year 2025. This was due in part to our receiving 43% less in federal research funding and 28% fewer awards than in the previous year. Unfortunately, as we approach the midpoint of 2026, these downward trends have continued unabated." To help offset the impact of federal grant terminations and funding delays, the university will invest $60 million annually over the next two years to support faculty members pursuing new research and academic initiatives, as well as PhD students and postdoctoral scholars as they complete their training. The program is open to all research disciplines that have historically relied on competitively awarded federal grants. In addition, this June, Johns Hopkins University and West Virginia University announced a new partnership to bring together researchers from both institutions to tackle complex challenges in health, science, and society, while strengthening faculty teams' competitiveness for future external research funding. At the center of the partnership is the JHU–WVU Research Collaborative, a three-year, $7 million initiative funded through philanthropic support. The program is designed to help faculty teams launch new interdisciplinary research collaborations and compete for larger external funding opportunities.
According to an official announcement from ETH Zurich, at the request of the ETH Board, the Swiss Federal Council has confirmed Günther Dissertori as the next President of ETH Zurich. The particle physicist, who currently serves as Rector of the university, will succeed Joël Mesot and assume office on 1 January 2027. Mesot will continue to serve as President of ETH Zurich until the end of December 2026. The Federal Council’s decision to appoint Dissertori, a 56-year-old scientist from South Tyrol, reflects a commitment to continuity. “I’d like to thank the Federal Council for their confidence and am excited about working to keep ETH Zurich a top global university together with the strong team of the Executive Board, our professors and all members of staff,” Dissertori said. He has been a Professor of Particle Physics at ETH Zurich since 2001 and, in 2022, was appointed Rector, Deputy President, and a member of the ETH Zurich Executive Board. Günther Dissertori Image: Markus Bertschi / ETH ZurichGünther Dissertori (born in 1969) is an Italian physicist, scientist, Professor of Particle Physics, and the current Rector of ETH Zurich. He will become President of ETH Zurich at the beginning of 2027, succeeding Joël Mesot. Dissertori studied physics at the University of Innsbruck and began his research career as a doctoral student at CERN in Geneva. His appointment brings a distinguished scientist to one of Switzerland’s most important academic leadership positions. According to the Federal Council’s media release, Dissertori made “key contributions to the discovery of the Higgs boson at CERN’s Large Hadron Collider in Geneva in 2012.” Beyond his achievements in fundamental research, he has also promoted the application of detector technologies in medicine, contributing to the establishment of an ETH spin-off that developed a cost-effective brain PET scanner. As Rector, Dissertori has emphasized collaboration with industry, including through the Learning Factory project in Zug, which connects ETH students with industrial partners. He has also strengthened the Student Project House, a platform that enables students to cultivate entrepreneurial skills and an innovative mindset. Supporting early-career researchers has been a central focus throughout Dissertori’s career. As Rector, he has overseen education and teaching at all levels, including continuing education programs. The Federal Council noted that over the past four years he has “significantly shaped the strategic direction of academic instruction at ETH Zurich.” Among his key initiatives is the launch of the PAKETH project, the most comprehensive curriculum reform since the introduction of the Bologna system. PAKETH is designed to facilitate the development of degree programs, increase flexibility, and create new opportunities for students to engage with industry. Dissertori has also developed a comprehensive vision for teaching, expanded project-based learning formats, and actively promoted the strategic integration of artificial intelligence into the curriculum.
