University of South Florida Receives $18.5 Million for Global Solutions Center

The University of South Florida in Tampa has announced an $18.5 million gift from Kiran C. and Pallavi Patel to fund a new building and create an endowment to build and operate a Center for Global Solutions.

The center, which will be named in recognition of the Patels' gift, will leverage the university's existing strengths to conduct research on and develop solutions to global issues. USF's Globalization Research Center will be the center's research and education arm, providing multi-disciplinary research, education, and training on the dynamics and effects of globalization, with primary emphases on water resources, health issues, and economic development.

"I have lived much of my life seeing the extremes of the human condition: East and West, sickness and health, poverty and wealth, ignorance and wisdom," said Kiran C. Patel, an entrepreneur and physician. "It is my vision to build a center that focuses on creating real solutions that deliver a sustainable quality of life for all people. Through my contributions, I hope to bring to USF the best and brightest minds from many disciplines to tackle our common problems."

The Patels' gift — the largest in the university's history — is eligible for matching endowment funds of $6 million from Florida's Matching Gift Program and $10 million for facilities from the Alec Courtelis matching gift program.

“USF Announces Single Largest Gift in University History.” University of South Florida Press Release 5/20/05.

Primary Subject: International Affairs/Development
Secondary Subject(s): Medical Research, Health
Location(s): Florida, Tampa

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