SFOU had its first breakfast at the University alumni weekend in Oxford on 16th September 2018. Kindly hosted by Mark Damazer, the Master of St Peter’s College, we were able to meet Swiss alumni as well as representatives from the Swiss Society in Oxford.
SFOU President Howard Rosen also had the chance to meet the University Chancellor, Lord Patten.
7th November 2018
In September 2018 during the Alumni Weekend, Howard made a Distinguished Friend of Oxford University in recognition for his work in setting up Swiss Friends of Oxford University.
5th October 2018
The next Oxford Alumni meeting is taking place between 14th and 16th September 2018. SFOU has arranged a special breakfast for Swiss alumni kindly hosted by the Master of St Peter’s College, Mark Damazer, on Sunday, 16th September, from 10 a.m. until 11.30 a.m.
A nominal fee of £10.00 will be charged (payable in advance). To book and get further details please contact Bobby Holtzer at info@oxfordfriends.ch. Space is limited, so do not delay! S’hät solangs hät!
3rd July 2018
The Swiss Friends of Oxford University welcomed Professor Philip Howard, Director of the Oxford Internet Institute, as its guest speaker at the Association’s first ever dinner, held on 21 June in Zurich, following its first Annual General Meeting.
Close to twenty Oxford alumni and friends of the university listened intently to the latest findings on the impact of digital media on public life and elections around the world, and the use of new information technologies for lobbying, marketing, social control and civic engagement. Professor Howard provided detailed insights into the world of fake news, manipulation of opinions through social media, and the ethics of the internet.
Explaining the work of the OII, Oxford’s highly regarded multidisciplinary research and teaching department for the social science of the internet, Professor Howard described its various research projects and how it aims to positively shape the development of the digital world for the public good.
With each guest then invited to pose a question or make a comment, the evening turned into a lively and informative Oxford seminar – but with much better food.
The Second SFOU AGM and dinner will take place in June 2019, in Geneva.
21st June 2018
The first Annual General Meeting of SFOU will take place in Zug on 21st June 2018 at 4 p.m.
9th April 2018
The first ever event hosted by the newly created Swiss Friends of Oxford University (SFOU) saw Swiss supporters and friends gather on the eve of the 2018 World Economic Forum at a reception in Zurich hosted by Howard Rosen CBE, SFOU President and alumnus of Exeter College.
Welcoming the guests, Howard Rosen explained the significant tax benefits gained by donors giving to Oxford through SFOU. He added: “We’re not a fund-raising organization, nor a social club, but we are all friends, and we intend to have regular annual events.”
The evening’s guest of honour, Vice-Chancellor Professor Louise Richardson, thanked Howard Rosen and the SFOU Board for their support and commitment to encouraging more donors based in Switzerland to support the University and colleges.
The Vice-Chancellor spoke about the close links between Switzerland and Oxford, the positive impact of the University on the global economy, and the importance of maintaining Oxford’s world-class contribution to research and education.
The new association helps supporters in Switzerland to make tax-efficient donations to the University and colleges for capital projects, academic posts, scholarships and research programmes. It can accept gifts in kind and legacies, with no Swiss gifts tax due. Membership fees of the association will be used in part to provide financial support for Swiss-resident students through a scholarship fund.
To find out more about Swiss Friends of Oxford University, how to join the association, and future events, please visit the SFOU website: www.oxfordfriends.ch or e-mail: info@oxfordfriends.ch
22nd January 2018
SFOU will be holding a special reception for its members and guests with the Oxford University Vice-Chancellor, Prof Louise Richardson, on 22nd January 2018 in Zurich between 4.30 and 6.30 pm. More details to follow but save the date now.
16th October 2017
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At its meeting on Tuesday, 3rd October 2017, the Board of the Association unanimously elected Board member John Rolley as Vice-President of SFOU.
John has a Master’s degree from Oxford University (Lincoln College), was a Visiting Professor of Business Communication at Webster University, Geneva, and studied opera singing at the Conservatoire de Nice. John is Managing Partner at R&R Value Partners, specialists in corporate performance enhancement. He was formerly head of Advisory & Sales Training Delivery in Europe at UBS, regional manager of the Financial Times for a number of major markets, and Chairman of the British-Swiss Chamber of Commerce in Geneva.
6th October 2017
A new association has been launched in Zurich to help the University of Oxford’s supporters
in Switzerland make tax-efficient donations to the University and its colleges.
Swiss Friends of Oxford University (SFOU) allows alumni, friends and organisations to give
financial support for key projects, including capital projects, academic posts, scholarships and
research programmes. It can also accept gifts in kind. The association will also provide
financial support for Swiss resident students through a scholarship fund, and will organise
events for its members.
At yesterday’s special Board meeting, Howard Rosen CBE, SFOU President and alumnus of
Exeter College, said: “After close to two years of preparation, Swiss Friends is at last ready to
get to work. Not only are donations from Swiss residents now tax deductible, legacies and
gifts in kind are also exempt from any applicable cantonal tax. We’re confident this will
increase support for Oxford and look forward to welcoming lots of members.”
Liesl Elder, Chief Development Officer at the University, said: “This represents the
beginning of a new and exciting relationship between the University and Swiss Friends. We
are enormously grateful to Howard and his colleagues for all of their hard work and
dedication. The new association will assist us greatly to attract more donors based in
Switzerland and support the University of Oxford’s vital research and teaching activities.”
To find out more about the Swiss Friends of Oxford University please e-mail: info@oxfordfriends.ch.
Board members from L-R: Guy Spier, Liesl Elder, Howard Rosen, John Rolley
4th October 2017
After close to two years of preparation, the statutes have been drafted, the Association established, tax rulings have been negotiated, the branding has been created, the bank account has been set up, and the board elected.
SFOU is at last ready to get to work.
Its role is to make it easier and more tax efficient for alumni and supporters living in Switzerland to help Oxford University and its colleges and departments remain the best educational institution in the world.
Our official launch will be at the beginning of October, but the Association is already accepting members and processing donations.
11th September 2017