Recently, according to The Daily Pennsylvanian, Penn President Larry Jameson will step down as planned from his role at the helm of the University in June 2027. Jameson was named Penn’s interim president in December 2023 following the resignation of former Penn President Liz Magill, which came amid national criticism of the University’s response to antisemitism on campus and her remarks at a congressional hearing. Jameson served—first in an interim capacity and then as Penn’s 10th permanent president—throughout a prolonged period of campus turmoil, administrative turnover, and federal scrutiny. During his term, the former executive vice president of the University of Pennsylvania Health System was seen as a stabilizing force by many in the campus community. When Jameson assumed the role of permanent president in March 2025, his term was set to end on June 30, 2027. In a separate email to the Penn community, Board Chair Raghavendran explained that the Board “respects his decision” and will “begin the comprehensive process” of identifying Penn’s next president, who will assume office on July 1, 2027. “Dr. Jameson stepped in at a pivotal moment, and what he has accomplished in two and a half years has been simply extraordinary,” Raghavendran wrote. “His work is far from finished.” He added that the remaining time in Jameson’s term would be devoted to expanding Penn Forward initiatives and broadening Penn’s “geographic reach and impact.” About Larry Jameson J. Larry Jameson, MD, PhD, was named President of the University of Pennsylvania in March 2025 after serving as Interim President since December 2023. He previously led Penn Medicine as Executive Vice President of the University of Pennsylvania for the Health System and Dean of the Raymond and Ruth Perelman School of Medicine beginning July 1, 2011. Dr. Jameson also holds the title of Trustees University Professor at Penn. Before joining Penn Medicine, Dr. Jameson served for four years as Dean of the Feinberg School of Medicine and Vice President of Medical Affairs at Northwestern University. He first joined Northwestern University Medical School in 1993, as Chief of the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Molecular Medicine. In 2000, he was named Irving S. Cutter Professor of Medicine and Chair of the Department of Medicine. Dr. Jameson received his medical degree with honors and a doctoral degree in biochemistry from the University of North Carolina in 1981. He completed clinical training in internal medicine and endocrinology at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Before leaving for Northwestern University, he rose through the ranks at Harvard Medical School to become an associate professor of medicine and chief of the Thyroid Unit at Massachusetts General Hospital. An accomplished physician-scientist, Dr. Jameson has pioneered studies of the genetic basis of hormonal disorders, and he is the author of more than 350 scientific articles and chapters. He is an editor of Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine, the most widely used textbook of Internal Medicine. His research has been published in leading peer-reviewed journals, including The New England Journal of Medicine, Nature Genetics, Science, and the Journal of Clinical Investigation. He has served as president of The Endocrine Society and Association of American Physicians, and chair of the Board of Directors of the American Association of Medical Colleges. Dr. Jameson has received many distinguished awards, including the Van Meter Award from the American Thyroid Association, the Koch Award from The Endocrine Society, and the Sheen Award from the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Jameson is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the National Academy of Medicine.
Recently, Johns Hopkins University (JHU) announced that it will significantly expand financial support for faculty, students, and research teams facing federal grant terminations or delays, as well as those dealing with the broader effects of a changing research ecosystem. Through its newly established Research Resilience Fund, the university will allocate $60 million annually over the next two years to support faculty members pursuing new research or academic initiatives, as well as PhD students and postdoctoral scholars as they complete their studies. The program covers all research areas that have historically benefited from competitively awarded federal funding. The announcement comes amid a sharp decline in federal support for research, as the government moves away from the longstanding partnership with the nation’s research universities that has fueled the U.S. research enterprise for more than 80 years. According to Johns Hopkins University, the university has been the leading recipient of federal research funding every year since 1979. In fiscal year 2024, each dollar invested in research by the National Institutes of Health generated approximately $2.56 in economic activity. However, in a recent letter to the university community, JHU President Ron Daniels noted that “the total outstanding value of our multiyear federal research portfolio had declined by more than $500 million in calendar year 2025. This was due in part to our receiving 43% less in federal research funding and 28% fewer awards than in the previous year. Unfortunately, as we approach the midpoint of 2026, these downward trends have continued unabated.” “We know it is not possible to fully replace the scale of federal research funding traditionally received at Hopkins, amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars each year. But that is not to say that we are entirely without agency to mitigate the impact of this contraction in funding.” The Research Resilience Fund is being financed through budget reallocations, including savings generated through a variety of cost-reduction measures, as well as $8.5 million in research funding from the State of Maryland. Its creation expands upon the earlier Pivot and Bridge Program, which was launched in April 2025 and funded at $12.5 million annually. With the increased investment provided through the Research Resilience Fund, the university will be able to substantially increase the number of awards—42 awards were granted last year through the Pivot and Bridge Program—raise the maximum award amount to $250,000, and eliminate the requirement for matching funds from divisions or departments. Awards will be distributed through a streamlined, merit-based review process and may be used for both salary support and research activities In addition, Daniels wrote that JHU will undertake several revenue-generating and cost-saving initiatives to strengthen its capacity to support research. These measures include establishing new corporate research partnerships, expanding online and non-degree educational programs, reducing administrative expenses, pursuing solutions to curb rising employee benefit costs, identifying operational efficiencies across the research enterprise, and reducing spending on capital projects.
