SINGAPORE - Mr Hoffmann, who holds an MBA from Insead, is the vice-chairman of Swiss global health-care company F. Hoffmann-LaRoche. His gift to the school will support the expansion of the school's campus in Singapore, which is located at Ayer Rajah. In particular, it will go towards the construction of its new leadership development centre.
Here's the press release in full: A leader among INSEAD's international alumni who has a passion for sustainability has stepped forward with a donation of S$5 million to support the expansion of the school's Asia campus in Singapore.
The gift from André Hoffmann, Vice Chairman of F. Hoffmann-LaRoche, the global pharmaceutical and medical diagnostic pioneer, and 1990 graduate of INSEAD's MBA programme, is directed towards the construction of INSEAD's innovative new Leadership Development Centre in Singapore.
In particular, INSEAD's plans to create a global leadership hub in Singapore that will meet the highest "green" building standards greatly impressed Mr. Hoffmann, a strong advocate of environmental sustainability. Once complete, INSEAD's six-storey, state-of-the-art facility will meet the Singapore Building and Construction Authority's "Green Mark" scheme, a rigorous benchmark that adheres to international best practices in environmentally friendly buildings.
'INSEAD provided me with a priceless asset: deep business insight and a global vision of management that have enabled me to meet the many challenges I have encountered as a board member of many international organisations', explained Mr. Hoffmann. 'Preparing for the future is a fundamental requirement of leadership and I consider it a moral obligation to contribute to the education of tomorrow's global leaders. INSEAD's invitation to partner in its Asian expansion is an exciting opportunity that I am delighted to participate in.
As we all know, global economic growth depends on developing new talents and creating value all over the world. No region will be more important in that process than Asia and INSEAD Singapore will be a major source of future global business leaders. I regularly come to know and work with new inspiring leaders emanating from INSEAD and I'm confident that the Asia campus in Singapore will bring talented people together and pave the way to new influential leadership'.
The Leadership Development Centre will serve as a global innovation hub to grow the number of senior executives INSEAD attracts to its growing Asia Campus and help the business school meet the surging market demand for its high quality global management education and knowledge.
"This gift comes from a man whose engagement with and belief in our school has always been exemplary," noted Ilian Mihov, INSEAD's Interim Co-Dean. "The gift underscores André's passion for sustainability as well as INSEAD's mission to be a world leader in management practice that creates enduring value. My colleagues and I deeply appreciate this great contribution."
Professor Mihov said the new funding enables INSEAD to accelerate its activities in Singapore and across Asia, where the school has thrived since establishing the campus in 2000. INSEAD's founding campus is in Fontainebleau, France and it also has a campus in Abu Dhabi.
Peter Zemsky, Interim Co-Dean at INSEAD with Ilian Mihov, noted the gift allows INSEAD to expand its global programmes with confidence.
"INSEAD's success in Asia is rooted in the qualities that helped establish the school more than a half-century ago," he said. "Our authentic diversity, our global perspective, and our entrepreneurial spirit really distinguish us and fuel INSEAD's international impact. These qualities, along with the partnership of remarkable alumni like André Hoffmann, continue to guide us as we deliver on our mission to be 'The Business School for the World.'"
Mr. Hoffmann has been a long-term contributor to the school's success as both a donor and committed volunteer. He has served the school in numerous capacities, including as a Board Member and as Chairman of the Audit Committee, a member of the International Council and a member of the advisory board for the Wendel International Centre for Family Enterprise. Mr. Hoffmann is also a member of the school's prestigious Circle of Patrons.
Interim Co-Deans Mihov and Zemsky said Hoffmann's philanthropic leadership is intended to inspire other INSEAD alumni and friends to contribute to the school's continued success. In particular, the Singapore campus expansion offers donors a high-impact opportunity to help share INSEAD's thought leadership with a broader audience at a crucial time for business and society. The new initiative enhances INSEAD's longstanding commitment to Asia, one that dates back to business programmes and research in the 1970s.