Johns Hopkins University has announced a $100 million gift from alumnus James (’81) and Morag Anderson to expand the university’s School of Advanced International Studies campus in Bologna, Italy.

The largest ever private contribution to a university in Italy will name the campus after the Andersons and enable the university to expand the campus into an international hub for interdisciplinary research and collaboration. To that end, the funding will support SAIS Europe’s Vision 2030 strategic plan, including faculty expansion, student financial aid, and the integration fund, which seeks to deepen the integration of SAIS Europe with the firmament of Johns Hopkins University schools and centers in the United States and China. In addition, the gift will support the addition of almost 3,000 square meters to the Bologna Center building to include more convening space, conference facilities, a language center, new classrooms, and offices for visiting faculty as well as existing faculty and staff.

James Anderson, an Edinburgh-based investor and SAIS Europe alumnus, chairs the Johns Hopkins University SAIS Europe Advisory Council and serves on the university’s board of trustees.

“SAIS Europe has taught me that it is vital for leaders to think critically and imaginatively about complex problems that have no easy answers,” said Anderson. “I believe that it is essential to make it possible for the most talented and engaged students to study with our faculty and each other in Bologna regardless of their ability to pay for it, and to create opportunities to amplify Johns Hopkins’ impact across borders and oceans. I believe in the vision for the university and for SAIS Europe, and I hope others will join me in helping us realize our ambitions.”

(Photo credit: Johns Hopkins University)