Recently, according to the Financial Times, NVIDIA founder and CEO Jensen Huang has accepted an invitation to join the Advisory Board of the School of Economics and Management at Tsinghua University (Tsinghua SEM Advisory Board). It is also reported that during recent China visits by U.S. President Donald Trump, Huang was among the accompanying delegation members. The Tsinghua SEM Advisory Board was established in October 2000 under the active promotion of then-Dean of Tsinghua SEM and former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji. The current honorary chairman is Wang Qishan, while the chairman is Tim Cook, CEO of Apple. The board currently consists of 67 members, including 65 advisors. Among the overseas members are 49 internationally renowned business leaders, two presidents of top global universities, four deans of prominent overseas business schools, and two Nobel laureates in economics. Members include leading figures in the American technology industry such as Elon Musk of Tesla, Michael Dell of Dell Technologies, Satya Nadella of Microsoft, and Mark Zuckerberg of Meta, as well as prominent figures in the financial sector such as Jamie Dimon of JPMorgan Chase and Larry Fink of BlackRock. Tsinghua University is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious universities in China. Through teaching, research, and innovation, Tsinghua is committed to advancing the well-being of both China and the wider world. As one of China’s most influential institutions of higher education, Tsinghua aims to cultivate global citizens who can thrive in today’s world and become the leaders of tomorrow. By pursuing excellence in education and research, the university seeks to develop innovative solutions to some of the most pressing challenges facing China and the international community. Jensen Huang Photo by NvidiaJensen Huang (born February 17, 1963) is a business executive and electrical engineer who is the founder, president, and CEO of Nvidia, the world's most valuable company. Huang holds a BSEE degree from Oregon State University and an MSEE degree from Stanford University. As of 2026, Forbes estimates his net worth at over US$200 billion, making him the seventh-wealthiest individual in the world. Huang launched Nvidia in 1993 from a Denny's restaurant in San Jose, California, at age 30 and has remained its president and CEO ever since. He led the company out of near-bankruptcy during the 1990s and oversaw its expansion into GPU production, high-performance computing, and artificial intelligence (AI). Under Huang, Nvidia experienced rapid growth during the AI boom, becoming the first company to reach a market capitalization of over $5 trillion in October 2025. In 2017, he was named Fortune’s Businessperson of the Year. In 2019, Harvard Business Review ranked him No. 1 on its list of the world’s 100 best-performing CEOs over the lifetime of their tenure. In 2021 and 2024, Time magazine included Huang in their list of the most influential people. In 2025, he was named as one of the "Architects of AI" for Time's Person of the Year.
In the 2025 and 2026 QS World University Rankings, Imperial College London ranked No. 2 globally and No. 1 in the UK for two consecutive years, second only to Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Yet before this dramatic rise, the university had long remained around 6th place globally, behind both University of Oxford and University of Cambridge. Why has Imperial surpassed Oxford and Cambridge in recent years to become the UK’s top-ranked university in QS? The answer may lie in the university’s own transformation. “Science for Humanity” Strategy Drives Research ExcellenceSince its founding in 1907, the philosophy of “to be useful” has been deeply embedded in Imperial’s identity. The university’s mission is to “achieve enduring excellence in research and education in science, technology, engineering, medicine and business for the benefit of society.” However, as President Professor Hugh Brady has noted, today “being useful” means “delivering global impact through research and innovation, and shaping the next generation of leaders and change-makers.” In March 2024, leveraging its strong foundations in STEMB disciplines, Imperial launched an ambitious strategy titled “Science for Humanity.” Through three core aims — enabling talent, powering research, and amplifying impact — the university aims to shape an entirely new future. Coincidentally, in 2023 QS introduced the largest methodological overhaul in its history, adding three new indicators: Employment Outcomes, International Research Network, and Sustainability. Ben Sowter, Senior Vice President at QS, explained that the changes were designed to “closely align” its flagship rankings with the priorities of Gen Z and Gen Alpha students, who are “increasingly socially conscious students.” Sowter further noted: “An institution’s ability to make that global impact and really be recognised for their capability is directly linked to their ability to produce graduates who themselves go on to make the right leadership choices and make a global impact. And it’s critically