Billionaire John Paulson Donates Record $250 Million to Hebrew University
Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba
Billionaire John Paulson has made an unprecedented donation of $250 million to the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the largest ever received by the institution. The funds will establish a new engineering faculty, advance medical research, support trauma studies, and create a think tank. In recognition, the university's historic Mount Scopus campus will be named after Paulson and his wife, Alina.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Billionaire John Paulson donated a record $250 million to the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
- The donation is the largest in the university's history and one of the biggest ever to an Israeli academic institution.
- Funds will establish a new engineering faculty, boost medical research, and support trauma studies.
- The historic Mount Scopus campus will be renamed the "Alina and John Paulson Campus" in their honor.
- Paulson cited research quality and international solidarity with Israel as reasons for the gift.
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem announced a record-breaking donation of $250 million from billionaire philanthropist John Paulson. This is the largest donation the university has received since its founding over a century ago and one of the most significant ever given to an Israeli academic institution. Paulson cited the university's research quality and output relative to costs as reasons for his contribution, stating he knows of no institution more deserving of philanthropic support. He also emphasized that the donation is intended to demonstrate "international solidarity with Israel."
The funds will be allocated to four main areas. The largest portion will establish a new Faculty of Engineering, which will collaborate with departments of computer science, medicine, and life sciences. Significant funding is also designated for medicine and biomedical research, including a new physician training program. Additionally, a portion will support research and treatment for trauma and post-trauma, a critical area in Israel since October 7th. A think tank will also be established to engage faculty in addressing public challenges in Israel and globally.
In recognition of this unprecedented gift, the university announced that its historic Mount Scopus campus will be named the "Alina and John Paulson Campus." Hebrew University President Professor Tamir Sheafer hailed the donation, stating it will enhance the university's ability to recruit top faculty, support outstanding students, equip laboratories with cutting-edge technology, and transform bold ideas into life-changing breakthroughs. He described the gift as a profound expression of confidence in Israel's human capital.
John Paulson, founder of the hedge fund Paulson & Co., is known for his successful bet against the U.S. mortgage market before the 2008 subprime crisis. His net worth is estimated at $11.2 billion. While this is his largest donation to an Israeli institution, it is not his largest philanthropic contribution; in 2015, he donated $400 million to Harvard University's School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, which was subsequently named after him.
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