London Business School (“LBS”) is One of the world’s leading academic institutions. The school, which was founded in 1964 and awards post-graduate degrees, has a clear motto; “to have a profound impact on the way the world does business”. This mission statement has clear synergies with The Foundation’s purpose. The Foundation donated £25 million to the institution, which marks the largest single donation ever received by the school. This donation was primarily used in the establishment of the Sammy Ofer Centre in 2013, named after Idan’s late father. The centre, which houses 37 seminar rooms, 6 lecture halls, a library and multiple recreational spaces, increased LBS’s teaching space by 70% and vastly upgraded the learning experience for students and professors alike.
In addition to extending the teaching facilities, the donation also doubled the school’s scholarship offering. This allows for a more diverse student body, which both Batia and Idan feel is crucial for a progressive learning environment. The donation has also enabled the institution to invest in cutting-edge educational technology, helping LBS remain at the forefront of new ideas and allowing students to get the most out of their time at the university. The Foundation’s partnership with LBS has raised the latter’s profile in Israel and helped attract top talent from the region to study at the institution. This has increased the multiculturalism of the LBS class, resulting in higher levels of cultural exchange and as such, a more productive learning environment for all. Importantly for Idan, this donation was and continues to be extremely symbolic. Not only is Idan a graduate of LBS but his father was also a firm believer in the duty of each generation to educate the next. The establishment of the Sammy Ofer wing is therefore an ode to his late father and a tool for fulfilling his own personal duty. The Foundation’s continued support of LBS celebrates this mission.