important that universities take responsibility for bringing the best and brightest minds in different disciplines and different fields together to collaborate on solving some of those problems.” QS’s proactive response to emerging trends in higher education and evolving student expectations aligns closely with Imperial College London’s “Science for Humanity” strategy. As President Professor Hugh Brady stated: “This commitment to excellence has been recognised globally, as our excellence in world-leading research, outstanding employability scores, and exceptional commitment to sustainability contributed to our 2nd place in the QS World University Ranking.” Looking at Imperial’s 2026 QS indicator scores, the university achieved 99.6 in Academic Reputation and 95 in Citations per Faculty, the two most heavily weighted metrics. Behind these exceptional scores lies the university’s sustained investment in research, innovation, and world-leading impact under the “Science for Humanity” strategy. In June 2025, Imperial established four new Schools of Convergence Science, integrating the university’s strengths across science, technology, and business to address the world’s most urgent challenges. Rather than simple interdisciplinary collaboration, these schools aim to break down barriers between disciplines and departments, accelerating the implementation of the “Science for Humanity” strategy. The four Schools focus respectively on: Health and TechnologySpace, Security and TelecomsSustainabilityHuman and Artificial IntelligenceToday, the majority of Imperial’s research activities are directly connected to these four schools. For example, The School of Health and Technology has already produced significant breakthroughs in areas such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and prostate cancer imaging. Professor Anthony Bull, School of Convergence Science Co-Director (Convenor), stated: “The School of Convergence Science (Health and Technology) is a bold initiative to harness the depth and breadth of our research to drive lasting societal impact and build a healthier, more equitable, and resilient future for all.” Meanwhile, in The School of Human and Artificial Intelligence, Imperial researchers are developing transformative tools and solutions designed to benefit society. Professor Alessandra Russo, Head of the Department of Computing, noted: “AI will undoubtedly reshape our life, our world, our future. It's this convergence between AI and human intelligence that can unlock the potential and power of AI technology.” At the same time, Imperial is striving to translate research into real-world applications and solutions, truly realizing the vision of “science for humanity.” One notable example is WestTech London, where more than 1,000 cutting-edge innovation companies have already established operations. Outstanding Advantages in Internationalization and Graduate EmployabilityBeyond academic research, internationalization and student employability are also major strengths behind Imperial’s QS success. Imperial achieved perfect scores in both International Faculty Ratio and International Student Ratio, making it one of the most international universities in the world. According to university data, international students account for 61% of the student body and come from more than 150 countries and regions. Likewise, Imperial’s academic staff represent top global talent, with 41% originating from outside the UK. Under the “Science for Humanity” strategy, Imperial has established Imperial Global Hubs in Singapore, the United States, Ghana, and India. These hubs serve as bridges between the UK and major global innovation centers, enabling the free flow and exchange of research, knowledge, and technology worldwide. As a result, Imperial scored an impressive 97.5 in the International Research Network indicator in the 2026 QS rankings. Equally impressive are Imperial’s scores in Employer Reputation (100) and Employment Outcomes (95.9), with the latter rising sharply from 83 in 2024 to 95.9 in 2026. Located in central London, Imperial is surrounded by leading technology firms, innovative startups, and world-class medical institutions. Its curriculum and internship programs are deeply integrated with industry, contributing to strong graduate employability and competitiveness among top employers such as Google, DeepMind, fintech firms, and the UK’s National Health Service. As a result, Imperial has become one of the world’s premier launching pads for graduate careers. It was ranked first for graduate career prospects in The Guardian’s University Guide 2025 and recognized as top for Graduate Employment in The Times/The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025. Yet Imperial is not stopping there. Professor Peter Haynes, Provost and Deputy President, believes: “As the pace of innovation accelerates, our education must prepare our graduates to adopt emerging technologies not only for the careers of today, but also for the future jobs we cannot even imagine.” To achieve this, Imperial continues to invest heavily in student innovation initiatives and digital education