The Centre for Philanthropy has held the last in a series of Three Great Debates to discuss the role of philanthropy in higher education.
The ‘Great Debates’ form part of the Centre‘s ‘Transforming Kent Culture of Philanthropy’ 50th Anniversary Beacon Project, which aims to shine a light on the history of philanthropic gifts to the University, and to higher education in general.
The debates have featured key stakeholders in higher education funding, including academics; university fundraisers and research administration; scholarship recipients; philanthropists; charity directors; leading philanthropy academics and volunteer workers.
The first debate took place in Athens in February, where the discussion centred around ethics and the moral accountability of universities, as well as a need for alternative funding sources in Greek higher education due to the recent economic situation in Greece.
The Centre’s second event was held on the Canterbury campus in March. The focus here was on logistics and the management of philanthropic money, particularly in relation to charities and the funding of research by charitable trusts and foundations.
The final event, held in early April on the Medway campus, returned to the issue of ethics and conflicts of interest, but also discussed how philanthropy contributes to engagement with local industry and communities.
The project will culminate with an ‘Understanding Philanthropy’ conference on 29 June 2015.
For further information, contact Triona Fitton.