PHOENIX — Arizona State University announced the creation of the Global Institute for the Future of Energy with the support of a $50 million gift from an alumnus on Tuesday.
The money was donated by EnCap Investments Managing Partner Robert Zorich, who is an alum of ASU’s Thunderbird School of Global Management.
“ASU has long been a pioneer in building bold, pragmatic solutions for the future,” Zorich said in the announcement. “I was excited to fund the formation of this energy institute at ASU because of the university’s unique ability to scale and reach a global audience.”
What is ASU’s Global Institute for the Future of Energy?
The institute is a collaboration between the Thunderbird School of Global Management and ASU’s Global Futures Laboratory, they will also lead it.
It will focus on energy education, research and innovation to address complex energy issues causing global challenges.
The gift from Zorich will not only fund an endowed chair, scholarships and fellowships, it will also provide support for public programs and a PBS show on expert energy debates called “Energy Switch.”
Programming will be designed to expand access to energy information as well as develop solutions to help advance global energy systems.
The institute will start with curriculum development and the construction of fellowship programs.
After that, an executive-in-residence program will be launched in order to bring industry leaders into research, teaching and community engagement. It will also roll-out public programs that are meant to kick start conversations and innovation globally.
“Energy is central to nearly every facet of our daily lives and we have to prepare now for an evolving energy future,” ASU President Michael Crow said. “With the rapid growth of AI and other fast-moving innovations, we have a responsibility to ready the next generation of energy leaders and solutions. Bob Zorich’s visionary investment will empower our global understanding of energy, our vital literacy and how we can work together to develop the best paths forward.”
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