capabilities, aiming to deliver a truly world-class educational experience. Sustained Financial Growth Supports the Rise in RankingsImperial’s financial growth also reflects its upward trajectory. Between 2021 and 2025, the university’s total income increased from £1.079 billion to £1.493 billion, representing cumulative growth of nearly 38.4%. In 2025, all income streams except funding body grants recorded growth. Among these, Tuition fees and education contracts rose dramatically from £384 million in 2021 to £554 million in 2025, an increase of 44.3%. Notably, international tuition fees accounted for as much as 80.7% of total tuition income, providing substantial resources that further strengthened teaching and research quality. At the same time, Research grants and contracts increased by 12.8% year-on-year to £447.4 million. The year 2025 also marked particularly strong performance in securing new research funding. Industry funding rose significantly from £47.2 million in the 2020/21 academic year to £63.7 million in 2024/25, an increase of 35%, highlighting the depth of Imperial’s industry-academia collaboration. Particularly noteworthy was the university’s donation income. As of July 31, 2025, Imperial received £74.6 million in donations — the highest level since 2019 — signaling strong confidence from alumni and external partners in the university’s future development. Imperial’s rise to No. 2 globally reflects the resonance between changes in QS ranking methodology and the university’s own multidimensional strengths. As QS shifted its emphasis from traditional academic prestige toward employability and internationalization, Imperial’s deep-rooted advantages in engineering, technology, medicine, and applied sciences translated into overwhelming competitive strength in the rankings. Behind the methodological transformation lies a broader shift in how universities are evaluated globally — and Imperial College London has emerged as one of the clearest symbols of that transformation.
Recently, the University of Chicago launched the most ambitious and comprehensive fundraising and global engagement campaign in its history—a multi-year initiative aimed at expanding the University’s impact through investments in research and education. A key component of the effort is to engage and inspire UChicago’s worldwide community of alumni and friends. According to the University of Chicago, the University had already received substantial philanthropic support before the campaign’s official launch, with donations now exceeding $600 million. Called “Chicago Minds,” this campaign seeks to leverage UChicago’s uniquely rigorous approach to confront the most pressing challenges of today and the future, from climate to cancer; to explore the potential of emerging technology; and to strengthen economic opportunity and democratic institutions and discourse. “At the University of Chicago, we are devoted to the cultivation of the human mind that pursues knowledge at the highest level,” said President Paul Alivisatos. “This campaign is designed to honor that enduring commitment and create the conditions in which future generations of Chicago Minds—our faculty, students, staff, researchers, and physicians—can shape the future through discovery, dialogue, and service to society.” The campaign reflects years of planning across the University. Organized around broad themes that include advancing world-changing research, fueling faculty excellence, expanding access and opportunity for students, and reimagining the physical campus, Chicago Minds will strengthen the University’s academic enterprise for generations to come. It will support major interdisciplinary initiatives in health and medicine, computing and artificial intelligence, climate and sustainable growth, and thriving cities and institutions. It will also further galvanize UChicago’s global community of alumni and friends to advocate for its mission and values. many of these priorities had already inspired significant philanthropic support prior to the campaign’s public launch: Faculty excellence — Chicago Minds will promote investment in faculty across disciplines, recognizing that attracting and retaining exceptional scholars is essential to the University’s continued leadership in research and education. A $75 million challenge commitment from Amy Wallman, MBA’75, and UChicago Trustee Richard Wallman, MBA’74, inspired an additional $75 million in philanthropy from alumni and friends to create 30 new endowed professorships across the University. Student support — The campaign seeks to expand undergraduate scholarships, graduate fellowships, and professional school aid while creating new opportunities for research, experiential learning, and global engagement. It will build on the University’s long-standing commitment to access and affordability, including a new initiative under which, beginning in fall 2027, admitted undergraduate students from families earning less than $250,000 annually, with typical assets, will receive free tuition. Students from families earning less than $125,000 annually, with typical assets, will be able to attend the College free of tuition, housing and meals costs, and other fees. Mind and machine — The campaign will support faculty, academic programs, and dedicated spaces for research and collaboration on topics related to thinking with machines across all disciplines, as well as foundational work in computing, mathematics, and statistics. UChicago’s distinctive approach to examining the ethical, legal, and societal implications of emerging technologies will feature prominently. A $50 million commitment from Trustee Rika Mansueto, AB’91, and Joe Mansueto, AB’78, MBA’80, will help accelerate the University’s efforts to become a global leader in computing and artificial intelligence by building a cohort of faculty who will pursue AI’s potential. Health and medicine — Chicago Minds will support ambitious investments in the biological sciences, clinical care, and translational research, as well as the many intersections with the physical sciences, molecular engineering, and data sciences, helping accelerate discovery while expanding access to exceptional care. Philanthropic support for the new AbbVie Foundation Cancer Pavilion is creating one of the most significant health care projects in the University’s history, while a $21 million gift from philanthropist Thea Berggren has established a new center for quantum engineering and human health. Climate and energy — The campaign will accelerate the University’s efforts to confront climate change while expanding economic opportunity and improving lives around the world. Centered at the new Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth, the initiative brings together economics, policy, science, engineering, and business to pursue evidence-based climate solutions, breakthrough energy technologies, and innovative approaches to sustainable growth. A distinctive initiative of the new institute is a commitment to create a new discipline of climate systems engineering. More than $125 million in philanthropic support has already helped launch the effort, which includes a first-of-its-kind curriculum focused on climate and sustainable growth. Campus renewal — A $50 million gift from Board Chair David M. Rubenstein, JD’73, will revitalize Ida Noyes Hall as a vibrant new hub for student life and a center for welcoming visitors and alumni. The project launches a broader effort to renew the University’s historic campus for the next hundred years while creating dynamic spaces that foster collaboration, connection, and intellectual exchange. Freedom of expression — Building on the University’s long-standing leadership in free expression and academic freedom, Chicago Minds will support new programs, research, course offerings, fellowships, and public engagement. A $100 million commitment from an anonymous donor to the Chicago Forum for Free Inquiry and Expression is helping expand its work on campus and beyond, championing UChicago’s distinctive approach to rigorous debate, open discourse, and the fearless pursuit of truth. Other generous investments in the lead-up to the campaign are already accelerating work with the potential to expand knowledge, advance scholarship, and drive societal impact across the University. A $60 million gift from Trustee John M. Liew, AB’89, MBA’94, PhD’95, and Clifford Asness, MBA’91, PhD’94, is helping the University of Chicago Booth School of Business deepen its leadership in finance, economics, and quantitative research. An $18.4 million gift from the Leinweber Foundation has established a major new institute for theoretical physics at UChicago, strengthening the University’s leadership in fundamental science and expanding opportunities for collaboration across the physical sciences. Trustee Steven A. Kersten, JD’80, and his wife, Priscilla Kersten, made a $25 million commitment to the Urban Education Institute in the Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice to advance K–12 education research and improve outcomes for students in urban schools. A $20 million gift from Trustee Thomas Francis Dunn, AB’81, MBA’86, and Susan Knapp Dunn, AB’82, established the Bike Shop @UChicago at the Harris School of Public Policy, a lab for building algorithms to help design more effective policy. “The University of Chicago is worthy of the belief and pride of its global community,” said Armin Afsahi, UChicago’s vice president for advancement. “Chicago Minds is about ensuring that this remarkable institution has the resources to continue generating transformative scholarship, educating extraordinary students, and contributing meaningfully to the world for generations to come. ”
On May 18 (U.S. Eastern Time), the Board of Trustees of Northwestern University announced that Mung Chiang, the current president of Purdue University, will become the 18th president of Northwestern University starting July 1 this year, making him the first Asian president in the university’s history. Chiang succeeds the University’s 17th president, Michael Schill, who stepped down from the role in September 2025. President Emeritus Henry Bienen will remain interim president through the end of June. “I am honored and thrilled to be Northwestern’s next president,” Chiang said. “I have long admired Northwestern for its dedication to interdisciplinary scholarship, artistic creation and impactful research, its tremendous healthcare system, and its palpable school spirit. “Generations of Northwestern students and colleagues have elevated this University to international preeminence,” Chiang said. “I look forward to serving alongside all the colleagues to continue Northwestern’s upward trajectory.” “My first priority is to listen to and learn about Northwestern’s distinct culture and this community of scholarly and creative minds, because what matters most is the ‘who’ before the ‘what,’ Chiang said. “I plan to engage with as many members of our community as possible: students and parents, faculty and staff, alumni and donors, neighbors and partners, as well as all the trustees. I will listen to every one of the 12 colleges and schools, cheer every one of the 21 sports teams, visit Northwestern Medicine hospitals, and participate in every cherished campus tradition.” Chiang said one of the things that attracted him to Northwestern is the breadth of the University’s excellence across the humanities, social sciences, STEM disciplines, performing arts, and medicine and healthcare. “In my many conversations with Mung through the search process, he consistently has emphasized how he views Northwestern as one of the world’s most eminent comprehensive universities, at which the interdisciplinary culture drives innovation and new ideas,” said Steve Cahillane, chair of the Presidential Search Committee and vice chair of the Board of Trustees. “Mung emerged as a brilliant mind and driven leader who brings relatable and authentic qualities to the way he operates — a great combination to lead Northwestern.” “Mung has his sights set on advancing and enhancing Northwestern among the world’s great research institutions,” said Peter Barris, chair of Northwestern’s Board of Trustees. “Through his stellar academic and administrative leadership at multiple institutions, Mung has demonstrated his ability to harness opportunity and momentum while embracing the breadth and depth of a university. My fellow board members could not be more thrilled for Mung to lead Northwestern into the future.” About Mung Chiang Mung Chiang has served as the 13th President of Purdue University since Jan. 1, 2023, and is the Roscoe H. George Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Prior to being elected Purdue’s president, he was the John A. Edwardson Dean of the College of Engineering and executive vice president for strategic initiatives. Over the past four years, Purdue University reached many milestones including a record graduation rate and admissions selectivity, it reached $1 billion annual research expenditures for the first time and received the largest government research grant at the university and the largest industry research grant in the country. It had its best fund-raising year and the highest number of gifts in a 24-hour period, achieved its highest and Top-4 rankings in engineering, agriculture, patent numbers, online programs, free speech, and campus safety. The Purdue men’s basketball team had its winningest four-year span in program history and competed in a national championship game. Under Chiang’s leadership, Purdue successfully launched four strategic pillars, including its first urban campus in Indianapolis, the Daniels School of Business, Purdue Computes, and One Health. The university invested in 27 construction or major renovation projects while freezing tuition. Purdue also contributed to attracting tens of billions of industry investments along Indiana’s new Hard Tech Corridor bookended by Purdue’s Indianapolis and West Lafayette campuses, the buildout of a new commercial airport terminal and three new hospitals in West Lafayette. Chiang received his bachelor’s degree (1999), master’s degree (2000) and Ph.D. (2003) from Stanford University and an Honorary Doctorate in Science (2024) from Dartmouth College. Before 2017, Chiang was the Arthur LeGrand Doty Professor of Electrical Engineering and an affiliated faculty member in computer science and in applied and computational mathematics at Princeton University. He founded the Princeton EDGE Lab in 2009 and co-founded several startup companies and industry consortia since the early years of edge computing. Most of his 26 U.S. patents are licensed for network deployment. He co-authored two textbooks based on his massive open online courses: “Networked Life” (2012) and “Power of Networks” (2016). For his research in communication networks, wireless technology and network optimization, he received the National Science Foundation Alan T. Waterman Award (2013), as well as the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Founders Medal (2025), the IEEE INFOCOM Achievement Award (2022), the IEEE Kiyo Tomiyasu Award (2012), and a Guggenheim Fellowship (2014). He was elected to the National Academy of Engineering and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, as well as the National Academy of Inventors and the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences.
14 May, King's College London and Cranfield University have announced that the two universities have signed an agreement as the first step toward a merger, with the aim of bringing the two institutions together from August 2027. The proposed merger will create a UK university better equipped for a changing world, offering enhanced opportunities and resources for students, stronger disciplinary synergies, and a distinctive proposition for the UK’s future. The merged university is expected to have approximately 47,000 students, potentially surpassing the size of University of Manchester and becoming the second-largest university in the UK by student population after University College London (UCL). Professor Dame Karen Holford, Chief Executive and Vice-Chancellor at Cranfield University and Professor Shitij Kapur, Vice-Chancellor & President of King's College LondonAs a specialist postgraduate university, Cranfield will benefit from King’s interdisciplinary breadth and scale. In turn, King’s will be strengthened by Cranfield’s world-renowned expertise in technology, engineering, and management, alongside its deep and longstanding partnerships with industry and government. Cranfield will become part of King’s College London. The merger will build on the existing strengths of both institutions to support national capability and resilience across: Engineering and Technology — aerospace, advanced manufacturing, AI, and roboticsEnvironment and Resources — water, soil, food systems, and climateEnergy — hydrogen, batteries, and net-zero systemsEconomy, Industry, and Leadership — productivity, skills, and innovationSociety and Policy — health and life sciences, regulation, and public leadershipSecurity and Defence — expertise spanning science, strategy, and operationsAccording to the universities, the merger will jointly deliver: A globally leading engineering and technology capability aligned with industrial priorities and future prosperity.A distinctive contribution to national resilience, security, and defence.Leading business and management education across undergraduate programmes, MBA, and executive education.A combined force at the forefront of environmental science and policy, clean technology, and alternative fuels, with a particular focus on net-zero transportation.Interdisciplinary research combining strengths across engineering, technology, environmental sciences, health, social sciences, arts, and humanities to address complex global challenges.Patrick Vallance, UK Minister of State for Science, Innovation, Research and Nuclear, stated: “The combination of Cranfield and King’s creates an extraordinarily powerful university. It holds huge potential for the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor and for wider UK research capability and training, bringing together two world-class institutions and giving King’s a place at the heart of one of our most important regions for science and technology. It will create a driver of innovation and growth, capitalise on the complementary strengths and specialisms of both institutions and increase access, capacity and resilience across teaching and research.” Professor Shitij Kapur, Vice-Chancellor & President of King’s College London, commented: “The UK’s universities are among our greatest strategic assets: engines of innovation, educators of future talent, and central to how the country responds to the challenges ahead. This proposed merger will bring together the complementary strengths of two institutions, both founded with a particular emphasis on service to society. The merger would create new educational opportunities for students, new discoveries from academics, and a clear focus on working in partnership with industry and government to support national resilience. This is a deliberate step to bring some of the best of the UK to compete with the best in the world.” Professor Dame Karen Holford, Chief Executive and Vice-Chancellor of Cranfield University, added: “This merger is an exciting proposition for Cranfield, aligning our deep specialisms in engineering, technology, and management within King’s College London. It is an intentional step that brings Cranfield University’s outstanding applied research, nationally important facilities, sovereign capability, and long-standing industry links to King’s, creating enormous potential while continuing our mission to tackle real-world issues. Together, we will create a global university committed not only to excellence, but to delivering it with purpose, ambition, and scale.” According to media reports, the merger comes at a time of increasing financial pressure on UK universities. Some estimates suggest that around 40% of UK universities are facing financial difficulties, with the sector confronting a growing risk of insolvencies. Previously, University of Greenwich and University of Kent also confirmed approval for a formal merger, which will create a first-of-its-kind merger structure in the UK. The new institution is expected to be named the London and South East University Group. About King’s College LondonKing’s College London ranks among the world’s top 35 universities and is the 5th best university in the UK according to the QS World University Rankings 2026. It is one of England’s oldest and most prestigious universities, with a global reputation for world-class teaching and cutting-edge research. King’s ranked sixth in the UK for research power in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework. King’s has more than 42,000 students (including over 12,800 postgraduates) from around 190 countries, supported by approximately 8,500 staff members. For nearly 200 years, King’s has been a place where ideas are translated into action—from contributing to the discovery of the DNA structure to advances in medicine, nursing, law, war studies, culture, and public policy. The university has been home to 14 Nobel Prize winners and many scholars whose work has shaped policy and practice worldwide. About Cranfield UniversityCranfield is a world-leading specialist postgraduate university with globally recognised expertise in science, technology, engineering, and management. It is known for applied research with real-world impact, with 88% of its research rated as world-leading or internationally excellent in REF 2021. Cranfield’s education is supported by large-scale research facilities and global industry partnerships. It is one of the few universities in the world with its own airport—Cranfield’s research airport provides a unique environment for aviation and aerospace research. Founded in 1946 as the College of Aeronautics, Cranfield was the first postgraduate institution of its kind. Its School of Management was established in 1967.
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